Anyone bought a pair recently? I've got a pair I've had for 25 years that are about done. I sent them back to Russell a couple years ago to be conditioned and resoled and they did not want to do the work the leather was in pretty bad shape (I had been neglecting them). I talked them into doing it and it was great to get my old pair back. But I've now got cracks in the leather and the joints where the leather is sewn together is a sieve for water. To be clear, this is not a complaint about Russell - these have been great boots for a long time and I've gotten more than my money out of them.
My question to anyone who has made a recent purchase of Russell Turkey Hunters - how waterproof are they? My pair has never been close to completely waterproof even when new. Damp feet isn't too much of a bother with them as the moccasin style leather footbed does not "squish" at all and if you can tolerate damp socks their comfort outweighs the annoyance of damp feet.
That said, I'm thinking of a new pair of boots to turkey hunt in next season. Given I've had these for 25 years I'm not concerned about how much the new pair would cost. I'm just debating for myself whether I should try Danner or another high quality brand with Gore-Tex. If i knew Russell had improved the water proof features of their boots I'd buy another pair in a heartbeat.
My land is pretty wet - even when it hasn't rained, damp grass in the morning will soak thru my current Russells quick. I would like another 16+" boot as opposed to something shorter. I've got LaCrosse rubber boots i deer hunt in, but do not like walking the distances i walk while turkey hunting in rubber boots and I've never found a rubber boot that fit me just the way i wanted (especially when compared to the comfort of my Russell's)
Sorry for the long question but I'd welcome comments from anyone with a newer pair of Russell's or a positive experience with another brand that uses Gore Tex.
Thank you.
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Following as well. I've had a couple pairs of the Chippewa "waterproof" leather snake boots and they've kept my feet dry for a year or so that's it, they are comfortable to walk long distances in though. I have Lacrosse rubber boots too, but I can't walk miles in them because they will kill my feet. I also wear Red Wing and Thorogood leather waterproof boots at work and they also only stay waterproof for about a year or so. Just my 2 cents. And I am interested in the new Russels as well.
Purchased a pair in the fall, used this season didn't wade any creeks with them just a lit of wet grass knee high soaked them never got wet feet I am amazingly happy didn't leak I. Threads . I was so happy a bought a pair of upland boots from them comfortable dry and happy feet what more can I say
I got a pair in the fall. I sno sealed mine up pretty good and they have waterproof zips. I have walked thru water, mud, wet grass and gotten rained on and haven't had wet feet. That being said, I haven't stood in a running creek or anything but I didn't do that with rubber boots
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I have a pair that is about 12 years old. Very waterproof. I don't hesitate wading across creeks at all. I wouldn't hesitate to get another pair if something happened to mine.
Quote from: wchadw on April 19, 2020, 05:48:46 PM
I got a pair in the fall. I sno sealed mine up pretty good and they have waterproof zips. I have walked thru water, mud, wet grass and gotten rained on and haven't had wet feet. That being said, I haven't stood in a running creek or anything but I didn't do that with rubber boots
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Which exact Russell boots do you have? The only Russell Turkey Hunters with zippers don't appear to have a gusset behind the zipper and it looks like a heavy duty brass zipper that would work well but would not be waterproof
Harts turkey hunters. I asked if they had waterproof zips and they added. They are black waterproof zippers like on ski jackets
They are custom so, I called and talked to them about options
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200419/223015104a1d1edb0ecae1f6db71799b.jpg)
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I picked mine up slightly used before this season. They are solid leather w/ laces and no zippers. I've been in water several times including wading a couple of creeks over my ankles but no wet feet so far. I did treat w/ sealant before the season.
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Quote from: wchadw on April 19, 2020, 06:31:11 PM
Harts turkey hunters. I asked if they had waterproof zips and they added. They are black waterproof zippers like on ski jackets
They are custom so, I called and talked to them about options
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200419/223015104a1d1edb0ecae1f6db71799b.jpg)
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Thanks. I guess this is going to cost me some money as i was considering ordering from what they have in stock.
