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Footwear to go with our jackets

lina

One Too Many
Messages
1,068
Location
Washington DC
View attachment 217403 Hey All!

So Im a member of several vintage and heritage boot Facebook groups. Recently have been seeing these pop up. Hell of a name they have. Named after their favorite part of the animal, the best parts for boot-making.

They are located in the Netherlands, built in Portugal. Ive been hearing such great feedback on the groups Im in. They say stitching/construction is better than a Wolverine or Red Wing, Thursday, Oak Street etc...and very comfortable out of the box.

The price point is whats holding me back on grabbing a pair at the moment. After conversion comes out to like 440 dollars. More than most "Heritage" makers or niche boot companies. But not nearly as much as most Whites, Nicks, Lofgrens, RMC, Role Club and those sorts.

Going to keep my eyes open for any up on Ebay or Grailed. If any boot collectors here have had any I would love to hear your feedback

here’s a link to check out their limited selection.

http://www.buttsandshoulders.com/shop/boots/

Yes, I've occasionally taken a look at their boots as well over the years and been somewhat tempted. Price wise, I think they are not a bad deal. They seem to me to be more in the class of White's, Viberg, etc than Red Wing, etc, since they are more handmade than the latter it seems. Not cheap, as you say, but I wouldn't feel cheated.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,820
Yes, I've occasionally taken a look at their boots as well over the years and been somewhat tempted. Price wise, I think they are not a bad deal. They seem to me to be more in the class of White's, Viberg, etc than Red Wing, etc, since they are more handmade than the latter it seems. Not cheap, as you say, but I wouldn't feel cheated.
I think they are probably totally worth it. Definitely a step above Red Wing and Wolverine. Probably more along the Whites, Nicks, Viberg. My only concern is at 440 dollars or there abouts, I might be tempted to go to 550 and then just get Whites. In any case though Im keeping my eyes on Grailed and Ebay to see if any used or someone flipping come up. If I can get a pair for under retail to test them out and see how they are...If they pass the test then I would 100% order a pair new. Well I guess when I said my only concern I didnt mean it, I have one more haha. The reason I would get a flip or resale is just because they arent well known and Ive never seen them in the wild so to speak. Or seen anyone here that I would trust to review them.
 

Ernest P Shackleton

One Too Many
Messages
1,255
Location
Midwest
Those are really sharp. I like how large the caps are. That's a touchy detail for me. I generally like toe caps any way, but I like simple toe caps that resemble old combat boots the most. More of an everyday, industrial worker look, but I'm way into it. If not for the eyelets and short height, those would look like a robust combat boot. Again, I'm into that look a lot.
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
My William Lennon 78TC and 107F boots, both in Horween CXL, black and cordovan. They're good solid boots with a stiff midsole so they provide a lot of support but need a while to break in. These both have Vibram soles. The cordovan ones have brass eyelets (don't know where I got that idea).

View attachment 207363

I admit I have a limited imagination but what circumstances other than hiking in the Amazon basin or working in a 1930's coal mine would anyone ever need massive boots like these? I have never understood Big Boots.
 

dubpynchon

One Too Many
Messages
1,046
Location
Ireland
I admit I have a limited imagination but what circumstances other than hiking in the Amazon basin or working in a 1930's coal mine would anyone ever need massive boots like these? I have never understood Big Boots.
It’s really the full vibram sole that makes them look big, although they do have a midsole as well. I like the look of them for some reason, and I certainly don’t need full vibram soles for the perilous trek to the local shop to buy milk and bread!
 

Woodtroll

One Too Many
Messages
1,268
Location
Mtns. of SW Virginia
I admit I have a limited imagination but what circumstances other than hiking in the Amazon basin or working in a 1930's coal mine would anyone ever need massive boots like these? I have never understood Big Boots.

As far as the need for "Big Boots": Firefighting, logging and other forestry work, construction work to name a few. I have done all of these at some point in my life; I still fight fires and loaf around in the woods. The tall heel provides grip on uneven terrain, walking through brush or on downed trees (especially downhill), in loose soil, or walking walls or rafters. In certain conditions you can't count on even the heavy lug Vibram sole - you really need that heel to dig in and keep you from slipping or sliding. You've never seen "slick" like wet conifer boughs on a steep hillside! The high tops keep your ankles and shins from taking a beating in those same kind of environments.

Lots of folks (including me) find the tall heel also improves stance and balance, and relieves lower back pain. I can't wear flat shoes for long without my back hurting. But I've been wearing these 7-pound-a-pair boots daily for something over 40 years now, so I guess I'm conditioned to them by now.

For what's it's worth, it seems to me anything with a top shorter than 8" is a "shoe" and not "boot" ;), but I realize that's not the general consensus.
 

