Shoes that look better with age...

[CSL]

On 1/11/2022 at 9:38 PM, Ciabatta said:

Paraboot Michael owners: Did you go TTS or size down a half size? Everywhere I read said to size down half size and I did. My toes don’t hit right at the end of the shoe but they’re close. Heal definitely can feel loose so I can’t even imagine going TTS. Only issue I have is the toe box on one foot is tight but mostly from the top. Do these take a while to break in?

I take my regular shoe size (45) & they fit fine. I do have their loafers in 44 & they've ended up being loose but still wearable.

[cameosis]

On 1/17/2022 at 9:58 AM, beautiful_FrEaK said:

Thinking about a pair of these Indonesian made shoes...we will see
The leather is from Hashimoto (Tochigi leather)

 

these are tasty, who’s the maker?

[beautiful_FrEaK]

@cameosis they are made by Jakkrabbits, one of the lesser known Indonesian makers

[mlwdp]

Just bought the Red Wing 8179 from Stumptown Japan.

[MJF9]

[fre-co]

Rep for white sox

[cameosis]

pair of tan walk•over custom grade oxfords with cap toes.

 

1940s-1950s, so if anybody could help date them or even identify the model, i'd be much obliged. bought them sometime before or in early 2018 from a british seller, total with shipping was close to 50 € (good times).

 

what really hooked me was the slightly chiseled toe, i've never seen anything like it with shoes of such vintage. slight cracking around the vamp area, but nothing lasts forever, they're still in ace condition for their age and the way i rocked them at a wedding, even with original soles.

 

no size indicator from what i can see. there is a 7 stamped on the soles, inside length is 28 cm wall to wall, my feet are 26,5 cm so mostly eu 42 / uk 8 / na 9. awesome fit, snug but comfortable, soft leather. simply admire this pair.

Edited January 25, 2022 by cameosis

[hurhur]

This is a post to highlight the beauty of Horween Horsehide. Been wearing this for more than a year now. Love how the leather rolls and how it picks up wear(water spots etc). Conditioned now and then with saphir delicate cream. 
 

First 3 photos are in direct sunlight.

[shredwin_206]

[andrewrose]

These are certainly nothing special compared to all the cool boots and actual shoes people have posted. I got them because I had an ankle injury and everything else irritated it. Sanuk slip ons in grey canvas, which had faded quite nicely. I didn’t expect that!

 

[chicote]

I’m curious whether you all who own multiple pairs of engineers can share some of your experience here. I’ve tried two different pairs of engineer boots, Lofgrens and Lone Wolfs, both of which were pretty close to fitting lengthwise but were pretty much impossible to walk in because of the height of the vamp relative to my pretty low instep. I’m still interested in looking for a pair that will fit me better but am not sure which direction to go in. Something with a slightly tapered toe box, ie. Attractions, seems like it might be a safer bet, although I don’t love that look personally, but if there are any other brands you all can recommend I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!

[Talan]

Unpacking my first pair of Lofgren's. Early morning DHL delivery from Japan. No, I'm not going to wear them strictly with Old Navy pajamas...)

[beautiful_FrEaK]

28 minutes ago, Talan said:

No, I'm not going to wear them strictly with Old Navy pajamas...)

Why not?  

[Talan]

3 hours ago, beautiful_FrEaK said:

Why not?  

It is not selvedge.... 

[mlwdp]

Got them from Stumptown Japan

[tod]

[mlwdp]

Anybody here use TAPIR leather conditioners and cleaners like their Lederfett on boots and shoes?  I’m debating on buying this and using this on black Chromexcel.

Edited February 6, 2022 by mlwdp

[mlwdp]

Anybody here worn footwear from Wheelrobe?  How’s their sizing?

