Shoes that look better with age...

[skalogre]

wow, skalogre, those boots are crazy--and they are in the price range where they are technically within reach... i haven't branched out of the united states yet for fine shoes, and i'm a little scared to. i know there is a lot of damage to be done, as Edge of Denim put it....

Do you mean the wingtip boots? The people over at Fedora Lounge have received shoes from the custom shoe place; I don't check that forum so I don't know much about them. If the construction is decent and the lasts/fit is good, those could be a steal!

If you mean the RM Williams, those are just beauties from a trusted mfg thaty has been around for a while

The Trickers jodphur looks a lot like the CT one: anybody pick this up with a 50% off deal?

http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/productMSB.aspx?DepGrpCode=MEN&DepCode=E0SS6MSHO&ProCode=MBAJOD&level1=Men&level2=Shoes&level3=Footwear

I think someone over at SF talked about them but I am not certain if anyone has them yet.

[Edge_Of_Denim]

You guys in NYC should hit Vincent & Edgar on Lex. Ave. Bespoke footwear. Obscenely expensive. $1200 will get you started. Huge drool factor. One can dream.

[percy]

been out just got back and see ive missed lots of pretty pics!

i think my main problem with a lot of shoes is comfort. that isnt comfort when wearing, but comfort in walking. i really require something that is going to be easy to walk in, that doesnt drain my legs from just general to and froing. that is maybe why i like the idea of a non leather sole unit such as the commando?

my winter boots im currently using are some lundhags forresters and even though they have a vibram sole unit, they are still very clumpy on concrete. i've had all sorts of boots, even roper style brands including lucchese, justin, but they just dont deliver that level of comfort you can get with an artificial sole. the most impressive prob being some campers i had.

so bearing that in mind would you experts recommend anything? maybe some crepe redwings?

[skalogre]

been out just got back and see ive missed lots of pretty pics!

i think my main problem with a lot of shoes is comfort. that isnt comfort when wearing, but comfort in walking. i really require something that is going to be easy to walk in, that doesnt drain my legs from just general to and froing. that is maybe why i like the idea of a non leather sole unit such as the commando?

my winter boots im currently using are some lundhags forresters and even though they have a vibram sole unit, they are still very clumpy on concrete. i've had all sorts of boots, even roper style brands including lucchese, justin, but they just dont deliver that level of comfort you can get with an artificial sole. the most impressive prob being some campers i had.

so bearing that in mind would you experts recommend anything? maybe some crepe redwings?

Hmm, that is a tough question. You may want to look at a combination of upsizing half a size and using thick gel inserts. Or maybe there is something more serious going on where you may need to have it looked at by a medical professional. Are you flatfooted? That can also make a difference. Traditionally made footwear is wouldstill have some sort of cushioning, such as cork, in the footbed to provide shock absorption. IMHO if the footbed and inner sole is made right whether you have leather or not outsole will matter less. Commando soles are tough (unless you live in a hot area - seriously!). Also, the shank in the shoe can make a difference in comfort - think of backpacking boots. They can be hell to break in but once that happens they provide incredible comfort while supporting weight.

Also, while it may be counterintuitive, a thicker/firmer sole can actually be less tiring in certain situations, e.g. on gravel or uneven ground.

You can get a lot of good information also over at SF where we have a few specialists, such as bespoke shoemakers and cobblers, as well as many members that are completely fanatical about footwear (in a good way!).

[percy]

thinking about it, the main factor is probably that i go around mostly in tennis shoes, so it is prob that im just not used to uncushioned footwear!

here are my lundhags: cool boots on non tarmac, although maybe i should have bought a lowa type military boot instead.

[skalogre]

Being unused to stifffer soles will indeed make a difference! I almost never wear anything of the sort. I have a pair of Bexley leather sneakers I wear but that is it. I wear a lot of boots & dress shoes (I am fond of wholecuts) with my jeans and casual trousers - and a pair of distressed dark burgundy Dr Marten's oxfords with a combination rubber/leather sole. That's it though - so as you can tell I may have a different idea of comfort

My wife on the other hand stands all day at her work and wears a lot of Converse, which I cannot stand wearing myself.

[GregNYC]

You guys are rockin this thread. Gone for a few hours and there are like 2 new pages! And a bespoke shoe place in NYC I didn't know about. And the Steve McQueen site I didn't know about! And more shoe porn! And bros that hang out at Fedora Lounge.

Like Paul T says, denim is a univeral thing, points in lotsa directions and goes great with this stuff ....

Percy mentioned comfort. My most comfortable shoes for walking on urban terrain (non-sneakers that fall within these classic and vintage lines) for me are Red Wing crepe, RM Williams (even leather soles), Allen Edmond Leeds (even leather soles), and my Corcoran jump boots (tho a little heavy).

After my Red Wing 1911's from Dejan, that's gonna be it for shoes for a while. I'm waiting for a few Sugar Canes and some LVC 37s are coming out. And I'm looking to find some Navy-style chambray shirts in U.S. size 44-46.

[Bill2]

Another pic of my 405's, this time after a borderline-sloppy shine job. I'm using Kiwi neutral wax polish and meltonian creme as a conditioner. Both choices are at the advice of the same cobbler that resoled my red wings.

Pic taken without flash under kitchen lighting

[mr fluffernutter]

The colour is really amazing. Bet they'll look great in a couple years/months/decades lol.

[mizanation]

cool 405s, bill. i think it's becoming a must have for work boot nuts.

if i haven't mentioned it before, i was told that the alden store in manhattan will have a sale on the 405s (indy's) and other shoes and boots in february.

