Attachment 78076
R.M.'s "Craftsman" in Kangaroo.
For those not familiar with these, each boot is made from a single piece of leather.
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Attachment 78076
R.M.'s "Craftsman" in Kangaroo.
For those not familiar with these, each boot is made from a single piece of leather.
I have found my Alden Indys to be pretty deeply disappointing.
I'm wearing a pair of these (Danner Workman Romeo) as I type this. They aren't the best looking boots in the world, in part because they suffer from the "platypus bill" look at the front, and the width makes driving a manual a bit tricky, but other than that, I like them. Super convenient to put and off. (Not made in the US, so the price is on the lower side of the Danner options.)
http://www.danner.com/product/work/w...ork-boots.html
http://images.danner.com/is/image/La...?$pdp_main_2x$
This is my 3rd pair of Blundstones, the 2 previous pair were given to a bud and are still going strong. I wear them constantly. They came in a brownish color. I don't like brown anything really, and the black they offered was a bit much. My solution was/is to use black shoe polish, which I think gives them the perfect color, like an espresso bean I guess. The others are Karl Kuemmerling logging boots and over 20years old. I worked for a tree company back in the day, mostly as a ground-man, and my boss called me Kong. He bought me these, I love them, and wear them still. Custom shock-chord laces by yours truly.
Attachment 78398
Leffot NYC. Leffot. Leather Soul in LA and Hawaii also have soem nice special orders
Viberg makes a much better boot, but who there is no justifying the price. Never had a problem with any of the Alden's I own. Leather is always top notch. The Natural CXL from Alden is the only one that turns a nice shade of Amer. My Rancourts turned a deep brown.
Much better than Aldens are Allen Edmonds. Great detail work, and you can get many variations, including custom combinations in soles, leathers, etc. to your personal preference. I have a pair of cordovans done with a dress vibram sole for wear in really ugly winter weather -- after eight years they look like new -- combination of cordovan and the soles. I more recently got the following and love them:
Cordovan Dalton - Wingtip Lace-up Dress Boots by Allen Edmonds
Also, just for grins, here are some kicks that Richard needs to dress up his new socks. Posting these on his FB page just for grins, too.
Attachment 78482
You guys really should know by now that all the cool kids are wearing these shoes (no socks) and doing this, instead of actually riding a bike:
(I case you're wondering, and I know you are, it's called a Carex Pedal Exerciser)
http://guideimg.alibaba.com/images/s...ser_258712.jpg
You are seriously stating that AE's are better than Alden? They are not even close. AE just started using Horween leathers (aside from shell). AE are mostly machine made and none of them are leisurely handsewn like Alden. In the end, they are an adequate shoe for the price. Aldens are a huge step up in quality and craftsmanship and are the gatekeepers for well made shoe. They best AE soles are not even made in house - JRs and Dainite.
I've got 2 pairs of hard worn AE's that I've owned since the early 80's a black tassel lounger and a very nice pair of Cordovan tassled wingtip slip-ons Both have been back to be rebuilt more than once and still look great. Did they use a better leather 30+ years ago maybe they cost about the same then as they do now so who knows. I'll be curious to see how some of the new makers do with a growing market there have been some not so glowing reports of Aldens but that is true for most companies trying to make a mark I guess time will tell but I'd still buy another pair of AE's before I'd drop twice as much or more for a pair that may or may not be marginally better. YMMV of course.
I got them at The Pedestrian Shop in Boulder. Shoes | Comfortable Walking Shoes | Work & Dress Shoes
You get them from Blundstone directly: Stout Brown Premium Leather - Adult Casual Boot Series - Blundstone
You'll love them!
-Joe
Based on the price and I what I think I've seen on the web, is it correct that they are no longer made in Australia?
AE has had the same problems as well. Both are experiencing growth. AE is also aggressively looking east with new shops opening in China. The one thing I like about Alden is they use Horween. I am still upset Redwing moved on years ago. End of the day, the only thing Alden is missing is a nice Dainite sole...
Correct, now made in Thailand and Viet Nam. Here is a link back to a cobbler who did a good job on my Blundstone re-sole. My initial experience with the Thai boots was not good, but a recent pair was much improved. I'm going to try the model recommended by Joe, but I wish I had stocked up on the Aussie boots!
Speaking of unicorns, anyone have a good substitute for the old Italian-made Vasque Sundowners? Someone told me the original factory was making boots under their own name now, but I've never located them.
:shaggy:
I am a sucker for classic looking hiking boots. I still like the Lowa boots for hiking. I have never tried Danners but they look pretty slick.
