Shoes that look better with age...

[edmond]

I said this before and yeah its holdiNg true god damn

 

[alvin_cheong]

I've ordered the wesco boss.....hopefully they don't turn out to be like JL or buco

[edmond]

Buco is good man 

[edmond]

[aho]

I honestly couldn't use CXL for any type of work condition, it's just not tough enough in my opinion and should be kept strictly for fashion. Perhaps I'm biased...I had to sell off my black CXL White's LTT's because of this, and I was just wearing them day to day. Can't imagine wearing them on a worksite, etc. Best to stick with time proven work boots than fashion I reckon

[Rob060]

For anyone outside of Japan that's wanted a pair of White's oxfords, they're now available, but only if ordered by phone from their retail number or in their store in Washington.

Edited January 20, 2017 by Rob060

[dudewuttheheck]

My experience with the Lofgren boots is the same. The construction is flawless and the design is beautiful, but the leather feels too soft and almost flimsy for heavy application. Amazing boots, but you need to know the limits of the cxl cowhide.

Compared to my Clinch boots (which have Horween Latigo leather), the Lofgren's leather is far more damaged and actually has a couple of nasty cuts on it that the Clinch boots do not have, despite being worn in the exact same conditions.

I am hoping that the cxl hh that Role Club use is stronger.

 

I still love my Lofgren boots and have no intention of letting them go. The design and construction are still top notch for sure.

Edited January 21, 2017 by dudewuttheheck

[volvo240thebest]

white's nomads

[edmond]

Those are way better than lofgrens

[volvo240thebest]

well, it's still chromexcel leather, and I can understand when some people (here on denimbro, don't remember where I've read it) say it's a bit too flimsy for work boots. I wear those White's 4/5 days a week, the leather is way too oily and supple to stand up against heavy work wear. But it looks and ages beautifully nonetheless.  I just either play music or work on a computer so they're plenty fine for me. I would definitely go for a different leather if I was looking for a pair of boots to use when driving a motorcycle.

Edited January 21, 2017 by volvo240thebest

[nycsurfer530]

ordered a new pair of Alden boots. Plain toe, Barrie last, brown calfskin with crepe sole. My favorite detail might be the brass loops. I also love seeing the special order tag whenever I order my Alden's!

these boots are super comfortable right out of the box. The crepe sole might be the most comfortable sole to walk on. Here is a current lineup of my Alden Army  

left to right:

New boots, snuff suede plains toe, Indy, suede long wings, black cordovan cap toe Aberdeen last 

 

[iamsuperflush]

On 1/21/2017 at 9:56 AM, volvo240thebest said:

well, it's still chromexcel leather, and I can understand when some people (here on denimbro, don't remember where I've read it) say it's a bit too flimsy for work boots. I wear those White's 4/5 days a week, the leather is way too oily and supple to stand up against heavy work wear. But it looks and ages beautifully nonetheless.  I just either play music or work on a computer so they're plenty fine for me. I would definitely go for a different leather if I was looking for a pair of boots to use when driving a motorcycle.

I think that claims of leathers being too "soft" for "real" work are overstated. I would say most, if not all high quality full grain leathers are good enough for 90% of hard work, unless you are fighting fires in the PNW, or something along those lines.

[volvo240thebest]

^ I speak for my own experience here. Natural Chromexcel is a beautiful looking leather and it can develop an amazing patina such as on my White's, but is far too oily and supple for hard wear. I get scuffs on that leather way more easily than on my other shoes and that's a fact.

[dudewuttheheck]

2 minutes ago, volvo240thebest said:

^ I speak for my own experience here. Natural Chromexcel is a beautiful looking leather and it can develop an amazing patina such as on my White's, but is far too oily and supple for hard wear. I get scuffs on that leather way more easily than on my other shoes and that's a fact.

This has been my experience with my natty cxl Lofgrens. I imagine the leather is pretty much the same on your Whites. They are still more than durable enough for any situation that I would put them in.

[mlwdp]

I did notice my unmarked cxl boots getting scuffed quicker than my other boots.  I'm even thinking about a boot jack for them some since I just use a shoe horn for now.

[dudewuttheheck]

9 minutes ago, mlwdp said:

I did notice my unmarked cxl boots getting scuffed quicker than my other boots.  I'm even thinking about a boot jack for them some since I just use a shoe horn for now.

This is what has happened to mine. After a while, it looks beautiful, but it is definitely an accelerated process.

