Shoes that look better with age...

[Edge_Of_Denim]

mrswitch, I went for the lace up, in black.

[Will]

Dave, or any other Redwing owner (is that 1905 model?), how heavy is that boot? I don't like too heavy boots with thick soles but that shoe looks nice and I'm in need of some winter shoes...

Damn they don't sell those Gokey boots anywhere near europe...

The 1905/Anniversary boots are a bit heavier than the regular Redwings. I find the standard Redwings really comfortable, the sole cushions well and you don't notice the weight.

[mizanation]

You guys all seemed to like my indys and I used brown KIWI on mine...

yeah, kiwi is fine. only heard good things about kiwi until that that post.

[mizanation]

ok, here are my friend's "dead man's" shoes. he got them in a thrift shop in toronto. apparently the previous owner died and they donated these shoes to the shop. luckily, they fit my friend perfectly. they are not shell cordovan, but very high quality calfskin. any branding has long been worn off. he's worn them for 7 years, and he estimates that the previous owner had them at least 5 years. they could be even much older than that, but it's hard to tell. they are definitely well worn though, and look great. enjoy:

[denimdestroyedmylife]

the patina is absolutely incredible-----just beautiful. the EXTREME creasing is troubling, though. i don't suppose they were stored on shoe trees...

[cheapmuthafukr]

i kinda like the look of the creasing, but im sure its not good for the shoes. not a look id go for if i paid alot, but for some thrift shoes id let it go.

[Brienneoftarth]

i wear the anniversary edition redwing 1905's. theyre amazing, triple stitched and everything, plus they'll replace sole so with enough oil you could have them for your entire life. got em for 75% off at a redwing shop on Long Island. amazing find.

[greentea]

dead man walking.

[familyman]

Another boot that would age nicely and is top notch construction wise is Danner.

[greentea]

ok, here are my friend's "dead man's" shoes. he got them in a thrift shop in toronto. apparently the previous owner died and they donated these shoes to the shop. luckily, they fit my friend perfectly. they are not shell cordovan, but very high quality calfskin. any branding has long been worn off. he's worn them for 7 years, and he estimates that the previous owner had them at least 5 years. they could be even much older than that, but it's hard to tell. they are definitely well worn though, and look great. enjoy:

they kinda look like the ccp shoes that xcoldricex got.

[mizanation]

actually, when you see them in person, the creasing is absolutely beautiful. it's kinda like distressing on jeans, sometimes it looks better when it's actually worn. i think i still prefer undulations to creasing though...

[digital_denim]

yeah, i need to get shoe trees for my boots today!

edit: welcome back DDML!

[denimdestroyedmylife]

thanks

target has $11-ish cedar shoe trees

no reason to splurge on $30 alden trees, though they are hella mint

i love the heft of the boots with trees in them---------perfect for throwing through a large plate glass window

[digital_denim]

Are they special trees for boots or just shoes in general. I do have some other shoe trees but never tried stuffing them in my boots.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

they do make BOOT trees-----but they are really for cowboy boots or other long boots that would otherwise flop over like limp... pasta.

shoe trees will do the trick in your boots (and mine)

[moykky]

The 1905/Anniversary boots are a bit heavier than the regular Redwings. I find the standard Redwings really comfortable, the sole cushions well and you don't notice the weight.

Thanks for the info Will and Down....ianbrown! The 1905 model is what I've been looking, or the 875 model that looks almost the same...

[greentea]

thanks

target has $11-ish cedar shoe trees

no reason to splurge on $30 alden trees, though they are hella mint

i love the heft of the boots with trees in them---------perfect for throwing through a large plate glass window

i think alden,grows thier own cedar for thier shoe trees. j/k

[snugglepony]

The 1905 model is what I've been looking, or the 875 model that looks almost the same...

i've got the 1905s -- so dope.

are you having trouble finding them?

[dave023]

Dave, or any other Redwing owner (is that 1905 model?), how heavy is that boot? I don't like too heavy boots with thick soles but that shoe looks nice and I'm in need of some winter shoes...

Damn they don't sell those Gokey boots anywhere near europe...

It are the red wing 875 model and I can't say they aren't heavy...but just fine...I think you have to try them out...

[Watchout Lester]

yep:

[Watchout Lester]

i gotta thank airfrog first, his idea originally.

also hve to blow up my new favorite shoe repair store/women's orthodics specialist/dingy east 39th street hole in the wall been making custom shoe store since world war II/ALDEN DEALER (with ridiculous backstock dating back years, they had 5 different colors to choose from, not to mention some versions of the other boots that i've never even seen before)

moulden, ask for maurice

[greentea]

5 different indys?

