Shoes that look better with age...

[dob]

Thought i'd share my Austrian Para boots. They weigh a ton!

Found them on European Ebay, should be handy when the snow hits!

 

 

 

[whozdrew?]

Does anybody have any experience doing a resole on desert boots? I'm wondering what I should ask for at the cobbler. Thanks

 

 

I can't say that I've had any personal experience, actually the original crepe sole is probably my favorite part of the Desert Boot. I have seen a resole done more than a few times, usually with a Vibram of some sort. It is possible yeah, but probably just as expensive as the shoe itself. If you do it, I'd say go for the ripple sole. Make the process worth the cash.

[Mr Latvia]

So, I recently updated my old RW 875's to a nice new pair of Oro Legacy 875's. Absolutely loved the new finish and colour of the leather. Thought id take a permeative strike on the cold and wet british weather and treat them with Obenaufs LP (after lots of forum recommendations).

 

Now I knew there was a likelihood of the leather darkening  but I didn't realise it would be SO drastic. They barely look like 875's at all now. Pretty gutted by the results (even after a week of letting it all absorb in), so much so that I'm considering selling them and just buying another new pair. 

 

Anyone have any recommendations on treating/protecting Oro Legacy leather while still retaining the colour?

[volvo240thebest]

It can be done though. If you roll back at the beginning of the topic you will find photos of a resoled pair of Clark's desert boots, posted by user Chicken

Edited January 23, 2014 by volvo240thebest

[Maynard Friedman]

^^ Red Wing mink oil works fine for me.

[patrick_b]

So, I recently updated my old RW 875's to a nice new pair of Oro Legacy 875's. Absolutely loved the new finish and colour of the leather. Thought id take a permeative strike on the cold and wet british weather and treat them with Obenaufs LP (after lots of forum recommendations).

 

Now I knew there was a likelihood of the leather darkening  but I didn't realise it would be SO drastic. They barely look like 875's at all now. Pretty gutted by the results (even after a week of letting it all absorb in), so much so that I'm considering selling them and just buying another new pair. 

 

Anyone have any recommendations on treating/protecting Oro Legacy leather while still retaining the colour?

 

 

I've found that while LP darkens leather, it always seemed to lighten up over time. Not sure you'll ever get back to the original, but it's worth a few wears to see how time helps.

[Maynard Friedman]

it's worth a few wears to see how time helps.

It's also very useful for worn-down shoes as they say it's a great healer!

Edited January 24, 2014 by Maynard Friedman

[leeroy]

 

Does anybody have any experience doing a resole on desert boots? I'm wondering what I should ask for at the cobbler. Thanks

http://supertalk.superfuture.com/index.php/topic/13199-shoes-that-look-better-with-age/?p=2681747

[Moonshine]

I've found that while LP darkens leather, it always seemed to lighten up over time. Not sure you'll ever get back to the original, but it's worth a few wears to see how time helps.

My experience as well. LP is a bit "scary" when 1st applied but it will lighten with wear/use so give the new 875s some time, Mr. Latvia!

Edited January 24, 2014 by Moonshine

[Mr Latvia]

Thanks guys. I might give them a chance after all, it just seems that they haven't lightened up whatsoever so far.

 

I know...I know. The shoes will get darker over time themselves from the elements, but I'd rather not make it premature.

[Noodle36]

Currently working on an MTO boot through Sagara.  Valiant boot with Cordovan vamp and heel, cigar pull up shank. 

[syeh]

My White's Classic Boots!

[Denim+]

J.Crew Iron Ranger:

 

[aho]

Not bad for a 7 year old pair? (instagram repost of my Alden 4060 #8 Captoe's)

 

Forgot how reflective cordovan can get but these need further polishing...These were my first quality pair of footwear and I remember how pissed I was after stepping in gum on my fresh leather soles haha good times

Edited January 26, 2014 by aho

[pepper davies]

Beautiful boots aho.  Here are mine at about 4.5 years - need some work.

 

[sombrero]

Just picked up Aho's boots' younger brothers.

Not much action yet, they're still very green.

 

[twistedtrees]

Thanks for the resoling links. 

 

Regarding Obernauf's LP darkening the leather, my experience with it is that over time it will lighten up a little but not much. My redwind 8138 went from a reddish-cherry-cigar color to mostly brown. I think I posted some photos a few pages back. There's a little red tint, but they really darkened and have kept going with subsequent LP applications.

[Crat]

[Rob060]

http://supertalk.superfuture.com/index.php/topic/13199-shoes-that-look-better-with-age/?p=2681747

 

imo those things look pretty damn ugly.

 

i did a resole on some clarks with the vibram christy sole, back when the boots were only like $80 and it turned out pretty decently. after getting some red wing heritage work chukkas, though, i'd say save your money and get some of those or some other nicer boot, instead of resoling the clarks. they're a world of difference in terms of quality and they'll hold up a lot better over the years/decades than clarks.

 

here's how my clarks came out, though. resole was like $50-60, i think. it's been a while.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Rob060

[syeh]

after some brushing!

 

 

[cheapmuthafukr]

These are some 1950s (I think) shell cordovans that I found a while back. They were completely unworn when I found them, and I'm slowly breaking them in now. Brand is the orthopaedic shoe shop, Philadelphia.

Edited January 31, 2014 by cheapmuthafukr

[exaptavist]

.

Edited October 8, 2015 by hoggreaser

[Crat]

Those look very nice! Great find : )

 

They remind me a lot of my shell Alden PTBs on the modified last which also have an orthopaedic background.  

[exaptavist]

.

Edited October 8, 2015 by hoggreaser

[straightxedge]

VibergxB&S

 

[CrashTestBrummie]

Old Tricker's

 

 

Old 1940s ammo boots

 

 

Conistons

 

[devilish]

CTB, those 40's boots are pretty sweet. If you ever want to find them a new home you know where to find me.

[CrashTestBrummie]

^They're a largish UK 9 mate, so might be a little short for you?

Edited February 2, 2014 by CrashTestBrummie

[heinrich BCN]

^They're a largish UK 9 mate, so might be a little short for you?

Would fit me, if you ever ...

[syeh]

Got the White's SD this morning.