Recently, I received my eighth pair of Russell Moccasin footwear, bison leather Backcountry boots. Most of us bird hunters don’t fold over the tongue in PNW style mainly due to the lack of speed-lacing studs and the fact that we wear briar chaps over the boots. I still have a pair of Imperials (older model similar to but taller than the Backcountry) that I bought in 2012, they’re made with French veal leather. As long as you treat them with Obenauf’s beeswax conditioner or similar product, the boots will last a very long time. A fellow hunter had his Russell boots for 45 years.
Never clicked a Bootlosophy video faster! I have a pair of their Safari boots (basically the Backcountry but with with canvas instead of leather from the ankle up for breathability) with a Lactae Havea sole. They're incredible! So comfortable, supportive, and sturdy. Perfectly waterproof, even on the canvas (it's waxed) for crossing streams, wading into rivers, etc. Real moccasin construction is unbeatable. Best hiking/outdoor boots I could imagine! Hope you love yours too! Thanks for all the content
I dislike the shape of moccasins but if I were to buy one these are the ones that I would definitely buy! Jesus when I got in this hobby I thought I would only be buying one super strong boots for life and now I already have 3!
Interestingly, I was wondering when would you and other boots people looking into Russell Moccasin the other day. Welcome to the traditional moccasin construction shoes club. If you nailed the fit, it will be serving for years to come.
Like the video and review. Was not a fan of Moc Toes but recently bought a pair of Redwing Irish Setters and am happy as a dog with two tails 😂😂. Thanks, Teik.
I was looking at Grant Stone's Field boot but really didn't care for the hardware and sole but really liked the bumper toe and the top stitching. Saw these and thought "yep, that's what I was looking for" but the price point is considerable (and I have a pair of Nick's). Great looking boot!
Very fair assessment of the backcountry. I own five pairs of various Russell Mocassins. They recently raised prices, so they are super expensive now. There are some other options to finding older styles from various other places such as C. Woodcock & Co, who have some older models at much better prices. The really difficult thing is sizing with these boots. I take a full size down from regular, but it varies from boots to the shoes. But they are marvelous footware.
Russell got put under different management and they basically decided to save the company from itself. Drastic reduction of the in stock models and the custom stuff is now $1000 minimum. That said this should hopefully put them up for success in the future.
The sizing app they recently added to their website works really well, I was pretty nervous ordering boots this expensive to be shipped to Switzerland, but they turned out perfect, as with most others report who have used the app.
Sizing is weird for me as I usually go with my arc length +0.5 more than my heel to toe length. I got longer boots as the result, and a bit more wiggle room. I might need to try full size down with wider width.
i have russel's and a smaller wisconson brand called Fish Creek Moccasin. i had the latter ones custom fit by the maker and he made pains to warn me they would have a serious break in.
I bought a pair of genuine moccasin constructed boots last year, though the ones I purchased had a Christy wedge sole. They were significantly cheaper than these because they were made in India. They were constructed the same as these with a blake stitch to hold the upper and midsole together and an external rand stitch to attach the outer though they only have an additional strip of leather around the outside rather than a complete layer like your boots. They were called the "Bampton" and sold by Oliver Sweeney which is a hybrid fashion/serious brand that sometimes does interesting stuff like alongside their blake stitched boots and cupsole sneakers. Anyway, they are the polar opposite of something like your PNW boots with good underfoot feel even on my wedge soled version. They have a similar feel to boat/deck shoes which have a similar construction. Mine are for casual use only with their wedge sole but for your intended use I suspect they will involve a different way of walking on rough ground where you will place your feet more precisely rather than the tendency to plough forward that heavy and fairly rigid boots encourage. You may also have sore soles on your feet on a long hike until you adjust if you are using these on rocky ground. Once you adjust to this I think you'll love them but might find switching between the Russell's and a pair of White's quite noticeable.
