Shoes that look better with age...

[k4727]

Viberg 2030 last, Brown CXL and scotch grain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

got some more pairs coming, but i really have to take a break. It is an addiction.

[nuffsaid]

Bounty Hunters.

 

 

 

[CrashTestBrummie]

Galways

 

 

Skye and Islay:

 

 

 

 

 

[fre-co]

Fre-co, were you experiencing heel slip when they were new? If yes, has it been resolved?

Update: two more holes punched on the instep strap has solved my heel slippage issues. I'm very pleased.

[demonator]

can we see how they did the hole gav?

[Khawar]

They all are mind blowing, For me i prefer Caterpiller shoes, They are long lasting with beautiful designs.

[tod]

I thought these were in the 2045 last, which is not so narrow in the toebox as the 2030...?

 

If 2045, can you report how the fit is compared with other boots you've worn?

 

BTW, they look very cool indeed...

 

 

Viberg 2030 last, Brown CXL and scotch grain

 

 

 

 

 

[tod]

I wore a pair of Chippewas like these (but pre-LL Bean) for over 10 years.  They were great boots in every way, and held up longer than many more expensive brands. Plus, I think they look classic.

 

I can tell you that the longer you wear them the better they will look.  I remember that it actually took probably over a yearfor the leather to begin to really wear in, and it got darker and smoother as it went on.  In those days I did not know much about boot care, and just applied Mink Oil once a year or so (as my father used to do).  It worked well for many years, though I understand now that it might have been responsible for the eventual beginning of a split in the leather - though again, 10 years is not bad!

 

Not sure what you mean by making them more like work boots than dress boots. They look exaclty like work boots to me.  But you may want to try rawhide leather laces.

 

 

Took my first venture into decent boots last week and got myself some LL Bean Kathadin Iron Works Boots. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending how you look at it) I had to wear them in ankle deep mud and rain from Thursday-Sunday for 20 hours a day, so they look quite a bit older than one week right now (they did break in fantastically though!). I gave them a quick clean and a once-over with some cheap leather oil because it's all I had at the time and they were really dried out, but I'd like to do something to them to give it it more casual look, as opposed to a work boot look. Is it too late to do that, and if not, what should I try?

 

Thanks.

 

[jmfr]

I wore a pair of Chippewas like these (but pre-LL Bean) for over 10 years.  They were great boots in every way, and held up longer than many more expensive brands. Plus, I think they look classic.

 

I can tell you that the longer you wear them the better they will look.  I remember that it actually took probably over a yearfor the leather to begin to really wear in, and it got darker and smoother as it went on.  In those days I did not know much about boot care, and just applied Mink Oil once a year or so (as my father used to do).  It worked well for many years, though I understand now that it might have been responsible for the eventual beginning of a split in the leather - though again, 10 years is not bad!

 

Not sure what you mean by making them more like work boots than dress boots. They look exaclty like work boots to me.  But you may want to try rawhide leather laces.

I meant dress rather than work.

 

That being said, I did polish them and don't like them quite as much, so I wont do that again. Oh well live and learn

[tod]

I think I'd use saddle soap on them, and then do a Mink Oil treatment.  They say that over years Mink Oil will degrade the leather, but an occasional treatment seems okay, and I think it will work well on that leather.

 

Also, I think they look great as casual boots.  I wore them a lot like that.  They are good looking boots...

 

 

I meant dress rather than work.

 

That being said, I did polish them and don't like them quite as much, so I wont do that again. Oh well live and learn

[jmfr]

Just ordered obenaufs actually. Hopefully I have some kickass boots to contribute in a year!

[k4727]

2045 last, my bad. I would probably go with your same size in a pair of SDs on these. (as well as trickers). Its a little wider though than a Tricker's 5.

Edited June 18, 2013 by a.khan12390

[fre-co]

Galways

 

 

 

Skye and Islay:

 

I'm only not repping because of those blue laces.

[CrashTestBrummie]

I'm only not repping because of those blue laces.

 

Tsk, what's wrong with blue laces?! Most people on this site could use a little more colour in their life

[fre-co]

If they are rope dyed natural indigo Texas cotton, you can have my rep.

[CrashTestBrummie]

They were woven at Kurabo and dyed in the water left over from the hank-dying process carried out by an army of virgins producing a prototype 30oz denim to be worn in combat by the British Army.

Will that do?

[Maynard Friedman]

Apparently coloured laces have replaced the back pocket hanky as a preference indicator for a certain subset of promiscuous homosexual males. Double 0 told me that.

Can't quite remember what blue means...

[Mich]

Apparently coloured laces have replaced the back pocket hanky as a preference indicator for a certain subset of promiscuous homosexual males. Double 0 told me that.

Can't quite remember what blue means...

Does this also mean you can blow your nose in them?

Edited June 19, 2013 by Mich

[Maynard Friedman]

Blow your nose... and anything else that tickles your fancy I think!

[Seul]

Now following this thread. My Tricker's:

[Planetarium]

Tsk, what's wrong with blue laces?! Most people on this site could use a little more colour in their life

 

Blue is the one color we all agree on in superdenim.

[Megatron1505]

Time for a resole and refurb back at Spokane?

[rayw44]

I would say no. I know that particular Vibram may not look as appealing when worn down, but you can get away without a resole until the rubber is about to give way to the leather underneath.

 

That being said, there are plenty here who have resoled simply to get a new look/flavor for their boots, and go ahead if that is what you are looking for. Functionally speaking, they still look to have many miles left.

[Megatron1505]

Exactly what I wanted to hear Ray, thank you.

[themexican]

That is a very easy resole, all they do is peel off the vibram and glue on another. the midsole they glue it too is the only part that would ever need to be replace as it is actually sewn to the upper (and only if you should ever wear that far down). The local shoe repair guys charged me $60 which is probably less than the shipping back and forth to spokane.

[Megatron1505]

Not my local shoe guys, they are not talented enough to perform an easy resole.

[themexican]

In Texas the local guys are use to working on Cowboy boots and work boots so this is a normal repair. I sometimes forget that this isn't the case everywhere.

[fre-co]

The shoehealer can do that if you send it to him, although he probably won't have the same vibram sole available.

[Double 0 Soul]

Maybe he can, but can he cut your house keys to the wrong shape and engrave your dogs name tag with "Princess" when your dog is actually called Buster like mega,s local guy,  I think not.

[fre-co]

The joys of a british 'cobbler'