As someone who needs some ankle support but also likes a quiet boot, I went with Russells 20 years ago. I still have the first set and now a 2nd set with a little softer sole. Not everyone likes Russells...but there isn't a boot that has universal appeal. The closest thing to that would be the Courtenay's but they are heavy, noisy boots that just don't work for me. I have a pair but they feel like clown shoes to me. Many PHs love them and are used to them...but they are also used to wearing rugby shorts like Tom Selleck so whatever.
I took a pair of the Russell PH model and a pair of Courteneys on my recent trip. Both pairs had been fully broken in by walking many miles for exercise on the pavement in the neighborhood, with some trails included on weekends. And tbh both felt pretty good at home, I couldn't see much difference.
It had been a few years since I'd had the opportunity to go on a safari so I took a backup pair since I was trying to be thorough and have all my bases covered. Last thing I wanted was to have a foot or ankle issue limit my hunt. Two is one, one is none, etc.
When I got to Zimbabwe I tried both and I realized pretty quickly that 4WD walking through the bush on game trails or no trails at all is NOT the same as pavement in the neighborhood, or even groomed hiking trails at home. Up hill, down hill, side hill, sandy riverbed, muddy riverbank, thick grass, thorns, pebbles, rocks, roots, ducking under branches, stepping over sticks, walking through leaves, jumping from rock to rock crossing creeks, walking on dried up mud pocked with hoof prints like moon craters, freezing in mid step, trying always to be quiet, et cetera, et cetera.
Those of you fortunate enough to have been many times or to hunt a lot at home know all this, but if you're in learning mode like me it becomes pretty clear that good quality broken-in boots are REALLY important, and that there's no easy way to train for the type of walking you will do, especially not at the gym or on the pavement. I guess the best way to simulate it is to just find some big woods and strike off for a few miles, LOL. The better your overall fitness, the better for dealing with all of it. So the training I did at home helped a lot, but it ain't the same.
After trying both pairs, it was clear to me that the Russells were lighter, more comfortable for off-roading, gave more ankle support, better traction, and most importantly, much quieter. My PH also perceived and commented that the Russells were quieter.
Next time I'll just take the Russells, I've found my boots.