Danner - Mountain Light II 5" Brown - Hike - Product
http://images.danner.com/is/image/La...?$pdp_main_2x$
This winter I got a new pair of mountaineering boots that work with step in crampons. They have a bit of insulation, a crazy rigid sole and I am pretty psyched on them. Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro GTX robonza: Review: Scarpa Mont Blanc Pro GTX Boots
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nD0XKaFe1V...0/P2180005.jpg
-Joe
It seems you wish you could have Dainite but it's available with Allen Edmonds. And Allen Edmonds makes a variety of shoes and boots with Horween leathers. I have cordovans with Horween cordovan as a case in point. I can be hard on shoes and yet mine have lasted for years of heavy and abusive use. You're welcome to your opinion but no one wins points here. Enjoy the other posts and perhaps learn something. I always do.
I received a pair of these for christmas and have been pretty impressed. They were crucially available in wide sizes, are breaking in very nicely and have been absolutely waterproof in all of the snow and slush I've thrown at them. Feel like a winner so far (and look rad, to boot).
Since we are talking old school hiking boots I have got to glow. When I looked to see if my beloved Merrill Wilderness were still made the reward was instant. For someone like me who weighs 200 lbs and like to walk/run/bound on pointy rocks these rule. I've had mine for a few years now and broke them in by doing wet garden work and lots of dog walks. These are beastly.
http://www.backcountry.com/images/it...ER0026/BLK.jpg
I have a pair of Danner Mountain Light IIs. I got them for the classic look and the fact that they're Made in USA. There's very nice, they fit me well, are comfortable, and I love them. The only not 100% great issue is that despite the name, they are not the lightest thing in the world. In my case they aren't going to be used to climb Denali, or anything like that, so it really isn't a big a deal. Other than that, they're awesome.
If I'm a 47 in Sidi, 46/12 in most normal shoes, 11.5 in old pair of Corcoran boots, what am I in Red Wing (Iron Ranger)? My guess is 11.5. Help me pull the trigger before I think too much. Sure I COULD go try some on but I could also just return them if they don't fit.
You have good taste in boots! These are my winter daily wear here in the mountains. They also look good enough to be worn for casual wear, I wear them to work in the winter.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Py9Bed6cT5...0/P1200266.jpg
-Joe
I have several pairs of shoes with Dainite. B Nelson in NYC will re-sole whatever you like with Dainite. AE just started using Horween's catalog recently for non-shell (Horween was the only game for shell domestically for quite some time).And AE still ignores a majority of Horween's coolest offerings. I used to work in retail, so there is not a lot I do not know when it comes to tailored clothing and fine shoes. Any adequate shoe will last if you take care of them. I'd be upset too if I had a closet full of adequate shoes as well, but there's no need for such a feable attempt at the "high road", strawmen arguements and passive agreesive tone.
I just got a pair of Iron Rangers. I wear a 10 in other Red Wings. Bought a 9.5. The 9 wasn't that short either. The 10 was way too long.
Yeah, the redwing heritage boot lasts are all over the place. I'm a sidi 45, and a 10 in my beckmans. I tried on the iron rangers as well, and I think those were a 10 on me also. They are difficult to size on the Internet.
i have a pair of vibergs that i got second hand in almost new condition. they are definiltely a step beyond Alden in terms of quality. the leather they use is noticeably thicker than the lined leather they use in an Indy boot. the Dainite sole is awesome too. i'm contemplating another viberg boot being offered on the SF GMTO.
i had to go through 3 pairs of Indys before I got a pair with no apparent leather defects.
re: dainite vs neoprene cork. i like both of them. the dainite is lighter and equally as hard wearing
Red Wings bought the SB Tannery in the 80s. not sure when they stopped using Horween hides, but it makes sense that they eventually phased it out.
also own a pair of Wilderness boots. they are probably 14 years old at this point and definitely need a new sole job. but great focking boots!!!!
Wow, that really is interesting the number of people here still using my trusty old Wilderness boots.
https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram...17167349_n.jpg
https://igcdn-photos-e-a.akamaihd.ne...45634956_n.jpg
Custom Wesco hybrid "PackMaster". Looking forward to breaking these in.
With daily wear, breakin should be sometime in 2027.
I wore them today- surprisingly comfortable out of the box. It's over 100* in the shop right now, so I imagine that will speed things up.
Beautiful boots, Eric. I am still kicking myself for missing a similar pair that came up for sale in my size in the wesco seconds page. Apparently the packmaster is offered as a stock boot in Japan although I can't remember what they call the model.