Shoes that look better with age...

[Thanks_M8]

1 hour ago, mlwdp said:

More Thorogood moc toes, this time with chromexcel leather

https://mildblend.com/collections/thorogood-boot-co/products/thorogood-1892-janesville-125-le-mustard

https://mildblend.com/collections/thorogood-boot-co/products/thorogood-1892-janesville-moc-toe-brown

https://mildblend.com/collections/thorogood-boot-co/products/thorogood-1892-janesville-moc-toe-black

First I actually like the look of a pair of thorogoods

[Ar_thor]

Brother Bridge also have a nice moc toe. It's called Hunter and doesn't have a wedge sole like a lot of the options mentioned earlier.

 

[mlwdp]

Thorogood Black and Brown Chromexcel with wedge sole

Union Made in Marshfield, WI
Model 814-6780
Goodyear Welted Manufacturing
Horween Chromexcel Leather
Built on Thorogood's 60 Last
Wedge Sole
Speed Laces
Natural Leather Mid-sole
Antique Brass Hardware

Edited June 6, 2020 by mlwdp

[julian-wolf]

Those RW-style Thorogood Mocs look great, could def. see myself getting a pair in the future

Only wish more companies (incl. Lofgren) would do them with a storm welt like the 1907 in stead of a classic GYW like the 875—really prefer how that goes with the rest of the styling

[l13902733261]

[merzbot]

22 hours ago, julian-wolf said:

If I get to choose between a classic and an improved version of a classic, why not go for the improved version? Isn't that what this hobby's all about? 

#visvim

 

The boots look great btw. I'm sure you'll have them looking more respectable in no time! ;-)

[mlwdp]

46 minutes ago, merzbot said:

#visvim

 

 

Like these?

 

 

Edited June 6, 2020 by mlwdp

[merzbot]

4 hours ago, mlwdp said:

Like these?

Not specifically those, more just the general philosophy behind the brand. To take an american classic and elevate it with nicer materials, and in some cases add a quirky detail here and there.

Those are pretty nice as well though. I didn't love the shape when I first saw em, but it's growing on me. 

Edited June 6, 2020 by merzbot

[julian-wolf]

@ecsong187, I was wrong about it just being the toe curl: the Red Wings measure 4.0 cm, vertically, from the bottom of the welt to the top of the toe box; the Lofgrens measure 3.5 cm

@Broark, the Red Wings weigh 2 lbs 2.0 oz. each, with laces; the Lofgrens weigh 1 lb 9.8 oz. each

I think the laces on the Red Wings are maybe 1–2 oz. heavier than the laces on the Lofgrens, but not gonna thread them out to measure

[MJF9]

I've got an old pair of RW mocs (2005) and they are heavy, as per Julian's numbers above. My wife bought a pair of RW mocs just a couple of years back and they are much lighter, even taking account of the smaller size - the sole is far less dense, feels spongey to the touch whereas mine are solid. This also stacks up with men's RW boots I've handled in recent years in shops.  I'm no Sherlock Holmes but seems like RW changed their soles at some point.  They may have decided that a long lasting sole wouldn't be the business model for them given the amount of repeat RW buyers out there.  

[mlwdp]

I bought another Wesco, this time Romeo.  I call it the “Un-Roller”.  Basically the Roller Mag collab without the Roller stamp on the navy leather insert.  Will receive in August.  My other Horsehide boss boot order comes in July.

The Romeo price wasn’t too bad either.

CUSTOM FIT ROMEO
STYLE BURGLE100LLRaptMaltTC (Size: Form On File)
  +Single-Tone:Burgundy Domain
  +Round Toe
  +Burlap Leather Lining
  +Raptor Malt
  +Do Not Ink Soles and Heels
  +Lightweight Brown Upper Stitching
  +White Outsole Stitching 
  +Black Elastic Goring
  +Toe Caps
  +Navy Leather Insert

 

https://www.the-klamp.jp/diary-detail/140

[edmond]

how much was the romeo? how do those fit?

[mlwdp]

$304.  Haven’t got them yet.  This is my first time with a slip on so I will post review when they come in August.
 

Did I mention I even have a Wesco T-shirt?  

Edited June 8, 2020 by mlwdp

[julian-wolf]

How do Grenson shoes fit? Any advice on sizing? I wear a 10.5 in Red Wing Heritage; a 10 in Red Wing Weekenders, Wolverine 1k, and various Clarks; a 28 in various Moonstar sneakers; a 9.5 in Lofgrens. My feet are pretty low-volume, which is often a limiting factor.

[Geeman]

I have several pairs of Grenson. Nice shoes, trickers edge them out for quality  (so I'm told , never had trickers and have had no complaints about my Grenson. Also the price difference for most Grenson vs Trickers is like Redwing vs Viberg) but Grenson have more styles and variety.

I'm 7 or 7.5 in Redwing and 7 in most  Clarks and take 7 or 7.5 in Grenson. Pay attention to the width options as thy really do make a difference in their sizing. 

What style you going for?

