Footwear to go with our jackets

[Downunder G Man]

Back to "riding boots" haha..Lucchese sueded Hippo for today's 33C Harley ride.
Even they got a bit hot on the way home today !

 

[red devil]

I had in mind of getting a pair of chelsea for everyday use. What would be a good option nowadays? I am lost with all the new makers coming up

 

[Turnip]

Try some oldtimers then, TOD´S, Martens...when on sale.

 

[handymike]

Here are my TDD-01 boots from Benzein in Toscanello horse rump from Maryam. I’ve had them for about 2 months now and from the get go they have fit me perfectly. This is unlike any other boot experience I have had up to this point, and it was definitely worth the wait. Indonesia has become a favorite place of mine and is full of very talented makers. These pictures are some that I took one when first received the boots. I will eventually post some more updated pictures as they age more. Also happy new years everyone!
View attachment 296833 View attachment 296834 View attachment 296835 View attachment 296836 View attachment 296837
Edit: Sorry for the flipped pictures not sure why they changed after I uploaded them

That heel cup shape is fantastic!

 

[red devil]

Try some oldtimers then, TOD´S, Martens...when on sale.

Happy to try newcomers on the countrary
The oops emoticon is more directed at me not being able to discern what to go for lol

 

[Mich486]

Whites Bounty Hunters. Very sturdy boots, probably not my prettiest but surprisingly very comfortable. I can see these becoming my walking boots of choice.

 

[ABCD]

I had in mind of getting a pair of chelsea for everyday use. What would be a good option nowadays? I am lost with all the new makers coming up

The ones on the left are Edward Greens. Maybe those are a bit too fancy for everyday use.

What about these Crockett and Jones rough out Chelsea's?

(I'm a sucker for classic English made shoes.)

 

[Mich486]

^agreed. For Chelsea boots I’d go with a Northampton maker or RM Williams.

 

[powerserge]

My favorite and best fitting boot would be from Junkard (the tobacco badalassi monkey boots with the vibram 700 soles). If the benzein service boots fit better then that would be my first pick as the toscanello horse rump is lovely. The Sagara cord masters is the most fun to wear because how playful the leather is, it fits me pretty well but the collar is giving me a hard time and has already given me a good bruising on my right ankle. Price wise they are pretty much the same cost, between $420-$450.


Thanks, I'll check them on amazon.

Man, that's so cool for you. The counter seems so well shaped, it's a great looking boot for sure. Maybe you should get another one in a different leather with a different make up since the last as you said is perfect for you.




I also asked role club for the lace to toe boots but did not go through because of the wait time. That says a lot about the quality of his work and how people perceive his creations when people wait almost 2 years to get a pair. I hope I made the right decision.

Any of the leathers that come from the Badalassi tannery are just to die for, and it seems like even brands like Grantstone are starting to use it. You've got a nice collection of boots there with a preference for lace to toes/monkey boots. What are thoughts on the monkey boots from Flame Panda? His monkey boot and the Sagara's you have are my favorite monkey boots out now.

I have definitely thought about get another pair in the same last because of the fit. He actually has the TDD-02 model which is the derby version on my boot with a few tweaks, might be purchasing a pair of those this year hopefully in a shell cordovan from Maryam

Those Role Club's are also a great pattern for lace to toes but I think you can't go wrong either way. The wait is a bit much to be fair, and the benefit for not going through is you're sitting around 2 years waiting for your boots to come in lol

I had in mind of getting a pair of chelsea for everyday use. What would be a good option nowadays? I am lost with all the new makers coming up

For chelsea boots I prefer them to be a wholecut pattern, and I think the seam on the side doesn't look as nice comparatively. There's not too many brands that do it but the ones that I know are Rm Williams, Viberg, Meermin, and Benzein.

 

[Turnip]

Maybe Quarvif from Italy or Lottusse from Spain might be worth a look. Decent quality at fair prices. Lottusse might be also available at Mr. Bezos´, possibly at lower prices than direct ordering.

http://www.quarvifshoes.it/en/

https://lottusse.com/en/

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I received my White Kloud boots today. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is ridiculous. They are even better than my Clinch and Role Club boots, making them the best work boots in the world. It's not easy to get a pair, but if you ever have the chance to go to Goto-San's workshop to be measured for a pair, it's worth it. A full write up will be on my website eventually. I'm taking some time to bask in the greatness of these boots first.

Very late post on these WK works of art.
Dude, the meticulous stitching on these is nothing short of amazing. It is reminiscent of stitching on some of the finest leather jackets.
If you ever have time it would be interesting to see how these have done some 2.5 years later.
Thanks Dude.
B

 

[red devil]

View attachment 297330
What about these Crockett and Jones rough out Chelsea's?
View attachment 297329

Didn't think of rough out, but it would make them easy to use.

(I'm a sucker for classic English made shoes.)

^agreed. For Chelsea boots I’d go with a Northampton maker or RM Williams.

I had seen them mentionned, just checked them and they have quite the selection, I like the dark teal colour

For chelsea boots I prefer them to be a wholecut pattern, and I think the seam on the side doesn't look as nice comparatively. There's not too many brands that do it but the ones that I know are Rm Williams, Viberg, Meermin, and Benzein.

