Feet Up! The Work Boot Thread

[Bushman]

Bought these Corcoran boots and re-dyed them! Really happy with how they came out.

 

[Woodtroll]

Bought these Corcoran boots and re-dyed them! Really happy with how they came out.

I like how those turned out, too, with the varying shades of brown. What type of dye did you use? Any "before" photos?

 

[Bushman]

I like how those turned out, too, with the varying shades of brown. What type of dye did you use? Any "before" photos?

Sadly, no before photos of mine, but the sales photos out there are pretty accurate to what you get: a flat, plastic looking brown color. I followed the instructions from here to get the antiqued look I wanted: http://thelandlessgentry.blogspot.com/2018/02/diy-antiquing-corcoran-brown-jump-boots.html

In the dyeing process, I subbed chocolate brown dye for dark brown, which allowed the mahogany dye to come through a little more, giving the boots a period-accurate russet brown color. I'm not big on the laces. They didn't re-dye like the rest of the boots did, and I'm considering if I should just buy a new pair, or go with cloth laces instead of leather, which I prefer in the first place.

 

[DaveProc]

Beckman kind of day

 

[GHT]

I’m a tad late to this party, seeing how it got started more than 15 years ago.

You and me both, late that is. I have just ordered a pair of boots, not the sort that you would describe as work boots, but you might just see them, or something very similar on the TV show, "Peaky Blinders." They were being sold off at fifty pounds, reduced from a £125:00.

 

[DaveProc]

You and me both, late that is. I have just ordered a pair of boots, not the sort that you would describe as work boots, but you might just see them, or something very similar on the TV show, "Peaky Blinders." They were being sold off at fifty pounds, reduced from a £125:00.

View attachment 353055

Very nice boots , and price!

 

[bobm]

Alden Indy boots
View attachment 320773
View attachment 320774
Johnny

I'm considering the Indy boots, either in classic brown or snuff suede. I won't be using them as work boots, just everyday wearing to work or out on the town. I understand that these do not have any arch support, but just how comfortable are they after wearing them all day?

 

[Edward]

Anyone recognise these? I lifted this photo from an eBay seller who is advertising these for GBP150ish. Pretty sure these aren't the boots I'd get if I ordered from them, but intrigued enough to know whether anyone on here might be able to tell what the "real" boots are?

 

[Bamaboots]

Anyone recognise these? I lifted this photo from an eBay seller who is advertising these for GBP150ish. Pretty sure these aren't the boots I'd get if I ordered from them, but intrigued enough to know whether anyone on here might be able to tell what the "real" boots are?

Can’t speak to the actual brand but if you do a search for ‘roofer’ boots, you’ll find a number of similarly styled, lace to toe boots.

 

[Blackadder]

Anyone recognise these? I lifted this photo from an eBay seller who is advertising these for GBP150ish. Pretty sure these aren't the boots I'd get if I ordered from them, but intrigued enough to know whether anyone on here might be able to tell what the "real" boots are?

Pretty sure those are made in China.
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...15193007943.45.17b92f61HPj3zg&id=583861255104

 

[Edward]

Pretty sure those are made in China.
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...15193007943.45.17b92f61HPj3zg&id=583861255104

I actually found the photo on this ebay auction:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23402178...rentrq:bc2639d217b0ab84680725ecfff7004c|iid:1

It's from an ebay seller based in China, who has a lot of very nice looking boots for sale. Unfortunately I'm instinctively a little suspicious because a number of sellers from that part of the world often use 'borrowed' photos and then sell you their version which may or may not match up. That said, this one has a ring of legitimacy to the auction. The price looks right for something very decent from a local Chinese maker (around £170; I've seen Chinese made high end stuff in that sort of price bracket that would be taking on European options at double that, qualitatively), but while the title says "leather", the text says "material: synthetic". Perhaps one to keep an eye out for in person... the design looks really nice for sure.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

Thorogood Roofer Work Boot 814-4233 were like that, but they discontinued them. More utilitarian and less stylish than that, but you know.

Those you posted look like a cross between roofer boots in the toes, vintage Keds basketball shoes or Chuck Taylors in the accents, and worker boots in the soles. Kind of a weird stew of ideas there.

 

[Blackadder]

I actually found the photo on this ebay auction:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234021785759?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=2947a1964b104ceab257b032883169d8&pid=100675&rk=1&rkt=15&sd=234021785759&itm=234021785759&pmt=1&noa=1&pg=2380057&brand=Unbranded&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:a8b9ced0-0f37-11ec-91bf-061b0229163f|parentrq:bc2639d217b0ab84680725ecfff7004c|iid:1

It's from an ebay seller based in China, who has a lot of very nice looking boots for sale. Unfortunately I'm instinctively a little suspicious because a number of sellers from that part of the world often use 'borrowed' photos and then sell you their version which may or may not match up. That said, this one has a ring of legitimacy to the auction. The price looks right for something very decent from a local Chinese maker (around £170; I've seen Chinese made high end stuff in that sort of price bracket that would be taking on European options at double that, qualitatively), but while the title says "leather", the text says "material: synthetic". Perhaps one to keep an eye out for in person... the design looks really nice for sure.

