Boots

[Justin Spinelli]

They have a dusty white finish on top of the black leather (excuse me for not knowing the technical term).

Will polish take that off? What is that dusty white coat anyways, some type of wax?

These Shell Cordovan Alden Jumper boots are my favorite for work. Been knocking them around for several years now, and love them more every time I wear them.




I've also been wearing black Merrill Wilderness for snow boots for something like 20 years, but if I could ever finally kill them I'd be on the lookout for a pair of the Danner's, thanks for that link to the outlet Jeoff.

Justin, if your boots are black or dark brown, I'd definitely apply Sno Seal annually as the weather turns cold.

FInally, I'd love a pair of these Lone Wolf Engineer boots, but they are expensive and as they are now made primarily for the Japanese market, I don't think they even make them in my size (12.5-13).

[DrZRM]

Sounds like they have a wax coat on them, can you post a bigger pic of your actual boots? If there is a matte finish on there, you probably don't want to mess with it until you have to. They will like repel water for a while, and when you need to, I'd stay away from a rub in like Sno Seal and instead try one of the spray or sponge on water repellants, I've had very good results with the suede treatment from Nikwax, I'd assume their leather treatments are equally good.

Amazon.com: Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof (Spray On): Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Nikwax Waterproofing Brown Wax for Leather Liquid: Sports & Outdoors

They have a dusty white finish on top of the black leather (excuse me for not knowing the technical term).

Will polish take that off? What is that dusty white coat anyways, some type of wax?

[WadePatton]

Nick's or White's only here. In my experience all that other stuff falls apart and/or doesn't support my high-arched feet well enough-I had 3 pairs of Danners (USA) at one time-none ever anymore.

Bought a pair (Nick's) in 2005 and 2006. Had the 2006 pair resoled not too long ago and will have the 2005 pair resoled soon. Probably be candidate for full overhauls for each on the next resole - in the next 5 or 6 years...



HONEY VIBRAM rocks my (outsole) world-I had the mini-vibram replaced with full-thick HV. HV gives great cushion and better damp traction. It will tear/twist out a little bit, so I try to go easier on it. I don't mind the tradeoff yet.

I've very hard on boots and jeans.

[RickM]

They have a dusty white finish on top of the black leather (excuse me for not knowing the technical term).

Will polish take that off? What is that dusty white coat anyways, some type of wax?

It's chromium salts from the tanning process leeching out. Harmless.

[cody.wms]

I really want these. I'm sad and glad they are too narrow for me:

$(KGrHqF,!pEFB)uLB1O4BQqwu,2!0g~~60_12.JPG

From here.

[xjoex]

I wanted to buy a pair of Redwing Beckman 9016... but that'll have to wait.


But I ended up with Clarks Medway Smiths. I picked them up 4 months ago, I oil them once a month.


-Joe

[geoffk]

I really want these. I'm sad and glad they are too narrow for me:

$(KGrHqF,!pEFB)uLB1O4BQqwu,2!0g~~60_12.JPG

From here.

Now you've done it. Those are exactly my size. And I have a soft spot for vintage Florsheims ever since mom gave me several pair from grandpa after he died.

...aaand, my "best offer" was just accepted by the seller. Thanks for the tip!

[jerk]

i had a pair of these that i bought at a px in germany twenty years ago. i just ordered a replacement pair. they were a $140 then and $135 now. weird....comfiest shoe i've ever owned.

[cody.wms]

Now you've done it. Those are exactly my size. And I have a soft spot for vintage Florsheims ever since mom gave me several pair from grandpa after he died.

...aaand, my "best offer" was just accepted by the seller. Thanks for the tip!

No problem. If they are too wide for you, you've got a willing buyer over here.

[JChasse]

Working remotely (meaning shorts or jeans are my work wardrobe) and living where I do, I don't have much need for dress boots, but I just sprung for a pair of these...

[Auk]

Had to do some fence mending (actual fence mind you) over the weekend and pulled out my trusty Danner Gore-Tex Fort Lewis'. creek water, sludgy, silty, mud, and four T-posts of fence later, feet were still as happy and dry as when I started. I'd buy another pair, but WTF am I going to do with em when I'm too old to need them when these wear out?

[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):

[RickM]

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

^^^^^^This. Rawesome.

[chasea]

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[sneedle3]

Slight chuckle, slight shudder. Every time this thread pops up it brings back memories of the linked audio; SERE school nearly 20 years ago. Good times.

S