I have been doing a good amount of reading,thinking about breaking down and buying a pair of snake boots . I can't find one I can walk in over a day that don't kill bottom of my feet I friend of mine said he had foot problems till he got his moccasins and it's another world to him now
What I am asking is the owners of these boots out there in turkey hunting land are they really that good .
If you can't walk in a modern pair of boots more than a day without them killing the bottoms of your feet I'd say the Russell's are not for you. 100 plus year old technology around and under your foot. Mine about crippled me after the first 20 miles. When you get them they will have zero cushion. No type of insole or padding under your foot. I felt every rock I stepped on. Had I known this I would not have purchased the boots. Sent mine back and added some cushion and better soles than what comes with em. My best friend bought a pair and absolutely loves his. I did a lot of research and ask anyone I could find that owned a pair. The general thought is people either love em or hate em. No In between. When I talked to Suzie at Russell about my dislike of the boots she said most people that have the boot day they wear like a slipper. I replied you can't turkey hunt where I live in a pair of slippers. She said yes sir your right, I guess you can not. Beware bud. They are good folks and make a well made boot that will last a long time. But they will not cure hurting feet.
Opposite experience as J Lacey here. Just finished my 3rd season on my Russell Ultralites and couldn't be happier. I average sometimes 8-10 miles a day so 15-20 mile weekends is not uncommon....feel as good the last hour of the day as they do on the first. And you have 3 layers of leather underfoot that will shape and mold to your foot forever, you do have cushioning. I've had Plantar Fascitis in the past and New Balance use to be the most comfortable shoes I wore, now I have 3 pair of Russell's, 2 for daily wear and they are by far most comfortable I have ever worn. And if they don't fit perfectly, they'll rebuild them until do. Tips: Get all leather if waterproof is a concern, a boot dryer is a must to dry them completely at night, Obenaufs is your friend.... And I hunt in a river swamp
I had my Russell snakeboots built with vibram soles and poron intersoles. They work for me in moderate terrain. In rugged terrain or if I will cover long distances I prefer a good quality hiking boot with turtleskin snake chaps.
Quote from: J Lacey on May 19, 2019, 05:22:27 AM
If you can't walk in a modern pair of boots more than a day without them killing the bottoms of your feet I'd say the Russell's are not for you. 100 plus year old technology around and under your foot. Mine about crippled me after the first 20 miles. When you get them they will have zero cushion. No type of insole or padding under your foot. I felt every rock I stepped on. Had I known this I would not have purchased the boots. Sent mine back and added some cushion and better soles than what comes with em. My best friend bought a pair and absolutely loves his. I did a lot of research and ask anyone I could find that owned a pair. The general thought is people either love em or hate em. No In between. When I talked to Suzie at Russell about my dislike of the boots she said most people that have the boot day they wear like a slipper. I replied you can't turkey hunt where I live in a pair of slippers. She said yes sir your right, I guess you can not. Beware bud. They are good folks and make a well made boot that will last a long time. But they will not cure hurting feet.
What did the do to make them more comfortable? I just ordered some with extra poron sole and the vibram gumlite sole. I paid a lot for these hoping my feet won't hurt. Walking a lot in rubber flat sole snake boots is hell on my feet
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They reworked the boot adding poron and a thicker more aggressive sole. They arrived just before season ended so they've seen no woods time. Around the house they seem
much better and should serve me well. If I had it to do over the boot I ordered would not be my choice as a turkey hunting boot. I would have ordered the boot as it was after they fixed them and added the side zippers as well. I just didn't know what I was getting until it arrived. Everyone is just different and needs different things. They are great to work with and made every effort to please me. I was just unfamiliar with the construction and got a surprise
Quote from: J Lacey on May 19, 2019, 11:48:55 AM
They reworked the boot adding poron and a thicker more aggressive sole. They arrived just before season ended so they've seen no woods time. Around the house they seem
much better and should serve me well. If I had it to do over the boot I ordered would not be my choice as a turkey hunting boot. I would have ordered the boot as it was after they fixed them and added the side zippers as well. I just didn't know what I was getting until it arrived. Everyone is just different and needs different things. They are great to work with and made every effort to please me. I was just unfamiliar with the construction and got a surprise
I got the extra poron and side zips. Do you recall what sole the switched it to? I just sent in order so I can probably change it without any re work.