[Watchout Lester]

i don't know, maybe 3, i was overwhelmed. the newer lighter ones, the older darker ones (that i got), a sort of in between, different brown shade, and then the cordovan, so that makes 4.

[greentea]

damn they had the cordo indys also huh. how much was it you know?

p.s score on the darker indys, those are hard to find now a days.

[Watchout Lester]

the lighter ones are hard to find these days too, in nyc anyhow.

the cordovan's were 535.

and they can all be polished to get the different shades of leather, they recommended the kiwi stuff.

they waterproofed em' for me too.

easily the best pair ofshoes i've ever set foot in.

[greentea]

nice, cool they have the cordo indys in stock. is it #8 color?

[tmadd]

Wow. I started reading this 3 hours ago thinking I might find info about a cool pair of red wings to grab. Now I want at least 2 and probably 3 pairs of Aldens (with at least two of the pairs being Cordovan shells). I am curious as to the effects of wearing a Cordovan day in and day out...as that would kinda be the idea behind me getting a pair of boots of that quality? I feel like boots are the sort of thing that you are suppose to be able to put on a pair, lace them up, and leave them on your feet for months at a time (I obviously wouldn't do this, but I am thinking of back in the day with cowboys and whatnot). Should I try to hunt down a pair of the darker Indy's so that I have one calfskin boot that i can wear day in and out and then get the cordovans to alternate in, because although three pairs the indy, and a black and brown cordovan high lace up are at the top of my list, I will only be able to grab one in the forseeable future, and I want the first pair to be something I can wear at least 5 out of 7 days a week. Let me know what you think. Also, how much cash will I be dropping initially on care products for a pair of cordovans and a pair of calfskins. Thanks.

Tyler

[moykky]

i've got the 1905s -- so dope.

are you having trouble finding them?

Yeah, those 1905 look wicked! I saw a picture of old pair somewhere, some blog....

...here it is:

And they look amazing!

I can found them online, but I can't try them on anywhere near... Wouldn't want to buy them without trying first... I guess I just have to if I want them.... Life is hard...

"In life you have to do a lot of things you don't fucking want to do. Many times, that's what the fuck life is... one vile fucking task after another. "

Lester those Aldens are nice, true gentlemans shoes!

[familyman]

Wow. I started reading this 3 hours ago thinking I might find info about a cool pair of red wings to grab. Now I want at least 2 and probably 3 pairs of Aldens (with at least two of the pairs being Cordovan shells). I am curious as to the effects of wearing a Cordovan day in and day out...as that would kinda be the idea behind me getting a pair of boots of that quality? I feel like boots are the sort of thing that you are suppose to be able to put on a pair, lace them up, and leave them on your feet for months at a time (I obviously wouldn't do this, but I am thinking of back in the day with cowboys and whatnot). Should I try to hunt down a pair of the darker Indy's so that I have one calfskin boot that i can wear day in and out and then get the cordovans to alternate in, because although three pairs the indy, and a black and brown cordovan high lace up are at the top of my list, I will only be able to grab one in the forseeable future, and I want the first pair to be something I can wear at least 5 out of 7 days a week. Let me know what you think. Also, how much cash will I be dropping initially on care products for a pair of cordovans and a pair of calfskins. Thanks.

Tyler

You shouldn't wear any pair of leather shoes every day. They all last longer if you let them dry out for at least 48 hours between wearing with shoe trees in them. That said, any pair of shoes can be worn every day. You might be shortening the life by a bit but in reality it's probalby not too much. If you have to start with one I'd start with a pair of calf Indys. They cost half as much and are from all accounts a wonderful boot. Buy them and wear them.

As far as care, you should have a pair of shoe trees for them for the evening, some kiwi in the approptiate color, a polishing rag, and a shoe shine brush or two. I like to have two, one for the actual polishing and one to brush the dirt and dust off at the end of the day. Shoe trees can be had for $10-15 at places like Target, brushes are $3 each and kiwi is a couple bucks a can. You can also drop more money and get actual Alden shoe trees and fine brushes and all that but it's not necessary.

If you get a pair of Indys, put them on trees at night and polish them at least once a week they will probably last you a decade even with almost daily wear. When the soles wear out you can get them resoled at a good cobbler and every three resolings or so you can send them back to Alden for what they refer to as recrafting. They'll make them nearly new.

On an interesting side note, check ebay for Alden cordovans. You'll see that they hold their value very very well with 10 year old pairs selling in the $300 range regularly. Something to consider if you might be the type to want to sell gear when you get sick of it.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

fam-guy,

awesome summation of this juggernaut of a thread

just the mention of cordo indys makes my weak at the wallet

i cannot bear it

the siren's call

all i need is the cordo indys in #8 and pair of whiskey cordo chukkas and i'm set for life

pine pine pine