[Chicken]

bill, i completely understand your enthusiasm for your 405s. i'm really digging mine, too. i also get a kick out of looking at other people's indys, too. it's probably because of the anticipation of how they'll age differently.

by the way, here's a pair that's too big for me but someone here might be interested.

and nice superinfo, miz.

[partytaco]

found this place awhile back while walking down lexington. supposedly one of the best cobblers in the world. love their window display.

You guys in NYC should hit Vincent & Edgar on Lex. Ave. Bespoke footwear. Obscenely expensive. $1200 will get you started. Huge drool factor. One can dream.

[GregNYC]

Another pic of my 405's, this time after a borderline-sloppy shine job. I'm using Kiwi neutral wax polish and meltonian creme as a conditioner. Both choices are at the advice of the same cobbler that resoled my red wings.

That's a very good recommendation. My cobbler uses this Meltonian, and I use it at home too. Number 170, "Delicate Cream." It conditions and shines. It's towards clear, not opaque:

[GregNYC]

Bill, very nice color on your 405s. Mine were bought last year from the Madison Ave store in NYC. They were such a nightmarish orange, they turned into a horror story as I and one particular cobbler tried to darken them. I ended up giving them away, they were by that point a painted-on flat chocolate brown. Among shoe nuts and vintage buffs, I'm probably the world's least enthusastic about Indies.

[headcoat]

Hey, anyone got a pic of Alden Indys worn with skinny jeans + stacked hem? Every pic I've seen has 'em paired with a relaxed jean and rolled cuffs.

[vivaloschet]

I don't care much for the indies either. Part of it for me is that I just haven't seen a picture of actual vintage work boots that look anything like them. I think that the red wings 1900 series is much more consistent with actual vintage work boots like these from an old Ward's catalog:

The other thing about the Aldens is that I just can't come to grips with shoes that expensive that aren't leather lined. Canvas is okay under some circumstances, but for 300 dollars I want a leather lining. So one of these days I am going to put my 405s on the bay because I just don't wear them.

[Chicken]

Hey, anyone got a pic of Alden Indys worn with skinny jeans + stacked hem? Every pic I've seen has 'em paired with a relaxed jean and rolled cuffs.

will this do?

(sorry about the quality of the model.)

[Servo2000]

That advertisement page is awesome.

[dave023]

I don't care much for the indies either. Part of it for me is that I just haven't seen a picture of actual vintage work boots that look anything like them. I think that the red wings 1900 series is much more consistent with actual vintage work boots like these from an old Ward's catalog:

The other thing about the Aldens is that I just can't come to grips with shoes that expensive that aren't leather lined. Canvas is okay under some circumstances, but for 300 dollars I want a leather lining. So one of these days I am going to put my 405s on the bay because I just don't wear them.

Some real shoes!!

[soda]

The other thing about the Aldens is that I just can't come to grips with shoes that expensive that aren't leather lined.

Like everything, you can customize your 405s. The salesman who sold me mine had ordered a pair of leather-lined 405s from Alden for another customer. But, I do recall a figure around $100.00 for the custom lining.

[headcoat]

will this do?

(sorry about the quality of the model.)

Thanks! They go well together, you've convinced me to pick up a pair.

[headcoat]

Does the Indy leather stand up to the staining from dry denim?

[Chicken]

indys completely stand up to the dry denim thing. i have a bunch of sneakers and shoes (not to mention wallets, shirts and jackets) with tons of indigo stains. but my 405s after about 2-3 months of steady wear show no sign of indigo transfer whatsoever.

[airfrogusmc]

indys completely stand up to the dry denim thing. i have a bunch of sneakers and shoes (not to mention wallets, shirts and jackets) with tons of indigo stains. but my 405s after about 2-3 months of steady wear show no sign of indigo transfer whatsoever.

No signs of stains on mine after 6 years and two pairs of heels. Just had them reheeled.

[Dick Danger]

I love those, wish I could wear 'em.

[partytaco]

watched these from the first day. i tried to win but my high bid was blow out of the water. $247 for Wolverine work boots is crazy even if they are 50 years old and deadstock.

by the way, here's a pair that's too big for me but someone here might be interested.

and nice superinfo, miz.

[Chicken]

ooops. hope i didn't help blow it out of water, pt. that's why i tried to hide it a bit in my post.

speaking of, looks like airfrog just blew me out of the water with his six years old 405s. good to know my indys are indigo-safe for a long time, though.

[partytaco]

that happens. didn't need them anyway......

i noticed your pictures wearing the Indy boots...did you come into the downtown 45rpm store a couple weeks ago wearing them??

ooops. hope i didn't help blow it out of water, pt. that's why i tried to hide it a bit in my post.

speaking of, looks like airfrog just blew me out of the water with his six years old 405s. good to know my indys are indigo-safe for a long time, though.

[Chicken]

that happens. didn't need them anyway......

i noticed your pictures wearing the Indy boots...did you come into the downtown 45rpm store a couple weeks ago wearing them??

hmm. i don't think i've been to the 45rpm store in the past few months. but i do float around that area here and there.

next time i see a pair of cool worker boots at size 10, i'll pm you instead of posting here.

[airfrogusmc]

ooops. hope i didn't help blow it out of water, pt. that's why i tried to hide it a bit in my post.

speaking of, looks like airfrog just blew me out of the water with his six years old 405s. good to know my indys are indigo-safe for a long time, though.

Just wear the heck out ov'm. Mine seem to still be getting better. I only use brown KIWI on mine.