Compare and contrast this:
I purchased a pair of size UK 14.5 Courteney boots that had to be custom made due to size. (roughly US 15.5) They made them to my specs with a tall combat boot height, but otherwise with the features and leather of a Selous boot. Total MSRP ~$400. Best fitting boot I've ever owned. Needed zero break in and wore them on safari the first day I got them in lieu of well broken in combat boots by Danner because the Courteney were a far better boot. They are the quietest boots I've ever owned and they are quite lightweight too. Courteney had to make a pattern by hand since I asked for a non-standard design in a non-standard size. They do that and they do it very well. I like these boots so much I bought a second pair I'll pick up in Zim next month. Another feature I love is the soft impala tongue gusset that is so thin and comfortable it never irritates, yet it opens up a long way down the boot so you can be sure to shake out any scorpions or snakes easily. It also allows a lot of airflow when you remove the boots to dry out so they never smell and are never damp from sweat the next day. Simply the perfect boot.
I then decide to try a pair of Russell Moccasins. Their bison PH model. MSRP ~$750. Turkey wedge sole. 8" height. I had several options added like the kangaroo gusset, d-ring speed laces, etc. They arrived this morning. First thing I attempted to put them on and the gussett is so tight NO ONE with my shoe size would enjoy or be comfortable sliding them on or off. It took tremendous work and will not be easier so that alone means they have to go back for alterations. 2nd problem is Russell doesn't know how to make a pattern. The quarter (top of foot) is so ridiculously long it makes me look like I'm wearing a size 20 literally. Why? Because they had a pattern for the lace area that was standard and they didn't extrapolate it for a larger size. So that has consequences; my foot is not secured above the arch by laces because all the laces are way back near the ankle and it makes it sloppy. Because the foot isn't properly secured because the pattern is bad, my heel sloshes around squeaking with each step. I wouldn't be able to sneak up on Helen Keller in these things.
I really don't know what to tell Russell about their boots. Ignoring the fact that they are the ugliest boot made and that the feet flop around literally like clown shoes, they still squeak and cannot be taken on and off easily.
Maybe other people will have different experiences but for me I find the Russell boots to be radically inferior to the Courteney boots in comfort, performance, price and looks.
I purchased a pair of size UK 14.5 Courteney boots that had to be custom made due to size. (roughly US 15.5) They made them to my specs with a tall combat boot height, but otherwise with the features and leather of a Selous boot. Total MSRP ~$400. Best fitting boot I've ever owned. Needed zero break in and wore them on safari the first day I got them in lieu of well broken in combat boots by Danner because the Courteney were a far better boot. They are the quietest boots I've ever owned and they are quite lightweight too. Courteney had to make a pattern by hand since I asked for a non-standard design in a non-standard size. They do that and they do it very well. I like these boots so much I bought a second pair I'll pick up in Zim next month. Another feature I love is the soft impala tongue gusset that is so thin and comfortable it never irritates, yet it opens up a long way down the boot so you can be sure to shake out any scorpions or snakes easily. It also allows a lot of airflow when you remove the boots to dry out so they never smell and are never damp from sweat the next day. Simply the perfect boot.
I then decide to try a pair of Russell Moccasins. Their bison PH model. MSRP ~$750. Turkey wedge sole. 8" height. I had several options added like the kangaroo gusset, d-ring speed laces, etc. They arrived this morning. First thing I attempted to put them on and the gussett is so tight NO ONE with my shoe size would enjoy or be comfortable sliding them on or off. It took tremendous work and will not be easier so that alone means they have to go back for alterations. 2nd problem is Russell doesn't know how to make a pattern. The quarter (top of foot) is so ridiculously long it makes me look like I'm wearing a size 20 literally. Why? Because they had a pattern for the lace area that was standard and they didn't extrapolate it for a larger size. So that has consequences; my foot is not secured above the arch by laces because all the laces are way back near the ankle and it makes it sloppy. Because the foot isn't properly secured because the pattern is bad, my heel sloshes around squeaking with each step. I wouldn't be able to sneak up on Helen Keller in these things.
I really don't know what to tell Russell about their boots. Ignoring the fact that they are the ugliest boot made and that the feet flop around literally like clown shoes, they still squeak and cannot be taken on and off easily.
Maybe other people will have different experiences but for me I find the Russell boots to be radically inferior to the Courteney boots in comfort, performance, price and looks.
