Shoes that look better with age...

[Joseph Hill]

I love my Frye harness boots, and have had zero QC issues, but then again they are almost old enough to drive. It seems that they are going the way of most 'heritage brands', by swamping their lines with cheap imported trash, and keeping just enough of their original goods to be able to trade on their former good name. Since it is all part of a ruthless cost carving agenda, it stands to reason that the domestic producers are feeling heavy pressure to be more profitable to the company. The result generally presents itself in dubious quality. I haven't seen any of the US versions in person lately to give a first hand opinion though, as every one I've picked up has said made in Mexico.

[triumph.man]

Purchased these off of eBay and just had the soles redone

[jstavrin]

I don't understand the MF RC debate. Are people saying he copied some other boot company, or did some other boot company copy him?

[coleslawyum]

Yes, I think that's it. However the engineer boot has been around before any of us mofos were alive. So I don't get the whole debate about who's design came first.

[Happy Hooligan]

I don't think it's a debate with "Team MF" shirts being worn. It's just two companies that made a similar looking vintage copy engineer boot about at the same time.

Neither company "invented" the engineer boot. And if either claims they did, then I guess James dean is a time traveler as he somehow got a pair of them and went back 50 years to wear them in Rebel...

[sexlexcia]

Shit, I didn't realize that the RW Japan engineer came in brown.

That shall be the new object of my engineer boot desire.

my custom 2269

2970s sent into redwing repair center and new sole put in. total cost 35 bucks.

[klue]

what do you all think about the wolverine 1000 mile boot?

[Leonard Leroy]

ugh i'm gonna try chippewas or something in a larger size that the 2268s i tried

I still really wanna wear engineer boots I just need something with a higher instep.

[k4727]

what do you all think about the wolverine 1000 mile boot?

Great boots for walking around in the city and very comfy etc. the leather is great and its well made. the toe box is imperfect though

[Roguls]

Red Wing 899. Happy birthday to me.

[slight]

Well loved, 4+ years old achilles.. will retire soon due to uneven sole wear.

[klue]

the toe box is imperfect though

how do yiou mean?

[ranonranonarat]

been wearing these duluth trading boots for a while now. they were great right out of the box with no break in time. lovely support for my ankle thats fucked all the time.

here is how they look right now after about 4 months of wear.

[jstavrin]

how do yiou mean?

It's deceptively ugly. If you're set on that price range, just get Red Wings.

[Baeyer-Drewson]

These boots are amazing. Thorogoods need more love in this thread. Don't sleep on Epaulet, best web store out.

[SLAB]

those horse hide thorogoods are really nice; im patiently waiting though for Whites to finally release their horse hide for the US/EU market. Just hope im not waiting for Godot.

[edmond]

i dont think theyll do it this year i heard its another year or so

[smittybat]

what do you all think about the wolverine 1000 mile boot?

I really like my Addisons. The Horween Chromexcel leather they use is amazing. They were comfortable out of the box. I did 6 miles the day after I got them. I still can hardly stand to walk long distances in my Red Wing GT's.

[joelz]

Did I see someone with the Addison's at Toloache in the Financial District this week? Or was it just me thinking I saw a pair there...

[patrick_b]

I really like my Addisons. The Horween Chromexcel leather they use is amazing. They were comfortable out of the box. I did 6 miles the day after I got them. I still can hardly stand to walk long distances in my Red Wing GT's.

That is so damn true. I tried on some RW Beckmans and Iron Rangers. When I finally had a chance to try on the Wolverine 1K Mile (originals), they were so comfortable out of the box. I'm sure the RW's would break in nicely and also last a lifetime, but in the end, I went with the 1K's and couldn't be more pleased.

Still super comfy, look great after ~6 months of wear and 5-6 Obenauf LP treatments.

They've seen a decent amount of snow/rain and held up nicely. I wipe the salt off with damp cloth and let the soles dry for at least a day or two before wearing them again if the soles got super wet.

[edmond]

just copped a wesco boss factory second in black with crepe sole ! cheap! yeah!

[BIGBERTHA]

My brothers and I hit Viberg last night and came home with boots. I picked up the brogue toe cap that were still warm from handcrafting. My brother got same hikers as mine, but replaced red laces with leather. My little bro picked up some black (look blueish) engineers...at least I think they're engineers.

[denimjunky]

those horse hide thorogoods are really nice; im patiently waiting though for Whites to finally release their horse hide for the US/EU market. Just hope im not waiting for Godot.

And excel #8. And cordovan :-)

[hieveryone]

It's deceptively ugly. If you're set on that price range, just get Red Wings.

This. Even after wearing them for a couple of months, I couldn't get over how awkward it looked.

I pretty much regret getting them. In addition, mine had some sloppy stitching on the uppers.

Last thing--there was no break in time, but I think part of the reason is that they are so lightweight (like a pair of shoes). The chromexcel isnt particularly thick. They definitely aren't holding up like my red wings.

[halberdklown]

BIGBERTHA, thanks for posting this, finally get to see how the new service boot last looks when worn

[clayton]

Really like the look of the leather laces on the Viberg's. Wish I could afford a pair of those beauties. Debated buying a pair of the VIberg x Four Horsemen boots. Victorians are so lucky to have such an awesome company.

[Denim Phenom]

I wish I lived near a factory store. Did they have any other engineer boots there?

[Zazamoot]

Just got a response from Takeshi Okuyama regarding engineer buckles. He says he's got no brass Wesco buckles, but has Spencers buckles, made of iron with a gold finish.

I'm going to see if I can get pictures of what he's referring to.

edit: ah, http://hukurokuju.com/blog/category/wesco/#

He's got the bottom ones. I really like those least. Hoping he's got the other ones above available.

[oboy_oboy]

My brothers and I hit Viberg last night and came home with boots. I picked up the brogue toe cap that were still warm from handcrafting. My brother got same hikers as mine, but replaced red laces with leather. My little bro picked up some black (look blueish) engineers...at least I think they're engineers.

That's just awesome. I love the brogue toe cap. Is that same boot come w/ different sole options?

[coleslawyum]

Hoping he's got the other ones above available.

He offers 2 style buckles, 50's Chippewa and 90's Wesco. The Chippewas come in nickel, chrome, brass and matte. The Wesco comes in gold gloss and matte. The Wescos are pretty period specific, so they look authentic ov the time. I think the Chippewas are a reinterpretation because his are a bit more chunky.