Shoes that look better with age...

[House md]

And finally my new Danners:

 

Mountain Light II.

Today I walked 7 kms in them, super comfy out of the box! I‘ve bought them a half size too big to compare for their typical narrow toe box: Couldn‘t be happier, perfect and comfy fit. They‘re pricey of course but worth it. I really dig their look and their superb quality. 
 

 

Edited October 2, 2025 by House md

[mlwdp]

Yeah, after Danner got bought, the prices slowly steeped upward.

[House md]

11 minutes ago, mlwdp said:

Yeah, after Danner got bought, the prices slowly steeped upward.

That‘s true but the quality didn‘t change and they‘re still handmade in the USA. Chippewas not 😞

[AnOldFolkSong]

Good deal on this pair of paraboot Reims.

[MJF9]

Just got these resoled at the Shoehealer again in Doncaster.  I’m no Red Wing expert btw but these are a 100^th anniversary model from 2005. That would make them 20 years young. The leather upper is in great shape - very very solid and a nice golden brown tone to them.

I went for a Vibram 2060 Morflex Sports Sole in sahara colour.  They realised they needed a new midsole too and made a unilateral decision to stitch them with white thread.  If asked, I’d have asked for a match to the sole but I wasn’t… anyway no drama.  Looks like a good job again so far.  They'll protect against the elements through the winter sports watching.

Edited October 7, 2025 by MJF9

[tod]

Three generations of Chippewa. The oldest I wore for 10-12 years, the second pair 8-10 years, and just now starting on the third pair.

[reubensangwich]

17 minutes ago, PrettyBoyTony said:

How are the Kleman's @reubensangwich?

Moving this here to stay on topic... These are the Parure, so the chukka/boot three eyelet model, and they're alright. I got them around three years ago when Paraboots were all the rage; they've held up well in light snow and rain and I find them to be comfortable enough.

My only real issue is on the left boot, the tongue started to sag/ fall down (rather quickly, probably on the second or third wear) and created an unsightly and uncomfortable bump on top of my arch. I somewhat remedied this by adding another hole to the tongue between the top and middle eyelet. This lets me thread the lace through the tongue before going through the top eyelet, and pulls the tongue up to eliminate the sag. If I had to make the decision again, I'd probably just look for a good second hand pair of Paraboots. 

[PBTony]

5 minutes ago, reubensangwich said:

Moving this here to stay on topic... These are the Parure, so the chukka/boot three eyelet model, and they're alright. I got them around three years ago when Paraboots were all the rage; they've held up well in light snow and rain and I find them to be comfortable enough.

My only real issue is on the left boot, the tongue started to sag/ fall down (rather quickly, probably on the second or third wear) and created an unsightly and uncomfortable bump on top of my arch. I somewhat remedied this by adding another hole to the tongue between the top and middle eyelet. This lets me thread the lace through the tongue before going through the top eyelet, and pulls the tongue up to eliminate the sag. If I had to make the decision again, I'd probably just look for a good second hand pair of Paraboots. 

I actually just received some Kleman padrors in their cognac oiled leather. The quality seems pretty good and made in France is a plus. I was going between these, Paraboot thiers and some Clark Wallabees but eventually decided on the Kleman's. Yours look like they've aged well. Hoping these will look good with a lot of wear too. Just need to stop wearing trainers/sneakers so much!

 

 

[Geeman]

I have a  love hate relationship with my Paraboot Michael.

I like the look of them,  they are built well and good for UK weather. But whenever I wear them I'm always ... 'bothered' by them. I think it maybe because I have quite narrow ankles/foot so I have to close the laces so the tops of the apron is touching (if that makes sense) and I don't like how it looks from above. 

[reubensangwich]

Nice pick up @PrettyBoyTony, I think they'll work very well with your style. 

@Geeman I have the same issue with Wallabees and Tyrolean style shoes, I definitely have to choke them to wear them comfortably, and I hate the way that looks from the top down, but I've pretty much gotten over it as they look normal to anyone else looking at me. A wider leg opening helps by covering the lace area. 

[Geeman]

@reubensangwich Funny I never get the same feeling from Wallabees. Agree on the leg opening being a factor, also think they look better with a bit more of a longer leg, a touch more than just one break. 

[MJF9]

Alden Bronco Blutcher, military last / Freewheelers 47 / hairy mohair socks

[Alec Leamas]

22 minutes ago, MJF9 said:

Alden Bronco Blutcher, military last

Love these!! Where did you get them from? I've had a couple of failed experiments with the 379x last, but think I've zeroed in on the right size for me now!

[MJF9]

An American friend proxied them for me from Brogue 😉

[HGS]

Those are awesome.  Black shell is so underrated.

[Alec Leamas]

5 hours ago, HGS said:

Those are awesome.  Black shell is so underrated.

I agree, they are awesome, not sure I would say black shell is underrated though.

What I mean is I think it's very popular (with me also, I love it!)

[mlwdp]

[crownzip]

Cleaned and polished up the Eastman Tanker boots.

 

[mlwdp]

I regret selling this Wesco horween black horsehide pair in 2020.  Turnarounds were fast back then too.

 

[mlwdp]

Whites bootsxHudson Hill Greensboro coming soon

 

[Jared_Lee]

On 10/27/2025 at 11:20 AM, Geeman said:

I have a  love hate relationship with my Paraboot Michael.

I like the look of them,  they are built well and good for UK weather. But whenever I wear them I'm always ... 'bothered' by them. I think it maybe because I have quite narrow ankles/foot so I have to close the laces so the tops of the apron is touching (if that makes sense) and I don't like how it looks from above. 

You could always add a Pedag tongue pad to get some volume under the laces.

[olmecasteve]

I’ve had these role club boots for at least 6 years now and they’re my go to boots, they’re built like tanks. His hand finish horsehide has aged nicely in my opinion. 

[Georg]

Dear All,

a question for the Paraboot group. I have a brand new pair of Michaels and feel like my heels slip out. Will the leather soften up and allow me to lace the shoes tighter?

 

[Geeman]

Yes

[PBTony]

Had these Blundstones Rustic 'Browns' for about a year though very little wear in the summer. They are lighting up nicely in some places. Conditioned once about a month ago. 

I saw 'Brown' as when I got them they were more olive/green in places. Seems a lot of variance in colour with these online. Ideally I'd like them to be mainly the shade of the bottom heel 

[Broark]

I love my Blundstones, although I own nicer quality boots they’re the ones I tend to reach for the most often. 

[PBTony]

1 hour ago, Broark said:

I love my Blundstones, although I own nicer quality boots they’re the ones I tend to reach for the most often. 

It's hard to beat the comfort and also I'm lazy most days cba with laces 

[jkbrwn]

Yeah, I got some recently and really didn't want to spend that amount of money on a pair of essentially disposable boots but they're so good that I don't care. Super comfy, warm, but the slip on nature of them is just so good. Best looking slip on boot by far.

[Broark]

I'd love to find a slightly nicer version, I know everyone says RM Williams but I don't find that their shapes really match the chunky look of the Blundstone.
Canada West might be the next logical option.

[Maynard Friedman]

I had some Blundstones 15+ years ago (when they were still made in Australia). I liked the look of them and enjoyed them for the “I don’t care what happens to these” nature as they were fairly cheap. About 3 years ago I thought I’d buy another pair for knocking around in but discovered they’re now made in SE Asia and cost twice as much.

I bought a pair of these Red Wings instead, the leather is thicker and softer than the Blundstones I had.