Shoes that look better with age...

[mlwdp]

 

 

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/atlantis/item/071003/

$7,000. This is a monstrosity.  Horrendous.

[cameosis]

9 hours ago, mlwdp said:

 

 

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/atlantis/item/071003/

$7,000. This is a monstrosity.  Horrendous.

it's targeted at japanese, what do you expect? just look at the hairstyles they sport on the way to work/school/university/the toilet ...
for every good design from/for japan, there are three to four corresponding abominations.

[edmond]

20 hours ago, mandel9000 said:

Not that much age to speak of yet but I took delivery of these Wescos at my hotel when I was in the US last week - thanks, Standard & Strange!

The fit is very good, surprisingly comfortable, but I still didn't dare to wear them during the 20,000 steps-a-day madness that is SXSW. So the five minute walk to the grocery store just now was my first time wearing the boots outside.

Looking forward to digging jeans with compatible hem widths out of the closet and putting these to good use, more and better pics to come. 

Youe doing good baby!

[edmond]

https://www.permanentstyle.com/event/alden-manila-signet

[karanimal]

RRL Julian Imrie Engineer Boots 

Overview

These are a pair of boots that I’ve been lusting over and dreaming about for a few years now but the price of them new on ebay has always seen to keep me at bay. I had been debating jumping on a preorder for a pair of Attractions engineer boots but sizing concerns always kept me from doing so (the largest size they have been making recently is 11, which in theory should work for me as they appear to fit a whole size larger than other boots). I even grabbed a pair of black RRL enigneer boots that were the model made after the Julians in size 11, which never ended up fitting right (album here -> http://imgur.com/a/qESXp).

Once these popped up on ebay i knew i had to have these as they were new, old stock, with maybe a few flaws i could see but other than some small issue were near perfect 

Specs 

• Maker: Julian Imrie for RRL
• Model: Brown Engineer Boot
• Last: unknown (help?)
• Size: 13
• Leather: Brown, Thick, Awesome. Can’t find any details easily online
• Sole: Vibram half sole
• Heel: Vibram
• Configuration: Pull-on engineer boot

Sizing 

I’m normally a 12 in Vibergs, Redwings, Alden Barrie but can fit an 11.5 viberg 2030, these RRL Julian Boots are a size 13. From my research it seemed as though these have always been a very difficult boot to size as the shape of the shaft is fairly tapered which leads to a boot that is very difficult to get on and off initially. That statement rings true, the left boot did not initially cooperate very well with my left foot. After the first two days of wear it took me about 5 minutes of maximum strength effort to get the boot off and a shower after was necessary…

After 4 days of wear they are sliding on and off a bit easier and the overall comfort of these boots on my feet is at about an 8/10. I can only see this improving but what i will need to eventually do it have some additional holes added to the ankle straps as i can tell already that they will need to be tightened up some 

 

Leather & Clicking 

Time will tell how my clicking and leather selection turns out, so far it seems pretty great and after an initial saphir reno treatment these really came to life compared to the sellers original photos -> http://imgur.com/a/oyXDz

 

Finishing 

Both toes of the boots have some puckering, which might have made these seconds but whatever. Everything else about these boots is flawless. If something does happen to these due to the puckering I’ll probably cry myself to sleep for about a week but i will cross that bridge if that does happen. 

The soles and edges are clean, the stitching everywhere else is excellent and for the age of these boots a quick brushing and once over with some saphir was all they needed to look factory fresh again 

If anyone has any recommendations for a remedy for the puckering ie relasting by brian or something along those lines i would like to hear it! 

 

Final Thoughts 

I am over the moon with these boots, it took almost three weeks to get them from the USA due to ebay’s slow as hell global shipping program but once they landed with me here in Sydney the waiting and concern over sizing vanished immediately

I’m glad my persistence and waiting for a pair in my size on ebay to come up for a good price paid off as these ended up costing me $215 AUD plus $100 AUD shipping ($165 USD and $80 USD) which negates any concerns i really have over the puckering anyways

They look great with my jeans and have already become the new love in my life. These have reminded rekindled my passion for clothes and boots, i was in a bit of a drought and hadn’t been posting or buying anything for about a year.