The leather mid-sole stiffens the arch area just enough, I was a bit worried about this when I got them, but have hiked on rocky terrain with them and had no problems. I would not pick this model for high altitude hiking where you can spend hours crossing rock fields and sharp boulders, they make more heavily built models like the Big Combo that would be better, or I'd suggest more traditional mountaineering brands for this, but for most common hiking and trekking conditions the Backcountry does just fine.
Love your channel, your knowledge, attention to detail and level headedness make for very interesting and informative videos. I wouldn't worry about training the tongue, Russell says you can use either method, on mine just smoothing the sides in makes for an easier lace, maybe some of their models have a wider gusset, but these don't need a PNW fold like Nick's and others do. Give your feet some time to adapt to these, you might not need more arch support. My soles cramp up after a few hours wearing Thursdays or Red Wings, but I could wear these hiking all day and not feel a thing, in fact they let my feet do their thing naturally, your foot musculature might change a bit for the better if ou wear these enough. For info the leather is made by S.B. Foot and is heavily wax and oil stuffed, the water resistance is amazing, and they need very little break-in at all. I love the way they smell ! Mine felt like slippers after only a few wears, and now after a 100km + wear they just keep getting better and better. I've been wearing my identical Backcountrys for a month now, mostly for hiking and dog walking in quite wet weather, with a few warm days. I'm used to wearing all leather hiking boots and shoes, these are a whole different level of comfort and they perform very differently, the main differences being the low drop, the flexibility of the soles, the suppleness of the shaft, and most importantly, the way they hold your heel down while gripping the instep, all the while leaving the forefoot to move quite freely. The difference in performance and comfort is appreciable due to this, not having your forefoot locked down actually reduced fatigue considerably for me, and the boots are incredibly surefooted with amazing ground feel when. you are side-hilling or on uneven terrain. They are quiet and there is minimal heel strike, another huge advantage over traditional hiking boots. All in all the best boots I've ever owned by far, I still love my Hanwag boots and La Sportiva shoes but these are in a different league. I wrote a big review on the Fedora Lounge for anyone who wants more in depth comments and impressions : www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/russell-moccasin-co.115085/
To me, Russell Moccasins are the opposite feeling of PNW style boots: Russells are much lighter built with very supple leathers and flexible under foot so you feel the ground whereas the trademark of the PNW boots are the unyielding arch support and overbuilt construction with the thickest leathers that tend to require a long break-in and a somewhat disconnected ground feel underfoot.
Exactly. I love the PNW feel but they are way overbuilt for my lifestyle, and they make zero sense to me as a hiking boot of you don't need the protection they were designed to give.
They look absolutely fabulous! I'm intrigued as to the welt. Is it like a Blake stitched welt (or Mackay Welt as Wootten describes it) where there is an internal stitch down through one of the vamps into the welt? Also, being a moccasin would that mean that arch support is difficult to create? Anyway, can't wait to see your full review of this one!
Some of their leather options are Seidel, like the Shrunken Bison, the Oak and Walnut Timberjack are from S.B. Foot. Same tannery, owned by Red Wing, but I don't think Red Wing uses any of the exact same leathers as do RM.
I just ordered a pair, but what is not visible on their site : they have seconds and discontinued model which you can find in google, saved 200 usd but even customer support does not tell you what is the issue.
Just got them on hand, a bit of white particles i guess from oil, some stains inside shaft, not very dense moc stitching, one boot sole is a bit wavy, i guess worth the seconds 550 usd price! Testing begins from end of september. Just rewatched i guess only some minor staining and few creases near moc are the things that came with seconds price!
How about a comparison with the Rancourt alternative moccasin at a much more affordable price? Look forward to more comments as time progresses, thanks.
The Rancourts don't have double vamp models, they aren't water resistant like the RM. I've never owned a pair but I don't think they are as useful for serious hiking and hunting as the RMs are. They look like a cool option for more casual wear, though !