Couple of questions:
- what was the lead time from order to delivery? Did they get everything right? I love their product but their customer service has been questionable in the past. Never bad intentions, just people not doing it right.
- zippers on outside of boot? Why outside vs. inside?
- curious as to why the low/high laces along with the zippers?
Thanks to all for the replies.
Quote from: ShortMagFan on April 19, 2020, 06:54:13 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 19, 2020, 06:31:11 PM
Harts turkey hunters. I asked if they had waterproof zips and they added. They are black waterproof zippers like on ski jackets
They are custom so, I called and talked to them about options
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200419/223015104a1d1edb0ecae1f6db71799b.jpg)
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Thanks. I guess this is going to cost me some money as i was considering ordering from what they have in stock.
Couple of questions:
- what was the lead time from order to delivery? Did they get everything right? I love their product but their customer service has been questionable in the past. Never bad intentions, just people not doing it right.
- zippers on outside of boot? Why outside vs. inside?
- curious as to why the low/high laces along with the zippers?
Thanks to all for the replies.
I ordered my custom with feet measurements. I figured if I was paying that much I wanted to get it exactly like I wanted.
I called and talked to them and told them about my feet problems with high arches, hunting conditions, prefer easy on/off etc.
Ended up with harts with 2x extra poron cushions, air bob soles for muddier conditions, waterproof zips, pull on loops. Think that's all. Wanted snake proof liner.
The zips are on outside for easy on/off. I removed laces and got elastic "speed laces" but the laces on mine are never loosened on top since they zip down. I pull them on, zip and pull laces at bottom tight(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200419/6a3fb9034fe21dbe6c4e927a65e98b03.jpg)
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Quote from: ShortMagFan on April 19, 2020, 06:54:13 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 19, 2020, 06:31:11 PM
Harts turkey hunters. I asked if they had waterproof zips and they added. They are black waterproof zippers like on ski jackets
They are custom so, I called and talked to them about options
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200419/223015104a1d1edb0ecae1f6db71799b.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks. I guess this is going to cost me some money as i was considering ordering from what they have in stock.
Couple of questions:
- what was the lead time from order to delivery? Did they get everything right? I love their product but their customer service has been questionable in the past. Never bad intentions, just people not doing it right.
- zippers on outside of boot? Why outside vs. inside?
- curious as to why the low/high laces along with the zippers?
Thanks to all for the replies.
It took 4-5 months I think after I ordered and they got them right
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Thanks wchadw that is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. One more question - have your boots as pictured been in the field??? Those things look brand new.
Quote from: ShortMagFan on April 19, 2020, 07:37:24 PM
Thanks wchadw that is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. One more question - have your boots as pictured been in the field??? Those things look brand new.
That's when they were new. They are all muddy now. After season I'm going to wash them with saddle soap and dry and sno seal again
I love mine. If they last 10 years it will be worth the $
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I too have been contemplating them for my next pair. I generally can only get 2-3 years out of a pair or rubbers before they leak whether that's getting a hole poked in them or just aging. I would assume as long as you kept the leather conditioned with mink oil or something similar often enough that you would never have any soak through issues just like any other leather boot on the market.
If you're really needing waterproofness in them and not crossing small creeks for seconds only and actually spending time in wet swamps.... go all leather and stay away from the zippers. Use Obenaufs at beginning of each season and have a boot dryer for the evenings. Like slippers going on each morning, and while there's never a slosh feel and never water inside the boot, if you spend real time in the water they're going to get damp inside throughout the layers of leather....boot dryer fixes all that in minutes. Another tip: get speed laces instead of the hooks, one snag and pull on one of the hooks and the whole boot is loosened like its untied, speed laces like military boots is the way to go. Minute longer to lace in the morning, but you don't do it again until they come off.