COP OF THE DECADE FOR ME

[mlwdp]

Who cares if they're seconds.  They're still a beautiful pair of boots.

[mlwdp]

What can clean red clay dirt off of soles? I hate this damn type of dirt! 

[mpukas]

@karanimal - beautiful boots - nice score! 

[mpukas]

@mlwdp - need pics to see what type of boots, what part of boots, and what dirt looks like. Otherwise, try saddle soap and brush that's not too stiff, and lots of water. 

[mikecch]

This pair of horsehide shoes arrived a week or so ago, after a 7 month wait, from Nick's.

I took some non-pants-pulling photos just for you guys:

Switched laces a couple of times...didn't like the stock black nylon laces.

Settling for flat waxed dark brown for now (top photo).

I trimmed the edge of the 'welt' a little and reburnished it, but other than that the shoes are great!

Review in the works.

[oomslokop]

@mikecch will wait for your blog review

[Broark]

Those are nice, make them all brown and give them a christy sole and I'd be all over those.
Custom makeup through Nick's I'm guessing?

[Mr.Su]

my trusty RW moc toe 1907 (in need of a re-sole) 2 years of actual wear time. (and those photo bombing flipflops)

[mlwdp]

Haven't seen a false tongue displayed here for a long time.  Perhaps it's an acquired taste?

[Iron Horse]

As long as you don't put it in a glass with water at dinner time.

[mikecch]

13 hours ago, Broark said:

Those are nice, make them all brown and give them a christy sole and I'd be all over those.
Custom makeup through Nick's I'm guessing?

Hey, yeah, customed. 

[Rob060]

7 hours ago, mlwdp said:

Haven't seen a false tongue displayed here for a long time.  Perhaps it's an acquired taste?

My dad had a pair of White's that he used as a climber for his tree service business when I was a little kid and I still remember them. Typical smoke jumpers with vibram 100 sole, super beat up, with a false tongue. For me, a false tongue looks really out of place unless it's on a boot that has that makeup and is being used for that kind of real work, otherwise it's totally unnecessary and overkill for any kind of casual use.

[Iron Horse]

My GF saw a false tongue when I was looking through Lightning's Boots Bible and remarked that it looks very girly, FWIW.

[oomslokop]

i posted this a few pages ago? didn't inspire any tongue-lashing then.

[tod]

 

Hot damn.

On 3/26/2017 at 1:52 AM, mikecch said:

This pair of horsehide shoes arrived a week or so ago, after a 7 month wait, from Nick's.

I took some non-pants-pulling photos just for you guys:

 

Switched laces a couple of times...didn't like the stock black nylon laces.

Settling for flat waxed dark brown for now (top photo).

 

I trimmed the edge of the 'welt' a little and reburnished it, but other than that the shoes are great!

Review in the works.

 

[propellerbeanie]

I was wondering if anyone could help me out with some suggestions for shoes. I'm not very knowledgeable in leather shoes, but I know the general shape and colour that I'm interested in. I'm looking to eventually pick up a pair of shoes that are similar to the Red Wing Postman Oxfords or the Lonewolf Mailmans in black. I'm not really certain on what type of leather I like most, and I'm probably not willing to get a custom pair done at this stage.

What other brands should I be looking into? I'll leave price out of the equation for now, but would like to point out that I'm still a student. Sorry for being so general - it's difficult for me to go out and try on things, so I thought I might hit up you folks first and then go from there.

[mlwdp]

If you can find it, the full grain leather Michael oxfords by Broken Homme.  I have the nubuck leather one.  Tough shoe, basically my everyday go to shoes.

https://www.brokenhomme.com/shop/oxford/michael-black/

Edited March 30, 2017 by mlwdp

[propellerbeanie]

30 minutes ago, mlwdp said:

If you can find it, the full grain leather Michael oxfords by Broken Homme.  I have the nubuck leather one.  Tough shoe, basically my everyday go to shoes.

https://www.brokenhomme.com/shop/oxford/michael-black/

Hmm, thanks for the suggestion, mate. To be honest, I've never considered Broken Homme, and this shape is probably straying away from what I'm looking for. Personally, I think these look like they have a similar design language as a pair of Docs (would those be considered more of a derby?).