There are a lot of better looking Monkey boots on Taobao. Here is one that I like
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id...nGiqcD7evwbfIwdhwEcP2WabsQHp0xAQMwnQrPb/oAe4=
You can sometimes find photos taken by buyers at the buyer's feedback on Taobao. More accurate.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

I haven't heard the term monkey boots in a long time. Not something common in the USA. When I was young, I saved up for a pair of Grafters monkey boots, and they remain the most uncomfortable shoe I've ever purchased.

 

[Edward]

There are a lot of better looking Monkey boots on Taobao. Here is one that I like
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id...nGiqcD7evwbfIwdhwEcP2WabsQHp0xAQMwnQrPb/oAe4=
You can sometimes find photos taken by buyers at the buyer's feedback on Taobao. More accurate.

Yeah, buyer photos are very useful. Sometimes better looking too (thinking of the Aero Jarrow Marcher boots which I think look much nicer in person than they do on the Aero website).

Those TAobao boots look nice indeed. I'm keeping an eye out for a nice pair in brown or oxblood (I have a black pair of Cats in this style already). Considered the Thorogoods, though the only ones I've seen in the UK are the ones with the white rubber sole, which is an absolute deal-breaker for me.

I haven't heard the term monkey boots in a long time. Not something common in the USA. When I was young, I saved up for a pair of Grafters monkey boots, and they remain the most uncomfortable shoe I've ever purchased.

Grafters still do 'em, though reports on quality and comfort vary! There was a good discussion a while back (not sure if on this thread or another) about monkey boots. The term meant a very specific style - the Grafters catch this perfectly - in the UK. Legend has it that they were first designed to be worn by the Czech army in WW", though as memory serves that wouldn't fly for various reasons. Nonetheless, by the early 50s afaik they were being make in several factories in Eastern Europe. Their availability for a relatively low price made them popular over here - first among early Skinheads (which carried on - if you've seen This is England, in the scene where Shaun can't have 'proper' DMs either because they don't have his size or his mum can't afford them, the alternative boots, "special ones, from London", bought for him are monkey boots. They were also very popular with punks on the London scene in the late 70s. In the US, the term seems to have evolved to incorporate a wider range of lace-to-toe boots.

I wish I could find another pair like my Cats - really cracking pair of boots, but it seems they were either an end of line or part of a planned Heritage collection that never took off.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

Yes, I came to know Grafters via punks. A Mod's friend, who was more punky punk, wore them. They were the first non-sneaker, non-combat boot that I thought were good looking. This guy walked a lot, so I didn't think about whether they were comfortable or not. Big mistake. I don't know if I'm remembering correctly, but I think the footbed was completely flat with no arch support. I could see why someone would think "Czech army" because of how simple the construction was. I'm still a bit salty about them. I had to save for a while, and then couldn't stand to wear them. If I wore them five times, it might be an exaggeration. I still like they way they look though.

 

[Edward]

Yes, I came to know Grafters via punks. A Mod's friend, who was more punky punk, wore them. They were the first non-sneaker, non-combat boot that I thought were good looking. This guy walked a lot, so I didn't think about whether they were comfortable or not. Big mistake. I don't know if I'm remembering correctly, but I think the footbed was completely flat with no arch support. I could see why someone would think "Czech army" because of how simple the construction was. I'm still a bit salty about them. I had to save for a while, and then couldn't stand to wear them. If I wore them five times, it might be an exaggeration. I still like they way they look though.

Last I heard some of the skate kids are now into them - but for them, the hip thing to do is razor off all the tread and create a thin, flat sole. Kids, eh?

 

[Blackadder]

I actually found the photo on this ebay auction:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234021785759?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=2947a1964b104ceab257b032883169d8&pid=100675&rk=1&rkt=15&sd=234021785759&itm=234021785759&pmt=1&noa=1&pg=2380057&brand=Unbranded&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:a8b9ced0-0f37-11ec-91bf-061b0229163f|parentrq:bc2639d217b0ab84680725ecfff7004c|iid:1

It's from an ebay seller based in China, who has a lot of very nice looking boots for sale. Unfortunately I'm instinctively a little suspicious because a number of sellers from that part of the world often use 'borrowed' photos and then sell you their version which may or may not match up. That said, this one has a ring of legitimacy to the auction. The price looks right for something very decent from a local Chinese maker (around £170; I've seen Chinese made high end stuff in that sort of price bracket that would be taking on European options at double that, qualitatively), but while the title says "leather", the text says "material: synthetic". Perhaps one to keep an eye out for in person... the design looks really nice for sure.

Just found out that they are modified/civilian version of the PLA paratrooper boots.
https://world.taobao.com/item/65478...10013406-tw.taglist-content.36.7c075a2aOYoxSz
https://wantubizhi.com/image.aspx

 

[Edward]

Just found out that they are modified/civilian version of the PLA paratrooper boots.
https://world.taobao.com/item/65478...10013406-tw.taglist-content.36.7c075a2aOYoxSz
https://wantubizhi.com/image.aspx

Jinkies, those are sexy. If I could get a chance to try them on first, I'd be well up for some of those.

 

[Davy Crockett]

If you like Monkey boots and want some which are a few levels above Grafters in quality and comfort try Solovair.

D