Shoes that look better with age...

[garden gnomes in space]

jesus, do you drag your feet a lot?  Ive never seen that much wear in such short time/  Its generally advisable to avoid wearing through the sole and wearing into the midsole.  It wont mean imminent death for your boots but it'll just be a more costly repair further down the line.  I cant say if thats normal wear or not, but my gut tells me its premature.  I dont know if the sole is just a bad sole or not but it shouldnt be that worn after so few days.

[vgadjo]

jesus, do you drag your feet a lot?  Ive never seen that much wear in such short time/  Its generally advisable to avoid wearing through the sole and wearing into the midsole.  It wont mean imminent death for your boots but it'll just be a more costly repair further down the line.  I cant say if thats normal wear or not, but my gut tells me its premature.  I dont know if the sole is just a bad sole or not but it shouldnt be that worn after so few days.

 

Hehe, no. But I walk fast. This may lead to pushing more on the toes area.

 

This wear pattern can be found on all my shoes (see below). In the RW case, it's no big deal as the whole sole would be replaced. In this case, it may be a mix of poor quality sole and my wear habits. As far as it's not too much of a problem and can be repaired, it will be ok I guess.

 

I saw some reinforcement can be added too. Not sure that's possible on any type of sole though.

 

[garden gnomes in space]

based on a few replies in that style forum thread, it might not hurt to send Viberg an e-mail and ask their opinion.  

[edmond]

triumph toe taps you need those asap

[tod]

I remember at the time that Viberg didn't want to admit it, but it seemed clear that they had gotten a bad batch of Itshides.  Lots of chipping like this and even some of the cleats breaking off.  I think they replaced some soles at no charge, but the boots might be too old now for that. You could check.

[goodrain]

After seeing Kiya mention Unmarked Boots from Mexico in his Reddit AMA, I looked around their website and picked up a pair of Postmans http://www.unmarked.mx/products/postman

 

Thick Horween leather, clean workmanship, and the vibram sole is super comfy. In the $300 price range it is definitely worth checking out.(they have a coupon code for $50 off your first order)

[Aries]

Yep, as Tod says, this was a well-known issue for Viberg. Contact them and see what they say.

[jstavrin]

It's looking like my Alden shoes need a resole (new heels+leather). I'd like them back reasonably soon, and I'm in the Bay Area. Who do y'all recommend? 

[Broark]

Just got my Viberg beige calf derbies in size 12 from Notre Shop. A little long I must say, but I think the width is spot on. I think that if I got some insoles for them they would fit just right. I'm also not wearing them with socks right now, so that could have something to do with it too. I think with some wear these will look a lot less dressy. Leather is really nice, I can see it aging similarly to natural chromexcel.

Now I need to stop buying shoes. 

[Rob060]

been about 6 months with my bounty hunters in distressed smooth.

[edmond]

those are too big on you

Just got my Viberg beige calf derbies in size 12 from Notre Shop. A little long I must say, but I think the width is spot on. I think that if I got some insoles for them they would fit just right. I'm also not wearing them with socks right now, so that could have something to do with it too. I think with some wear these will look a lot less dressy. Leather is really nice, I can see it aging similarly to natural chromexcel.

Now I need to stop buying shoes. 

 

[Broark]

I actually wore them out running some errands today and they weren't too bad. I think an insole might help a little, but my feet aren't sliding around or anything. Just a strange last for my feet maybe, a little too long while being the right width.

[edmond]

The lacing part looks weird like theyre too close together but still loose

[Aries]

My custom ordered Last & Loom boots, almost 1 year of wear.

[volvo240thebest]

absolutely fantastic, are those the ones made by Lennon? they're quite Lennon-esque anyway.

[Aries]

Thanks Volvo. No they're made in New Zealand by an unidentified 2nd gen bootmaker. But yes, very Lennon-esque profile!

[Maynard Friedman]

The Loom & Last ones are made by Lastrite in Whangarei, NZ. They use the same Rapid Standard Brass Screw machine for soling that William Lennon does - apparently only 5 or 6 still exist globally. Both companies may use similar lasts too as the boot profiles seem quite similar.

More information here courtesy of Paul T: http://loomstate.co.uk

[garden gnomes in space]

Doesnt member named Hemi work with them?  Or did at one point?  Those look nice and clean.  Stitching is much better than many White's and Viberg's I have seen lately.  

[Maynard Friedman]

Yes, Last & Loom is Hemi's company I believe and he commissioned Lastrite to make a footwear range exclusively for him, so it's not part of their standard product offering.

[Aries]

Yep - Hemi runs the shop, if you're ever in Wellington NZ be sure to visit him, really lovely (enormous, ex-rugby player) man with tonnes of knowledge.

[Maynard Friedman]

I was there 5 years ago but unfortunately I think the shop has recently closed down while Hemi focuses on his manufacturing business.

[goodrain]

is resoling some boots with goodyear welted crepe soles and replacing them with vibram 2060s a pretty easy job? Was wondering if I should take them to a local cobbler or Brian the Bootmaker, whose quote was twice as much.

[garden gnomes in space]

the 2060 is just glued to the mid.  If the crepe sole is glued as well, its just a rip off and replace job.  In these situations, just about anyone can do the job, but some cobblers slack on letting the glue set long enough or they dont spread it evenly about.  But if your guy isnt a buffoon, it should be ok.  

[goodrain]

The crepe is stitched on,so I need the midsole replaced as well

[ShootThePier]

Don't know your cobbler, but Brian is a perfectionist.

[Niro]

Got my correct Trickers boots today, couldn't be happier! I can see why lot of people rave about Trickers, they look and feel great. Will see how they are after a full day (and more) wearing them

 

 

Edited June 17, 2016 by Niro

[Broark]

Not usually into Trickers for some reason (can't put my finger on it) but those look nice.

I also like the look of those Last and Loom boots.

I picked up some generic Dr. Scholl's insoles for my Viberg derbies and they fit perfectly now.

I was worried I would have to try and sell them!

[Niro]

Yea me too, this was the only Trickers boot style that I liked. It's almost exactly the same as the collab between Trickers and Superdenim, but in calf leather not shell cordovan.

The high end english shoemakers rarely seem to do any cap toe boots, let alone ones without grain leather or those perforated patterns on the leather.

[hollywoodisgood]

Need opinion: 

 

Does anyone else see the markings that look like "ripples" or "stretch marks", on the broad part of the boot? It tends to stand out more from further away I think, and is just nagging at me.

 

If so, do you think oiling/conditioning/darkening would get rid of this?

 

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[edmond]

What?