Anyone who own a pair of Russell boots, I need some info. I bought a pair of High country hikers & received them yesterday. I tried to wear them for a short walk & noticed almost right away, they hurt my feet. Inside the back of the boot there is a large seam right at the level of my heel bone. No way I can walk in them ,my feet will be hamburger in the mountains. Do all your boots have that same seam? Thanks for any help. I have contacted them, I am not impressed with the CO so far.
I had a pair of Bowhunter boots. I loved these boots! I have been wearing thick wool socks for 12 years all year long. I have never noticed the seam. I worked outside in 90's temps without issue in heavy wool socks. I also soften my leather boots with baseball glove butter before I wear them.
Try some Glove Loogie or Neatsfoot oil on your boot.
I only wear Russells. In the office, at home or in the woods. I currently own 6 pairs. Not a better boot made in my opinion. That being said....
You did the right thing in terms of contacting them. Ask to talk to Ralph. Ralph Fabricious is the President of the company and he will do whatever it takes to make your boots right. Lots of folks have special needs in terms of where seams need to be located and they can put pads in certain areas, extra leather to cover seams etc... whatever needs to be done. They'll make it right for you.
I've been wearing a pair of the stalkers for 4 years now. Every day. I'm pretty hard on boots and that they have lasted this long amazes me.
I planned on just using them to hunt in, to dang comfortable for that.
I'm gonna have a new pair soon.
I think Otto gave you good advice, once you get them right I think you will love them.
Glad to hear that Robin.
:wavey:
I have 2 pairs and love them!Only problem I have had is when I had the first pair re-soled they did not last very well(soles).They are the high country hunters and I use Huberds(not sure if I spelled that correctly) the grease and they are soft and supple and a joy to wear. Bill
Big River,
I had a pair of "Sheep Hunters". I had the same issue. Unfortunately I did not find it until I had backpacked about 25 miles into the Yukon! Breaking the boots in for two years prior they were as comfortable as could be. Wet weather, heavy pack, and brutal terrain was too much for them. If it were me, and I was planning on doing anything but the least strenuous hunts with them, I would be RUNNING to the Post Office to return them!
I wear the south 40 style and never had a problem. They do take back any boot that gives you a problem. Call them like Otto said, they will work to make you happy.
I ordered a pair of Russell PH boots a while back, they came a few days ago. They seem wide to me, definately no pressure points on my feet. My question to other Russell boot owners, is this the way they normmaly fit, a bit different from conventional boots?
With conventional boots I wear a 9 1/2 D, these are a 9 1/2 EE.
I have three pair and have been wearing them for six years. I sent the first pair back because they were too wide and roomy, similar to Eric's situation. The problem was in the tracing I sent in. They built me a new pair that fits like a glove. I just use those specs for subsequent boots.
Like Otto said, talk to Ralph and he'll get it right.
Eric
I wondered about the fit on mine when they came, seemed a bit loose to me also. I was concerned about the steep ground and my feet sliding around. It turned out to be no problem ( I did get the heel counter put in)
This next pair I'll use a thinner sock when I trace around my foot though.
Charlie, I think I told you that I got this first pair due to your write up here. Very sound advise you give my friend :wavey:
Thanks for the testimonials, back to the question :wavey: Do your boots have a big honkin` seam running inside at the heel line or is the leather inside smooth?
They will not return custom boots, otherwise I would do that. I`m thinkin` I just blew 455 bucks, not good.
Bigriver
Is the seam you are referring to running vertically up the back side of the boot or peripherally around the perimeter of the boot??
I don't understand the comment about not returning custom boots. All Russell boots are custome made.
I am talinkg about the seam running horizontal along the footbed all the way along the inside perimiter of the boot. It is huge on my boots. I have looked at every other boot I own, it is unique with them & in very bad spot.
Russell makes a lot of boots that are not custom, you can buy them off the rack with standard sizes & widths.
When you do tracings & have them custom made, no returns. Beleive me,I read that in the catalog 20 times. Of course, that was after I got the boots.
