Joe's PH

The Joe's PH features Single Vamp moccasin construction with a Molded Sole, providing side-to-side support and protection while maintaining the lightweight flexibility essential for professional hunting and tracking applications. The boot combines traditional moccasin craftsmanship with modern performance materials, making it suitable for both safari expeditions and daily wear.

The Joe's PH takes its name from experienced trackers who guide dangerous game hunts, following the Professional Hunter tradition established by Russell Moccasin Co. in the 1960s. The specific configuration became the favorite of longtime Russell COO Joe Gonyo, leading to the model being named in his honor. The Russell Professional Hunter series has been stalking the plains of Africa and Australia for over 40 years, establishing a reputation among professional guides and hunters worldwide.

This variant emerged as the preferred iteration of Russell's Safari Professional Hunter line, offering improvements in construction and materials while maintaining the lightweight, breathable characteristics essential for warm-weather hunting applications.

The Joe's PH utilizes Russell Moccasin Co.'s proprietary Single Vamp moccasin construction paired with a Molded Sole system. This configuration adds crucial side-to-side support and protection compared to the traditional Single Vamp construction used in Russell's Safari model, while preserving the boot's lightweight and flexible characteristics.

The construction employs Russell's patented Overlap Seam and Multi-Layer Moccasin Construction methods, techniques that require three to four times longer to manufacture than conventional Stitchdown, Welted, or Maine Moccasin constructions. Between the vamps, a poron cushion layer provides shock absorption and all-day comfort during extended wear in demanding conditions.

This construction method supports and protects the sides and bottom of the foot while allowing the boot to maintain its reputation for being exceptionally light and flexible, critical characteristics for professional hunting and tracking applications.

The Joe's PH incorporates several practical design elements developed specifically for hunting and outdoor applications. The boot features a cushion collar that effectively seals out dust and debris, while a rear pull loop provides convenience during rapid dressing in field conditions.

Standard equipment includes solid brass lacing studs in the top three eyelets, designed to speed up morning lacing routines common during hunting expeditions. This Army Studs hardware configuration has become a defining characteristic of the Professional Hunter equipped models, allowing for quick and secure lacing adjustments in field conditions.

The standard Joe's PH configuration features Horween Rust Chamois leather paired with green Scottish canvas quarters. The Bronze Chamois leather from Horween is oiled for softness and durability, while the heavyweight 18-ounce cotton twill quarters are woven in Scotland to allow heat and moisture to escape during use in hot climates.

Alternative leather configurations include Walnut Timberjack leather, chocolate bison with coffee twill quarters, Navy Elk Suede, and Black Cowhide options. Each leather choice maintains the boot's essential characteristics while providing different aesthetic and performance attributes suited to various applications and preferences.

The Joe's PH is designed primarily for warm weather hunting and outdoor applications, offering breathability, packability, and durability. The boot pairs with either a Vibram Newporter sole featuring a quarter-inch wedge heel lift that prevents foot bridging and fatigue, or an upgraded Vibram 360 outsole with a three-eighths inch wedge.

The Vibram 360 sole configuration provides cushioning while remaining very quiet, even on gravel paths, making it particularly valuable for stalking applications. The soles are noted for their grip characteristics and low-noise performance, essential qualities for professional hunting and guide work.

The boot excels in hot climate conditions where breathability is paramount, providing excellent durability and comfort for extended wear. However, the design prioritizes breathability over water resistance, making it less ideal for wet terrain applications. The Joe's PH has established itself as a go-to choice for hunters and guides on safari expeditions, while also proving suitable for daily wear applications where comfort and durability are priorities.