I think I'm looking for a smoother (?) leather that can hold a shine on the toe if needed, but not something so matte like the Postmans. The Mailmans look neat, but not too sure I like the Cristy sole instead of the crepe sole. I was also looking at the White's Oxford and I do like the idea of a leather midsole and block heel lol The Rolling Dub Trio Coupen ist pretty neat too.

Urgh, I might have to further narrow down my likes/dislikes... Or I might have to get two different pairs haha!

[mlwdp]

I would say the Santa Rosa oxford but they're pretty much the same as the Broken Homme's except $100 more.

[mikecch]

@propellerbeanie

Hey, what's your budget? 

Seems like you are after a pair of derby shoes, have you looked into British makers yet? Their oxfords are better value for money compared with many American makers and have dressier toes, but the leathers used tend to be thinner by a few oz. 

[propellerbeanie]

Hey @mikecch, I'm probably limiting myself to only a handful of brands now, but I was trying to not go over 500 AUD. I haven't tried/looked into any British brands yet. Gotta say that I would like a pair that has more of a workwear vibe A rounded (but not bulbous) toe is okay as well.

The thing that is drawing me towards a crepe sole is that cushion feeling you get when walking around since I'm still a student and work retail. Maybe I should really consider just getting the Postmans, but thought I would try something new that is a bit higher in quality.

 

[Iron Horse]

How about something from Moto (if it's in your size):

http://www.motostyle.jp/moto/01mens-shoes/mens-shoes.html

[mikecch]

@propellerbeanie

The moto 's that @Iron Horse pointed out are nice. Other cheaper Japanese brands with workwear style derbies would be Brother Bridge, Locking Shoes, etc. 

Also, an 'oxford' shoe from White's or Wesco or Nick's is only about 300 to 400 USD through Baker's. 

A Manito shoe from Nick's in black CXL is about $330 USD, for example. 

Edited March 30, 2017 by mikecch

[propellerbeanie]

@Iron Horse @mikecch

Thanks for the recommendations! Some great options here to keep me busy for now =)

[MellowYellow]

On 26/02/2017 at 4:04 PM, mpukas said:

For reference (for guys that haven't seen these before), here are my SJ's I had rebuilt in early 05/2014. Originally purchased in early 2003. I wore them for many years as "causal" boots, before they got to be too unbearable for every day wear. The original build was full-on black Smoke Jumper spec. The rebuild was 1/4" lowered curved heel, half sole, Quabag heel cap, brown Domain leather, toe cap w/ broguing. 

 

When I first got them back, one of the boot's heels was not compressed evenly, and it was angled very noticeably from outside to inside. Sent them back and they re-did the one boot's heel. Who ever ground the sole edge did a terrible job, and nearly ground off the entire second row of stitching. The top edge of the leather sole was also very rough and uneven. Since Domain leather is very thick and tough, the stitch-down construction produces a very bulbous edge. I wore them walking the dog in the snow a lot, and that abraded off the edge finish. I then hit the with Obenauf's leather oil, which darkened the brown leather significantly. 

 

If I ever get these rebuilt again, I'd have them made 1/2 size longer (currently an 8), at least one size wider wider (currently EE - I'd prefer 3E or 4E), and made with a square lowered heel, close trim (if White's will do it; I've heard they won't do square heel with close trim, but if you order through Baker's they will do it for you afterwards), low or even flat arch, no toe cap, change to all eyelets with no hooks - antique brass no bright brass, and built as a semi-dress boot with either CXL or White's dress leather. AND I'd make sure the outsole stitching and edge grinding is done extra carefully. White's has the ability to do incredible work, my pair wasn't up to par, IMO. Maybe on their semi-dress and finer leather boots they take more care in the work. 

 

Wish I could time travel and read your posts 1 year 6 months before you posted!

In summer of '15, I ordered Smoke Jumpers in black Domain, 1/4" lowered block heel (which they wouldn't do, so it ended up standard height block heel), but the boots weigh like 3 lbs each. I also just wear them casually because there's no way I can move very far or very fast in them. When I get them rebuilt in another 5 years or so, I'll get them to cut some weight out.