6" Cap Toe Boots

[Retromoto]

I'm looking for a replacement pair of 6" Cap-Toe Boots and noticed they're quite a few examples to choose from on the market today. So far I've found the following;

1) Frye Logan Cap-Toe #87917
2) Red Wing Iron Ranger #8115
3) Wolverine 1000 Mile Rockford Cap-Toe #WO5293
4) Helm Muller Teak

Are there any owners/wearers of these boots willing to comment on pros and cons? While I'm sure there's more Cap-Toe boots are the market, these have caught my eye so far. I would like to stick with a USA assembled boot with USA components. I'm interested in information on soles, tanning, fit, longevity, etc.

Thanks,

 

[Pinesiw]

Im assuming youre willing to spend, ive never owned a pair but the whites boots sure look great, customizable to the sole and leather, and US made.

 

[Retromoto]

Thanks for the tip on White, I'll have to give them a call to get a price and see if they'll build what I'm looking for.
Retromoto

 

[Fading Fast]

I've owned a pair of 1000 milers for several years now. They are well built, comfortable (almost from day one - very little break in needed), have been holding up well to wear and look better with age (as they are a "work" boot, I don't want them to be too pretty - they've developed a nice patina of age). My only complaint is that the upper leather feels a bit flimsily - like they should have lined it or at least line the part right at the top to cushion it a bit and give it some heft. That said, notwithstanding the complaint, I would probably buy them again except that I really, really want a pair of the Alden Indy boots - so you might want to check them out as well. The Alden Indy boots look better, in my opinion, and feel more substantial than the 1000 milers, but they should as they cost, give or take, a few hundred bucks more. Good luck in your search.

 

[univibe88]

Thanks for the tip on White, I'll have to give them a call to get a price and see if they'll build what I'm looking for.
Retromoto

Your best source for White's is at www.bakershoe.com Give them a call and chat with Kyle. He is super friendly and knows everything that can be done with White's boots. They are highly customizable and I am sure you can get what you are after.

Here is a whole thread about the White's Semi Dress model. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?17198-White-s-Semi-dress-Boots

 

[Rick Blaine]

Screw job

It REALLY tees me of that Chippewa is essentially charging over $100 for a toe cap.

I'm looking at a pair of Black Homesteader Odessas. $100 dollar difference in price. BEANS!

 

[Retromoto]

Thanks for all the information. I went into Bakers and was able to build a boot, that said, i need to check on some of the options for clarification. Thanks also for the thread link, There's a pair pictured there which is really close to my specs. I'm only 15 pages in though so need to re-visit. Retromoto

Your best source for White's is at www.bakershoe.com Give them a call and chat with Kyle. He is super friendly and knows everything that can be done with White's boots. They are highly customizable and I am sure you can get what you are after.

Here is a whole thread about the White's Semi Dress model. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?17198-White-s-Semi-dress-Boots

 

[Retromoto]

Thanks for the review, I hope to check out a pair in person on Monday as I found a nearby dealer who's suppose to stock them.
Retromoto

I've owned a pair of 1000 milers for several years now. They are well built, comfortable (almost from day one - very little break in needed), have been holding up well to wear and look better with age (as they are a "work" boot, I don't want them to be too pretty - they've developed a nice patina of age). My only complaint is that the upper leather feels a bit flimsily - like they should have lined it or at least line the part right at the top to cushion it a bit and give it some heft. That said, notwithstanding the complaint, I would probably buy them again except that I really, really want a pair of the Alden Indy boots - so you might want to check them out as well. The Alden Indy boots look better, in my opinion, and feel more substantial than the 1000 milers, but they should as they cost, give or take, a few hundred bucks more. Good luck in your search.

 

[galopede]

If you want to be different, I can heartily reccommend WIlliam Lennon boots. Hand built to order in England's Derbyshire Peak district. I have three pairs so far and any one pair would see me out and probably my son too!

http://www.williamlennon.co.uk/footwear/78ptc-mens-traditional-leather-derby-boot.html

They are open to using different leathers, different soles etc.

Gareth

 

[oxfordgrant]

If you want to be different, I can heartily reccommend WIlliam Lennon boots. Hand built to order in England's Derbyshire Peak district. I have three pairs so far and any one pair would see me out and probably my son too!

http://www.williamlennon.co.uk/footwear/78ptc-mens-traditional-leather-derby-boot.html

They are open to using different leathers, different soles etc.

Gareth

Yep, the Lennon boots are my choice as well. I have a few pairs, and particularly like the Derby boots with the medallion toecap.

