Footwear to go with our jackets

[Marc mndt]

I was looking at these with gold buckles. What size are you?

https://www.brogueshop.com/products/attractions-biltbuck-lot-444-horsebutt-engineer-boot

8.5 but these I'd have to import to the EU which would make them very expensive.

 

[Blackadder]

8.5 but these I'd have to import to the EU which would make them very expensive.

Wonder which would be cheaper for EU. Buying directly from Japan and pay the custom or buying from European dealers.

 

[Blackadder]

According to the East West site they were a store exclusive and are currently out of stock. Unclear if they will be restocked.

Thanks. Anyway, I was merely thinking if I should ask the local dealer about the buckles. I know the local dealer personally since even before he opened the shop and became a dealer. I bought both my lot 268 and 444 in Tokyo while I visited. I don't think they had any dealer back then especially when I bought my 268. My lot 268 with brass buckles was from a batch of pre-order limited edition for Fall 2014 and they just had a pair or two to spare when I visited in Jan 2015.

 

[Marc mndt]

Wonder which would be cheaper for EU. Buying directly from Japan and pay the custom or buying from European dealers.

They're 97000 JPY which is €670. They don't ship to Europe but if they would I think shipping would be €100.

Paypal/bank currency conversion service charge 4.5 =€35
€770 customs value * 17% import fees = €900
€900 * 21% VAT = €1089

€1089+€35=€1124

On top of that there will be administrative fees from the parcel delivery company, which will bring the total at around €1150

I ordered mine from East West Apparel for £785 + £20 shipping = £805
Including PayPal conversion service charge that's €964

That's a difference of €186. So the cheaper option in this case is to order via the European dealer. Also, the boots will be delivered the day after tomorrow. If I would have ordered them from Japan I'd probably have to wait a month or more for them to be delivered.

Another option would be to order them from a German retailer for €998 which is still cheaper than getting them from Japan but more expensive than getting them from the UK.

 

[Salmosalar]

Does anyone have any experience of the Eastman / Lofgren tanker boots….? I think they could make a nice alternative to the more typical engineer boots but have no direct experience of them - any thoughts? They are pretty pricy, so any insights would be v much appreciated before taking the plunge - thanks!

 

[Blackadder]

They're 97000 JPY which is €670. They don't ship to Europe but if they would I think shipping would be €100.

Paypal/bank currency conversion service charge 4.5 =€35
€770 customs value * 17% import fees = €900
€900 * 21% VAT = €1089

€1089+€35=€1124

On top of that there will be administrative fees from the parcel delivery company, which will bring the total at around €1150

I ordered mine from East West Apparel for £785 + £20 shipping = £805
Including PayPal conversion service charge that's €964

That's a difference of €186. So the cheaper option in this case is to order via the European dealer. Also, the boots will be delivered the day after tomorrow. If I would have ordered them from Japan I'd probably have to wait a month or more for them to be delivered.

Another option would be to order them from a German retailer for €998 which is still cheaper than getting them from Japan but more expensive than getting them from the UK.

Thank you. I am looking at East West and surprised that they have Zerrows boots. I'd recommend checking those out as well. Zerrows has come up with a new sleeker last which looks really cool to me.

 

[Psant25]

These look pretty nice new from schott

 

[Jasonissm]

I really like these Jack & White Bros Letterman boots from White Kloud, has an interesting pattern where the quarter panel is quite wide and lays almost flat across the top of the boot. Very interesting and also really awesome last and moulded footbed.

Leather is some Kobe tannery which he hasn't disclosed but quite nice, very uniform and very nicely clicked.

 

[TLW '90]

I just cleaned my thorogood 4364's, after about an hour on the peet boot dryer ( a must have in my opinion) they'll be ready for some Obenauf's then back on the peet for a few more hours and they'll be good to go.

If you don't own a peet boot dryer you should.
I swear my boots can stink like feet from a day of wear, and the next morning they just smell like leather.
It kills bacteria, gently warms / drys them, and I never have to suffer the dread of putting my feet in a cold boot a 1:30 AM.

If you care about your boots, a peet dryer is about the greatest thing since sliced bread.

They've been American made since the 1960's and are only $50 for the basic model.

 

[TLW '90]

They're good to go now.

Obenauf's darkens the leather maybe a little, but really not much at all, at least not with the tumble relaxed horween leather Weinbrenner uses for the standard thorogood boots.

 

[Liveinstyle33]

I just ordered a pair of these grant stone ostrich boots. I have no doubt I will love them.

