Shoes that look better with age...

[fre-co]

Yeah, I emailed them and asked if I could have that lighter colour (acorn antique?) Stow with commando sole and they told me my better choice would be Malton which is made from thicker "coarse calf" leather instead of "dress shoe" leather -more suitable for Finnish winter. Some other boots were made from this coarse calf as well.

That explains why my wetherbys feel thicker and tougher.

[GregNYC]

I actually didn't see that one! But it would have been an anachronistic reference (not strange in Hollywood) if they were talking about rubber soles, since Jesse James died in 1882, and Cat's Paw soles were first manufactured in like ~1930

I noticed that too, but I thought it was a reference to how quiet he was. If it had something about not slipping, then it would be a different story.

[edmond]

hi greg hows your lw carpenters comign along?

[blake]

I noticed that too, but I thought it was a reference to how quiet he was. If it had something about not slipping, then it would be a different story.

I noticed that too, but I am sure it was a reference to how quiet he was and not the sole.

[>++fishb0neR]

quick question for you lot...

Have any of you had any issues with leather 'breathability'?

my feets tend to sweat a bit, and i fear that my boots/shoes will be more funky than i, theefunklord, would like to be.

any recommendations or ideas (other than a moisture-wicking insole)?

i'm fairly familiar with the differences in footwear leathers and leather treatment as i played soccer/football for most of my life (kangaroo versus calf, etc) but i want to get a pair of quality boots/shoes that will be able to stand the pounding i'll give them, both inside and out

thanks in advance for any help

(especially any of you in warmer climates)

[edmond]

they breath i can feel the cold breeze on my toes when im walking with my rw's on

[crush]

i guess it its important not to wear them days in a row, so the shoes can dry and get out moisture from the wear

[skalogre]

quick question for you lot...

Have any of you had any issues with leather 'breathability'?

my feets tend to sweat a bit' date=' and i fear that my boots/shoes will be more funky than i, theefunklord, would like to be.

any recommendations or ideas (other than a moisture-wicking insole)?

i'm fairly familiar with the differences in footwear leathers and leather treatment as i played soccer/football for most of my life (kangaroo versus calf, etc) but i want to get a pair of quality boots/shoes that will be able to stand the pounding i'll give them, both inside and out

thanks in advance for any help

(especially any of you in warmer climates)[/quote']

I am in Arizona yet wear boots and leather shoes all the time. Don't worry about it.

i guess it its important not to wear them days in a row, so the shoes can dry and get out moisture from the wear

Yes, alterrnate them.

[dunkin deeznuts]

I definitely feel that normal leather breathes better than cordovan.

[amlai]

I definitely feel that normal leather breathes better than cordovan.

Yes, that is the general consensus. I however, don't notice the difference.

Definitely alternate and use trees. Your shoes will appreciate it.

[Tarmac]

If you seriously have a problem with sweating feet, leather dress shoes/boots are probably not good for you. None that I have seen have any ventilation, they are sewn shut basically, as if they were leather gloves. You could possibly go for some sort of leather/cloth combo shoe but those are fairly rare.

[>++fishb0neR]

thanks all. big up

If you seriously have a problem with sweating feet, leather dress shoes/boots are probably not good for you. None that I have seen have any ventilation, they are sewn shut basically, as if they were leather gloves. You could possibly go for some sort of leather/cloth combo shoe but those are fairly rare.

Which is why i tend to avoid purchasing several pairs of dress shoes/boots, and am asking the question.....

I'm well aware the construction of these shoes limits the amount of ventilation

but that's also why different (treated) leathers are used..be it for comfort or durability..or both

i don't want you all to think i'm some freak whose socks are drenched after a day of walking around somewhere:D

i just want my feet to be as comfortable as possible (in a closed shoe), while i casually upgrade my 'stee-lo' ('style,' for the non-jiggy)

[familyman]

I'm in Houston so I know hot and humid.

Two important things:

1. Rotate. If you're really sweating in them then give them two days between wearings to dry out. Use trees.

2. Wear good socks. Smartwool makes fairly thin but amazingly comfortable socks that work well in dressier boots and their standard socks are great in a heavier boot. Good socks really do make a huge difference.

You have to accept that boots that are sweated heavily in might not last as long. When it's cool enough that you can comfortably wear pants (say below 85) then it's cool enough for boots.

[GregNYC]

I wrote to clever-id, and he said there's no stock, even at the manufacturer!

hi greg hows your lw carpenters comign along?

[Denim Phenom]

I actually didn't see that one! But it would have been an anachronistic reference (not strange in Hollywood) if they were talking about rubber soles, since Jesse James died in 1882, and Cat's Paw soles were first manufactured in like ~1930

I didn't even think about that. I had no idea when Cat's Paw started so that's why I asked the question.

[tmadd]

I'm in Houston so I know hot and humid.

Two important things:

1. Rotate. If you're really sweating in them then give them two days between wearings to dry out. Use trees.

2. Wear good socks. Smartwool makes fairly thin but amazingly comfortable socks that work well in dressier boots and their standard socks are great in a heavier boot. Good socks really do make a huge difference.

You have to accept that boots that are sweated heavily in might not last as long. When it's cool enough that you can comfortably wear pants (say below 85) then it's cool enough for boots.

+1! If you have a 3 boot rotation and use trees for the pairs not in use, and wear a wool based sock, you should be more than ok.

[GregNYC]

Wow, I'm impressed by this thread every day. Fishb0neR got a wealth of good advice on shoe ecology.

[bankershill]

I'm thinking of ordering a pair of Tricker`s Stows in black soon. I wear an 11e in Alden and 11 in RW 1914's. Would a size 11(Fitting 5) be about right for the Trickers? I'm concerned about the width more than the length of the shoe.