Beginning of the year, I contacted RM asking if I can stop by for a fitting. I live 2 hours drive from Berlin, WI. I was told by “Customer Support” that they don’t have a retail store presence , and brushed me off. Thought it would be cool to own something handmade and local. IDK, I think RM only caters to Presidents, Royals, and Influencers. 4 degrees C?! In WI come March and temp reaches 4 degrees, we’re all giddy that it’s finally warm outside! 😂 congrats on your purchase. Something special from Wisconsin.
RM recently came under new ownership. They have been restructuring their manufacturing process and trying to built ready to wear stock. They can’t really do custom fittings like they used to and it has nothing to do with you not being a celebrity.
@@franky3fingers337 They were also moving into a new factory. I think you can do full custom again but just in person, you'd probably have to contact them fist and not just show up like in the old days.
@@drregmonster4371 they advertised a lot recently and I decided to get them - same thing with others? Rose Anvil has been looking at them for a while and got me interested
Recently, I received my eighth pair of Russell Moccasin footwear, bison leather Backcountry boots. Most of us bird hunters don’t fold over the tongue in PNW style mainly due to the lack of speed-lacing studs and the fact that we wear briar chaps over the boots. I still have a pair of Imperials (older model similar to but taller than the Backcountry) that I bought in 2012, they’re made with French veal leather. As long as you treat them with Obenauf’s beeswax conditioner or similar product, the boots will last a very long time. A fellow hunter had his Russell boots for 45 years.
Never clicked a Bootlosophy video faster! I have a pair of their Safari boots (basically the Backcountry but with with canvas instead of leather from the ankle up for breathability) with a Lactae Havea sole. They're incredible! So comfortable, supportive, and sturdy. Perfectly waterproof, even on the canvas (it's waxed) for crossing streams, wading into rivers, etc. Real moccasin construction is unbeatable. Best hiking/outdoor boots I could imagine! Hope you love yours too! Thanks for all the content
Good to see those relatively unknown brands. A few Northampton or uk brands would be good to see like the stow boot albeit they are expensive.
Awesome. I was so excited to see a Bootlosophy video on Russell.
PS: Wisconsin gets really cold in winter but it's probably hot AF ATM.
I would love to see you do a review of Gokey Moccasin Boots!
I dislike the shape of moccasins but if I were to buy one these are the ones that I would definitely buy!
Jesus when I got in this hobby I thought I would only be buying one super strong boots for life and now I already have 3!
Russell Mocs!! Been wanting to try these, really glad to see you covering them my friend ❤
@@DalesLeatherworks not your usual rugged style but surprisingly tough for the look and super comfortable!
Great video. Rose Anvil just did a cut in half of these and shows how much hand work is in these. Much more than other boots. Keep the great work up.
Just got some RM sporting clay chukkas yesterday, love em!
Interestingly, I was wondering when would you and other boots people looking into Russell Moccasin the other day.
Welcome to the traditional moccasin construction shoes club. If you nailed the fit, it will be serving for years to come.
Like the video and review. Was not a fan of Moc Toes but recently bought a pair of Redwing Irish Setters and am happy as a dog with two tails 😂😂. Thanks, Teik.
I was looking at Grant Stone's Field boot but really didn't care for the hardware and sole but really liked the bumper toe and the top stitching. Saw these and thought "yep, that's what I was looking for" but the price point is considerable (and I have a pair of Nick's). Great looking boot!
I did the maths, I can get a two resoles form my leather hiking boots, from what I understand
Very fair assessment of the backcountry. I own five pairs of various Russell Mocassins. They recently raised prices, so they are super expensive now. There are some other options to finding older styles from various other
places such as C. Woodcock & Co, who have some older models at much better prices. The really difficult thing is sizing with these boots. I take a full size down from regular, but it varies from boots to the shoes. But they are marvelous footware.
Russell got put under different management and they basically decided to save the company from itself. Drastic reduction of the in stock models and the custom stuff is now $1000 minimum. That said this should hopefully put them up for success in the future.
