How water proof are the snake boot versions of Russells. Also when measuring did you account for tucking your pants legs into the boots or do they adjust for that already. Do you recommend the steel shank?
Thinking about saving up and getting a pair. Just want get it right because of the $$$$$
We need to get a pair now, Del. While we still have enough years to make them worthwhile. I have never heard a bad word about them.
Only had mine one year so far ... Waterproof so far a great-keeping the oiled up with Obenauf's really good !! Didn't get the steel shanks though. Also- when I measured , I did not allow for pants legs tucked in the boot - they are made to lace up closed off so there is room still.
Really seems to be a great pair of boots- I hunt a lot and other boots have just not held up for me over the past- hoping these do- really look to be made to last
talk with Nitro or Lf cox as they both are Russell enthusiast. I love em too just don't own the specific pair you are speaking of.
Quote from: gaswamp on June 01, 2014, 09:23:05 AM
talk with Nitro or Lf cox as they both are Russell enthusiast. I love em too just don't on the specific pair you are speaking of.
I texted Andy last night about them. Was gonna post over on old masters this morning to ask Frank.
Quote from: drenalinld on June 01, 2014, 12:15:21 AM
We need to get a pair now, Del. While we still have enough years to make them worthwhile. I have never heard a bad word about them.
Me either D. Ive heard great things for years bout them. Wore out another pair of Rockies this season.
I have had a pair since early 90s they are not waterproof but if you use what they say to on the leathers they be resistant to water but my feet still get damp i just got the ultimate boots with turtle skin they are a Little better but get ready to shell out 575 bucks for them
My experience with them was a nightmare. Sent back the first two times because they were not made to the correct measurements, another time because they leaked immediately in water and a final return for my money back when I recieved the same pair with stuff smeared on the stitching. I can wear out a pair of danners every spring and be much happier.
I'm sure my case is not normal but it sealed the deal for me.
Del did you decide to get some? Its been on my mind lately also. I hate going through a pair every year or two.
Not yet. Got some saving up to do first.
I had a pair I wore a little, mine were never comfortable to me and I sold them on here last year.
I wore the Irish Setter vaprteks a bit this spring, they are comfy and light, I may sell them too though, I am not a big snake boot guy and I always seem to reach for my old lacrosse knee boots.
Del, I had a pair yrs ago, mine leaked after the first yr, mine was all leather and heavy as hel. I like my Danner and cheap rocky's better.
I didn't get mine until April 20th but I wore them almost every day from then until May 11th. I was measured by their folks at the NWTF convention Russell booth in both 2013 and 14. I am not sold on them at this point as they were VERY tight in the ankle and foot area. I called them and asked them if they could have sent me someone else's boot as they were that uncomfortably tight. They said they just needed broken in and if I had blisters they had to be loose to rub the blisters on my feet and ankles. I know they are not loose as they are the hardest damn boots I have ever had to put on my feet even when totally un-laced. Got them wet and walked them dry several times and they are still not any better and my foot hangs over the sole on both sides of each boot.
I just mailed them back yesterday letting them know what areas were rubbing and I took pictures of my feet to show them.
One of the soles is already coming loose on the heel also. I will give them a chance to correct it but if it's not taken care of it will be my first and last pair! When they do the measuring you would think the boots would be perfect.
I noticed on the inside of the tongue the shoe size was 8 1/2. When I told the guy on the phone at Russell that I wear a 9.5 or 10 in most shoes he said "don't go by what you wear and I know these measurements are right".
I spent the money on these boots because of what I have been told by others in the past and I usually can not get but 2 seasons out of a pair of boots. Hopefully they will make it right...
Sounds like I may be getting some Danners
Del, I heard that the insulated Danners are the best as far as not leaking. I will be getting a pair of Danners before next spring. I bought a pair of Rockies a few years back, wore them one season and when the next seaon rolled around, the sole came loose on opening day. Rocky doesn't want to stand behind their product! They're rude as well. Was the time, back when they were predominately a boot company, they would have taken them back. But times have changed!
