Shoes that look better with age...

[Maynard Friedman]

No, that's Yeti.

[Double 0 Soul]

You might be right but you only get 1 pair of boots from a Yeti, You can get 2 pairs from a Unicorn. I have also heard that the leather is tanned in rocking horse shit.

[Kobe Beef]

 

Just got my first pair of Trickers and I really love them. I was wondering, in order to pursue what the title of this thread indicate, shall I use Mustang paste on them to protect the leather?

 

I also saw that this store in Tokyo recomends to put a metal toe steel in order to protect the tip of the leather sole, which apparently tends to wear off quickly. I would like to know what you guys think about it as after reading the 90+ pages of this thread I have a great respect about your opinion on the subject.

 

 

Cheers!

 

[coleslawyum]

Not really. You can wear them out and then polish them later. Mustang Paste is really more for Horsehide. I find that a light leather moisturizer and a few coats of polish works the best to give your upper a nice patina.

 

Since you are in Japan, I would recommend getting steel tips, since they wear out very fast. And getting them done at Union Works is an especially good idea, since their work is top notch, though they are located in Tokyo. I think there is one guy in Osaka, if you want to go to a more local spot, but I can't recall the name.

[Kobe Beef]

Thanks, coleslawyum! I'll take your advice into account and search if I can find that Osaka fella.

 

Edit: I've found a place where they put the toe steel.

Edited July 17, 2013 by Kobe Beef

[SLAB]

it seems most cobblers don't have the tools and/or knowledge to resole a regular pair of White's because of the double stitching through the outersoles. I've noticed the 'close trim' option only has one stitch going through the welt and outer sole. Does this mean the close trim is in fact a regular goodyear stitch and thus easily resoled by cobblers?

[ThinFinn]

x-post:

HWBC-12 - viberg 1950 horsehide service boots
 
figured i should put up some more beautyshots...
 

 

 

 

 

 

[exaptavist]

.

Edited October 8, 2015 by hoggreaser

[ThinFinn]

and hopefully i can make my new pair look better with age as well:

Viberg Service Boot - vintage tan smooth

[elim]

beautiful!

Viberg Service Boot - vintage tan smooth

[PeterParker]

What are the chukka/desert boots, far right top picture?

 

As it happens, I'm in the market for a pair for a summer holiday and while this is most probably the wrong forum if anyone got suggestion then that's cool. Single leather or rubber sole, broad round toe box is what I need and preferably blake stitched.

 

Ron Rider makes some nice chukka's, with what I believe to be blake-stitch construction.  Worth having a look.

[exaptavist]

.

Edited October 9, 2015 by hoggreaser

[ThinFinn]

2days in and finally they start to feel really comfortable...

 

Edited July 18, 2013 by ThinFinn

[exaptavist]

.

Edited October 8, 2015 by hoggreaser

[Maynard Friedman]

Hoggy, explain this now or forever hold your tongue!

[exaptavist]

.

Edited October 8, 2015 by hoggreaser

[fre-co]

Wow that is some weak assed leather....

[mlwdp]

 

Just thought it was interesting.  And cheesy, lol.

Edited July 19, 2013 by mlwdp

[fre-co]

x-post:

Your heels are getting trashed quickly. This happens to my boots too, a combination of speedhooks and putting my crossed feet up I think... but you don't have speedhooks so bang goes my theory.

Edited July 19, 2013 by fre-co

[fre-co]

 

 

And cheesy.

I agree

[Double 0 Soul]

It was holding the tongue what done it!! Been wearing the boots all day, they're leather lined (were supposed to be cotton drill) and get pretty hot, leather was a bit damp and foot pretty wedged in, pulled tongue down a bit to widen the opening ... and riiiiip!!! 

 

Gutted! 

 

Hoggy, i agree with fre-co the quality is appalling get in tough with the retailer or manufacturer, If you have had them less than 6 months they will be covered for defects and replaced or repaired. If you can't pull a pair of boots on without the tongue ripping (under the sale of goods act) they are simply not fit for purpose.

[ThinFinn]

Your heels are getting trashed quickly. This happens to my boots too, a combination of speedhooks and putting my crossed feet up I think... but you don't have speedhooks so bang goes my theory.

i wouldn't say that they get trashed quickly...irl there is almost zero to no wear visible on the heels!

ok, a tiny bit (as seen on the pics) but they also have a few miles on them already, so I'd say they wear "ok"...gonna keep an eye on it though

[BC3]

^slight heel wear - but the dainite tab hasnt even worn through yet - nothing to even worry about whatsoever.

 

everyone has a different gait - those of us who walk "incorrectly" really find benefit in being able to replace the heels without any trouble

 

 

[PeterParker]

I think fresco was referring to the heel counter (the leather that wraps around the heel), rather than the heel on the sole.

 

This also tends to be an area where my boots get scuffed and worn, and I don't really know what causes either.

[BC3]

^i see! his right shoe is indeed quite chunked on the right heel counter.  finn is stomping too many skulls

[patrick_b]

Your heels are getting trashed quickly. This happens to my boots too, a combination of speedhooks and putting my crossed feet up I think... but you don't have speedhooks so bang goes my theory.

I've noticed the same on my Alden shell boots. The speed hooks scratch the hell out of the uppers when I cross my legs/feet. For the longest time, it never occurred to me where the scratches came from. It's yet another reason I prefer all eyelets rather than speed hooks.

The nice part about shell is how easily minor scuffs and scratches can be remedied. I've grown fond of the deer bone for that kind of work.

Edited July 21, 2013 by patrick_b

[Highvoltage]

Any big benefit of switching to obenauf's over the RW Leather Conditioner I've been using? I got it free when I bought a pair of GT's a while back.

So far it's what I've used on my White's, and have been pleased with the result.

[rungo]

From personal experience, Obenaufs is a far superior protector of work boots than the RW conditioner, especially when it comes to abrasive dusts (cement) and serious water/mud exposure. However, I would also state, that I have personally found the Obenaufs liquid to do a better job of sheer waterproofing than the HD, although, with the application schedule required for my work boots, I may just prefer the liquid because its faster.

[fre-co]

i wouldn't say that they get trashed quickly...irl there is almost zero to no wear visible on the heels!

ok, a tiny bit (as seen on the pics) but they also have a few miles on them already, so I'd say they wear "ok"...gonna keep an eye on it though

No I meant all the knocks and dings and scrapes on the back of the heel counter - that what happens to my boots too.

[rayw44]

Current batch versus previous batch of MF Road Champs. The lighter pair is from around 2011 ish, but they may even be from 2012. I can't remember. There are plenty of pleasant changes from then to now.