i have a pair of Russell Upland shooters that i purchased in 1971. At one point i wore them daily as a field biologist. I singed them in fires, walked in swamps, and generally abused them. they are still in one piece.
I've had my Russell boots for 8 years and wore them almost daily during the fall and spring as a police officer. Also, I wore them field hunting and in the duck blind with water. Still my favorite boot. I did have my foot measured at Russell.
I have loved my russel boots so far. I found them pretty much brand new at a local consignment ship for $30 just a couple weeks ago. I've not had much experience with quality boots but these things are super comfortable.
Lucky, goal to get a set of Russells. They look a little rough but I don't mind, the classic way they're made and their track record for how they last is top notch
The stitching on the midsole isnt decorative, these have a slipsole. So the midsole is glued and stitched to the slipsole and the slipsole is glued to the outsole. It helps keep the outsole from separating
I had a dissatisfactory customer service experience with them about these boots recently, BUT, it does seem like the quality of their stock boots has picked up under the new management.
If it's any consolation, the Russells look great from anywhere but right up close, the form and design is way more pleasing aesthetically. One is a real moccasin construction, the other is simply a moccasin style upper, there's no comparison, as you've described by the resultant fit and support they offer. What leather was used in yours, is it by Horween?
I agree the Russells are overall handsome, but you're mistaken about the construction on the Rancourts. They actually share the exact same bottom construction, a lower piece of leather that goes all the way under the foot, blake stitched to a midsole, with a sole glued on. The Rancourt leather is a lesser known Horween, I forget which, and the Russells are red maple oil tan from S.B. Foot, as best I can tell. Russell was very cagey about it.
I would like your opinion on the alden indy boot with the trubalance last. I think that would be a good fit for you except the ankle area which might be a little large of an opening for you.
I had a pair back in the day! Loved them. Wore them through two resoles. First resole was with B. Nelson in NYC, second was with Alden, and sadly, Alden ruined them on the resole. Never felt the same, ended up selling them. I miss them terribly. The price is now more than $300 higher, so that's that. Indeed, they laced up balmoral tight.
@@matthewsbernierhow did it go? For that price point I need a guarantee these boots will be crafted with the finest standards start to finish....did you get like a refund or new pair?
Where did you buy those? I think someone sold you seconds or used boots. I would have sent them back just for the uneven stitching by the toe and scratches.
Neither are work boots. The Russells are more supportive, and better suited to hiking. The Rancourts are not for difficult terrain. Can't speak to flat feet, I have very much the opposite of flat feet.
I own Nick's (another PNW boot like White's). Completely different type of boot. Nick's are work boots even though many are worn as fashion statements. Break-in is a real bear.
pnw boots are absolute overkill unless you are literally chopping down trees or fighting fires all day its like, you could theoretically hike in an everest style mountaineering boot, it must be the best for the job right? well, actually, no
Perhaps, but they felt so nice I just wanted to get out in them. I'll have them resoled someday anyway. HOWEVER, I found out these were made single vamp instead of double vamp, and with no poron (which explains some things about them), and I just had the worst customer service experience of my life with the new management, which I am uploading videos about right now.
@@matthewsbernier Are you sure about that? The back country should be double vamped (it's on their website at least) and there are videos of people cutting them in half and they are double vamped. The Professional Hunter is a similar style and those are single vamped.
Was considering Russels until now. Can't forgive the craftsmenship for the price. They just can't be as durable as they're supposed to if the stitching and cuts are that careless.
@@johnobannon2291 These were made by Russell before it was owned by Luke, and while I had a very unpleasant and acrimonious customer service experience with Luke regarding these boots, I do have to say, I have seen his leadership dramatically improve the consistency and quality of new boots going out their door. And even these, as they are, are one of my favorite pairs of boots. My other pair of Russells, made much better, bought on ebay, is another favorite. I would feel confident buying their new boots. But yeah, they really messed up this pair, at the end of the life of the business. In fact, these were supposed to be double vamp, and they are in fact single vamp. (That's what the interaction was about.) I don't think a pair like this would leave their shop anymore.
