Shoes that look better with age...

[kromophobic]

just a midnight kiss at new years with a friend akwardly standing around hahaha

[Fiddy]

^^^ I think we've all heard that one before. LOL

[bernielike]

Got these a week ago. LL Bean Katahdin Engineer boots. Didn't have any Obenauf's so I had to order it and it came today, so obviously I lathered that Obenauf's on right after it came.

Left right after I finished:

I think the type of leather on these will respond better to boot oil rather than wax. I use the Pecard boot oil it works great, "heals" the scuffs and so on. Might be too late if you already applied wax tho for awhile . . .

[Dchill]

a marine buddy of mine would always rub down all his leather boots with barbasol shave cream when he first got them said it stripped all the factory treatments, then he'd apply his oil/saddle soap etc. His boots always looked mint.

[dunkin deeznuts]

just a midnight kiss at new years with a friend akwardly standing around hahaha

did u at least tell her to move so u could slip him the tongue

[mdngnd]

The non-Engineer Katahdin. After some waterproofing, they're my go-to winter boots. They still have some salt on them in these pictures:

And the desert boots:

[Dchill]

might want to think about some shoe trees for those desert boots huh?

[Strangebrew]

Ah yeeee, new boots came today and they fit like a glove. Alden shell jump boots, bought them used but it doesn't look they were ever worn outside.

I'll keep you guys updated on how these age. Might take awhile

[tmadd]

Pending an absolute breakdown of the katahdins after some wear, I think they deserve to be the de facto recommendation for people looking for serious boots for under 100 bucks. I'm really excited to see my buddy's in person when he gets them in a couple days, based on some Red Wings I have put my hands on lately, I wouldn't be surprised if the materials and QC is nicer on these.

[the Repeater]

I saw wolverine paid Outside Magazine to feature their 1000 mile boots in the latest issue...

Got a pair, they're going back. Can't believe the retail on these...

[Dchill]

I saw wolverine paid Outside Magazine to feature their 1000 mile boots in the latest issue...

uh yeah it's called advertising.

[criticalk]

what size in khatadins? im 7.5s in GTs and they are just a hair long and a hair narrow. im 8.5 in nike/supra/emerica and most running shoes.

[tmadd]

Got a pair, they're going back. Can't believe the retail on these...

On paper, they aren't a bad boot for the money. However, I do think they are a fucking ugly boot, for any money.

[cheapmuthafukr]

i dont like the shape of the katahdins... they seem to be aimed at someone who wants some red wing iron rangers, but doesnt want to spend the money.

[Guest fettuccine]

i'd say these are about 5 yrs old...really only break these out in the winter when there's snow....

[cheapmuthafukr]

ah... thost there was something about those that looked off... i had a pair for years that i got back in 94... made in england at that time... the leather is reallydifferent, and the shape of the toe

[Guest fettuccine]

yea...i agree w/ the toe...too close to a "bulky/square" toe, but still comfortable/durable/ and of good quality

[tmadd]

I really like the shape of the Iron Rangers...I think they would look better if the eyelets and hooks were a little more restrained looking, but I feel the same way about the Katahdins. I was also surprised when I went to the Red Wing store last week to see some serious QC issues on two pairs of Iron Rangers and a pair of Gentleman Travelers. It definitely makes me feel like the $100 difference between that range of Redwings and stock Whites boots is a very wise investment.

[cheapmuthafukr]

maybe its because i have the jcrew version, but i think the hooks and eyelets on mine are pretty restrained... they were almost the color of the boot, but have begun to get some shiny parts with wear...

dont mind the rest of the pic, but you can see how you cant even really see the eyelets

[tmadd]

Didn't include my caveat that I liked those boots and didn't even notice the eyelets on them...mostly because they are tonal. After closer inspection, it almost looks like at least the hooks are a little different in shape and size...either way I definitely like those the most of the Iron Rangers.

[LandoCal126]

no need to apologize for those middle feet.

Except for the big toe and the one next to it... WTF?!?!

[Christmas In A Submarine.]

girls gotta squeeze. cost of beauty i've been told.

[kromophobic]

Indeed, she threw on her engineer boots for the way home... As for the Katahdins, I like the shape of the Iron Rangers more as well, but I can't justify the cost difference...

[Dchill]

I ordered a pair of black iron rangers and will post a few pics once they arrive.

[jstavrin]

How much of a weight difference can I expect with a steel toe? I'm considering adding them to a future pair of Semi Dress.

[Doug C]

I ordered a pair of black iron rangers and will post a few pics once they arrive.

Dchill, that's what I've been waiting for, someone with a pair of black iron rangers... do post us some pics please. I'm interested in them as well.

[Dchill]

Doug, yeah for sure. I'm a little bit concerned with how the sole is going to hold up but I guess I will just have to wait and see. They should be here any day now.

[JayDC7]

Does anyone have any experience with applying sno seal to suede? I know roughout boots are primarily dubbed but would it work to take this leather soul boot and achieve a similar effect?

[riff]

Nooooooo!!!!! You'd likely end up with a smooth-ish finish - which won't give you the same effect as snoseal on rough-out. Might as well just get the calfskin leather version...

Suede ages nicely all by itself!

[Doug C]

Doug, I'm a little bit concerned with how the sole is going to hold up but I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Yea me too but I just look at it as an opportunity to have them resoled with a leather or double leather sole unless I just fell in love with the all rubber sole that it comes with. Would be cool to have a pair like that IMO.