Diesel Boot Cognac Ostrich

Ostrich leather is known for its pliable, forgiving quality and exceptional strength. The unique quill texture and supple feel have made it a staple in the western boot and high-end leather goods market. While Ostrich is uncommon in the business-casual category, this article's natural traits are...

www.grantstoneshoes.com

 

[Damon141]

Does anyone have any experience of the Eastman / Lofgren tanker boots….? I think they could make a nice alternative to the more typical engineer boots but have no direct experience of them - any thoughts? They are pretty pricy, so any insights would be v much appreciated before taking the plunge - thanks!

Though Lofgren boots are top notch, they are very pricey because keep in mind he is just a middle guy contracting them out to a factory in Japan. Nothing wrong with that but just know that you are paying a premium for that.
I wanted a pair of his m43 boots but then I noticed quite a few Japanese brands with the same look for hundreds less.
Kind of like Iron Heart products, their jeans cost almost twice as much as the top Japanese brands (I’m sure they are impeccable if you have the money as they look great on members here but I have to conserve where I can if I’m going to have an enviable closet of jackets one day)
They also charge nearly twice as much for one of their leather jackets made by Simmons Built.

Found these that look pretty close to his donkey punchers on EBay for about $300 worn one time. There just another Indonesian brand called Sagara, retail for $600 from standard and strange so I would not buy them new with prices close to Viberg but I’m all for a deal from someone that didn’t like them.
A fine Vintage inspired leather jacket will look good with 30 or more years of wear and tear but 30 year old boots will just make you look homeless

 

[MrProper]

A fine Vintage inspired leather jacket will look good with 30 or more years of wear and tear but 30 year old boots will just make you look homeless

I see it differently. It doesn't matter whether boots are new or old, but whether they are well cared for or not. And that goes for jackets as well.

 

[Damon141]

I see it differently. It doesn't matter whether boots are new or old, but whether they are well cared for or not. And that goes for jackets as well.

I see your point of view, it’s hard to put into words but I was always taught that the first thing women and people look at is your shoes, so basically I’m brainwashed into the idea that shoes should look new. It’s also a price thing for me, if I buy a pair of expensive boots I’m going to baby them.
What I plan to do is grab a pair of Thursday boots as daily beaters, or if I can find a good deal on a heritage boot with waxed flesh which I’ve heard is great for taking abuse.

Now if the whole outfit is distressed, jacket and jeans etc. and you have a worn pair of boots, I can see the appeal of it. People even pay good money for boots already distressed so I understand the mentality.

But when the boots are so nice looking and expensive it’s hard to imagine the finely finished pairs looking old, kind of like a worn out pair of dress shoes with a suit.

If anyone is interested there is a sale on boots at Mildblend. Brand new pair of Whites MP I just picked up for $471, they have some Alden, Red Wing, Wolverine, and more. Worked out cheaper than Bakers which is giving 20% off an already inflated price.
(And they are in stock and no wait time which is harder to find with Whites)
It’s my first pair of Whites so I hope they are nice

 

[Damon141]

These I bought from a seller on Grailed which never mentioned anything about this. They are bowing or beveling on the sole, it’s hard to capture on photos but the sole is rounding.
Can this be fixed with a re-sole?

Would the midsole need to be replaced?

The were marked worn very little which is probably the case but maybe they were submerged in water.

If they can be re-soled, could a more traditional sole be installed?
If not I might do the black version of the Vibram.

 

[Schambach]

Much like jackets, I think quality leather footwear looks better with some wear on it, with proper care of course.

Nice score on those whites MPs. Those will make you forget all about Thursdays.

 

[Schambach]

Those are cool. Vibergs? I can’t see the problem with the sole.

 

[TLW '90]

These are my easy wearing substitute for high top sneakers during pants weather, mostly for very late summer/ early fall and spring.
Footwear by Footskins " walking boots ".

I guess Pepper wanted to show her foot skins as well


I really love these , they're so comfortable and I like the way they look.

 

[Damon141]

Those are cool. Vibergs? I can’t see the problem with the sole.

Yeah they are Viberg, they were my first pair. Bought used and still more expensive than any boots I’ve purchased lol.
They were a collaboration with 3sixteen a while back, that’s what the seller said. It has a different heel material, almost like rubber, not sure.

The problem is hard to capture on photos but imagine the whole bottom of the boot rounding, so it is strange when you walk. Definitely warping.

But in addition to the warped problem I can’t stand the look of these Vibram soles, I thought I liked them but if they are replaced or m definitely going to stay away from these sneaker type full soles if I can.

 

[Will Zach]

^^
I see now what you mean, the soles are not flat across.