[bartlebyyphonics]

On 1/25/2022 at 8:35 PM, chicote said:

I’m curious whether you all who own multiple pairs of engineers can share some of your experience here. I’ve tried two different pairs of engineer boots, Lofgrens and Lone Wolfs, both of which were pretty close to fitting lengthwise but were pretty much impossible to walk in because of the height of the vamp relative to my pretty low instep. I’m still interested in looking for a pair that will fit me better but am not sure which direction to go in. Something with a slightly tapered toe box, ie. Attractions, seems like it might be a safer bet, although I don’t love that look personally, but if there are any other brands you all can recommend I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!

sorry so late in reply...

only two engineers in this house to comment on [attractions / redwing]; attractions still have pretty big vamp even with smaller toe / tight ankle etc ... fitwise the redwing 2268 definitely have more grip in the vamp area, but bulbous toes [measured both, seem to have same vamp]... there are 80s/90s rw vintage teacore versions out there if you need them?

from my uneducated understanding lofgrens do seem pretty wide throughout? get in contact with bakers etc around custom fitting of a wesco or whites nomad? ol shanks / road champs and all those 40s fits have mini toes but retain pretty shapely vamps...

good luck with the search...

[chicote]

hey @bartlebyyphonics thanks for lookin out!! I ended up sizing way down on a pair of flat head engineers that i got to try on at self edge last week when i was in LA - they’re a little tight at the moment but the toes seem to hold the rest of my foot well enough.

[mpukas]

incoming...  fingers crossed they fit and I like them... update may follow... 

[mpukas]

@chicote Good for you for getting a pair of TFH engineer boots. They're gorgeous! I've tried on a pair, and they didn't fit me at all. Wear them well and enjoy. 

JL's suite my foot much better, even tho they are nearly impossible to get on. 

[crownzip]

My old Red Wing Iron Ranger 8113 rough outs are definitely getting better with age. With new soles and heels (thanks to the Red Wing repair department) they're better than ever.

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by crownzip

[tod]

On 2/8/2022 at 3:32 PM, crownzip said:

My old Red Wing Iron Ranger 8113 rough outs are definitely getting better with age. With new soles and heels (thanks to the Red Wing repair department) they're better than ever.

 

FYI, looks like Jack Reacher is wearing these in the new Amazon series. Though his appear to be brand new - a failure in the costuming dept.

Edited February 9, 2022 by tod

[HGS]

@crownzip very nice, I have a pair of those that are still going strong.   I see you resoled with the cork -- good choice, god damn are those hard wearing and honestly I never really noticed them to be that bad in wet conditions, as some have said.  My pair from 2015 have a lot of miles left.

[bartlebyyphonics]

agreeing; their cork nitrile is great; hardwearing, light, decent grip on concrete; blows dainite out of the water in terms of 'leather-like' sole imo 

Edited February 10, 2022 by bartlebyyphonics

[Duke Mantee]

5 hours ago, bartlebyyphonics said:

agreeing; their cork nitrile is great; hardwearing, light, decent grip on concrete; blows dainite out of the water in terms of 'leather-like' sole imo 

Couldn’t agree more

[hurhur]

Flamepandas appeared all of a sudden on my doorstep after 2 weeks of untraceable tracking. As usual, Peng’s work is impeccable. 
 

This is my first experience with shinki horsehide and I must say that is it a thing of beauty. The olive horsehide has a range of tones and colours depending on which angle you look at it. Under full sunlight it goes to a brownish tone. Swapped out the round laces peng provided with a flat one that he included for a more informal look. One of my best fitting shoes out of the box. Small pinch on my right foot pinkie as usual with most shoes i wear. Sized half down from my previous short engineers I had from him because these are laced. Overall, super impressed with his work. Probably not the last from him. 
 

 

 

oh yes. He also included a super heavy duty natural leather belt with some heavy character on the under side.

[Duke Mantee]

Those are lovely - nice balance to the design. His work always seems so clean.

I’d like to add something here though; when folk talk about the ‘leather’, I find they’re usually talking about the finish … and for the majority of us that’s the only obvious differentiator. 

Edited February 12, 2022 by Duke Mantee

[tod]

Chippewas.