As far as I know, Meermin are on the lower end overall. Is that more or less true?
I have seen a Viberg engineer a few years ago and it looked good.
Benzein, I have seen mentionned here, I would suspect, they would have a more varied selection of leathers? Any idea on their prices?

I would take it that Viberg, RM Williams and Benzein are in a similar level in terms of construction?

 

[Fonzie]

I had in mind of getting a pair of chelsea for everyday use. What would be a good option nowadays? I am lost with all the new makers coming up

You can’t go wrong with classic RM Williams, great quality, tradition and lots of styles. Plus they will last a lifetime if treated properly.
I just bought some Gardener Chelsea boot in Vesta leather and I’m loving them, perfect balance between work and dress style (pics to come soon).

 

[Blackadder]

I had seen them mentionned, just checked them and they have quite the selection, I like the dark teal colour



As far as I know, Meermin are on the lower end overall. Is that more or less true?
I have seen a Viberg engineer a few years ago and it looked good.
Benzein, I have seen mentionned here, I would suspect, they would have a more varied selection of leathers? Any idea on their prices?

I would take it that Viberg, RM Williams and Benzein are in a similar level in terms of construction?

Viberg, RM Williams and Benzein are work boots, usually thick leather without lining and has thicker work/all weather soles.
Meermin is a lower price dress shoes brand like Carmina, Loake, Barker and Grenson etc. Dress shoes almost always never use soft leather (except shell) like calfskin, dress shoe sole and have lining.
Let's just put it this way, if you don't wanna spend the money and you don't require the quality of a pair of Crockett and Jones, you can turn to Meermin. I have never handled RM Williams and Benzein so I would not know how good they are.

 

[ABCD]

Meermin is a lower price dress shoes brand like Carmina,

I wouldn't say meermin and Carmina are in the same league. Meermins look great in their advertising but not so much in real life. The leather looks dull and every single pair I had in hands was flawed in one way or the other (I visited their Paris store).
Carminas are way better. Also pricier.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Very late post on these WK works of art.
Dude, the meticulous stitching on these is nothing short of amazing. It is reminiscent of stitching on some of the finest leather jackets.
If you ever have time it would be interesting to see how these have done some 2.5 years later.
Thanks Dude.
B

Thanks!
There are some updated photos in my two year review of them here: https://almostvintagestyle.com/2020...-the-best-boots-in-the-world-two-year-review/

Still the best things I own in my closet. Getting some shell ones soon from him...

 

[Blackadder]

I wouldn't say meermin and Carmina are in the same league. Meermins look great in their advertising but not so much in real life. The leather looks dull and every single pair I had in hands was flawed in one way or the other (I visited their Paris store).
Carminas are way better. Also pricier.

Thanks for the advice. I have not handled Carmina for years. I just remember I was not impressed especially with their shell cordovan. But then I have never handled any Meermin. Looking at the Carmina website just now, it seems they did change the bottom sole construction and the bottom sole alone looks very top tier now.

 

[Fonzie]

You can’t go wrong with classic RM Williams, great quality, tradition and lots of styles. Plus they will last a lifetime if treated properly.
I just bought some Gardener Chelsea boot in Vesta leather and I’m loving them, perfect balance between work and dress style (pics to come soon).

I haven’t handled many other brands but in my limited experience, RM’s are a tier above Red Wings.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Thanks!
There are some updated photos in my two year review of them here: https://almostvintagestyle.com/2020...-the-best-boots-in-the-world-two-year-review/

Still the best things I own in my closet. Getting some shell ones soon from him...

Exceptionally well written review, Jake.
I enjoyed overviewing your work. It’s obvious your passion is expressed so well in your posts here on the Lounge but greater still on your web presence.
Thank you for sharing so much here of what many of us think we are passionate for. I am but a child in the scheme of things.
Thank you
B

 

[powerserge]

As far as I know, Meermin are on the lower end overall. Is that more or less true?
I have seen a Viberg engineer a few years ago and it looked good.
Benzein, I have seen mentionned here, I would suspect, they would have a more varied selection of leathers? Any idea on their prices?

I would take it that Viberg, RM Williams and Benzein are in a similar level in terms of construction?

I too like the engineers that come out from Viberg especially when they're on the 2005 last instead of the 2050, but they don't run them all the often anymore.

With Benzein you are looking to pay around 4-450 USD and leathers to choose from Horween, Shinki, CF Stead, Maryam, and Cloe. It is MTO and I believe turnaround right now is about 4 months.

Viberg, RM Williams and Benzein are work boots, usually thick leather without lining and has thicker work/all weather soles.
Meermin is a lower price dress shoes brand like Carmina, Loake, Barker and Grenson etc. Dress shoes almost always never use soft leather (except shell) like calfskin, dress shoe sole and have lining.
Let's just put it this way, if you don't wanna spend the money and you don't require the quality of a pair of Crockett and Jones, you can turn to Meermin. I have never handled RM Williams and Benzein so I would not know how good they are.

Gotta disagree with you there. While Viberg does make work boots they do have more streamlined models that can easily be dressed up. They're chelsea and jodhpur are slightly on the more rugged side but by no means look like work boots. Same goes for RM, they have models that are more work oriented but also have sleeker models w/ pointer lasts and leather soles. Lastly for Benzein, they are a mostly a MTO brand and can customize they're models to fit a dressier aesthics. Each brands have a wide selection of leathers and all come in with lining and the choice of a sole.