Anyone with experience with these please let me know
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Gumlite sole and poron slip sole should be excellent. Plenty of traction but still shock absorbing and lightweight. I think J Lacey said what his biggest issue was....he didn't know what he really ordered. Take the time to talk to them BEFORE and really plan out what you're getting and surprise shouldn't be involved in a $550 boot purchase, Russell doesn't want that either.
A lot of guys recently buying these because of the Nomad ad will regret the zippers and not getting all leather if waterproofness is important to them. Here again, not buying for what they really need isn't smart, and now they're complaining about them not being waterproof.
Just text me. I can't post pics here
770-548-0947
Quote from: Ranger on May 19, 2019, 12:33:12 PM
Gumlite sole and poron slip sole should be excellent. Plenty of traction but still shock absorbing and lightweight. I think J Lacey said what his biggest issue was....he didn't know what he really ordered. Take the time to talk to them BEFORE and really plan out what you're getting and surprise shouldn't be involved in a $550 boot purchase, Russell doesn't want that either.
A lot of guys recently buying these because of the Nomad ad will regret the zippers and not getting all leather if waterproofness is important to them. Here again, not buying for what they really need isn't smart, and now they're complaining about them not being waterproof.
Side zips leak bad? I assumed the turkey hunter boots were all leather? Not familiar with commercial
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I called Russell prior to ordering the boots. For the conditions I typically encounter a Sierr@ Vibram sole, poron intersoles and no zippers were suggested. I would definitely give Russell a call and discuss your order with them.
Quote from: bobk on May 19, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
I called Russell prior to ordering the boots. For the conditions I typically encounter a Sierr@ Vibram sole, poron intersoles and no zippers were suggested. I would definitely give Russell a call and discuss your order with them.
Yea. Think this would probably be best
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I have two pairs of all leather russell snake boots I need to sell. They were my Fathers, who passed, and they just dont fit. Awesome looking made boots though.
Couple pair on ebay for sale ... less than half price of the new ones ....
I had a pair,I liked them but at the same time I didn't....They was rough on the feet as far as feeling everything you stepped one.
But I noticed how much quieter I could walk with them..In the end I sold mine got a pair of lacrosse grange.I reckon I am one of the few who can wear rubber all day for distances
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I am looking hard at these boots. I like a taller boot due to walking through the dew in tall grass. I don't hunt very many areas that are swampy or wet but every now and then I do hunt those. Can you stand in water in ditches and not get wet?
I also prefer wearing a snake boot because they are more breathable than rubber. How well do these boots breathe?
Quote from: wchadw on May 19, 2019, 01:35:32 PM
Quote from: bobk on May 19, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
I called Russell prior to ordering the boots. For the conditions I typically encounter a Sierr@ Vibram sole, poron intersoles and no zippers were suggested. I would definitely give Russell a call and discuss your order with them.
Yea. Think this would probably be best
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I called and they were very helpful. I explained what I was using now and my issues and they modified my order with additional poron insert, a different sole and waterproof zips (this was a new option they were field testing) so hopefully this will be what I need
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Quote from: J Lacey on May 19, 2019, 12:37:09 PM
Just text me. I can't post pics here
770-548-0947
Thank you jlacey for sharing your experience. Very helpful
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Quote from: bobk on May 19, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
I called Russell prior to ordering the boots. For the conditions I typically encounter a Sierr@ Vibram sole, poron intersoles and no zippers were suggested. I would definitely give Russell a call and discuss your order with them.