Something seems off about that russell boot. That has to be some sort of old resole that you got. There is no way that leather even cheap leather ages that quickly. I would be contacting the company.
I thought about it, but I really just wanted to wear them. They felt SO GOOD. (They still do.) I can tell you this, they weren't used . The leather wasn't broken in. No creases at the ankle or vamp. The leather was still freshly lasted. All the marks were from 3 things: 1: Poor clicking. The shaft leather, especially, was from an inferior portion of the hide, alternating between thin and textured, to smooth but boardy. Something about our conversation on the phone makes me suspect they were running low on it. This was during COVID, and the upholstery department I worked with was constantly delayed for months by leather shortages, so not surprising. 2: Scuffs from rough handling, likely by an inexperienced worker, given the moc stitching. 3: Marks from a vice or rough work surface with a waffle pattern, probably same cause. Now, all of this was before I realized they had entirely forgotten the second vamp, which I did contact them about, and as you can see in my second video about my interaction with them, the new Russell doesn't feel that the mistakes of Russell past are the responsibility of Russell present.
@Nibs To Chainsaws that's a darn shame. They used to have impeccable customer service. No questions asked repairs and in many cases a complete new rebuild if it was not up to the purchaser's expectations.
@@Butwhat1776 They sure did, and imagine my surprise that part of an INCREASE in prices and a decrease in options was also the elimination of said service! But in exchange, I get to have a diary of all the new owner's problems instead.
These are only double vamp, not triple, so they both do, a little. But I bought them for summer boots, and they dry rather quickly. I'm satisfied in that regard. I actually posted another video where I crossed a stream and they didn't leak. Takes a good sustained immersion to let even a few drops in. But they're very clear that while the triple vamps shouldn't leak, the doubles can.
@@matthewsbernier He means they are constructed completely differently. The Russels' design is much more complex and requires different stitchings.... smh.
I'd have missed out on a lot of good hikes, if I had! Some of them are even in my other videos. Sometimes there isn't time to get work done again. You gotta use it as-is.
@@matthewsbernier Then you shouldn’t have bashed the brand on a video. That’s cowardly. They had no chance to correct the problem and you didn’t mention that. Bad form mister.
If the Russels were so bad when you bought them why did you not send them back! Other, why did you not clean up the Russels like you did with your home town boot..... Not a good review.
To answer your last question first, they're both freshly cleaned up and oiled in the video. No idea what you're talking about there! Other question, they're comfortable and suited my needs, which were time sensitive, and any change would have taken months. They're still far and away my most comfortable boots. Not a good comment.
i have a pair of Russell Upland shooters that i purchased in 1971. At one point i wore them daily as a field biologist. I singed them in fires, walked in swamps, and generally abused them. they are still in one piece.
I expect the same of these! They may be aesthetically flawed, but they are structurally very sound.
Were they reasonably waterproof? Can I wear them for hiking?
@@naughtyskywalker9292 I waxed and seam sealed them but they are Not waterproof. For general hiking, i wear hiking shoes.
I've had my Russell boots for 8 years and wore them almost daily during the fall and spring as a police officer. Also, I wore them field hunting and in the duck blind with water. Still my favorite boot. I did have my foot measured at Russell.
I have loved my russel boots so far. I found them pretty much brand new at a local consignment ship for $30 just a couple weeks ago. I've not had much experience with quality boots but these things are super comfortable.
damn dude bargain of the century right there
Lucky, goal to get a set of Russells. They look a little rough but I don't mind, the classic way they're made and their track record for how they last is top notch
Thanks for sharing your review of these. I just picked up my first Rancourts, and will one day pick up a pair of Russells, too.
This video is hilarious
I got a pair of Russell PH.The stitching is pretty funky but you can’t beat the confort.
The stitching on the midsole isnt decorative, these have a slipsole. So the midsole is glued and stitched to the slipsole and the slipsole is glued to the outsole. It helps keep the outsole from separating
Have to agree with what you've pointed out. Their management needs to check this finish, which does not warrant the cost.
