Shoes that look better with age...

[Alec Leamas]

@Broark they're actually really nice thanks for the heads up, could make that toe shape work! If only I actually needed or could afford more boots right now! 🙃

Edited September 13 by Alec Leamas

[Broark]

@Alec Leamas I think they're a solid option, they feel quite hefty too compared to Blundstones.
I do like Lofgren's boots (plus they fit my feet quite well) but I feel like the prices have gone a little crazy in recent times. Not as bad as Viberg but they're in the same stratosphere.
You could also check out the Rolling Dub Trio Stan, they're a chunky Chelsea boot and are still decently priced from Japan.

[blooming]

7 hours ago, Alec Leamas said:

I think it was actually the heft of your Lofgrens that I'm drawn to, I find that "normal" Chelsea boots look too pointy on me - I have wider feet and a pointy/sleek shoe just never ever sits right for me, visually or physically.

There was a Red Wing spin on a Chelsea a while ago too, the Chelsea Rancher, which had that similar robust look - "elevated Blundstone", perhaps?

Very much the same for me. I tried the RW Williams Craftsman as my first Chelsea, and even in their widest width, I found them a bit too narrow, both aesthetically and in fit.

I think others here have given some good recs. Also, Blundstone's "Dress" boot is actually not dressy and pretty nice looking if you just want something casual that you don't need to worry about.

[crownzip]

Digging my old RRL rough outs. Supposedly RRL worked with a Pennsylvania boot maker who had a contract supplying boots to the US Army in WWII.

[cultpop 0217]

Another pair of vintage cowboy boots. 

Unknown maker. Unknown date. 

Beautiful baby blue bird overlay and inlays, heavy leather, super beefy "neolite flex" synthetic soles, chunky snip toe, and very interesting stacked leather heels. 

[cultpop 0217]

Took my deadstock 1960s/1970s FRYE cowboy boots to my cobbler for some Vibram sole protectors after about 2 months in the rotation. 

The rubber heel caps were brand new but had deteriorated and dried out in the decades unworn in the their box. As you can see they started to crumble once worn, especially the right foot. 

One of the pitfalls of vintage footwear. Sometimes rubber doesn't make it. 

They will be replaced shortly after I break in the new Vibram topper. 

 

[Alec Leamas]

On 9/26/2024 at 5:16 PM, crownzip said:

Digging my old RRL rough outs. Supposedly RRL worked with a Pennsylvania boot maker who had a contract supplying boots to the US Army in WWII.

They're stunning!

I've always had a soft spot for M43 style roughout boots - probably since I first watched Band of Brothers and The Great Escape.

I have a pair of the Lofgren M43's and if they age this well I'll be a happy man.

When did you get these? I understand the RRL roughouts are well out of production now

[jkbrwn]

4 hours ago, Alec Leamas said:

They're stunning!

I've always had a soft spot for M43 style roughout boots - probably since I first watched Band of Brothers and The Great Escape.

I have a pair of the Lofgren M43's and if they age this well I'll be a happy man.

When did you get these? I understand the RRL roughouts are well out of production now

Jealous. I bought the poor man's M43 in the form of an Oak Street Field Boot last week in CXL roughout and to be fair - I'm very pleased for the $372 I paid after sale + welcome discount code - but they're not quite as slick as the Lofgren's. However I will say that the last they're built on is magic for anyone with a wide forefoot - and I love this sole! This is after just a few days of wear.

[Alec Leamas]

They look great! Accurate sole unit too.

Also wide foot magic sounds good to me!

[AlientoyWorkmachine]

I know OSB isn’t the top of the pile but it’s not by any stretch poor man’s!

[jkbrwn]

1 hour ago, AlientoyWorkmachine said:

I know OSB isn’t the top of the pile but it’s not by any stretch poor man’s!

Well, not quite as luxurious as a pair of Lofgren's. I was conflicted on ordering honestly, scared by the 'terrible QC' r/goodyearwelt echo chamber. But they're literally perfect. I think OSB make some of the prettiest reasonably priced MiUSA shoes out there. In a world where Yuketen's that used to cost $450 now cost $800-900, OSB seems like a great deal.

Edited October 3 by jkbrwn

[AlientoyWorkmachine]

The negativity bias (for just about anything) on Reddit is really something to behold. I have 2 pairs of OSB, the first I got in 2014 or 2015. Early days. Still kicking, well made, still look great. 2nd pair from 2018 or so. Same deal.

I’m not a boot guy really, but they’re as nice (better) than I’d ever really need, and the wider toe box, while not as svelt, is actually one reason they’re still getting use, because I am past the point of wearing stuff that’s bad for my feet because it looks good. I walk too much for that. 