Thanks bobk. Calling was a great suggestion
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Quote from: turkeykiller22 on May 20, 2019, 02:17:25 PM
I am looking hard at these boots. I like a taller boot due to walking through the dew in tall grass. I don't hunt very many areas that are swampy or wet but every now and then I do hunt those. Can you stand in water in ditches and not get wet?
I also prefer wearing a snake boot because they are more breathable than rubber. How well do these boots breathe?
Breathe fine, but as far as wading they're not for that. They won't take in water to where your toes move it around, more like slowly seeps in through the layers and has a moist feel....not like a boot full of water at all. If a lot of wading, go for a rubber but I still do a lot of water in the Russell's. And he should have skipped on the zippers
Not truly Russell related. I have worn many kinds of boots available today but never as expensive as these or moccasin like. I have flat feet and just dealt with it but finally went to a poditrist who suggested Copper fit balance insoles. They really have helped in my Danner snake boots and other shoes. I have tried arch supports before but they felt like lumps in my boots.
How many years do you guys typically get out of a pair of Russell Turkey boots? I just got about 7 years out of my danners and unfortunately they may have 1 year left tops. Looking at the danner vitals but if I could get 15 or so years out of the Russels I may consider it. I dont mind paying a little extra for quality but I dont like paying extra for a name.
I'm in my 6th year of my Russell turtle skin turkey hunters they're as good as the day I got them. I treat them often put them on a dryer at night I put tons of miles on them every spring I start in March and hunt till the end of May every year. And then wear them 20+ days fall hunting. They break in a little tough but once they are I can wear them all day for days on end put 10-15 miles on a day and never have had an issue with sore feet. They've never leaked on me and I cross creeks often and never avoid water.
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I have two pairs of Russell uplander boots that were purchased around 1980. I still have them after putting a ton of miles on them. Both pairs have been resoled by the factory.
My snakeboots are about 12 - 15 years old and are like new.
Just keep them clean, dry them at night and treated the leather and they will last.
I have a pair of the cordura snake that I bought 12 years ago... I wear them 100+ days a year and LOVE them. I did put a gel insert in mine. I also am on my second pair of Russell Zephers... another awesome boot.
I had a pair I sold after a couple years, I tried to wear them 9000 times, I gave up on about all boots, I have owned all brands of laceups and pullons in snake and non snakeproof, I have found I am going to wear and be comfortable with aftermarket soles in lacrosse grange, my old tennis shoes when it's dry, or morrell light hikers.
14 years on my current pair of Russell Turkey Hunter Lites. Proper care - including 2-3 treatments per year with Obenauf's LP. ( depending on how often they are wet). Best boot money can buy.
I also own Zephyrs and South 40 bird shooters that have been phenomenal. Custom made to your feet. In Wisconsin. By master bootmakers. Not from a size X mold in some factory in China or Vietnam.
:smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an
Just finished 18th season with mine. Just treat them a few times of the year and they are good to go. I also have a pair of their South 40 bird shooters I got in 1989. Finally had to re sole them a few years back. You can't find a better boot. Well worth the initial investment.
Quote from: wchadw on May 20, 2019, 06:37:54 PM
Quote from: wchadw on May 19, 2019, 01:35:32 PM
Quote from: bobk on May 19, 2019, 01:28:29 PM
I called Russell prior to ordering the boots. For the conditions I typically encounter a Sierr@ Vibram sole, poron intersoles and no zippers were suggested. I would definitely give Russell a call and discuss your order with them.
Yea. Think this would probably be best
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I called and they were very helpful. I explained what I was using now and my issues and they modified my order with additional poron insert, a different sole and waterproof zips (this was a new option they were field testing) so hopefully this will be what I need
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Update on this. I got these a little over a week ago. They are well made and comfortable to wear. They are lighter than I expected and while still warm to wear, nothing close the the rubber snake boots I was wearing.
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Got mine thursday
Man I think I am gonna like
Hope yours turns out like u want