@@JonHope-xb1ng To be fair to them, they changed ownership since these were made, and the new boots do seem more consistent.
Love my Russell Hiker boots! Exquisite comfort!
Great and honest review! I wonder if their recent changes will address this.
I had a dissatisfactory customer service experience with them about these boots recently, BUT, it does seem like the quality of their stock boots has picked up under the new management.
If it's any consolation, the Russells look great from anywhere but right up close, the form and design is way more pleasing aesthetically. One is a real moccasin construction, the other is simply a moccasin style upper, there's no comparison, as you've described by the resultant fit and support they offer.
What leather was used in yours, is it by Horween?
I agree the Russells are overall handsome, but you're mistaken about the construction on the Rancourts. They actually share the exact same bottom construction, a lower piece of leather that goes all the way under the foot, blake stitched to a midsole, with a sole glued on. The Rancourt leather is a lesser known Horween, I forget which, and the Russells are red maple oil tan from S.B. Foot, as best I can tell. Russell was very cagey about it.
I would like your opinion on the alden indy boot with the trubalance last. I think that would be a good fit for you except the ankle area which might be a little large of an opening for you.
I had a pair back in the day! Loved them. Wore them through two resoles. First resole was with B. Nelson in NYC, second was with Alden, and sadly, Alden ruined them on the resole. Never felt the same, ended up selling them. I miss them terribly. The price is now more than $300 higher, so that's that. Indeed, they laced up balmoral tight.
Over the last year Russell Moccasin has been sold and now under new management. The website is in process of change.
I'm in the middle of my first customer service experience with the new Russell, I'll let folks know how it goes.
@@matthewsbernierhow did it go? For that price point I need a guarantee these boots will be crafted with the finest standards start to finish....did you get like a refund or new pair?
Where did you buy those? I think someone sold you seconds or used boots. I would have sent them back just for the uneven stitching by the toe and scratches.
These were brand new customs from Russell. One of the last made to measure boots.
For $700, give or take, I would be disappointed.
Are you crazy WC Russell's build quality is second to none
@@hgm8337 🤪Gibba Gabba Wooba Woobie Woo🤪
This reply to this comment seems fitting, no offense
How do these hold up compared to a pair of jk or whites? Also does anybody have advice on which ones do best for flat feet? Thanks guys
Neither are work boots. The Russells are more supportive, and better suited to hiking. The Rancourts are not for difficult terrain. Can't speak to flat feet, I have very much the opposite of flat feet.
You might think of the "holding up" this way: My chef's knife will likely last me my whole life. But not if I start batoning logs with it.
I own Nick's (another PNW boot like White's). Completely different type of boot. Nick's are work boots even though many are worn as fashion statements. Break-in is a real bear.
pnw boots are absolute overkill unless you are literally chopping down trees or fighting fires all day
its like, you could theoretically hike in an everest style mountaineering boot, it must be the best for the job right? well, actually, no
Yeah those tooling marks shouldnt have been on there.. I think this was a factory second or should have been.
He paid 600 + for his custom boots . They do look like seconds for sure .
Should’ve sent those Russell’s back, looks like a newbie made those.
Perhaps, but they felt so nice I just wanted to get out in them. I'll have them resoled someday anyway.
HOWEVER, I found out these were made single vamp instead of double vamp, and with no poron (which explains some things about them), and I just had the worst customer service experience of my life with the new management, which I am uploading videos about right now.
@@matthewsbernier That’s too bad when they cost so much !
@@matthewsbernier Are you sure about that? The back country should be double vamped (it's on their website at least) and there are videos of people cutting them in half and they are double vamped. The Professional Hunter is a similar style and those are single vamped.
Was considering Russels until now. Can't forgive the craftsmenship for the price. They just can't be as durable as they're supposed to if the stitching and cuts are that careless.
