Weathered Oak Backcountry

The Backcountry employs Russell Moccasin's double vamp construction, a proprietary method that takes three to four times longer to manufacture than conventional Stitchdown, Welted, or Maine Moccasin constructions. This technique involves creating essentially a moccasin inner boot cup made from waterproofed wet-formed leather, with an outer leather vamp surrounding it.

The construction builds the boot from the ground up using waterproof hand stitching designed to ensure high waterproofing for an all-leather boot. Russell's sock-like liner seals the interior of the boot, hand-lasted to create high water resistance and comfort that distinguishes it from standard boot construction methods.

Russell's signature Overlap Seam, invented and patented in 1941, pulls the entire boot together in a water and abrasion-resistant seam. The overlap seam on the toe piece serves as the hallmark of Russell moccasins and the integral stitch that binds the whole boot together. This seaming technique requires approximately two hours of hand-sewing per pair.

The Double Vamp plus Molded Sole configuration provides the foot with three layers of leather protection, with no two seams facing one another. This strategic seam placement maximizes water resistance, stability, and protection for extreme conditions while maintaining the flexibility inherent in moccasin construction.

The waterproofing system utilizes two or three "vamps" that completely encircle the foot like multiple leather socks, each sealing the seams of the layer before it. The finished construction features the handsewn Overlap Stitch providing high water resistance and durability.

Since the stitching on the molded sole penetrates only the outer vamp of the boot, the interior water resistance remains intact. The multiple vamp sections position stitching in different locations to prevent water from seeping through more than one layer, creating a waterproof barrier system found in Russell's construction methods.

The Weathered Oak Backcountry utilizes water-resistant, full-grain Weathered Oak Timberjack leather for its exterior construction. This leather provides high water resistance while maintaining the natural characteristics of full-grain leather that develop patina with use and wear.

The Timberjack leather treatment creates a durable exterior that withstands harsh outdoor conditions while remaining supple enough for comfortable wear. The weathered oak finish provides a natural appearance that complements the boot's moccasin construction methods.

The boot incorporates hand-molded oak leather heel counters that provide structural support while conforming to the wearer's foot shape over time. A Poron slip sole offers cushioning and moisture management within the unlined interior.

Russell sources the Vibram Roccia outsole from Vibram, representing the only component of the boot not manufactured at the Wisconsin facility. All leather cutting, lasting, and stitching occurs at Russell's Berlin location using hand-craft methods developed over more than a century of operation.

Russell Moccasin Co. has operated continuously since 1898 from its facility on the banks of the Fox River in Berlin, Wisconsin. The company was founded when William Russell purchased the Wright Shoe Company, establishing a tradition of leather craftsmanship that spans 127 years. The Backcountry represents the evolution of boot designs originally created for the Wisconsin logging industry.

The company maintains annual production of 10,000 to 12,000 pairs, ensuring each boot receives individual attention from skilled craftsmen. Customers have included Charles Lindbergh, who wore Russell moccasins when emerging from the Spirit of St. Louis, and Earl Shaffer, who wore Russell boots during his pioneering hike of the entire Appalachian Trail in 1948.

The Backcountry continues Russell's tradition of custom manufacturing, with every pair made to individual specifications and detailed records maintained at the Berlin factory. The construction methods used represent proprietary techniques developed exclusively at Russell and passed from craftsman to craftsman over multiple generations.

The boot reflects Russell's commitment to American craftsmanship, utilizing hand-cutting, hand-lasting, and hand-sewing techniques that require significantly more time than mass-production methods. This approach ensures each pair meets the quality standards established over more than a century of continuous operation.