Boots

[Justin@BlackOakVelo]

Just ordered a pair of these after months of deliberation.

Goodyear welted, full grain leather and USA made for $179 and come in wide sizes with LLBean customer service.

Men's Katahdin Iron Works Engineer Boots: Casual | Free Shipping at L.L.Bean

With these looking this good, in my opinion, and with the pricing, I couldn't justify a pair of Red Wings or Danners.

I will find out if I made the right decision soon enough.

[RickM]

Just ordered a pair of these after months of deliberation.

Goodyear welted, full grain leather and USA made for $179 and come in wide sizes with LLBean customer service.

Men's Katahdin Iron Works Engineer Boots: Casual | Free Shipping at L.L.Bean

With these looking this good, in my opinion, and with the pricing, I couldn't justify a pair of Red Wings or Danners.

I will find out if I made the right decision soon enough.

The thing that remains really nice about LL Bean is...even 5 years down the road if you don't like 'em...you can send 'em back and get your $ refunded. Bad form, perhaps...but the option is there.

[chasea]

A cross between the Frye Fulton and the Redwing Iron Rangers. Well played.

[burgess1108]

Nice choice. Having spent many summer vacations in Maine and rummaging through LL Bean in the wee hours, I have a soft spot for anything coming out of Freeport.

[robin3mj]

Those look pretty damn nice.
Whenever I get around to buying leather boots with laces, I'll have to take a look a those.

Right now, my Bean duck boots and Blundstones are 12+ and 5 years old, respectively, and I can't kill either of them (with my admittedly less than rugged urban/suburban lifestyle.)

[Jason Musgrave]

I need a pair of boots. Redwing Beckmans or Wolverine 1000 miles??

[nrs5000]

Made by Chippewa. Good stuff.

[Justin@BlackOakVelo]

I need a pair of boots. Redwing Beckmans or Wolverine 1000 miles??

Looked at both but didn't want a leather sole.

[Quattro]

I need a pair of boots. Redwing Beckmans or Wolverine 1000 miles??

I had been looking at both of these boots but just wasn't totally sold on either for different reasons. I recently came across the Frye Roland in Black, so far I like them the best. Better looks, fit and made just as well in my opinion, rubber sole, which is what I prefer for comfort, but still can look dressy. Take a look FRYE | Roland Lace Up - Black

[RickM]

A cross between the Frye Fulton and the Redwing Iron Rangers. Well played.

The general pattern has been around forever. It's a descendant of the 1939 Army serviceman boot. Here it is in it's original smooth-out form;
Epic Militaria > American Service Shoes

Later, the rough-out spec was adopted. You can also see that model on the site linked to above. Can't really go wrong with these types of traditional patterns where the designers just got it right. They are literally timeless.

[Justin Spinelli]

Best I've found so far...

[Auk]

Early this past spring I came to the decision to start buying the boots that will be my 10-20 year life boots. First up was the Red Wing 875. Stiff as board during break-in, but the crepe sole made it tolerable. Now that the uppers are getting close to break in, a superb boot. Following the 875's were the Beckman in saddle and Iron Ranger in black. Both just slightly different and amazing boots. Rangers are the more robust and heavy boot of the two. Both could be used with anythig less than a full suit. Looking forward to beating the shit out of all three and I'm sure with just the basic care needed, will probably be lifers.

[Brandon White]

Best I've found so far...

Those are about the price of an H Son Plus wheel set w/ CK hubs, right?

[davids]

The thing that remains really nice about LL Bean is...even 5 years down the road if you don't like 'em...you can send 'em back and get your $ refunded. Bad form, perhaps...but the option is there.

No "perhaps".

[caleb]

The thing that remains really nice about LL Bean is...even 5 years down the road if you don't like 'em...you can send 'em back and get your $ refunded. Bad form, perhaps...but the option is there.

I think Steve Garro dished out some advice here by saying that if a business can't learn to say "no," then the consequences are on them. Bean's uses their no questions asked guarantee to generate sales, so I don't think it's bad form for the customer to make a claim. If they don't want to take old product back, then limit the return policy.

[WadePatton]

actual photo of actual boots...sorry 'bout the borrowed ones above getting zapped. And the pics of the ones i'm wearing didn't come out so hot.

This is my second pair, from 2006 (Nick's), resoled this year, should be good through at least one overhaul-when i wear these soles off.

Takes a month or better to break 'em in, but I'm expecting 6-10 more years out of each pair-with resoles and overhauls, maybe more.

honey boots.jpg

[doctor855]

I'm sorry, but I find it hard to believe that most of these things posted are considered boots.

[WadePatton]

I'm sorry, but I find it hard to believe that most of these things posted are considered boots.

A bit like 1/2-ton pickups. Looks right and gets the job done for most people, but generally sag and sway when put to manly man tasks and chores.

nttawwt, i used to roll on five-lug wheels wearing Danners and Bostonians, then i left town.

[RickM]

I think Steve Garro dished out some advice here by saying that if a business can't learn to say "no," then the consequences are on them. Bean's uses their no questions asked guarantee to generate sales, so I don't think it's bad form for the customer to make a claim. If they don't want to take old product back, then limit the return policy.

Garro, I think, was referring to something slightly different. Now, as for what is Bad Form or not...only the individual can determine that, I guess, given a "No Questions Asked" return policy. Any LL Bean employee can tell you of the folks who buy a boatload of camping gear, use it for one trip, then return it all. Or, the housewife who orders tons of china and party goods for a lawn party, wedding, etc... and then sends it all back once the gig is done. Allowable under LLB policy? Yeah. Good Form? No. Vulgar. Like Brandeis said about Porn; You know it when you see it.

Garro is also on record as saying Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. I wholeheartedly agree with that nugget....I've used it myself.

[WadePatton]

OMFG

i went to Nick's to look at Engineers'/Harness Boots and found that they are now making Romeo's and Oxfords!

end of the world must be nearing (this is bullhide):