@@johnobannon2291 These were made by Russell before it was owned by Luke, and while I had a very unpleasant and acrimonious customer service experience with Luke regarding these boots, I do have to say, I have seen his leadership dramatically improve the consistency and quality of new boots going out their door. And even these, as they are, are one of my favorite pairs of boots. My other pair of Russells, made much better, bought on ebay, is another favorite. I would feel confident buying their new boots.
But yeah, they really messed up this pair, at the end of the life of the business. In fact, these were supposed to be double vamp, and they are in fact single vamp. (That's what the interaction was about.) I don't think a pair like this would leave their shop anymore.
I hope Russell contacts you and sends you a brand new pair with an apology. 🥴
I dunno if you saw the two recent videos about my customer service interaction with them, but that is very much the opposite of what happened.
@@matthewsbernier I will have to check those out! Thank you for the reply and for uploading your content.
I wear Russell size 7 but Rancourt 8.5. The sizes are ridiculous.
That's interesting, I'm the same size in both, 7.5 or 8, depending.
Something seems off about that russell boot. That has to be some sort of old resole that you got. There is no way that leather even cheap leather ages that quickly. I would be contacting the company.
I thought about it, but I really just wanted to wear them. They felt SO GOOD. (They still do.) I can tell you this, they weren't used . The leather wasn't broken in. No creases at the ankle or vamp. The leather was still freshly lasted. All the marks were from 3 things:
1: Poor clicking. The shaft leather, especially, was from an inferior portion of the hide, alternating between thin and textured, to smooth but boardy. Something about our conversation on the phone makes me suspect they were running low on it. This was during COVID, and the upholstery department I worked with was constantly delayed for months by leather shortages, so not surprising.
2: Scuffs from rough handling, likely by an inexperienced worker, given the moc stitching.
3: Marks from a vice or rough work surface with a waffle pattern, probably same cause.
Now, all of this was before I realized they had entirely forgotten the second vamp, which I did contact them about, and as you can see in my second video about my interaction with them, the new Russell doesn't feel that the mistakes of Russell past are the responsibility of Russell present.
@Nibs To Chainsaws that's a darn shame. They used to have impeccable customer service. No questions asked repairs and in many cases a complete new rebuild if it was not up to the purchaser's expectations.
@@Butwhat1776 They sure did, and imagine my surprise that part of an INCREASE in prices and a decrease in options was also the elimination of said service! But in exchange, I get to have a diary of all the new owner's problems instead.
I look at the russell's and I see comfort, i look at the other boots and i see a stiff pair of boots.
@@jdl1276 The Russells are stiffer by far, but they're my hiking boots, so that's desirable.
Which one will leak?
These are only double vamp, not triple, so they both do, a little. But I bought them for summer boots, and they dry rather quickly. I'm satisfied in that regard. I actually posted another video where I crossed a stream and they didn't leak. Takes a good sustained immersion to let even a few drops in. But they're very clear that while the triple vamps shouldn't leak, the doubles can.
What is your width?
These are built on an 8C last, but then material was added to make an E width ball of the foot, as I have a narrow heel, and wide forefoot.
Apples and oranges
In terms of QC, attention to detail, hide selection, clicking, and stitching, I completely agree.
@@matthewsbernier He means they are constructed completely differently. The Russels' design is much more complex and requires different stitchings.... smh.
You should have sent them back.
I'd have missed out on a lot of good hikes, if I had! Some of them are even in my other videos. Sometimes there isn't time to get work done again. You gotta use it as-is.
@@matthewsbernier Then you shouldn’t have bashed the brand on a video. That’s cowardly. They had no chance to correct the problem and you didn’t mention that. Bad form mister.
Why would you call it a moccasin it’s a boot.
Cause' it's a moccasin, Fat Squirrel!
Moccasin in this case is a style of boot construction.
If the Russels were so bad when you bought them why did you not send them back! Other, why did you not clean up the Russels like you did with your home town boot..... Not a good review.
To answer your last question first, they're both freshly cleaned up and oiled in the video. No idea what you're talking about there! Other question, they're comfortable and suited my needs, which were time sensitive, and any change would have taken months. They're still far and away my most comfortable boots. Not a good comment.