I like the idea of taking the strings out and replacing them with something always tied. I have a pair of Russell Zephyr II to wear around town and really like them. I'd like to get a snake boot maybe without the laces and just a good zipper on the side. May have to call them on that
I have a pair that are going on three years. They are my favorite hunting boots. The only waterproof issues I have had with the boots are from not properly caring for the leather. You need to clean them with saddle soap several times per season and use the Obenauf's re conditioner. Dried mud on the boots will ruin the leather.
Cleaning with saddle soap after the season and treating with obenaufs a few times during the year makes sense to me. Doing so several times over a ~2 month turkey season seems like a little much. Heck I hardly wash the pants I wear turkey hunting during the season
Quote from: ShortMagFan on April 20, 2020, 12:28:40 PM
Cleaning with saddle soap after the season and treating with obenaufs a few times during the year makes sense to me. Doing so several times over a ~2 month turkey season seems like a little much. Heck I hardly wash the pants I wear turkey hunting during the season
https://www.russellmoccasin.com/leather-care/
Quote from: Click on April 20, 2020, 12:47:56 PM
Quote from: ShortMagFan on April 20, 2020, 12:28:40 PM
Cleaning with saddle soap after the season and treating with obenaufs a few times during the year makes sense to me. Doing so several times over a ~2 month turkey season seems like a little much. Heck I hardly wash the pants I wear turkey hunting during the season
https://www.russellmoccasin.com/leather-care/
Yeah I've read that. It's just not practical for me to clean and treat boots every time they get dirty during the season
Quote from: ShortMagFan on April 20, 2020, 01:01:59 PM
Quote from: Click on April 20, 2020, 12:47:56 PM
Quote from: ShortMagFan on April 20, 2020, 12:28:40 PM
Cleaning with saddle soap after the season and treating with obenaufs a few times during the year makes sense to me. Doing so several times over a ~2 month turkey season seems like a little much. Heck I hardly wash the pants I wear turkey hunting during the season
https://www.russellmoccasin.com/leather-care/
Yeah I've read that. It's just not practical for me to clean and treat boots every time they get dirty during the season
I would think once a year after season would be enough as long as they don't get too bad
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At the end of the season is the most important time to clean and treat them. I have a pair of their Mohican Stalkers. Cleaned and treated them the last time I used them. Just dug them out of the bin they were in. They look fantastic and I haven't touched them in 11 years. Russell makes the best, a little care pre season and a little post season and you'll be in great shape.
Well i went ahead and ordered a pair from Russell today - standard turkey hunters they had in stock. We'll see how they do the last 7-10 days of our season here. Will be interesting to compare them to my old pair
I bought a pair this year for the sole reason of having a truly waterproof, comfortable snake boot. Unfortunately, mine do leak a little at the top of the foot. I called Russell about this and they immediately knew where and what the pricked was. Told me to send them back and they'll get me fixed up. I intend to do that after the season closes
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Quote from: MShillhunter on April 24, 2020, 06:00:47 AM
I bought a pair this year for the sole reason of having a truly waterproof, comfortable snake boot. Unfortunately, mine do leak a little at the top of the foot. I called Russell about this and they immediately knew where and what the pricked was. Told me to send them back and they'll get me fixed up. I intend to do that after the season closes
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dang man....leaked right out the box...that sucks. at least they are doing right by you. but that's not what id expect. is it like a hole, or something they forgot to stitch.
I got a couple questions for you guys. One , compared to rubber boots "lacrosse, etc" how much heavier are the russells...or do you even notice. ? Two, if you can sneak...you can sneak...but do you find russels to be more difficult to walk quietly in or are you like me and believe its mostly in how you walk more than anything "heal to toe"
Quote from: dzsmith on April 24, 2020, 09:54:08 PM
Quote from: MShillhunter on April 24, 2020, 06:00:47 AM
I bought a pair this year for the sole reason of having a truly waterproof, comfortable snake boot. Unfortunately, mine do leak a little at the top of the foot. I called Russell about this and they immediately knew where and what the pricked was. Told me to send them back and they'll get me fixed up. I intend to do that after the season closes
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dang man....leaked right out the box...that sucks. at least they are doing right by you. but that's not what id expect. is it like a hole, or something they forgot to stitch.