The sizing app they recently added to their website works really well, I was pretty nervous ordering boots this expensive to be shipped to Switzerland, but they turned out perfect, as with most others report who have used the app.
@@adamr63 it recommended me boots 2.5 sizes below my true size.... It has issues 😅
Sizing is weird for me as I usually go with my arc length +0.5 more than my heel to toe length. I got longer boots as the result, and a bit more wiggle room. I might need to try full size down with wider width.
i have russel's and a smaller wisconson brand called Fish Creek Moccasin. i had the latter ones custom fit by the maker and he made pains to warn me they would have a serious break in.
Nice! It just so happens that i also have a pair of Russell's Backcountry in dark leather color. Interested in watching your full review!
I have a feeling those are going to become your favorite hiking boots. 😊
Very nice. Ill be getting a pair of these this fall
I bought a pair of genuine moccasin constructed boots last year, though the ones I purchased had a Christy wedge sole. They were significantly cheaper than these because they were made in India. They were constructed the same as these with a blake stitch to hold the upper and midsole together and an external rand stitch to attach the outer though they only have an additional strip of leather around the outside rather than a complete layer like your boots.
They were called the "Bampton" and sold by Oliver Sweeney which is a hybrid fashion/serious brand that sometimes does interesting stuff like alongside their blake stitched boots and cupsole sneakers.
Anyway, they are the polar opposite of something like your PNW boots with good underfoot feel even on my wedge soled version. They have a similar feel to boat/deck shoes which have a similar construction. Mine are for casual use only with their wedge sole but for your intended use I suspect they will involve a different way of walking on rough ground where you will place your feet more precisely rather than the tendency to plough forward that heavy and fairly rigid boots encourage. You may also have sore soles on your feet on a long hike until you adjust if you are using these on rocky ground. Once you adjust to this I think you'll love them but might find switching between the Russell's and a pair of White's quite noticeable.
The leather mid-sole stiffens the arch area just enough, I was a bit worried about this when I got them, but have hiked on rocky terrain with them and had no problems. I would not pick this model for high altitude hiking where you can spend hours crossing rock fields and sharp boulders, they make more heavily built models like the Big Combo that would be better, or I'd suggest more traditional mountaineering brands for this, but for most common hiking and trekking conditions the Backcountry does just fine.
Love your channel, your knowledge, attention to detail and level headedness make for very interesting and informative videos.
I wouldn't worry about training the tongue, Russell says you can use either method, on mine just smoothing the sides in makes for an easier lace, maybe some of their models have a wider gusset, but these don't need a PNW fold like Nick's and others do. Give your feet some time to adapt to these, you might not need more arch support. My soles cramp up after a few hours wearing Thursdays or Red Wings, but I could wear these hiking all day and not feel a thing, in fact they let my feet do their thing naturally, your foot musculature might change a bit for the better if ou wear these enough.
For info the leather is made by S.B. Foot and is heavily wax and oil stuffed, the water resistance is amazing, and they need very little break-in at all. I love the way they smell ! Mine felt like slippers after only a few wears, and now after a 100km + wear they just keep getting better and better.
I've been wearing my identical Backcountrys for a month now, mostly for hiking and dog walking in quite wet weather, with a few warm days. I'm used to wearing all leather hiking boots and shoes, these are a whole different level of comfort and they perform very differently, the main differences being the low drop, the flexibility of the soles, the suppleness of the shaft, and most importantly, the way they hold your heel down while gripping the instep, all the while leaving the forefoot to move quite freely. The difference in performance and comfort is appreciable due to this, not having your forefoot locked down actually reduced fatigue considerably for me, and the boots are incredibly surefooted with amazing ground feel when. you are side-hilling or on uneven terrain. They are quiet and there is minimal heel strike, another huge advantage over traditional hiking boots.
