Russell Moccasin boot question...Need your opinions please

[Mike Vines]

I meant no disrespect to you. I was just voicing my opinion as well. He never mentioned to me anything about return shipping, for I never asked about it, but like I said I'm very happy with the customer service so I will gladly pay the shipping if it requires it.

Sorry for any confusion.

[Kevin Dill]

Certainly glad to see the dialogue between the company and its customers. As a business owner I know that bad experiences result in way more talk than any good experiences.

I had a pair of the very good German-built hunting boots. They were a thing of beauty, and I broke them in nicely. I then took them to the NWT on a caribou hunt, where I proceeded to wreck my feet in them. I had multiple blisters, and 4 discolored (purple-black) toes after a 10 mile day. I barely saved my feet and was able to continue hunting only in a very limited fashion. I returned them and ordered my Russell HCHs. I went back to the NWT a year later, and I hunted as hard as before. Dry feet...happy feet. Not one sore spot. I don't think the Russells are made any better (per se), but I know mine were made for my feet and they fit my feet like a custom bow grip fits my hand. I've logged a bunch of miles in them, and have not had as much as a hot spot in 9 years of ownership.

I just wish everyone's results were as good. Yes, very expensive. So are most of my custom bows...Sitka Gear...etc. I'll probably spend more hours in my boots than I will with any of my bows.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I own a pair of High Country Hunters and short PH boots. First thing first, I love both pairs. As long as your measurements are taken exactly as Russell Moccasin suggests then you should receive a very comfortable pair of boots. Things to consider: weather, crossing creeks occasionally, snow, rain, and terrain you'll be hunting. Once you've figured out these variables, choosing your boot/sole combination might be a little easier. My HCH are my go-to boot for most hunting situations out west, warm and cold (September through December). The PH boots are great for leisure, light-hiking, and warm weather hunting in dry climates. Once again, your measurements are critical and the type of socks you'll be wearing are important too. I measured my feet several times to ensure my measurements were correct, wearing the socks I normally hunt in. When measuring the circumference of your feet around the ball, instep, heel, ankle, and leg, make sure you pull the tape snug. There is a long wait, but as long as you've measured correctly I don't think you'll be disappointed. On a side note, I did have a concern about one boot, but they were more than happy to fix the problem if it persisted. Needless to say, every time I put them on my feet thank me. Enough said.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

I have 2 pairs, the TLC "Woodcock" uninsulated and the "Mountain Climber" with 400 g of thinsulate.  I love them.  Sent my TLC's in this summer to have them resoled (they are from 2002/3) and they are like new.  I've worn my Russells in lots of places from out West (MT, ID and CO) - some pretty steep stuff - to Canada (BC and above the Arctic Circle in the NWT) to the basalt country in the NT Australia, and of course hundreds of miles of whitetailing in the midwest without a complaint.  For what I do the TLC's are the best all around boot I've ever owned and a perfect "10" for fall/early winter for me.

Interestingly, a couple years ago I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot from a combination of steel toed shoes and concrete floors at work and the ONLY shoes I could wear comfortably for about 4 months without special inserts were my TLC's.  Didn't make sense to me since there is not an obvious arch support, but it is true.

Ryan

[Ray Hammond]

Ryan, that's interesting- since I suffer from plantar's myself I'm always looking for input.

If you listen to your podiatrist- as you stated- that flies in the face of what they always seem to recommend.

I know when I have a flareup, every day, in any shoe, is torture.

[Greg Skinner]

Ray, I had a bad case of plantar about five years ago.  I never went to a podiatrist, but I reviewed lots of information on the internet and tried several different orthotics.

I finally cured it, for the most part, by using an orthotic from "Footrest.com" and by doing some stretching excercises. I figured that as long as I used the orthotics in whatever boots I wore I would be OK.

However, after 3 or 4 years I began to have other foot problems, namely bunionettes on my right foot - from boots that still didn't fit right (Danners).  I figured out that the orthotic was not allowing my foot to be itself (as in barefoot) after reading the book "Born to Run", and that led me to try the minimalist theory.

Running with minimalist shoes helped to strengthen the tendons that cause the plantar flareup and I had to work through a re-currence of that pain. My problem was that I had no boots to wear that were minimalist.