[aho]

Speaking of affordable goodyear welted shoes/boots, has anyone tried Berwick?
https://berwickshoes.com/gb/man/shoes/

And also Brotherbridge (Japanese brand)? These had me double taking, especially when paired with black waxed laces
https://brotherbridgetokyo.com/collections/the-henry/products/henryヘンリー-vintage-blk-calf

Edited October 4 by aho

[mlwdp]

Brother Bridge is good and for their price point, their offerings don’t stay in stock for long.  
 

Another brand to look into is Wheelrobe.  

[Alec Leamas]

8 hours ago, jkbrwn said:

scared by the 'terrible QC' r/goodyearwelt echo chamber.

 

7 hours ago, AlientoyWorkmachine said:

The negativity bias (for just about anything) on Reddit is really something to behold.

Nothing much more to add there apart from yes I fully agree it's actually hilarious on there.

[indigoeagle]

4 hours ago, aho said:

Speaking of affordable goodyear welted shoes/boots, has anyone tried Berwick?
https://berwickshoes.com/gb/man/shoes/

I have a pair of Derbies from them in shell.
Very solid shoes in my opinion.

[MJF9]

@aho I have Brother Bridge Henry - early days but really like them... comfortable from the get go and nice fairly spacious last, where the laces to near-toe mean you can tighten them up depending on sock thickness. Nice leather too. I got ecru and black laces as standard, and bought some olive green which I'll try as soon as can make time

Edited October 4 by MJF9

[beautiful_FrEaK]

I just ordered the Brother Bridge Escape from Burg&Schild.

50% off. Maybe half a size bigger than what I usually would do. Let's see if it fits. If not, they go back

[Broark]

Brother Bridge, Makers, Wheelrobe, all these brands that don't make shoes big enough for me. 😭

[aho]

2 hours ago, beautiful_FrEaK said:

I just ordered the Brother Bridge Escape from Burg&Schild.

50% off. Maybe half a size bigger than what I usually would do. Let's see if it fits. If not, they go back

Ooof one of the roughouts is available in what might be a half size too small for me.....Kind of tempted to make the jump, but also don't want to deal with return shipping etc. lol

[crownzip]

On 10/3/2024 at 7:21 AM, Alec Leamas said:

They're stunning!

I've always had a soft spot for M43 style roughout boots - probably since I first watched Band of Brothers and The Great Escape.

I have a pair of the Lofgren M43's and if they age this well I'll be a happy man.

When did you get these? I understand the RRL roughouts are well out of production now

I bought them on sale from the RRL store on West Broadway about five or six years ago. 

[cultpop 0217]

Freshly cleaned, conditioned, and lightly polished. 

Left the soles alone. 

A member of another group confirmed he received this exact make up for Christmas 1962 and they were in fact ACME. 

Cowboy boots with Phoenix overlay and inlays, double soles, and weird heels.

 

Sorry for the photo dump. New camera phone is spectacular. 

 

[tod]

Chippewas.

[chicote]

@cultpop 0217 do u have any photos of ur whole boot collection??? I’ve seen so many great ones come thru this thread over the years I’ve lost track of how many you have / maybe you have moved some on too?? anyway would love to see if you feel like sharing!

[shredwin_206]

nick’s builder pro

[beautiful_FrEaK]

On 10/4/2024 at 5:30 PM, beautiful_FrEaK said:

I just ordered the Brother Bridge Escape from Burg&Schild.

50% off. Maybe half a size bigger than what I usually would do. Let's see if it fits. If not, they go back

The size US10.5 didn't work for me. Burg&Schild said you should size up by 0.5 compared to Red Wing sizes (I am US9.5 in Red Wing) so a size US10 would have been the "right size".
But these felt more like 1 size too big so a US9.5 would have been right I think.
So back they go and anyone interested can grab these for 250€ when they are back in stock.

[cultpop 0217]

On 10/9/2024 at 12:04 AM, chicote said:

@cultpop 0217 do u have any photos of ur whole boot collection??? I’ve seen so many great ones come thru this thread over the years I’ve lost track of how many you have / maybe you have moved some on too?? anyway would love to see if you feel like sharing!

I have sold off a couple pairs recently but this is most of my current rotation and/or what I have out to sell. Probably another dozen boots floating around in various places ( car, work, storage etc). 

 

 

Tony Lama roper*, Rag&Bone Alden clone, 1949 Nocona Kangaroo Pee Wee, NOS 1960 Frye (current favorites) 

Vtg Texas Boot, 1950s Justin Pee Wee, 1960s ACME/SEARS Phoenix inlay,  No name tan zip boots, 1960s ACME Phonenix overlay

 

1970s Nocona*, Unknown Harness zip boots, Cheap black Laredo beaters,  Justin Boots Vintage w Tulip inlay reissue, Justin Boots w Stars and Hearts inlay vtg reissue

*for sale

 

Still looking for a nice pair of tall heeled engineers with a flatter/slimmer toe.