All in all the best boots I've ever owned by far, I still love my Hanwag boots and La Sportiva shoes but these are in a different league. I wrote a big review on the Fedora Lounge for anyone who wants more in depth comments and impressions :
www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/russell-moccasin-co.115085/
To me, Russell Moccasins are the opposite feeling of PNW style boots: Russells are much lighter built with very supple leathers and flexible under foot so you feel the ground whereas the trademark of the PNW boots are the unyielding arch support and overbuilt construction with the thickest leathers that tend to require a long break-in and a somewhat disconnected ground feel underfoot.
Exactly. I love the PNW feel but they are way overbuilt for my lifestyle, and they make zero sense to me as a hiking boot of you don't need the protection they were designed to give.
They look absolutely fabulous! I'm intrigued as to the welt. Is it like a Blake stitched welt (or Mackay Welt as Wootten describes it) where there is an internal stitch down through one of the vamps into the welt? Also, being a moccasin would that mean that arch support is difficult to create? Anyway, can't wait to see your full review of this one!
Aha. Good picture of the welt/sole construction on their website.
@@user-dl3zt6lj3m their website has a good explanation.
Seidel Tanning in WI I think they use for there boots
I can find notice SB foot in some sights so basically red wing leather!
Some of their leather options are Seidel, like the Shrunken Bison, the Oak and Walnut Timberjack are from S.B. Foot. Same tannery, owned by Red Wing, but I don't think Red Wing uses any of the exact same leathers as do RM.
why an S curve for the tongue instead of just pushing the extra symmetrically around your shin?
Hoo boy this is a expensive one. I really want em but I do not have the dosh for that.
I just ordered a pair, but what is not visible on their site : they have seconds and discontinued model which you can find in google, saved 200 usd but even customer support does not tell you what is the issue.
Just got them on hand, a bit of white particles i guess from oil, some stains inside shaft, not very dense moc stitching, one boot sole is a bit wavy, i guess worth the seconds 550 usd price! Testing begins from end of september. Just rewatched i guess only some minor staining and few creases near moc are the things that came with seconds price!
These are my grail boots. I'm sooo jealous right now. Spoiler you're gonna love these!
@@ml8067 I do!
How is the sizing compared to let’s say a Alden Indy or Grant stone diesel…iron ranger?
@@Claytonboots usual half down
Thank You for sharing!
How about a comparison with the Rancourt alternative moccasin at a much more affordable price? Look forward to more comments as time progresses, thanks.
Probably because he doesn't have a pair?
The Rancourts don't have double vamp models, they aren't water resistant like the RM. I've never owned a pair but I don't think they are as useful for serious hiking and hunting as the RMs are. They look like a cool option for more casual wear, though !
Lots of changes in RM lately, I don't know if they are still doing custom fittings.
Afaik they're making a temporary stop until they can build up stock...
Yep but you're going to pay $1000
Beginning of the year, I contacted RM asking if I can stop by for a fitting. I live 2 hours drive from Berlin, WI. I was told by “Customer Support” that they don’t have a retail store presence , and brushed me off. Thought it would be cool to own something handmade and local. IDK, I think RM only caters to Presidents, Royals, and Influencers. 4 degrees C?! In WI come March and temp reaches 4 degrees, we’re all giddy that it’s finally warm outside! 😂 congrats on your purchase. Something special from Wisconsin.
@@anderstietz809 😂😂very cold for us!!!
RM recently came under new ownership. They have been restructuring their manufacturing process and trying to built ready to wear stock. They can’t really do custom fittings like they used to and it has nothing to do with you not being a celebrity.
@@franky3fingers337 They were also moving into a new factory. I think you can do full custom again but just in person, you'd probably have to contact them fist and not just show up like in the old days.
Love these and trying to convince wife I need a pair.. any advice?
@@Tallnerdyguy Honey, would you like a diamond ring?
Am a bit disappointed with my Safari. I force myself to wear it, hoping it grow in me after a few months.
Why are these boots showing up on different channels at the same time?
@@drregmonster4371 they advertised a lot recently and I decided to get them - same thing with others? Rose Anvil has been looking at them for a while and got me interested
The gortex comparison was horrible