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Footwear to go with our jackets

Superfluous

My Mail is Forwarded Here
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3,995
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Missing in action
Back to the sneakers . . . Common Projects today

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Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,074
Location
London, UK
My most commonly worn footwear at present is a pair of Redwing Iron Rangers in the light amber colour. They were hell on my feet for the first few days when I got them a couple of years ago, but after that they moulded to my trotters and became some of the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. Sole drawback is that they seem to pick up a lot of dirt, so I have to keep cleaning them more than other boots. Still look good, though. I spent last Summer rotating between a pair of B&W Bass Weejuns, a pair of tan and white London Boot Store penny loafers (lovely shoes, though I needed an insole as they run a bit large), and my SJC Spectators in canvas and leather. All lovely. With the cooler weather here, it's mostly the Iron Rangers, though I'll bed soon looking out my William Lennon B5s, and I also am occasionally in my SJC Engineer boots. Not wearing shoes so much (as distinct from boots) currently as my flat is in overhaul and one of the things we're doing is clearing out a goodly chunk of my 70+ pairs of shoes. I do like a good brogue, though. I don't much care for sneakers at all; I think the only thing I've owned that's close to a training show in the last ten years or so is a couple of pairs of saddle shoes. (On that matter, I do wish Rocket Originals would do their saddle shoes with a red dainite sole, as the redbrick rubber one they use, however traditional, wears out so much fastrer than anything else I own.) I used to wear Converse Chuck Taylors until Nike bought them out; alternative exist, but I'm just not comfortable in a traner any longer. I much prefer the feel of a decent leather shoe, whether with a suit or jeans. Aside from comfort, I also hate the effective disposability of trainers: once the sole is gone, they're done. Quality leather footwear lasts much longer.

Looking ahead, once I clear out of most of the shoes I currently own, I want to upgrade to a bunch of quality pieces in classic designs. I've owned and am fond of Herring, Barker and Loake shoes. Churches I find overrated and not worth the upcharge against those, though I am very tempted by Trickers. I also have my eye on a pair of the brogues Jeffrey West did for The Chap, as well as some of the monkey boots produced by Mod Shoes in Brighton. The latter are much dressier than the original WW2/50s era Czech army boot, with a Goodyear welted leather sole and diferent stitching detail. Almost more like a dress shoe version of roofer boots, if you can imagine such a thing. Another thing I have my eye on is the original Alden Indy boots. Alas, they're stupid expensive here in the UK, but maybe on a trip to the US when/if the pound ever crawls back out of the toilet....

Another pair of boots that currently have my eye are the Helstons' Messenger boots. https://www.motolegends.com/boots/helstons-messenger-leather-boots-black.html They've done similar boots in the past, but I've always been put off by the presence of a side zip. They've cut the side zip for these, and they're all the nicer for it.

For motorcycle use, I've also long been tempted by a pair of Lewis Westways. Those might just come with the bike, fingers crossed, in 2018...
 

red devil

My Mail is Forwarded Here
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3,948
Location
London
@Blackadder
Tried the CXL Vibergs today, and really liked them, thanks for pointing them out!

I did not get them immediately, because of an upcoming trip to Japan that came up. So I thought I might as well go check the Japanese brands again before buying my boots.

I have already been to:
- Attractions (really liked some of their boots)
- slowwear.co.jp (not as interesting to me)

Curious to check out Brass Tokyo
@dudewuttheheck your pictures look fantastic, what is it that you like about brass Tokyo that you do not find in the other high end Japanese makers?

Are there any other Japanese makers I should check out while there?
Also is it better to get the boots at the shop or order them online and get them delivered at the hotel?
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,403
@Blackadder
Tried the CXL Vibergs today, and really liked them, thanks for pointing them out!

I did not get them immediately, because of an upcoming trip to Japan that came up. So I thought I might as well go check the Japanese brands again before buying my boots.

I have already been to:
- Attractions (really liked some of their boots)
- slowwear.co.jp (not as interesting to me)

Curious to check out Brass Tokyo
@dudewuttheheck your pictures look fantastic, what is it that you like about brass Tokyo that you do not find in the other high end Japanese makers?

Are there any other Japanese makers I should check out while there?
Also is it better to get the boots at the shop or order them online and get them delivered at the hotel?
The last/design of the boots is one of the best out there in my opinion. They are a very handsome boot.
Additionally, the quality is absolutely unbeatable. Their stitching and construction is flawless on all 3 pairs of boots that I own and they are the only engineer boot maker aside from Brian from Role Club who hand welt their boots. I love that commitment to quality.

Finally, their leather choices are excellent. The latigo feels like armor, the Japanese veg-tanned cowhide is beautiful and those two options both have a wide range of colors available including blue, green, red, burgundy etc.
Their horsehide is the most beautiful horsehide I have seen on a pair of boots, at least to my eyes. It has a depth that no other boot leather that I have seen has.
Also, they offer a decent amount of customization options. I love all the contrast stitching that I got. When their stitching is so clean, it looks great :)
 

red devil

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,948
Location
London
The last/design of the boots is one of the best out there in my opinion. They are a very handsome boot.
Additionally, the quality is absolutely unbeatable. Their stitching and construction is flawless on all 3 pairs of boots that I own and they are the only engineer boot maker aside from Brian from Role Club who hand welt their boots. I love that commitment to quality.

Finally, their leather choices are excellent. The latigo feels like armor, the Japanese veg-tanned cowhide is beautiful and those two options both have a wide range of colors available including blue, green, red, burgundy etc.
Their horsehide is the most beautiful horsehide I have seen on a pair of boots, at least to my eyes. It has a depth that no other boot leather that I have seen has.
Also, they offer a decent amount of customization options. I love all the contrast stitching that I got. When their stitching is so clean, it looks great :)

Thanks! Will certainly go visit them in their shop :D
 

Gav

Practically Family
Messages
528
Location
UK
@Blackadder
Tried the CXL Vibergs today, and really liked them, thanks for pointing them out!

I did not get them immediately, because of an upcoming trip to Japan that came up. So I thought I might as well go check the Japanese brands again before buying my boots.

I have already been to:
- Attractions (really liked some of their boots)
- slowwear.co.jp (not as interesting to me)

Curious to check out Brass Tokyo
@dudewuttheheck your pictures look fantastic, what is it that you like about brass Tokyo that you do not find in the other high end Japanese makers?

Are there any other Japanese makers I should check out while there?
Also is it better to get the boots at the shop or order them online and get them delivered at the hotel?
Definitely try them on in store if you can. The attractions store is nice and the guys are super friendly. I think their english is pretty good too.

Others you should think about are real McCoy’s buco engineers, toys McCoy, phigvel... I don’t think phigvel have engineers this year though.

Enjoy your trip.
 

Radz108

One of the Regulars
Messages
193
Location
Calgary, Alberta
I usually wear redwings (iron rangers, moc toes and Chelsea’s) with my jackets. However, redwings don’t have enough tread to handle the snowy Canadian winters. Currently I’m wearing Timberland boots a lot due to good sole treads, waterproofness and built in insulation. The ones I got are darker than the wheat colored ones that are popular with the RnB and rapper crowds. Also, I lace them up like boots should be laced up rather than left loosely laced.

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