Shoes that look better with age...

[MJF9]

Great boots - lovely leather and construction, quick to break in and super comfy.

[dudewuttheheck]

@Broark yeah those look way better in terms of construction than mine. Great pickup!

[Quoise1203]

Van Cleefs about 6 weeks in. 

[tod]

Anyone here try Dundas boots?  A Norwegian co, but I guess the boots are made by William Lennon in the UK maybe..?  Anyway, just curious as to feedback on fit, constuction, etc, and would love to see pics of them being worn -- in some that I've see the sprung toe is extreme, but in others not so much.

[tod]

In my current search for a new pair of boots I decided to finally try out for size a pair I’ve always admired from afar, the Toys McCoys Surveyor Boots.  I have to Admit that I love the way they look!  But am not Sure about fit and comfort. 

 

A few observations:  there is a bit less shiny and it appears in those pictures, which I’m glad for.

Love the rivets!

The tongue is a very thin sort of suede I guess, almost feels like fabric, which I’m not really a fan of.  

Also, the heel feels just a little too tall to me. Anyone know how easy it would be to get one of the lifts removed, while still retaining the cats paw heel? 

A few pics here:

[tod]

And the Cat’s Paw:

[oomslokop]

how are the fit and comfort @tod? they look ace btw. the heel looks already perfectly proportioned? might look a bit weird if it's lowered, though maybe feels more to yr liking! i remember you also felt yr rdt heel was too high (?) and replaced the whole sole with black crepe (?). they looked great.

[Aries]

Great boots @tod, I had a pair for a short period, but like some others here my slim feet would just slide around in the E width. Still beautiful boots, but I couldn't walk in 'em!

[tod]

10 minutes ago, oomslokop said:

how are the fit and comfort @tod? they look ace btw. the heel looks already perfectly proportioned? might look a bit weird if it's lowered, though maybe feels more to yr liking! i remember you also felt yr rdt heel was too high (?) and replaced the whole sole with black crepe (?). they looked great.

 Yes, you remember rightly! I also couldn’t quite live with the higher heel on that RDTs. I have learned that anything over an inch just doesn’t work for me. I’m a real “heel striker.“

 

 As far as fit goes, one of the main issues is that I have high and sharp instep and it’s pushing right up against the place where the tongue and vamp come together. If that makes sense. 

[mlwdp]

If you’re feeling it at the top of your feet, It sounds like they have their own version of “white bite” that smoke jumper boots usually have, regarding where you’re feeling the pain at when wearing them.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I think those TMC boots look really good and making the heel shorter would make them look worse IMO. It would make the toe look even larger. It looks more balanced as it is now. 

Edited November 15, 2019 by dudewuttheheck

[tod]

4 minutes ago, dudewuttheheck said:

I think those TMC boots look really good and making the heel shorter would make them look worse IMO. It would make the toe look even larger. It looks more balanced as it is now. 

One lift is about 1/8”,  and honestly I don’t think that’s going to make a noticeable difference in the toe.  I may be wrong, but there are lots of white’s boots, for example, that are lowered by a quarter inch and it doesn’t seem to affect the toe visibly. 

[dudewuttheheck]

Just now, tod said:

One lift is about 1/8”,  and honestly I don’t think that’s going to make a noticeable difference in the toe.  I may be wrong, but there are lots of white’s boots, for example, that are lowered by a quarter inch and it doesn’t seem to affect the toe visibly. 

Maybe not, but I think the heel is already a little lower than I would like in terms of balance of the design. 

I've been looking at those too, though. They're nice looking boots.

[Iron Horse]

4 hours ago, dudewuttheheck said:

Maybe not, but I think the heel is already a little lower than I would like in terms of balance of the design. 

Agreed, that's already a low heel. It probably wouldn't work out well to remove another lift from it.

[tod]

Appreciate the feedback.  (And apologies for the repetition for those who've seen these on another board.)  As far as the heel goes, I know lots of folks like their boot heels taller than me, but all I can say is I've worn a lot of boots over the past 35 years or so and discovered early on that 1" to 1.25" feel good to me and anything taller doesn't.  I feel like I'm walking downhill with taller heels.  Aesthetically, I am quite sure that they would not look bad to me -- my White's and Chippewas both have 1" heels and they look great -- assuming the work was not botched, which is why I was wondering about the feasibility of removing a lift.   Anyway, still undecided on keeping them or not...

[shredwin_206]

I’m eyeing the whites x 4Q69 boot. 
real nice build

[mhmrzky]

Viberg Service Boot in 2030 last

[Cold Summer]

Read my review of these engineer boots on my blog!

[tod]

Airport security..

 

[mlwdp]

Well, Black Bear’s collab with Wesco just came out.  This time, SHELL CORDOVAN!

https://blackbearbrand.com/black-bear-brand-factory-store/ceo-lace-up-boot-shell-cordovan-horse

https://blackbearbrand.com/black-bear-brand-factory-store/the-bosss-boss-boot-shell-cordovan-horse

[mlwdp]

 

[shredwin_206]

On 11/26/2019 at 12:33 PM, mlwdp said:

Well, Black Bear’s collab with Wesco just came out.  This time, SHELL CORDOVAN!

https://blackbearbrand.com/black-bear-brand-factory-store/ceo-lace-up-boot-shell-cordovan-horse

https://blackbearbrand.com/black-bear-brand-factory-store/the-bosss-boss-boot-shell-cordovan-horse

I really like BlackBear Brand. The boots look awesome. Also their denim chore coat but dang! Their stuff is expensive 

[Aries]

Yeah I picked up their melton wool black overshirt. It's stunning and the owner was really great to order from. That said it's mostly too hot for Australia so I never wear it...! Will sell it on at a hefty discount if any of you in the Northern hemisphere are looking for a hefty overshirt as you move into winter!

[unionmade]

Anyone rocking the Avignon from Paraboot? Been looking at them + chambord for awhile. Kind of digging the norwegian split toe on the avignon:)

[JDelage]

I have both (well, my Chambords are 15 yr old so they're relegated to garden work these days)... I like both. Design wise, the Chambord is a little bit more casual, but both models are more country than town.

[unionmade]

@JDelage  that´s a good lifespan. Did you resole them?  I tried on a pair of the Avignon today in Oslo. Love the stitching details and felt so comfy. Probably order up the tan version from the store next week:)

[JDelage]

I think so, but I'm not sure...

[DoitsuJin]

On 11/27/2019 at 5:33 AM, mlwdp said:

Well, Black Bear’s collab with Wesco just came out.  This time, SHELL CORDOVAN!

https://blackbearbrand.com/black-bear-brand-factory-store/ceo-lace-up-boot-shell-cordovan-horse

https://blackbearbrand.com/black-bear-brand-factory-store/the-bosss-boss-boot-shell-cordovan-horse

sweet jesus, these are awesome

[volvo240thebest]

Santa came a little earlier and delivered these to me. Game over! I will sell 90% of the shoes I have and just buy these in every shade of brown. The ultimate europeasant shoe.
They look great either with wide or slim jeans

 

[beautiful_FrEaK]

Paraboot Michael?