From what I understood, it was a stitching problem. I was disappointed but knew with a company like that I'd be taken care of. It hasn't bothered me bad though. Like someone said above, a wet sock in a Russell is hardly noticeable compared to a wet sock in other boots.
Once they're broken in they can't be beat.
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Quote from: dzsmith on April 24, 2020, 09:56:41 PM
I got a couple questions for you guys. One , compared to rubber boots "lacrosse, etc" how much heavier are the russells...or do you even notice. ? Two, if you can sneak...you can sneak...but do you find russels to be more difficult to walk quietly in or are you like me and believe its mostly in how you walk more than anything "heal to toe"
More quiet. And not that heavy considering they're snake boots. Sound that leaves the top of a rubber boot from the sole up, that slight thud is loud and drives me crazy. Laced up Russell's are quiet
I've got several pairs of different types of LaCrosse rubber boots. I'll wear my Russell's over any of them unless I'm going to be wading. Wore my 20+ year old Russell's today and between the knee high wet grass and wading across two creeks my feet were shriveled when I took them off at 1p after the hunt. But with as far as we walked today I was happy I had them on and not my LaCrosse boots that I also keep in the truck this time of year. Hoping the new pair should keep my feet drier. We'll see
Quote from: Ranger on April 25, 2020, 04:38:23 AM
Quote from: dzsmith on April 24, 2020, 09:56:41 PM
I got a couple questions for you guys. One , compared to rubber boots "lacrosse, etc" how much heavier are the russells...or do you even notice. ? Two, if you can sneak...you can sneak...but do you find russels to be more difficult to walk quietly in or are you like me and believe its mostly in how you walk more than anything "heal to toe"
More quiet. And not that heavy considering they're snake boots. Sound that leaves the top of a rubber boot from the sole up, that slight thud is loud and drives me crazy. Laced up Russell's are quiet
Oh yeah i hate the thud, thats why I always use boots with the draw strap in the back. I cannot stand the thud.
Russell turkey boots review...... Ive had a pair and have been turkey hunting in them for nearly 6 years now. I have the greenleaf ones with no zipper (dont get the zipper). I hunt in south Alabama on the swamps so I run into a lot of water and mud. Let me be clear.... These boot are NOT waders and not classified as 100percent waterproof. They are water resistant for sure. Now what does that mean?? When I hunt I move through mud holes, bottom creeks, large mud swamps with water (50-100yds wide) and soaking dew wet fields and the boots are fine. No leaking. These boots however are not for standing in the water.
By far the most comfortable boots once you break them in. I walk an average of 6-8 miles a morning with no trouble. Get the custom made ones to your measurements. Its not hard to do follow on their website.
Few other comments:
These boots are high maintenance but they are worth it in my opinion. By this i mean after hunting I wash the mud off them if I can (dried mud just make leather dry more and cracks). Last hunt of the year I will wash off all the mud and scrub them clean. This is so when the next season comes around they will be clean to apply leather conditioner.
Dont leave them sitting in the sun dry rotting in the back of the pickup.... For obvious reasons
Bottom line is take care of them and they will perform for you. My 2 cents.
sounds good to me. I have no intention of standing in water for periods of time, but I do plan on crossing creeks throughout the morning or afternoon...and want to be able to do so without immediate wet feet or even soak through. so I figure as long as I keep them conditioned and don't have a puncture of some sort. I should be fine.