Ernest P Shackleton

One Too Many
Messages
1,255
Location
Midwest
As far as the need for "Big Boots": Firefighting, logging and other forestry work, construction work to name a few. I have done all of these at some point in my life; I still fight fires and loaf around in the woods. The tall heel provides grip on uneven terrain, walking through brush or on downed trees (especially downhill), in loose soil, or walking walls or rafters. In certain conditions you can't count on even the heavy lug Vibram sole - you really need that heel to dig in and keep you from slipping or sliding. You've never seen "slick" like wet conifer boughs on a steep hillside! The high tops keep your ankles and shins from taking a beating in those same kind of environments.

Lots of folks (including me) find the tall heel also improves stance and balance, and relieves lower back pain. I can't wear flat shoes for long without my back hurting. But I've been wearing these 7-pound-a-pair boots daily for something over 40 years now, so I guess I'm conditioned to them by now.

For what's it's worth, it seems to me anything with a top shorter than 8" is a "shoe" and not "boot" ;), but I realize that's not the general consensus.
That's interesting. And an important perspective. It reminds me of these ultralight backpackers who carry packs with no stays or real structure. They sacrifice comfort and back health for less weight. It can definitely work for some people, but it isn't a fits-all. Sometimes, for some people, that extra 1-2LBs of structure is worth it. It's not as if you're dropping weight, or design, that is superfluous. Some may think it is cosmetic, but it isn't. That midsole and/or heel might save your back from aching after long, strenuous activity. I know my legs are tougher than my back (and feet), so if the design is keeping my back and hips in line and in balance, I'm more than happy to carry that extra weight. My back and feet will thank me for it at the end of the day. I can't imagine carrying weight and not wearing a boot with good support, but some people hike in Tevas. They're tougher than me.
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,872
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Greetings All:
I found these unworn, never even laced mid 50s jump boots. These were issue before they changed to black.
Surprisingly to me, these were more comfortable than my boot camp issue boots in 1973.
Be well. Bowen
 

Downunder G Man

One Too Many
Messages
1,190
Location
Australia
Lucchese black Nile Crocodile , "as hard as a whore's heart", which makes for good biker boots. My preferred US size 11D. ( I have a HUGE range of Lucchese built over the last 30 years).
Taken on my Saturday morning Harley ride with my crew, over at the Indian Ocean. ( Photo in other threads as well sorry!)
Excelled cafe  Racer at Scarboro beach.jpg
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
As far as the need for "Big Boots": Firefighting, logging and other forestry work, construction work to name a few. I have done all of these at some point in my life; I still fight fires and loaf around in the woods. The tall heel provides grip on uneven terrain, walking through brush or on downed trees (especially downhill), in loose soil, or walking walls or rafters. In certain conditions you can't count on even the heavy lug Vibram sole - you really need that heel to dig in and keep you from slipping or sliding. You've never seen "slick" like wet conifer boughs on a steep hillside! The high tops keep your ankles and shins from taking a beating in those same kind of environments.

Lots of folks (including me) find the tall heel also improves stance and balance, and relieves lower back pain. I can't wear flat shoes for long without my back hurting. But I've been wearing these 7-pound-a-pair boots daily for something over 40 years now, so I guess I'm conditioned to them by now.

For what's it's worth, it seems to me anything with a top shorter than 8" is a "shoe" and not "boot" ;), but I realize that's not the general consensus.

Thanks for that - I kind of suspected this. So for city guys like me, these boots would be a gratuitous fashion statement. My idea of the great outdoors is the footpath between my apartment and the tram.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,820
So I live in Buffalo New York and about a year and a half ago a company called Parkhurst started here. They solely make boots and Chukkas and try to source as many hides as they can from US tanneries and have them designed and built in the US. As a matter of fact their factory/warehouse is just outside Buffalo in a town called Batavia. More fashion than work boot oriented. So have kept them on my radar but didn’t jump on them. Today he was hosting a pop-up at a mall down the street from me and figured I’d check them out. Walked away with two pairs. Top pair is Horween Natural Chromepak and bottom is Horween Dublin Veg. Tanned. They are a really great sweet spot of fashion and durability. They both use 4.5/5oz thickness. Veg tanned insoles and midsoles. Veg tanned 360 welt. Dainite Soles. Way better QC than Thursday or Oak Street. Not on the level of Viberg or Truman. Not as tough and hard wearing as Whites, Wesco or Nicks. But also don’t cost nearly as much as any of those top tier makes. His going range is 250-350. If anyone’s in the market for fashion meets work boot and likes to support local makers check them out. And if on FB he’s under Parkhurst Brand.


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