Footwear to go with our jackets

[Edward]

Trying to break in those Jungle boots..pig of a job..they are the right size & fit but between the stiff leather and canvas I’m blister city at the moment. Boots (the chemist) are making money off of me right now by way of plasters...

Try Vaseline. Rub a layer liberally all over your foot before you put your socks on in the morning, and leave it. My grandmother, God rest her soul, claimed to have seen this on a documentary on TV about the SAS. I was sceptical but gave it a go on my DoE Gold four day expedition across the Mournes way back in 1992. Turned out to be surprisingly effective - got a lot of laughs, but I was the only one who came home with no blisters.

 

[Edward]

The other one used to be to put your boots in a bucket of water til they were nicely soaked, then wear until dry, but I'm not sure how that would affect the canvas.

 

[Spiney]

Any tips for breaking in? Using leather boot ‘stretching’ spray & have conditioned the leather. So far have walked about 12 miles mixed terrain in them over 3 days. One boot is starting to feel more relaxed, wish it’s brother would follow suit.

Sorry, no tips. My pair never improved at all. Ended up throwing them out . They were brutal.

 

[bn1966]

The other one used to be to put your boots in a bucket of water til they were nicely soaked, then wear until dry, but I'm not sure how that would affect the canvas.

Heard the emersion method can shrink boots, the Vaseline could be worth a shot (bless your Grandmother). I’ve been using stretching spray and have conditioned the leather..one boot appears to be complying just need the other to agree to too

 

[bn1966]

Sorry, no tips. My pair never improved at all. Ended up throwing them out . They were brutal.

If they don’t comply they are going on eBay

 

[willyto]

I used to do that vaseline trick and it worked.

 

[bn1966]

I used to do that vaseline trick and it worked.

Will try it tomorrow, thank you Gentlemen

 

[Blackadder]

Clinch NPT engineer natural latigo.

View attachment 309385

 

[Bfd70]

Npt?

 

[Blackadder]

Npt?

Clinch's Narrow poc-toe combining classic narrow and work round.
Red Wing x Eat Dust Pecos

 

[bn1966]

Will try it tomorrow, thank you Gentlemen

Had a better break in day today & used the Vaseline method..no new blisters

 

[Jin431]

Does intake have to be Vaseline? Can you use any kind of moisturizer?

 

[yellowfever]

Had a better break in day today & used the Vaseline method..no new blisters

I did the Nijmegen March (100 miles with pack over 4 days - at least it’s flat!) many years ago, all kinds of folklore tales for avoiding blisters in our already broken in boots (only a fool or a masochist would try this in brand new boots). One idea that had some merit (and I think operates on the same principle as the Vaseline idea) was double socks - a very thin pair worn under normal socks. Idea was to allow for some easier sliding - between the socks - without your skin rubbing so much. Foot powder or talc also helps (powder helps lubricate things like Vaseline and stops sweaty feet which blister more easily).

Another well regarded idea was figuring out the worst friction points on your feet and preemptively taping them up with moleskin plasters, though I’d be tempted to use modern compeed plasters now (and they’re great for existing blisters too if you’re suffering, not cheap but worth it as they promote healing and stay on really wells so maybe more cost effective in the long run than lots of cheaper plasters).

Some folk tried to toughen their feet by regularly soaking them in surgical spirits but I was never convinced and it’s a little late for you to to start foot toughening up now! I guess you could drink the surgical spirts to take the edge off the blister pain, but you may go blind, so perhaps best not!

Maybe the best advice is simply to take your time, wear them little and often, keep them conditioned, bend the soles with your hands or squatting on your toes - once the soles start to give the boots will rub the back of your heels much less.

Good luck!

 

[sal]

A great company to start with. What weight did you start out with? I jumped in with the 21.5oz. They were very intimidating at first. They are starting to SLOWLY settle down. I ordered a pair of 15oz cone mills. Just got them this weekend, I think they will be a piece of cake. I think I have the denim bug. lol. I have some Iron Hearts in my sights, but man, the price.

I just splurged and received a pair of IronHearts 21 oz. worth every penny. I’m going to buy a second pair

 

[Bfd70]

The get softer than any jeans i’ve owned. Sadly just outgrew mine

 

[Jin431]

When I was reorganising a wardrobe, I found these sneakers that I had bought when I was more fashion oriented. Keep in mind that these are fashion sneakers, so they are nowhere near as well made as what is commonly shown here.

Yep, you could call them grizzly sneakers
If memory serves, this is horse or pony hair, and in keeping with the spirit of this thread, here goes

We never thought about it but it is possible to match a grizzly with your shoes

Edit: typos

Can you pls post more fit photos of the grizzly? That's a wonderful jacket. Love the collar

 

[bn1966]

I did the Nijmegen March (100 miles with pack over 4 days - at least it’s flat!) many years ago, all kinds of folklore tales for avoiding blisters in our already broken in boots (only a fool or a masochist would try this in brand new boots). One idea that had some merit (and I think operates on the same principle as the Vaseline idea) was double socks - a very thin pair worn under normal socks. Idea was to allow for some easier sliding - between the socks - without your skin rubbing so much. Foot powder or talc also helps (powder helps lubricate things like Vaseline and stops sweaty feet which blister more easily).

Another well regarded idea was figuring out the worst friction points on your feet and preemptively taping them up with moleskin plasters, though I’d be tempted to use modern compeed plasters now (and they’re great for existing blisters too if you’re suffering, not cheap but worth it as they promote healing and stay on really wells so maybe more cost effective in the long run than lots of cheaper plasters).

Some folk tried to toughen their feet by regularly soaking them in surgical spirits but I was never convinced and it’s a little late for you to to start foot toughening up now! I guess you could drink the surgical spirts to take the edge off the blister pain, but you may go blind, so perhaps best not!

Maybe the best advice is simply to take your time, wear them little and often, keep them conditioned, bend the soles with your hands or squatting on your toes - once the soles start to give the boots will rub the back of your heels much less.

Good luck!

Good post, thanks

I’m down the compeed route & my feet are covered in a patchwork, using Vaseline before walking now and thin socks. Attacking the leather with conditioner and potatoes in the toe box overnight. Will try some sole bending tomorrow when the Wife is back at work.

 

[red devil]

Can you pls post more fit photos of the grizzly? That's a wonderful jacket. Love the collar

Sure, I will take some later today if I get the chance.

I take it you have already seen these?

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/red-devil-fit-checks-evolution.101045/page-4#post-2739597

 

[Jin431]

Good post, thanks

I’m down the compeed route & my feet are covered in a patchwork, using Vaseline before walking now and thin socks. Attacking the leather with conditioner and potatoes in the toe box overnight. Will try some sole bending tomorrow when the Wife is back at work.

Hold up, what is this potatoes in the toebox trick? That so random and funny to me haha

Sure, I will take some later today if I get the chance.

I take it you have already seen these?

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/red-devil-fit-checks-evolution.101045/page-4#post-2739597

Great! Thank you, I'm thinking of getting one but in a smooth leather.
Ooh haven't seen this one before. Don't mind if I do.

 

[bn1966]

Ju

Hold up, what is this potatoes in the toebox trick? That so random and funny to me haha




Great! Thank you, I'm thinking of getting one but in a smooth leather.
Ooh haven't seen this one before. Don't mind if I do.

Just about had enough now, nice as these boots look they could end up on eBay this week...