So my Russell Turkey Hunters came in this week. I ordered a stock pair to replace the 20+ year old custom pair I referenced at the beginning of this post
I treated them with Obenhauf's one afternoon last week. Wore them on a hunt for the first time today. A few observations:
- Russell recommends ordering a half size down. I ordered a 10 because I usually wear a 10 1/2 and my 20 year old pair is labeled as a 10. After wearing them this morning I'm wondering if I shouldn't have tried a 9 1/2. I do remember my old pair getting wider and shorter as they broke in so maybe these will do the same
- They aren't waterproof and I know they aren't advertised to be. On our hunt this morning we covered a lot of ground walking through thigh-high wet grass. My feet stayed dry for a couple hours but by the end of the hunt my socks were wet. My old ones had reached the point of not being any more water resistant than a pair of tennis shoes. These were much better than that but still let water in at the joint where the tongue, lowers and uppers all come together.
- they are tighter in the ankle area than my old ones. Guessing that will get better as they break in
All in all happy with the purchase and hope they last as long as my last pair. In terms of not being water proof, I knew what I was getting based on prior experience. I also bought some Le Chameau Chaussers for really wet conditions and those have been great so far (2 hunts). I guess I'll continue my pattern for the last 20+ years - wear the Russell's when walking a lot and tolerate damp feet and use the knee high rubber boot for really wet days and late season when the wet grass becomes an issue
I've got a picture of my wet socks but for some reason can't upload it
(//)
Quote from: ShortMagFan on May 02, 2020, 02:10:59 PM
So my Russell Turkey Hunters came in this week. I ordered a stock pair to replace the 20+ year old custom pair I referenced at the beginning of this post
I treated them with Obenhauf's one afternoon last week. Wore them on a hunt for the first time today. A few observations:
- Russell recommends ordering a half size down. I ordered a 10 because I usually wear a 10 1/2 and my 20 year old pair is labeled as a 10. After wearing them this morning I'm wondering if I shouldn't have tried a 9 1/2. I do remember my old pair getting wider and shorter as they broke in so maybe these will do the same
- They aren't waterproof and I know they aren't advertised to be. On our hunt this morning we covered a lot of ground walking through thigh-high wet grass. My feet stayed dry for a couple hours but by the end of the hunt my socks were wet. My old ones had reached the point of not being any more water resistant than a pair of tennis shoes. These were much better than that but still let water in at the joint where the tongue, lowers and uppers all come together.
- they are tighter in the ankle area than my old ones. Guessing that will get better as they break in
All in all happy with the purchase and hope they last as long as my last pair. In terms of not being water proof, I knew what I was getting based on prior experience. I also bought some Le Chameau Chaussers for really wet conditions and those have been great so far (2 hunts). I guess I'll continue my pattern for the last 20+ years - wear the Russell's when walking a lot and tolerate damp feet and use the knee high rubber boot for really wet days and late season when the wet grass becomes an issue
I've got a picture of my wet socks but for some reason can't upload it
I wear 11 1/2 tennis shoes and my custom made Russels say 10 1/2 in them.
I wore mine during deer season and turkey. Washed mud off them 3 or 4x with a high pressure sprayer and they just barley got damp around zippers. My feet have not gotten wet but I would think they would if I got in running water over ankles. I did glob sno seal on stitching and let melt in hot car when I first got them.
Someone said on one of these posts that the Russells are heavier than rubber boot but my lacrosse alpha snakes weigh 1/2 pound more each than Russell's I have.
I think they are worth the $ just based on comfort alone. Seasons over here so I washed them good with saddle soap and will re apply leather treatment but they still look pretty good. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200502/02605fb722e7b12e757d6b4e3878d03e.jpg)
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Yeah I've got another week here and then will do the saddle soap Obenhauf's treatment
I just compared new and old boots sole to sole. The new ones are definitely longer. They are worn so I guess I'll keep wearing them and then if I decide they are too big I'll get 9 1/2s and save these 10s for my 14 year old son who is growing boat paddles for feet