I am considering a new pair of boots, specifically for use on my trip to RSA in May 2012 (hunting out of Kimberley with Amakulu Safaris). For the past several years, I have hunted out of two pair: insulated/goretex Danner pronghorns purchased in 2005, and uninsulated/goretex Irish Setter Upland DSS boots purchased in 2010. My pronghorns are about worn out, and even though they are goretex, my feet still get damp once the boot is soaked (even with dew). My Irish Setters are adequate, but I am a really skinny fellow, and they bunch up around my lower legs and ankles, and I am just not that confident about walking all day long, 7 days in a row in them. Hence my itch for a new pair.
Obviously the Russells get very high marks, but I do have one concern: waterproofness. For those of you who wear, or have worn, Russell Safari boots, can you comment on the waterproof quality of the boots? I understand the double and triple vamp models are considered waterproof. For what it is worth, I am leaning towards either the Mountain PH model or the Turtleskin PH model. I have communicated with a few folks who have hunted this May and June in the area where we will be, and they were surprised with the amount of rainfall they had and the amount of water that was on the ground (may be an unusually wet year?).
Any input will be appreciated! I do realize that if I order a custom pair now, it may be early winter before they arrive--but that should still give me adequate time to get them broken in before the trip.
Thanks,
bdmd5093
Obviously the Russells get very high marks, but I do have one concern: waterproofness. For those of you who wear, or have worn, Russell Safari boots, can you comment on the waterproof quality of the boots? I understand the double and triple vamp models are considered waterproof. For what it is worth, I am leaning towards either the Mountain PH model or the Turtleskin PH model. I have communicated with a few folks who have hunted this May and June in the area where we will be, and they were surprised with the amount of rainfall they had and the amount of water that was on the ground (may be an unusually wet year?).
Any input will be appreciated! I do realize that if I order a custom pair now, it may be early winter before they arrive--but that should still give me adequate time to get them broken in before the trip.
Thanks,
bdmd5093