 

[Pinesiw]

If youre really lookin to spend... Julian boots look fantastic, completely customizable, but I havent heard anything on price or wheres hes located... Seen many different styles from him and they all look great so im assuming his prices are up there. Hope you find your boots

 

[de Stokesay]

The Lennon boots look really nice but I don't see where you can order half sizes or widths. Now I might have just missed it in my quick look at the posted site but these may not be available options either. As someone who wears a 10.5 A width, standard widths and even sizes just won't work for me so my options are very limited.

I would very highly recommend White's Semi-dress boots. They are definitely not cheap and may be more than some want to pay but there sure don't seem to be many people who own them who regret it.

I just got back from a month in Morocco and my White's Semi-dress boots were the only footware I took. They were comfortable on mule-back in the Mid Atlas mountains, on camel-back in the Sahara, and

 

[Retromoto]

Thanks for the information. I'll look into the makes mentioned. I need to be careful with boot weight as I have a bum ankle from a M/C accident years ago. Also heel height is a concern for me when walking a lot with some boots. I'm currently wearing a pair of "LL Bean" toe cap boots purchased new in 1989. I believe these were called an Engineer boot back then. They have a Munson last and a sewn in "LL Bean" tag on the tongue. Not sure of the manufacturer although it was in the USA. They've been great boots, have been resoled twice and don't owe me anything. They're looking pretty shabby though and I have a big birthday coming up and thought I'd splurge a bit.
Retromoto

 

[frussell]

Retromoto - I've got a new pair of those same LL Bean "Engineer" boots. They are made by Chippewa, not sure if they were back in 1989, but they are still great boots. I love my Chippewas, have some higher ones in a similar style as well for horseback riding. I sold my Iron Rangers because they weren't as comfortable for me as the Chippewas, and had very little arch support, which turns out I need in my old age. Take a look at the new Chippewa offerings before you order. Having said that, I'm still saving up for some White's myself, they are great boots. Frank

 

[Retromoto]

I think the "LL Bean" boot's Munson last gives the boot the comfort we're both experiencing. I agree, good solid support is a great thing as I'm no kid either. *As a add on to my original post on this thread, I'm really trying to go the Vegetable tanned leather route this time in a cap-toe boot. USA made. As far as components, I'll accept non-Asian leather uppers if their Vegetable tanned. Would rather have no hooks, all eyelets. I'd like some sort of traction soles although they don't need to be aggressive. It's tough to nail down all of these in a boot so I'm still looking.
Retromoto

Retromoto - I've got a new pair of those same LL Bean "Engineer" boots. They are made by Chippewa, not sure if they were back in 1989, but they are still great boots. I love my Chippewas, have some higher ones in a similar style as well for horseback riding. I sold my Iron Rangers because they weren't as comfortable for me as the Chippewas, and had very little arch support, which turns out I need in my old age. Take a look at the new Chippewa offerings before you order. Having said that, I'm still saving up for some White's myself, they are great boots. Frank

 

[GregO]

I can speak to the Frye Logans and the Red Wing Iron Rangers. The Frye's are supremely comfortable right out of the box, and look very good. Until the heel falls off -- which happened to mine about 6 months after I purchased them. Before the heel popped off, they had fraying stitching in multiple spots. I wore them no more than once a week or so, so for the money, they are atrociously built. And keep in mind that I only wore them casually and into the office, so it is not like I beat them up or did any real "work" in them. That said, I have a moc toe boot from Frye (I believe it is called the Dakota), that has been an excellent boot. Over the years I have found that Frye's really are hit or miss, depending on the style.

As for the Iron Rangers -- well, I have three pairs if that tells you anything. I have them in Amber, Muleskinner and Chocolate (the chocolate was only offered by J.Crew). They fit my narrow feet wonderfully, are very high quality, and once broken in, very comfortable. The Muleskinner (a rough out leather) was comfortable right out of the box, while the other two colors took some time to break in. The Amber Harness took the longest to break -- maybe a dozen wearings before I stopped noticing them on my feet. All told, for a quality boot, this break-in time is on the short side. You should note that the Iron Rangers are HORRIBLE in slippery conditions though. They're like ice skates on even the smallest patch of snow.

I can't speak to the White's, but soon will be able to I hope. Got my eye on a few different varieties and will pull the trigger on them soon enough (picked up some Chippewa Bridgemans which delayed the White's purchase). Everything I hear about White's is very positive.

 

[Retromoto]

GregO,
Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. Any idea on if the leather on the Iron Rangers is vegetable tanned or not? It would be a shame to have to have new soles attached to a new boot in order to gain some margin of safety in winter although if the Iron Ranger fits the bill in all other categories, I'd do it to get what I'm after.
Retromoto

 

[GregO]

I don't know the tannage. Sorry.

 

[de Stokesay]

I'm curious why veg-tanned leather is important to you Retromoto?

de Stokesay

 

[Retromoto]

Just personal preference.
Retromoto

I'm curious why veg-tanned leather is important to you Retromoto?

de Stokesay