After reading about Russell's work in that department, I decided to order the pair of Trackers I described in my previous post.  I wear them virtually all the time and have had NO plantar pain.  Yes, that does indeed "fly in the face" of podiatrist advice, but the cradling effect of the moccasins, along with the Munson last that allows my toes to splay out and not be cramped makes all the difference in the world.

Sorry for the long post, but anyone who has ever suffered from plantar problems knows what I am talking about, and if my experience can help even one person, it is worth the effort.  

As I said before, if you have average feet that fit well in over the counter boots you can disregard everything I have posted.

[Kevin Dill]

Greg,

Well stated. I've always been a believer in the minimalist footwear theory. Nature made our feet the ideal 2-legged bearing/balancing tool without shoes or items. I've never ever had an arch issue, fascitis or other problem. I specifically look for boots that have no arch support. My feet are absolutely the most comfortable and useful in a boot which has a wide last and room for my foot to spread to its natural full width. I also like the (somewhat) wider outsole of a Russell Moccasin boot, as it distributes weight over a wider area and provides better balance in uneven terrain. In many ways, a typical moccasin-toe upland boot does the same thing. Walking is much more natural and the boot has more versatility. Again, it's all based on good fit and even a poor-fitting $450 boot isn't worth a nickel to me.

[3Under]

I have a pair of HCH with bobbed soles  that I got '97. I have C width at the ball of my foot with double A heels (kind of like a duck!). I usually have problems with heel blisters. These are not insulted . There was really no break in period(For me). They are the most comfortable boots I ever worn.

I did have a problem with bobbed sole coming unglued on the toes from the adjacent layer during a Co. elk hunt the fall of '97. I called, sent them back, got them fixed,at no cost to me, with no problem since. Wore them yesterday while scouting half a day in the hills of KY. Really satisfied with the boots

[Steve O]

Kevin--sounds like you should be running the 5 Fingers    

[Kevin Dill]

I think I could eliminate treesteps if I wore those things...

Cue the Gecko!

[sweeney3]

YES!!  HERE WE GO!!  

I love it when two of my favorite things (running and bowhunting) start to overlap.  

For what it's worth, I have been running for twenty years, and finally went with the barefooting/minimalist thing a couple years ago.  Started hunting that way when I can (obviously, if it's super cold, bad idea).  It's been fantastic for me.  Certianly worth considering.  I've looked at the Russells and may try a pair.  Lately, I've been hunting in mocs, but they are far from durable or grippy.  

Sorry about the threadjack.  Just had to throw that in there.  

[killinstuff]

Well how did everything work out for those that had poor fitting boots from Russell after this string was sent to the owner? Did you send your boots back and get them refitted?

I have two pairs coming, one is shipping next week and other should be in around August. I ordered them fully intending to ship them back to be "adjusted" the day after I get them with the hopes of ending up with "perfect" fitting boots.

[Mike Vines]

I had the pair I started this thread about delivered, and the fit was not good, so they told me to ship them back with pictures of what was wrong, and they would remake them.  I was told I will have them about the middle of April, or sooner.  

The quality and workmanship were second to none.  The boot was great, just the fit wasn't where I liked it.  Customer service is top notch with this company.

[uglyjake]

Hope everything is great with the boots when you get them in April, hopefully in time for turkey hunting.  I will be looking for your updated report.

[killinstuff]

Mike,

What was not good about the fit?

[Day Dreamer]

I got my HCH's in late Nov. (i think). I went with a smaller sole than the air bob, so I could wear them around town.

I absolutaly love them, I wear them almost everyday. fit and finish was second to none, very happy. I wore them during late archery season. For treestand cold weather, I put a wool boot cover over them, works great.

Only problem I had was my sole came unglued from the adjacent layer from the vibram sole similiar to 3under's post. I just glued back myself, I didnt want to send back due to the reason I wear tham alot and didnt want to part with them.

What I like the most about russell's, the toe room. The leather wraps around my ankle and arch mid-foot and my toes are not squished whatsoever.

Someday I will order another pair maybe taller ones and save for just hunting season.

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by killinstuff:
Mike,

What was not good about the fit?

When I laced them up, the sides of each boot touched, so if there was any stretch at all, they would soon be miserable to wear.

[cacciatore]

Or you love them or you hate them!

[Bigriver]

Remember mine Felix? Hated them, I could just have burned up the 450 bucks in the fire, it would have hurt less!!