Well, last year in November my wife and kids ordered me a pair of Harts Turkey Hunters from Russel Moccasin. Supposed to be top of the line boots. Well here’s my review:

I received the boots in April. This is not an uncommon wait time for custom boots, and being a small shop in Wisconsin, they had several employees out with Covid. The fella that installs and works on the zippers is 75 years old from what I am told, the only one who installs the zippers, and he was out sick.

Fit and finish on the boots was good. The way the boot leather collapses above the heel on the back of the leg rubs a spot on my leg, above my heel. Boots are not broke in yet.

They lace up good, and with the zipper unzipped, they are still difficult to slip off without a shoe horn.

First week in, the zipper failed and would not stay tracked together. Called Russel Moccasins and they said send them back and they will repair them. This was in May.

I called them today. Asked them if they received my boots and they said yes. Status for repair was that they are sitting on the shelf waiting the return of the old fella who is a seasonal worker, got injured doing a home project, and should be back this fall. He’s recovering in a nursing home.

Now, I don’t fault that fella one bit. I hope he gets to feeling better and recovers. As for the business, they really offered no resolution to the problem other than they hope he recovers and maybe my boots can be repaired in the fall.

Overall review. Fine pair of boots if the zipper wouldn’t have failed and if they hold up as expected. They seem to be a well made, and even dry boot for leather.

Would I buy them again?
No

Just seems like the pandemic has been too much for them to handle appropriate responses and timing to supply their products to the customer, and while they do answer the phone and emails, they just don’t have well thought out solutions to common issues for their customers.