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To love or not to love? Russells. Van Gorkums. Well Russells do not compare to the footbeds of Van Gorkums. But my quandry is with waterproofness.

Recently on a hunt in snow my triple leather Russells finally gave way and my wool socks got wet. Slightly, but still. I had treated them with Obenaufs. Luckily I had an extra pair of russel kangaroos that I had water-treated differently and was able to switch out until my heavier boots dried.

But still. Love leather. Just can't bring myself to use sno-seal on fine leather that will stop up the pores and stop the leather from breathing. Am I misinformed in this?

By the way, thd deadline to order Van Gorkums is running out at the current price. After Jan 1, the price increase hits.

I'm looking for a pair of all leather boots now. Kangaroo's are very attractive. Haven't made my mind up though.
Do you have a link or phone number for Van Gorkums?

Thanks,

Don

Here ya go Don.
http://www.hikingbootshandcrafted.com

Charlie's boots are AWESOME (the true, pre-80's meaning of the word), Charlie is not only a very talented craftsman, but a very nice guy to talk with. I never thought I'd own boots so expensive, but every mile I put on them confirms that my decision was a good one.

WOW!, I just took a look at his website and the boot prices have doubled. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Wait 'til I tell my wife that I got my boots for 50% off!

I planned on having a second pair made before Charlie retired, but it looks like it'll be cheaper to have my feet operated on to fit in normal boots if I ever wear out my customs some day.

Thank you for the link..
Much appreciated.

Don

Charles' boot costs, but in this case you get what you pay for. That man makes a mold of your foot for crying out loud. Way more art than science going on with those footbeds of Van Gorkums.

I'll see what he has to say about water treatment.

Yes, carrying along an extra pair of roos was nice. All under 2lbs of 'em. But I bet I would not have needed them if I had had the Van Gorkums.

I sent Charley an e-mail inquiring about ordering, and said that he'll send the foot kit to me Monday.
Thank you for pointing me in his direction.

Don

You might want to take a look at Crary Shoes, of Portland, OR. I'll be checking them out the next time I'm in Portland.
http://www.craryshoes.com/

Charles Van Gorkum's boots have gone up to $1500.00, and that's just too steep for me. I wish to heck I would have ordered a pair when they were $750, then $900. I've communicated with Charles and he's a great guy, but I have to draw the line somewhere.

When I last visited Charlie at his shop in Telkwa, BC, in July 2005, he was kind enough to say that he thought that my recommendations of his boots here and on a couple of other forums had substantially increased his business. I was pleased to hear this as he is a great guy and makes superb boots, better than anything I have ever seen excepting the handmade Galibier Super Guides we bought in the '70s, which were about equal.

I last spoke with him this past spring and he gave no indication of planning a price increase, so, I was very surprised to receive an e-mail to the effect that his boots would now cost $1500.00 per pair. That is an over-all increase from the $650.00 he charged in 2004 to about 2.5 times as much now; this is due, according to his website to an increase in materials costs and DEMAND for his product.

He has also employed the services of a young lady, a "marketer" and this may be reflected in the price now charged, I don't know for sure. However, I am inclined to think that this level of price increase may not be supported by the subsequent level of consistent demand, time will tell.

At present, I have Van Gorkums and they are excellent boots, however, with taxes, a pair would now cost me $1695.00 CDN delivered in Vancouver. The boots from Crary's look VERY innteresting, however, I consider a PROPERLY FITTED pair or two of Hanwags or Lowas or Meindls to be the best value for most mountain hunters/hikers.

I recently bought a pair of La Sportiva light hikers from MEC and the sole is separating on one of them, I have, can and will fix this myself on cheap boots and they really FIT ( I do it myself), so, they serve for bashing around. I wear hiking boots constantly due to a leg problem and have worn out many pair over the years, the Chinese boots DO NOT have the same quality as the Euro ones, so, I suggest buying accordingly.

Good boots are a necessity, but, you do not actually NEED to go custom with Hanwags, Lowas, Meindls and so forth available.

Being the frugal bastard that I am... I'd have to cancel a hunting trip or two for a year just so I could afford the things. I'll put money on it that they won't help me kill anything either. I guess thats where I draw the line on the price of things. If it dramatically help me kill somehting I don't want it.

Honestly who spends that kind of money on a pair of boots??? "I wish I would have got a pair when they were $750" geesh... I can go on two out of state hunts for the price of those boots now.

IMO he raised the price because there were fools out there that were willing to pay $750 for them, and he though, what the hell... I'll charge $1500, probably only have to make half as many now. I'll bet if he raised the price to $3000 people would still buy them.

I know that some people have foot/leg/back problems, but come on... $1500 for a pair of boots? Does he use gold thread or what?

I guess to each his own. I know guys that have $2000 cowboy boots... Talk about foolish.

I do have quite severe orthopaedic problems and have had since I was 13. I worked, by choice, in an outdoor occupation form much of my life and this was in the mountains of BC. I also backpack in this terrain and hunt with a backpack because I prefer the challenge.

So, for me, high quality boots have always been and still are a necessity and Charlie's boots are among the finest I have ever used in over 40 years, they are WELL WORTH the $800.00 that I paid when one considers the country I use them in.

As you say, each to his own and hunting differs from place to place, so, equipment needs differ as well. I think that spending $$$$$ on top quality boots is wise, but, I do tend to agree that some guys are getting a tad pricey. Randy Merrell, the sortof "Guru" of these custom boot makers now charges about two G's for his hikers, or, so I am told.

It's just like Kenny Jarrett, David Miller, D'arcy Echols, Holland & Holland, Rolex and so on, if someone will pay it, well, that's "capitalism"!!!!!

I sure am glad my feet are not fussy! Danners, Red Wings, Merrills, Nike, New Balance, Lowas and quite a few others fit my feet well. My wife will even buy and bring home new shoes that fit me.

Gonna have to shed a tear for you fellas that have to pony up $1500 for a pair of Charlie's boots! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

MtnHtr

$1,500.00!!!!! Yikes!!

I got that same email from Charlie and about dumped myself. I sure am glad that Ig ot my second pair ordered before the increase.

Two pairs of Van Gorkoms should surely last me the rest of my hunting career. At least the part of it where I will really need good boots.

For those who think that someone would be a fool to spend big money on boots, all I can say is that I would give up every single piece of gear I own, including my rifles, before I gave up my Van Gorkom boots. They really are that good, and do make that big a difference.

Well, Van Gorkums are crap, too expensive, Gene Ingram's knives are no good, Mystery Ranch packs are [bleep] and ID costs too much, ayup, sure.

This is GOOD, because if demand decreases, so will the prices and then those of us who use this gear in wilderness, mountain hunting can more easily obtain it!!!

I could get by just fine with a pair of Charlie's boots, a pair of Gene's blades, and a good sharp stick.

Might wanna think about a "loincloth", too...........

Ah, the h*ll with it, I decided to buy a second pair from Charlie and ordered the tall "Mountain Stalkers" this morning. It's a lot of $$$$$, but, after wearing VGs on all of my hunts this season just past, I do not want to wear anything else.

I got a reply from my e-mail I sent to Charley last Friday. He sent the kit for measuring the feet and it arrived today. So, I'm on the path for a pair of his boots.

Don

You Van Gorkom owners might want to leave in your burial instructions that you prefer to be buried (or cremated) wearing your beloved Van Gorkum boots! LOLs!

I know I would.............. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

MtnHtr