Footwear to go with our jackets

[Edward]

Not a boot but a new accessory from redwing Japan that I've been seeing a lot of.
I'm sure it will not be for everyone's taste but for some people this might be interesting.


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Used to see these in my local army surplus place back in the eighties, cut for German para boots as were all the rage then. Not a fan myself, but these ones actually look nicely done.

The tongues in my mocs are attached on the sides, do the zippers keep out snow? What is their function?

Speed and convenience. Why deal with lacing and re-lacing boots all the time when you can just zip and go? That sort of thing. I've not been a fan in the past, but I could see the attraction of these (and aesthetically, these ones are much nicer than any I've seen before) for airport use. I tend to fly in penny loafers for convenience, but if these made it easier in boots, that would be a plus in Winter. Not that I'll be flying this side of December 2021, but....

 

[Bfd70]

I can't understand a lick of Japanese and there were no subtitles but the guy who was doing the demo looks like he just put on the accessory to do away with the whole routine of tying your laces and how easy it was to slip your boot on/off

Zipper in front of tongue. It just makes boots that stay tight up the ankle easy to get on and off. They stay waterproof

 

[handymike]

I can totally see how this would speed up airport screenings...and for taller boots, they make sense. For mocs, maybe not quite as much, here in SoCal they would look a bit out of place. Especially with the cuffs and loud socks- overkill.

 

[red devil]

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Zipper in front of tongue. It just makes boots that stay tight up the ankle easy to get on and off. They stay waterproof

Very convenient for Japan where you spend a lot of time taking off and putting back your shoes

 

[Ayeteael]

Bison boots from Renav just landed. Build quality is excellent for $400. These are dope. Can’t wait to break them in.

 

[dannyk]

Bison boots from Renav just landed. Build quality is excellent for $400. These are dope. Can’t wait to break them in.
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How would I go about checking out a pair of these?

 

[Ayeteael]

How would I go about checking out a pair of these?

That's the rub with the Indonesian makers. It requires a ton of faith. For Renav, you contact them via DM on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/renavgoodsco/
You select the boot/shoes you want. They ask you to trace your foot and provide measurements. You pay 1/2 via Paypal. You anxiously wait 5-6 weeks second guessing your decisions and praying you measured correctly. You receive a DHL shipping notification. And when you open your box that glorious day your order finally arrives, all your worries evaporate as you behold a work of art. Or something like that.

 

[Ayeteael]

Stichdown Shoecast did an excellent primer on Indonesian makers ("Indonesian Bootmakers Bonanza"):
https://www.stitchdown.com/stitchdown-shoecast/all-podcast-episodes/

 

[Jin431]

Bison boots from Renav just landed. Build quality is excellent for $400. These are dope. Can’t wait to break them in.
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They are texture monsters. If you want grainy, say no more. What a beast this is

 

[AeroFan_07]

Here's a Pair of Role Clubs for sale if you wear a size 8 - no waiting: https://www.grailed.com/listings/18...k-horsehide-leather-engineer-boots-size-8-usa

 

[Edward]

Bison boots from Renav just landed. Build quality is excellent for $400. These are dope. Can’t wait to break them in.
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Those look superb. I do love the look of a grained leather on a simple design. When I was a kid, grained leather and/or brogue patterning were both things parents looked out for as it made the inevitable scuffs kids would put on leather shoes less obvious!

That's the rub with the Indonesian makers. It requires a ton of faith. For Renav, you contact them via DM on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/renavgoodsco/
You select the boot/shoes you want. They ask you to trace your foot and provide measurements. You pay 1/2 via Paypal. You anxiously wait 5-6 weeks second guessing your decisions and praying you measured correctly. You receive a DHL shipping notification. And when you open your box that glorious day your order finally arrives, all your worries evaporate as you behold a work of art. Or something like that.

With the apparent quality coming out of some of these places now, somebody who could interface with a Western market such as us could be a big advantage for them. I'd certainly consider paying a little more on top of the price - say USD300 instead of USD250? If it meant a level of certainty as to sizing and communications.

Thinking about it more broadly, there's surely an opportunity for the Western market for someone to hunt out and bring to us at a fair rate a lot of the stuff being produced out there now? We all love to buy "first world" when we can, but as that rises and the disposable income most of us has does not rise in line with it....

If the guy in Beijing that made my shoes back in 2009 spoke a bit of English or had a partner who could do that and some basic web stuff, he could have quite the thriving business. Beautiful work.

 

[Blackadder]

I was able to try a pair of Sagara monkey boots at the Inazuma Festival Yokohama last year. I have been very interested in their monkey boots since I saw them on the internet. Did not know they were going to Inazuma so was pleasantly surprised. They had a booth and a few RTW for sale. Solid construction good price but cannot bring myself to buying them after seeing all those Japanese and US boots at the event.
To clarify a bit, everything there was on sale RM at 50% off Attractions 40% off and there were Rolling Dub Trio and Wheelrobe etc doing fire sale so Sagara's price wasn't that attractive anymore.

 

[Blackadder]

I can totally see how this would speed up airport screenings...and for taller boots, they make sense. For mocs, maybe not quite as much, here in SoCal they would look a bit out of place. Especially with the cuffs and loud socks- overkill.

The Japanese airports do require everyone wearing boots to take them off at the screening, no exception.

 

[Goel]

I considered ID makers but for some reason a lot of their lasts don't look quite right to me after some close inspection. Flame Panda has some of the nicest looking lasts so I went with him. Speaking of which that zipper contraption looks pretty neat, I'm doing a 7 inch service boot but perhaps I could go all the way up to 8?

 

[Ayeteael]

I considered ID makers but for some reason a lot of their lasts don't look quite right to me after some close inspection. Flame Panda has some of the nicest looking lasts so I went with him. Speaking of which that zipper contraption looks pretty neat, I'm doing a 7 inch service boot but perhaps I could go all the way up to 8?

Nice. I've got a couple irons in the flame panda fire...

 

[Jin431]

Nice. I've got a couple irons in the flame panda fire...

He does make good looking pairs. I've been eyeing his lace to toe boot for a while now. Which boot/leather did you go with?

 

[Ayeteael]

He does make good looking pairs. I've been eyeing his lace to toe boot for a while now. Which boot/leather did you go with?

Black cloe horsebutt engineers. Burgundy horsebutt monkey/lace to toe boots. I’ve gone a little crazy these last 3 months ordering boots.

 

[Jin431]

Wow, I'm sure those will be killer! How long is the production time now? Does he take a down payment or full payment right away? I. Thinking I should get in on the flamepanda train

 

[Ayeteael]

FP requires payment up front. He sends an invoice via paypal. When i placed my 2nd order last month, production time had increased to approx. 150 days. it was 130 days when i ordered my first pair in early September. His popularity continues to grow. Eventually, his wait time may mirror Brian's (2 years).

 

[Jin431]

^^ got it, thank you. that would not be surprising at all considering how highly thought of he is and his presence at social media