Footwear to go with our jackets

[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 **********chers 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.

 

[Schambach]

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.

I feel ya on the wedge soles. I don’t like the look of them much either, but they do work pretty well for a lot of things. I’ve come around on them a lot in the past year or so. The “raptor “ sole wesco uses is great., the best grip on wet stuff I’ve ever experienced. Not the Vibram raptor, it’s a copy of the cristi soles, but better grip and wear . Heavier too, but that’s ok.

The gloxi cut soles on yours are supposed to be great, but I’ve never tried them.

 

[JurassicUtility]

Wolverine Triple-Tanned Horsehide boots from the 50s. I have this pair on the way from ebay in size 8D. In their early years, Wolverine made work shoes from 'whole horserump', which includes the both the skin and shell layer. I'm not 100% sure this pair is horserump, but the pictures look promising, but I'm excited to see how well these have held up after inspecting them and giving a good cleaning.

 

[Bfd70]

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

Are you in Chicago?
Mildblend is great. I bought a pair of White’s semi dress there last year.0

 

[Edward]

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.

I'm pretty much in the same place. I try not to go overboard (otherwise it's too easy to keep stuff "for best" and never wear it), but I'm not into the 'worn and distressed' look, as opposed to 'looked after and aged well'.
I don't care for my leather jackets to look seventy years old either, but then what I've always sought to mimic within my own budget is the overall look of the 30s-50s (outfit depending) rather than what a 30s-50s leather jacket would look like now in 2022. Storses for courses, an aw tha.

 

[Tom71]

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

Well, here´s a strong opinion against "designated beaters" and very much pro wearing and enjoying only stuff you really like:

It is my experience that SOME women indeed take note of your footwear.

However, I have never experienced that they are interesetd in new/unblemished shoes. They look for what they perceive as quality.
I have quite a few pair of dress shoes that had been relatively expensive. I love them, I care for them, I resole them when they need it, but the leather shows wear and age.

True story: only last week, a co-worker commented how he would not spend more than EUR 150 on a pair of shoes as he would fear he would not like them after a few years. A female colleague pointed at my shoes (a very, very worn pair of Derby´s in oxblood shell cordovan) and said, "But how would you think you would ever come to dislike shoes like this?".

 

[NZJono]

Wolverine Triple-Tanned Horsehide boots from the 50s. I have this pair on the way from ebay in size 8D. In their early years, Wolverine made work shoes from 'whole horserump', which includes the both the skin and shell layer. I'm not 100% sure this pair is horserump, but the pictures look promising, but I'm excited to see how well these have held up after inspecting them and giving a good cleaning.
View attachment 468303
View attachment 468304
View attachment 468305
View attachment 468307
View attachment 468312
View attachment 468311

They look fantastic for 70 year old boots.