I have 2 pair that i have worn over 15 years and still going. I expect to get at least 20 years out of them. The only leather boot i have onwed that i can wade creeks with and keep a dry foot.
I have 2 pair of the stalkers, one with no sole, and one with a crepe sole with no heel. I sent a print of my foot, to have them made, they fit well for me.
I have my made with a double vamp and they don't leak.
I have a pair of South 40 birdshooters that are around 15 years old and they look like it. I have had the toes restitched a couple of times and this is their last go round. Comfortable as a pair of slippers. I keep them treated with their silicone and I have never had wet feet. I have delt with better companys however. To answer the question I have never had a problem with the seam in the back.
Ringneck, Where i to buy a pair today, i would go with a toe cap, to protect the stiching. my boots are double vamp, there are no stiches, just smooth leather.
The company used to be good to deal with years ago, they made sure my boots were what i wanted.
I haven't bought anything other than the leather treatment for years. I know the prices have gone way up in the new catalog
I believe that if there is something really different about your foot then they might not take them back but if you have a fairly common foot of a fairly common size they will take them back.In fact I am pretty sure that is where most of they're off the shelf boots come from is returns and I also think that many of the (custom) boots are also just production boots as many of us have very similar feet.That is why production boot companies (Danner,Rocky and others)can make boots or shoes that work for most.I have two pair and have very finicky feet and they work well for me and I hunt in different extremes of weather(from 85degree bowhunts in CA to 10 degree rifle hunts in CO and ID)and some pretty steep ground see Trinity Alps and Marble Mtns. in northern CA as well as rugged mule deer country and have no trouble with my feet . I guess my point is I think they probably reflect the most benefit for someone with foot problems and if you don't have that and you don't like your boots I think they take them back.BTW I do have a T shaped stitching in my boots vertical line at back of heel and horizontal line in bottom back of footbed.Sorry for long post.Bill
"I do have a T shaped stitching in my boots vertical line at back of heel and horizontal line in bottom back of footbed."
Someone answered my question, THANK YOU!! Wow, sometimes the internet is like being a dentist.
Mine were custom ordered and there was no bad seam at the heel; but there was one along the side towards the front. I tried to get to like them for a few months and wound up selling them for under half of what I paid. The company is a good one; and I have no regrets-just didn't work out for me.
Bigriver, You need to take a ride to Berlin WI to the headquarters with the boots and show them what you are having problems with.
They WILL make it right. The company stands behind the product. You are not that far from them for a $455 pair of boots that may turn into the beat investment you made.
jmho
I went there to order them, take off work, drive over there to get my boots right? That makes them even more expensive :mad: I am sending them back for them to look at, at my cost of course, but after this thread I`m afraid that is the way they are made. I figured if they did my foot tracing, they would fit like a glove. Needless to say, I am quite dissapointed.
I ordered them because my feet are different sizes & over the counter boots have not worked out. I hope it is not an expensive experiment.
Thanks, Osage1. They didn't have the toe caps when I ordered mine but the next pair will have them for sure. Bigriver, I am sure they will work with you until the problem is fixed to your satisfaction.
BigRiver
I wish you luck. I had to return a pair one time and Ralph made them right. Mine aren't off the rack either. They work off the tracings on file for me as my feet are a half size different.
Let us know how it works out.
• Custom made goods cannot be returned or exchanged, but we will be glad to remodel if a satisfactory fit is not received.
Looks like they will remodel them though. Make the phone call.
I have a ten year old pair of High Country Hunters that were custom made. They are lined with cambrelle, and they have a minimal layer of thinsulate. The seams are hardly noticeable to me. These boots are...hands down...the most comfortable boot I've ever worn. Yes, the do build them wider than most off-the-shelf boot makers.
The cons: Not 100% waterproof no matter what I do to/for them. I wouldn't advise them for wet country hunts where occasional immersion is likely. I also don't think of them as being especially "tough" boots. They'll tolerate the rigors of most hunting situations just fine. If I was going after sheep, goats, etc (a pipe dream) I would look at more mountain-oriented footwear like Hanwags, Meindels, Lowas etc.
Kevin Dill