I have worn the Danner Pronghorn snakeboots the past two years and am very pleased with them. I had to wade a fairly deep creek this spring to get to a bird and I could feel some dampness after I got across the creek. But walking across growed up fields early in the morning my feet never get wet. But they are leather boots. Not sure if there is such a thing as fully waterproof leather.
Danner pronghorn snake boots!!!!!
Has anybody tried the Irish Setter Vaprtreks? They look interesting. I too have been considering some Russells, but the general consensus seems to be love/hate on the fit piece based on my research. Much of my local hunting necessitates a rubber boot so I've been considering taking what I'd spend on a pair of Russells and getting the Lacrosse Mudlite snake boots, which I've heard great things about, and a new pair of lace-ups. I split my time now between Lacrosse Alpha Burlys and the Rocky snake boots, but my last pair of Rocky's all but disintegrated on me this spring and they will be my LAST pair. They're comfortable, but I've never had a pair that kept out water, even when new.
http://hunt.irishsetterboots.com/irishsetter-shoe/2875-irish-setter/2875-irish-setter-hunt-mens-17-inch-boot-brownrealtree-xtra-green-camouflage
Quote from: J-Shaped on June 21, 2014, 11:55:19 AM
Has anybody tried the Irish Setter Vaprtreks? They look interesting. I too have been considering some Russells, but the general consensus seems to be love/hate on the fit piece based on my research. Much of my local hunting necessitates a rubber boot so I've been considering taking what I'd spend on a pair of Russells and getting the Lacrosse Mudlite snake boots, which I've heard great things about, and a new pair of lace-ups. I split my time now between Lacrosse Alpha Burlys and the Rocky snake boots, but my last pair of Rocky's all but disintegrated on me this spring and they will be my LAST pair. They're comfortable, but I've never had a pair that kept out water, even when new.
http://hunt.irishsetterboots.com/irishsetter-shoe/2875-irish-setter/2875-irish-setter-hunt-mens-17-inch-boot-brownrealtree-xtra-green-camouflage
I got the vaptreks about mid season this year, they are pretty good, I may sell them though, I just can't seem to get used to wearing a high top lace boot, I always end up going back to old green unis lacrosse.
I had a pair of mudlites, non snake version and sold them, they were hot and heavy in the standard version, I have been accused of walking too much too though..
I've had my Russell Turtle Skin snake boots for 10 years. I have treated them with Obenhaufs leather conditioner a couple of times during the year and have not had any leaking problems. They still perform as well today as the first day I bought them. You do have to do some maintenance periodically, but for me they are great boots and fit me better than any of the 4-5 previous snake boots I've had. Living in Fl, I wear them spring and fall during the turkey and deer seasons so they definitely get lot of use. Del, if you decide to get a pair you do not have to allow for tucking in your pants. When I ordered mine that was a question I asked and was told I didn't have to. Hope that helps you make a decision. I just got tired of having to buy a new pair every few years. These will be the last snake boots I will have to buy. Good luck.
Rick
My experiences parallel Rick's ..
With care, the boots hold up very well. I bit the bullet and didn't really worry about the initial cost of the boots (based largely on the other Russell boots I own)... amortized over the minimum 10 years I have in the boots so far, I am pleased with my return on investment.
Remember- CUSTOM MADE to YOUR FEET.... in the USA.. I have never had any quality related problems out of anything I have purchased from Russell Moccasin..
Wish I could say that about all the Boots I have bought in my life..
Quote from: fl panhandler on June 23, 2014, 09:37:04 AM
I've had my Russell Turtle Skin snake boots for 10 years. I have treated them with Obenhaufs leather conditioner a couple of times during the year and have not had any leaking problems. They still perform as well today as the first day I bought them. You do have to do some maintenance periodically, but for me they are great boots and fit me better than any of the 4-5 previous snake boots I've had. Living in Fl, I wear them spring and fall during the turkey and deer seasons so they definitely get lot of use. Del, if you decide to get a pair you do not have to allow for tucking in your pants. When I ordered mine that was a question I asked and was told I didn't have to. Hope that helps you make a decision. I just got tired of having to buy a new pair every few years. These will be the last snake boots I will have to buy. Good luck.
