Footwear to go with our jackets

[tropicalbob]

Btw, what do you guys think of harness boots?

Harness boots, particularly Frye's, were very popular back in the '60's and '70's, but I was never too crazy about the squared-off toe. They've got a new style, though, that's been haunting my dreams called the John Addison (I mentioned it elsewhere recently). Next time I see it on sale I might just pounce.

 

[IXL]

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Btw, since we're talking footwear, what do you guys use as socks?

Wool socks from either "Fits" or "Filson." The Fits are quite durable and have plenty of padding where it is actually needed. The Filson socks are a much longer length in the shaft.

 

[Dav]

I got into Chup socks a while ago, wish I hadn't bothered. They're beautiful, but every pair has shrunk to the point that they're a right pain to put on and take off. Never had shrinking socks before, just a heads up.

 

[red devil]

Harness boots, particularly Frye's, were very popular back in the '60's and '70's, but I was never too crazy about the squared-off toe. They've got a new style, though, that's been haunting my dreams called the John Addison (I mentioned it elsewhere recently). Next time I see it on sale I might just pounce.

They certainly look nice

 

[tropicalbob]

They certainly look nice

 

[tropicalbob]

They're the ones, and I just saw them going for about $280. Now the agony begins. I just last week got the Rand Lace-ups in dark brown to complete my collection (with tan and black) because whenever I find a style that is perfect for me in every way I feel compelled to grab them while I still can. Those Addisons are sweet, though.

 

[Mich486]

I usually wear redwings (iron rangers, moc toes and Chelsea’s) with my jackets. However, redwings don’t have enough tread to handle the snowy Canadian winters. Currently I’m wearing Timberland boots a lot due to good sole treads, waterproofness and built in insulation. The ones I got are darker than the wheat colored ones that are popular with the RnB and rapper crowds. Also, I lace them up like boots should be laced up rather than left loosely laced.

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They are very comfortable and practical boots although not in the same league of some of the boots in the previous posts. Certainly the rnb scene gave them a bad reputation.


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[Bfd70]

I see engineer style boots getting a lot of love here. Several beautiful examples have been posted lately. I have never owned a pair, but read that they are not great for walking all day and are not designed with that as a priority. Anyone care to comment?

 

[Radz108]

They are very comfortable and practical boots although not in the same league of some of the boots in the previous posts. Certainly the rnb scene gave them a bad reputation.


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I do agree they are not in the same league even compared to my redwings. But for price/function/practicality especially for winter use they can’t be beat. In addition, they arguably look much better than the usual bulky winter boots. (Also, Expensive Fryes or Redwings slip and slide way too much on ice and the salt on the sidewalks and roads wreck havoc on those nice leather soles )
I got another pair of Timberlands. These are their heritage limited edition ones with full grain smooth leather (not nubuck) uppers, stitched on soles and raw hide laces. They were $140 Canadian on sale!

 

[Gav]

Sorry dude but I’d have to disagree with everything you just said. Redwing make plenty of boots with a lug sole if you need it.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I see engineer style boots getting a lot of love here. Several beautiful examples have been posted lately. I have never owned a pair, but read that they are not great for walking all day and are not designed with that as a priority. Anyone care to comment?

I cannot speak for everyone, but I do wear engineers extensively and have for the past couple of years.
Depending on how stiff and/or thick the leather is, you do not want to walk too far with a new pair of engineers. I have made this mistake on a couple of occasions and my shins did bleed as a result.

However, after only a couple of hours total of wear/walking, even my stiffest boots were fine to walk around in and since then I never hesitate to wear engineers all day while walking long distances. I've worn crepe soles, sneakers, wedge soles, etc and the slight difference in comfort ends up being nil by the end of a long day of walking.

Maybe it's just because I love engineers so much, but they are slightly less comfortable than my Clarks and Red Wings, but IMO about 100000000 times cooler, so I wear them anyway

 

[Radz108]

Sorry dude but I’d have to disagree with everything you just said. Redwing make plenty of boots with a lug sole if you need it.

Yes I know that redwings make lug sole shoes and they even have ones made especially for winter (the ice cutter model). They are $430 Canadian, while the Timberlands were $140. I do not question redwings are a better quality product. But for winter use (with all the snow, salt, mud and grime associated with it), I would rather “beat up” my Tim’s than my Beckmans or Iron rangers. For harsh winter conditions, I feel Timberlands can’t be beat for function and price and they arguably look much better than Sorel winter boots when paired with vintage looking leather jackets.
This is the environment just outside my office window.

 

[Gav]

I feel like you are missing the point of redwings, if you have to take them off at the first sign of snow or dirt to put on some cheaply made trash.

But each to their own.

 

[ButteMT61]

I see engineer style boots getting a lot of love here. Several beautiful examples have been posted lately. I have never owned a pair, but read that they are not great for walking all day and are not designed with that as a priority. Anyone care to comment?

I have a few pairs of the Chippewa Made in USA models. The brown roughouts without steel toes can go all day. It really depends on the boot and your foots...

 

[Gav]

For a whole day of walking and being on my feet, I’d choose to wear lace up boots rather than my engineers. I find the snugger fit around the heel and instep better for walking.

 

[Bfd70]

I have a few pairs of the Chippewa Made in USA models. The brown roughouts without steel toes can go all day. It really depends on the boot and your foots...

Was thinking about a pair of chippewa originals to see if it was something i could get into. As far as feet go, i've been dealt a bad hand. Flat and arthritic.

 

[ButteMT61]

Was thinking about a pair of chippewa originals to see if it was something i could get into. As far as feet go, i've been dealt a bad hand. Flat and arthritic.

Yeah, I understand - wife has that issue too. She has to get really expensive shoes/boots but it's all good.
I agree with @Gav though - my Thorogood lace to toe roofers are the best, and I've got four pairs of them. Being able to adjust the fit is key for sure.

 

[Radz108]

I feel like you are missing the point of redwings, if you have to take them off at the first sign of snow or dirt to put on some cheaply made trash.

But each to their own.

I agree “to each his own”
I totally understand the point of redwings in terms of their quality and durability. I wear redwings pretty much all year round (wet and dry conditions as well) except when there is harsh winter conditions. I own several pairs of redwings but unfortunately none have a lug sole. I do like to preserve my investment in these shoes as long as possible and do not “abuse” them. Spending $400 for a pair of boots to wear only in winter does not make fiscal sense to me imho. I chose the Timberlands for practical affordable use during winter. If you don’t like Timberlands that’s fine and your opinion. Calling them cheaply made trash is also your opinion, but you do come out sounding a bit elitist and pretentious with that statement.

 

[Gav]

Nice. Personal insults. I’m happy being an elitist in that case. I strive to own the highest quality, most comfortable, craftsman made boots that I can. Less pairs of better boots. I’d disagree that there is anything pretentious about that.
Buying hard wearing work boots to be afraid of the conditions they were made to handle on the other hand...

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Nice. Personal insults. I’m happy being an elitist in that case. I strive to own the highest quality, most comfortable, craftsman made boots that I can. Less pairs of better boots. I’d disagree that there is anything pretentious about that.
Buying hard wearing work boots to be afraid of the conditions they were made to handle on the other hand...

I would spend the money to have hard wearing, quality boots for harsh conditions if I needed to. I'm with you on this one.