Russell Moccasin Co.
Premier Chukka
Gordy & Sons Outfitters
I love the Russell Moccasin construction, history, brand, quality, and comfort. After having a pair of their taller and chunkier hunting boots, I wanted a pair that would be versatile for daily use.
I have a pair of Russell’s in the 40 Last in the same size and they fit me well but with a little extra volume per my foot shape. I went with the same size in the 77 last as it is reported to be slightly lower volume and that seems to be the case and they are right on for my 11.5 D Brannock feet.
These boots have been super versatile for me. I’ve worn them to work in a dental office, hiking and walking around town. Also, for some light duty upland hunting, although the sole is definitely not meant for slick conditions.
This leather started out with a fuzzy nubuck nap with significant orange undertones, and burnished with wear to a beautiful warm brown with tons of character. I conditioned them with chamberlains leather milk early on since they seemed to have been on the shelf at the shop where I bought them for quite a while. I brushed them for 5 or 10 minutes almost every night that they were worn for the first couple of months, and then I conditioned them 2 or 3 times more with Bick 4 during the course of the 6 months. The initial brushing seemed to help lay down the nap and gave me a look that I really like. Break in was minimal and the comfort has been great all the way through.
Comfort is great. My feet are low volume and I end up using tongue pads and insoles in most of my footwear and these were no exception. In this case, I’m using a very thin leather insole and a thin memory foam tongue pad and the fit is spot on.
I love moccasin construction, and the way Russell does it really feels substantial and high quality. I think that this is an older design with a wider back stay than most of what is coming out now and I really like the structure of the heel on these.
This sole is super flexible and somewhat cushy (EVA), and I really like that it tracks zero mid or gravel inside, but it is suuuper slick in even slightly slippery conditions.