Footwear to go with our jackets

[barnabus]

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I liked the look of some Grinders boots, for the WWII flavour of their Camelot style.

Time has passed ofc, and I tumbled down a rabbit hole deriving from my current determination to use all my things as everyday beater things. So I looked at alternative boots to the Grinders that would allow me to wear them for any and all of the most horrific and grim requirements and literally NOT CARE AT ALL.

So I've ordered some boots. Basic, heavy duty military boots, which I will ofc show you when they arrive.

 

[Tom71]

Received the sagara Cordmaster today. Took about 5 days for DHL to deliver the package. Given it has been sent over the Christmas period shipping time was really quick.

Fit is spot on. the overdyed cloe superlux looks pretty good. It is quite a bit thinner and more flexible right out of the box when comparing to flame panda and other horsehide boots I have had so far. Might be because of a thinner lining I am not sure. Seems to be one of those boots that don't require any break in at all. The brown leather under the black dye can be seen under a certain lighting which is pretty cool.


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Very, very nice!

 

[Tom71]

RW Blacksmith. Very good bang for the buck for a foul-weather boot, IMO.

Extra credit requested for NOT matching the boot to the jacket.

 

[Bfd70]

I prefer the mismatch shoes and jacket, but shoes and belt, never!

 

[Jin431]

RW Blacksmith. Very good bang for the buck for a foul-weather boot, IMO.

Extra credit requested for NOT matching the boot to the jacket.

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love the coppers, I conditioned mine with Saphir mink oil and the leather turned brown lol it still shows orange on the creases but I misss having the whole look of it pre conditioning the boots

 

[Hayes Nash]

These Frye’s are everything I want in a boot. I love the square toe, and the lack of straps makes them a great cross-over. They might even be made of CXL...
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Hey Handymike and Monitor, do these vintage Frye's fit true-to-size or do you size up or down a half size compared to typical US sizing?

 

[Monitor]

Hey Handymike and Monitor, do these vintage Frye's fit true-to-size or do you size up or down a half size compared to typical US sizing?

Would love to help but I don't understand US sizing. My Frye's are 11 which is supposed to be 44.5 in EU, but I wear 46 because my feet CANNOT physically fit into 45 so I've no clue, really...

 

[Hayes Nash]

Your typical shoe/boot size is a 46 EU, which translates to a US 12 (ish). So, I think I can interpret this to mean that you sized down in Frye boots (a half to one full size).

Welcome anyone else to share experience with Frye (older US Made) boots and their sizing experiences?

 

[Monitor]

Your typical shoe/boot size is a 46 EU, which translates to a US 12 (ish). So, I think I can interpret this to mean that you sized down in Frye boots (a half to one full size).

Welcome anyone else to share experience with Frye (older US Made) boots and their sizing experiences?

Could be. Makes sense.

TBH, even with what is supposed to be high(er) quality US / Canadian footwear that I have tried on... It's kind of weird. Like, I can go between multiple sizes (11, 11.5, 12, 13) with different level of success, none being notably comfortable though (mostly) all wearable.

In European made, high-end boots, I am physically able to wear only one single particular size (usually 46), but in that size, they'll feel beyond perfect & as if I'm wearing no boots at all. . .

I tried on Frye's in different sizes while in Canada and not being able to decide which to spend over $450 on, made me give up on them.

My Sears harness boots are a size 11, as well, and are also perfect for me but I've no clue how Sears boots used to run during 1960's.

 

[Hayes Nash]

Could be. Makes sense.

TBH, even with what is supposed to be high(er) quality US / Canadian footwear that I have tried on... It's kind of weird. Like, I can go between multiple sizes (11, 11.5, 12, 13) with different level of success, none being notably comfortable though (mostly) all wearable.

In European made, high-end boots, I am physically able to wear only one single particular size (usually 46), but in that size, they'll feel beyond perfect & as if I'm wearing no boots at all. . .

I tried on Frye's in different sizes while in Canada and not being able to decide which to spend over $450 on, made me give up on them.

My Sears harness boots are a size 11, as well, and are also perfect for me but I've no clue how Sears boots used to run during 1960's.

I absolutely agree with your points made about US sizing. I've found European leather shoes and boots commonly are of greater quality and definitely more predictable with fit once you figure out your sizing. I'm a big fan of Gravati as an example for dress shoes. Very predictable fit across all of their styles.

To your point, I wear a US12 running shoe, my Lucchese Classics are 11, my old Wolverine 1000 miles are 11.5, and my Orvis Upland boots are 12 - All US Made. Pretty ridiculous really. As we also know, US Jacket sizing is equally un-reliable from a labelled size point of view (although his may be more of a global problem . Thanks again for your input.

 

[Hayes Nash]

for my contribution, my old 1000 mile'rs. Wish they still made these.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Your typical shoe/boot size is a 46 EU, which translates to a US 12 (ish). So, I think I can interpret this to mean that you sized down in Frye boots (a half to one full size).

Welcome anyone else to share experience with Frye (older US Made) boots and their sizing experiences?

My experience is based on a sample size of one, so take it with a grain of salt. I have some 70s square toe jodhpurs bought in my Brannock size 10D. The left boot fits fine, the right is slightly tight width-wise in the toe box. Enough so that it is definitely noticeable but not so uncomfortable that it prevents me from wearing them:

 

[Hayes Nash]

I picked these up, so we'll see. The seller called them Frye 'Riding Boots', but they look a lot like the 'Campus' boot. The heel height looks a crazy tall for my preferences, so we'll have to see.

regardless, I'll report back on fit...

 

[Blackadder]

I picked these up, so we'll see. The seller called them Frye 'Riding Boots', but they look a lot like the 'Campus' boot. The heel height looks a crazy tall for my preferences, so we'll have to see.

regardless, I'll report back on fit... View attachment 392000

I think the difference between the Campus and the "Riding" is Campus has platform (double to triple) sole in addition to the high heels. I also have a pair of the "Riding" boots with single sole but shorter shaft and zip.

 

[lina]

Changing the laces on my
Chippewas, and taking some time to admire the lace marks on the tongues.

 

[MrProper]

After getting my Blundstone 1609 really dirty, I treated them with Saphir Medaille d'or. Now I like them even better. The last picture shows the original before treatment.

 

[Rich22]

Sizing is very hit and miss in general with footware- just look at Nike's official size conversation charts that make absolutely so sense what so ever.

Regarding boots- I am typically a European 46, which translates to US size 11-12.5 usually, but over the years I've also owned a pair that were size 13.5 and one that was size 10.5, which is why I don't buy online. Even two of the same high end boots, in the same store, that are both meant to be identical 12's, can vary.

I should add that I'm fussy with the fit of boots, and can't tolerate any heel slipping. When I find a last that works I tend to buy more of the same.

 

[Bfd70]

White’s Stevens cap toe. You could pound nails with these boots. Break in is going to be slooooooow.

 

[Viking752]

Red Wing Spirit Lake collaboration with Indian Motorcycles.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Sizing weirdness is not unique to the US. I am not the same size in several different Japanese brands. Are US brands terrible at sizing consistency? Yes, definitely, but it's not unique to the US at all. I am also more than one size in Indonesian makers and they are more influenced by European shoemaking traditions even if their styles are based off of older American boots.