[fre-co]

sounds right. do you have wide feet or pretty normal?

[bankershill]

my feet are little wide, but I also hear that Trickers run slightly wider than normal

shipping+return is like $65 so I thought I'd check with the experts first ..

[Corbin Law]

if i wear a 10.5 in vans, should i get a 10.5 in allen edmonds?

[tmadd]

if i wear a 10.5 in vans, should i get a 10.5 in allen edmonds?

Yes. I wear a 7.5 in Vans and Allen Edmonds...the AEs might be a tad more snug, but I would say they are both proper fits for the kind of shoes they are. If your Vans are like super tight, then maybe a size up in AE, or same size but an E instead of a D.

[Tarmac]

I'm thinking of ordering a pair of Tricker`s Stows in black soon. I wear an 11e in Alden and 11 in RW 1914's. Would a size 11(Fitting 5) be about right for the Trickers? I'm concerned about the width more than the length of the shoe.

I would think 11 in Tricker's would be loose. They are designed to be worn with thick, and I mean thick, wool socks. The kind made by scottish grandmas from the billygoat out back. And not only that, they are UK sized, not US. If you are ordering from Pediwear, ask them directly.

[dunkin deeznuts]

selling a pair of suede allen edmonds chukkas

$90 shipped

also selling a pair of russell moccasin boots

see link for more info or PM me

sorry for the interruption, back to your regularly scheduled programming

[jo3 b]

spam artists...

[moykky]

I'm thinking of ordering a pair of Tricker`s Stows in black soon. I wear an 11e in Alden and 11 in RW 1914's. Would a size 11(Fitting 5) be about right for the Trickers? I'm concerned about the width more than the length of the shoe.

I wear size US 9 in RW and 8 in Tricker's.

[fre-co]

Banker:

Well I would say size uk10.5 width 5 would probably be ok for you or perhaps a 10 width 6.

Personally I don't feel trickers are sized so wide or bigger than redwing or alden indies. I wear an 8.5 width 6 in trickers and should wear a US9D or E in redwing 875 (i have a 9.5D and they are too big)

I also think the stows are a little less roomy compared to my wetherbys.

By the way someone buy my Stows please, I want to start funding another purchase......

[ang_kangkong]

Can someone try this out for indigo stains?

Leather Master Super Remover

LMSR250

For removing blue jean transfer, newspaper print & deep stains like mustard on PROTECTED leathers.

This product works when nothing else will clean the leather. Often on light color leathers, it appears that the color is coming off the leather because it looks that way on the surface. What actually has happened is a transfer of color to the leather's surface from blue jeans and / or newspaper print.

Instructions for Use: Pretest the Leather to insure colorfastness of leather in a hidden area of the piece prior to full use. Apply the SUPER REMOVER to a soft, clean, white cloth and blot the leather, rubbing lightly to remove the transferred color. Pay attention to your cloth to see if you are removing color from the leather. There is a fine line between removing the jean transfer and also taking away some of the leather's original color. You will have reached maximum transfer removal when you see the original color on the cloth without taking away the leather's color. Clean the surface with Leather Master SOFT CLEANER to rinse away any residue of the product. It is very important to use lots of cleaner to completely remove all residue or traces of the SUPER REMOVER. llow to dry for about one hour.

After drying again apply Leather Master PROTECTION CREAM to renew the protection.

[GregNYC]

Alden/Indy story

I was at the Alden store yesterday (getting a new pair of Indies, this time to keep stock, no customizations). And I saw this older guy (well, older than any SuFu member I'd ever met) pick up the display Indy boot and walk around the store with it. He was wearing kind of a cool upscale gentleman's motorcycle outfit, with jeans with a floral arcuate pattern and black Chelsea boots. He was lovin that Indy. There was only one salesman in the store at that time, who was helping me. This guy asked me if the Indies are good boots. I said they're great, and they enjoy an international cult following. He said, "like raw denim," and I flashed him the selvage of my LVCs. He told me he rode down from Massachussetts to come to this store even though he lives a few miles from the Alden factory. Somehow it didn't seem the moment to ask him if he was a SuFu member, but I wouldn't be surprised. I told him I was picking this pair up in honor of the new Indy movie coming out. I hope he got a pair and likes them.

Actually, between all youse guys and me, I got this pair yesterday as part of my continuing search to find 2 pairs of Indies that fit. A dress and a beater pair. I actually sold my Cat's Paw Indies because of their being a tad too small, and of course I like it that someone else can enjoy the great Cat's Paw soles. So anyway, one Indy pair is this week morphing at B. Nelson Shoe Repair into being my Superleather (hint hint SuFu admins!!) pair. The other pair I got yesterday and am wearing them now trying to break them in. I plan to keep them just stock for now.

I must admit, because so much of my shoe fanaticism has to do with vintage style, I am liking the Indy boot ever more now that I learn that it's been around since the early part of the century. I thought it ws a child of the 70s. But they look *very* much like the work boot pictures you'd see in the Montgomery Ward or Sears Catalogues from the 1930s. For me, Indies are not the most comfortable shoes in the world. I have to try on 3 or 4 to find one that doesn't pinch, bruise or bind, even in my size. So I can't order custom ones from Carmel or Leather Sole because the sizing issue is too delicate for me. But - ya gotta love em for the Americana, and the movie tie-in is just frosting.

[fre-co]

Nice story Greg. So you sold the cat's paw indies already?

I will certainly visit the Alden store while I'm in NYC. Maybe I'll see you there, it seems you are buying a pair of indies every couple of weeks!