Boots

[Jason Musgrave]

Yeah I was leaning towards cap toe. That said I went by Tops for Shoes today to try on a pair of the 1000 Mile boots. They were nice enough but they gave me a smoking deal I couldn't pass up so I brought them home.

[Too Tall]

Yeah I was leaning towards cap toe. That said I went by Tops for Shoes today to try on a pair of the 1000 Mile boots. They were nice enough but they gave me a smoking deal I couldn't pass up so I brought them home.

That would have been my choice too. Well played young man.

[chasea]

J-Bag has a used set of Redwings for me. "Some mildew."

Tips and tricks?

What's the over-under on me getting these things back to life?

[WadePatton]

J-Bag has a used set of Redwings for me. "Some mildew."

Tips and tricks?

Clean 'em, in some sensible manner. Then neatsfoot oil, lightly, the stiff/dry/hard/cracked-bendy areas. Use 100% NFO, not the "compound". Work that in. Then hit 'em with something like Obenauf's/Brooks/SnoSeal, all over-use mild heat source to get good penetration.

You can over-do NFO, but that's how naturally tanned leathers are "oiled up" to make supple for use. The other stuff, difficult to over-do. Re-apply now and then=boots go long time.

Regular mud sucks the (conditioning) oils out of leather just like fancy mud suck oils out of a gal's face. It's better to hose 'em off and leaving 'em dripping wet than to let mud dry on the surface. Some water won't harm properly conditioned leather. I'll re-goo (not NFO) any time they've had a serious muddy incident, and usually before a long day in a wetness.

Leather that's not cracked through-can be reconditioned.

[ChristopherG]

Just ordered a pair of these on behalf of Santa Claus. Looking forward to years of enjoyment.

[chasea]

Clean 'em, in some sensible manner.

3 parts water, 1 part vinegar, steel wool on the mildewey bits?

Or?

[nahtnoj]

3 parts water, 1 part vinegar, steel wool on the mildewey bits?

Or?

What's wrong with saddle soap? Are they that nasty?

[chasea]

What's wrong with saddle soap? Are they that nasty?

Haven't seen them yet. Expecting the worse.

[j44ke]

Got my boots back from Red Wing. $95 for reconstructed soles. They didn't just put on new soles. They had to sew new bottoms on so they would have something to sew the soles to. They also replaced the heel pad and insole inside the boot. And new laces. The leather has gotten a lot of abuse, but hopefully I can bring that back around. They are narrow width and fit me like a glove. Best fitting boot I've ever had.

Before:



After:

[Matthew Strongin]

j44ke, which model is that?

I just picked up a pair of iron rangers and they're awesome. Makes me wish I had gotten them years ago.

[j44ke]

j44ke, which model is that?

I just picked up a pair of iron rangers and they're awesome. Makes me wish I had gotten them years ago.

They are an old model now discontinued made for years and years by Red Wing (I think) as a military-style boot but also as a work boot for places that didn't allow lugged soles. Model number is 957. I think they have a model that is similar at least in photos. The current model is the Red Wing Heritage 2962 in 6". Mine are taller - 10" I think. I haven't looked closely at the Red Wing site lately, but I don't think many of their models are available in narrow sizes any longer. My pair is a B-width boot. You used to go into the Red Wing store and they'd put your foot into a measuring machine that would tell size and width. Space age. Anyway, these things are so soft with age and use now, I can wear them barefoot.

To start the repair process, you send an email with photos and a description of your boots to Red Wing at shoe.repair@redwingshoes.com. I had to send a reminder note after I sent my initial query. Once they confirm that they can repair your boots, they email you a prepaid UPS label to put on your box. You take out the laces and insoles (if you have them) and enclose a detailed description of what you'd like done to your boots plus a check for $95. They do the repair (took about 3 weeks or so for my repair) and send them back to you. So that $95 includes shipping to and from Red Wing. Seems like a stinking good deal to me.

[Matthew Strongin]

Sounds like a great deal for the repair given what they did to patch them up.

Too bad they don't make them anymore...I'm a fan of taller boots.

[sonnybiker]

those look very similar to the the current production red wing 899.

[oldmuthariley]

got myself a pair of these beauties:

[DRTalsma]

I just bought some Wolverine 1000 mile Rockfords after saving up for several months, love em. Very comfortable right out of the box.

[dashDustin]

So, talk to me about the differences, summarized, between price points...to simplify:

Oak Street
Red Wing
Chippewa

My parents and wife teamed up to give me some money for boots, since that's all I wanted for Christmas. It's hard for me to drop that kind of cash these days, regardless.

[Brandon White]

So, talk to me about the differences, summarized, between price points...to simplify:

Oak Street
Red Wing
Chippewa

My parents and wife teamed up to give me some money for boots, since that's all I wanted for Christmas. It's hard for me to drop that kind of cash these days, regardless.

Don't forget Wolverine 1000 Mile and Viberg (going to be PRICEY, but look amazing).

[dashDustin]

Looked at 1000 Miles. Wasn't sold on what I was seeing. Moreso, it didn't appear as though I could get the sole I wanted.

[nahtnoj]

There are a couple versions of the 1000 miles. Some have rubber on the ball of the foot, others are just leather. Depends on who you buy them from; I think Nordstroms has some sort of exclusive.

Are you on your feet a lot? Something with a crepe sole may be in order.

[dashDustin]

On my feet all day, every day.

The crepe is what I'm wanting actually.