[Aries]

7 hours ago, mlwdp said:

I did notice my unmarked cxl boots getting scuffed quicker than my other boots.  I'm even thinking about a boot jack for them some since I just use a shoe horn for now.

Boot jacks are amazing; got mine from Brass Clinch for my Engineer Boots from them, and it makes taking them off so easy.

Also, not sure if this is a benefit for you, but my overdye blacks from Brass now have the brown showing through the black on the counter, due to constant boot jack usage. I love the look.

[PeterParker]

On 1/21/2017 at 6:56 PM, nycsurfer530 said:

ordered a new pair of Alden boots. Plain toe, Barrie last, brown calfskin with crepe sole. My favorite detail might be the brass loops.

 

That second speedhook is terribly out of alignment. I've experienced problems with eyelets or speedhooks on three different pairs of Aldens, whether a burr that scuffed the tongue of the boot or an eyelet that completely fell out. QC issues like this are just one of the reasons why I no longer buy Alden.

Edited January 23, 2017 by PeterParker

[mlwdp]

25 minutes ago, Aries said:

Boot jacks are amazing; got mine from Brass Clinch for my Engineer Boots from them, and it makes taking them off so easy.

Also, not sure if this is a benefit for you, but my overdye blacks from Brass now have the brown showing through the black on the counter, due to constant boot jack usage. I love the look.

I got a Boot Barn near me that sells boot jacks.  Suede is on the inside of the Jack.

http://m.bootbarn.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-bootbarn_us-Site/default/mProduct-Show?pid=2014668

I didn't even know what they were until I came across Brass Tokyo's website through their Instagram.

Edited January 23, 2017 by mlwdp

[mikecch]

2 hours ago, PeterParker said:

QC issues like this are just one of the reasons why I no longer buy Alden.

Sad to hear things have not changed for the better over the past few years.

I have not purchased Alden's since 2011, though I am hoping at some point there may be more merit to consider another purchase

[mikecch]

Tricker's monkey boots in Haas calf leather

Review here.

Otherwise here are photos:

The Haas calf is really responsive, similar to but finer than CXL.

 

[Frost]

Awesome post. Recently got some Tricker's monkey boots as well (excuse the terrible lighting):

 

 

[nycsurfer530]

13 hours ago, PeterParker said:

That second speedhook is terribly out of alignment. I've experienced problems with eyelets or speedhooks on three different pairs of Aldens, whether a burr that scuffed the tongue of the boot or an eyelet that completely fell out. QC issues like this are just one of the reasons why I no longer buy Alden.

I know this goes against the grain on sufu but something so minute doesn't bother me the slightest. In the end the boots are super comfortable, the barrie last is perfect for me, and they look great. also how often are people three inches from your boots to see the angle of the speed hooks? Small things like that may bother some people but don't count me as one of them. 

[givemefive]

What are some durable leather options for Whites?

I heard distressed smooth might be a good option? What else?

[Hendsch]

Speaking of Chromexcel, here are my Wolverine 1000 miles after 4 years of heavy wear:

just got them back from Brian at Role Club, he does amazing work, takes forever though...

[mlwdp]

5 minutes ago, Hendsch said:

Speaking of Chromexcel, here are my Wolverine 1000 miles after 4 years of heavy wear:

just got them back from Brian at Role Club, he does amazing work, takes forever though...

Forgot about Brian from Role Club.  Does he have any contact info? I'll definitely hit him up for a resolve.

[Hendsch]

[email protected] just a heads up though, he took over 3 months to finish these, he quoted me 3 weeks...

[mlwdp]

Has anyone here heard of brand called Hagane?  Their price point for MIJ seems very low, almost similar to Red Wing's.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/vari/item/hg-ko-111001-bk/

[givemefive]

I think roughout is for me but I'm not totally sold because I know they will turn indigo blue!

[tod]

On 1/21/2017 at 9:56 PM, nycsurfer530 said:

ordered a new pair of Alden boots. Plain toe, Barrie last, brown calfskin with crepe sole. My favorite detail might be the brass loops. I also love seeing the special order tag whenever I order my Alden's!

these boots are super comfortable right out of the box. The crepe sole might be the most comfortable sole to walk on. Here is a current lineup of my Alden Army  

left to right:

New boots, snuff suede plains toe, Indy, suede long wings, black cordovan cap toe Aberdeen last

 

 

I agree, I think Alden's contrasting eyelets really add a nice touch. As far as the speedhook being out of alignment, I had one like that, but when lace up it sort of "rotated" and straightened up.  It was no problem at all. Anyway, nice boots!