Rick
Quote from: savduck on June 20, 2014, 09:13:22 PM
Sounds like I may be getting some Danners
Just pray you don't have to send them back for any problems.
Danner's return policy is the reason I only ever owned one pair of their boots in my life. I won't even consider ever buying another from them.
I have owned my Russell turkey boots since 2000. They have been resoled 3 times and are due for another set of soles. They are as waterproof as a leather boot can be. I use Obenhaufs on them at the beginning of the season and maybe another time if I am walking through plenty of water.
Concerning every other major brand of commercially made boots, I have never had a pair not leak within a year.
Buy one pair of Russell's as an investment as over time, they will save you money. You won't regret your purchase. Call Joe Gonyo in Wisconsin and tell him Hart sent you!
I've never tried Russell boots but I find my Cabela's Full Draw boots very comfortable.
They lost any semblance of waterproof after a couple months but they are comfortable.
I've worn them three or four seasons now.
I got a call from Bill at Russell yesterday, they received my boots, reviewed the pictures and after inspecting the boots Bill wants me to have my feet remeasured. He said that from where the boots have broken down it is definitely a non fitting issue. They are going to start from scratch and build me another pair. At this point I can not complain about their customer service and really hope the next pair fits better.
I know from all the past reviews of folks I have spoken with that if you get a pair that fits you will never wear anything else. Keeping my fingers crossed...
You might take a look here if your looking for new Snake boots.
http://www.snakeboots.com
Greg
I have 3 pair of Russell boots. The first pair was made 8 yrs ago around a custom footbed I had sent to them with measurements. They fit OK. The next time I drove to Berlin to be fitted to make sure fit was proper. I had 2 pair made and neither fit. One pair to small the other to big. The big pair was remade then came too small. After several calls no satisfaction. The boots set in my closet for 4 yrs. At the 14 NWTF convention I told the salesman my story he measured my foot and had me send them back. I felt they should have remade the boots. They didn't they stretched them. They don't fit like a custom boot should but at least I can wear them.
I am not sure if they had a generation of boot makers retire and the craft wasn't passed on properly or what either way it's a maybe wether you get a pair of boots that fit properly. I doubt I ever purchase another pair from them. I have a narrow foot and boot selection is smaller. Does anyone know of a proper custom boot maker that they have had good luck with?
I have been on this site for awhile and love the information it has stepped up my game. Thanks for all your help.
After reading all of this post I think I'll stay with my Lacrosse Burley's. Yes I may replace them about every 3-4 years but when I'm walking in the swap and river bottoms where I hunt I know my feet will stay dry and feel good on my feet. I've walked a ton of miles in these boots and can say I still love them. It would really piss me off to spend that much money only to have a bunch of headaches. JMO.
Ginslinger1 I don't know about the others but I appreciate your feedback. Although I had my feet measured by their staff at the last two NWTF conventions I am having my feet remeasured today by a friend. The folks at Russell asked me to do this and resend new measurements. I hope they get it right this time or I will be done with them as well. I really want this to work out as the soles on these boots were super quiet and I could feel every twig and leaf with each step.
Love mine! I've got the turtleskin snakes as well, it did take a bit to break them in but boy when they did, they're like wearing sneakers. I treat them with Obenhaufs on a regular basis. I've used several brands of snakes and the best I could get was two springs worth of turkey hunting out of them. The Danners LaCrosse and Irish setters I've owned don't compare to the quality and comfort in the Russells. Plus made in the good ol USA.
They are water resistant, not water proof. Keep them treated and they do well. I finally bought a pair after going through Danners and Rockys. Spent about $600 over several years, finally broke down and had the Russell's made, little over $400 then. These will last me the rest of my years (58 now) and never have to buy another pair. You will save over time.