[julian-wolf]

Good info, thanks. I've always wanted to be more interested in Trickers than I am—as a brand, they seam really neat, and I only ever hear good things about the construction & materials—but none of their styles really do it for me.

Both the Dexter and the Dermat are discounted on their site in snuff suede, and both styles are really appealing to me. Both are on the 213 last, for whatever that's worth. Raw suede's no good where I live, so I'd probably do them up with a heavy coat of dubbin from the start. I don't have any good reason to be in the market for a pair of monkey boots, but as it turns out I don't own a single pair of blutchers, so…

edit: @Geeman, is that US sizing for RW and Clarks vs. UK sizing for Grenson?

Edited June 8, 2020 by julian-wolf

[dau]

42 minutes ago, julian-wolf said:

How do Grenson shoes fit? Any advice on sizing? I wear a 10.5 in Red Wing Heritage; a 10 in Red Wing Weekenders, Wolverine 1k, and various Clarks; a 28 in various Moonstar sneakers; a 9.5 in Lofgrens. My feet are pretty low-volume, which is often a limiting factor.

11us in RW and 1000miles - 10.5uk in Grenson. but I would buy Trickers if there is a decision to make 

[Duke Mantee]

Definitely go Trickers over Grenson - I’ve had both and Grenson were fine but Trickers were (noticeably) better. Church’s are equivalent to Trickers.

[mlwdp]

I remember when Endclothing had a hard time selling Grenson shoes and boots a few years ago.  They ran a lot of sales.   Not a fan of their “moflex” vibram soles they had at the time as I thought that sole was of lower quality.

[Facini]

My Lofgrens. Year and half. Just got a reheel and maintainance by Masafumi Miyasaka former of BRASS done in Berlin. Highly recommend him, look him up on insta! 

[hurhur]

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m strangely attracted to the colour. Colour 85 horsehide from Truman. 

[Geeman]

8 hours ago, julian-wolf said:

Good info, thanks. I've always wanted to be more interested in Trickers than I am—as a brand, they seam really neat, and I only ever hear good things about the construction & materials—but none of their styles really do it for me.

Both the Dexter and the Dermat are discounted on their site in snuff suede, and both styles are really appealing to me. Both are on the 213 last, for whatever that's worth. Raw suede's no good where I live, so I'd probably do them up with a heavy coat of dubbin from the start. I don't have any good reason to be in the market for a pair of monkey boots, but as it turns out I don't own a single pair of blutchers, so…

edit: @Geeman, is that US sizing for RW and Clarks vs. UK sizing for Grenson?

UK mate

[Geeman]

8 hours ago, mlwdp said:

I remember when Endclothing had a hard time selling Grenson shoes and boots a few years ago.  They ran a lot of sales.   Not a fan of their “moflex” vibram soles they had at the time as I thought that sole was of lower quality.

End don't have a hard time selling them, you can tell by the fact they restock regularly and have carried them for years? 

End discount everything in regular sales ?

[julian-wolf]

Good info all around—seems to be the consensus that I'm better off staying away from them

[Geeman]

I disagree but I'm clearly biased. As I said Grenson vs Trickers is RW vs Viberg... 

I'm on about 8 pairs , for work and social and have never had an issue with any of them.

[mlwdp]

I don’t have nothing against them.  Just seemed like they weren’t as popular as Trickers the last time I looked at them a few years ago.

[Ar_thor]

I have no experience with Grenson so I won't be able to offer any insight there. I do however own a pair of Trickers and they are very high quality footwear, they're not on the same level as some of the better MiJ brands but definitely on par or better than most of the US made brands. For me a lot of their offerings isn't that appealing (too much broguing) but they do some collaborations that are very nice - ie. with The Bureau in Belfast.

I'd say that the Trickers Ethan is a better offering aesthetically than the Grenson Dexter in a lot of ways even though I realise there's a substantial difference in price. That obviously comes down to personal taste though as I, as mentioned, have no experience with Grenson.

 

 

[edmond]

19 hours ago, mlwdp said:

$304.  Haven’t got them yet.  This is my first time with a slip on so I will post review when they come in August.
 

Did I mention I even have a Wesco T-shirt?  

 

 

ive got 2 of those coming in a cap and ordered a romeo! hahahah

[Duke Mantee]

2 hours ago, julian-wolf said:

Good info all around—seems to be the consensus that I'm better off staying away from them

Don’t stay away - Grenson is a good shoe and probably offers a bigger range of style (and price) than Trickers. There is a quality difference unless you go bench made or higher since a lot of Grenson is made in India ... although it’s not entirely true to assume that something made in a country like India or China means low quality 

2 hours ago, Geeman said:

I disagree but I'm clearly biased. As I said Grenson vs Trickers is RW vs Viberg... 

I'm on about 8 pairs , for work and social and have never had an issue with any of them.

Great analogy - my Grenson lasted for years and were a bit cheaper than my Trickers. I stick with Trickers now because the finishing is excellent and the last seems better, Grenson seem a bit ‘baggy’ after long use.

[Ar_thor]

On the topic of Monkey Boots. I just got these in the mail yesterday night. I've had them on for 5 minutes and it feels like I've worn them for years.