Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

looking for boots advice

Brunell80

New in Town
Messages
30
Hi all
I'm looking for a new boot for the autumn / winter season, black color

I'm currently watching:

John lofgren combats boot
John lofgren monkey boot
oak street lakeshore boot

other options?

I have a wide foot, as a comparison I wear an 8US EE in Red Wing iron ranger
 

Jin431

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,912
Location
Bay Area CA
Try nicks handmade boots, once you order you can request a try on boot that will help get you the most ideal fit
 

Harris HTM

One Too Many
Messages
1,900
Location
In the Depths of R'lyeh
Messages
10,879
Location
vancouver, canada
Hi all
I'm looking for a new boot for the autumn / winter season, black color

I'm currently watching:

John lofgren combats boot
John lofgren monkey boot
oak street lakeshore boot

other options?

I have a wide foot, as a comparison I wear an 8US EE in Red Wing iron ranger
I am a huge fan of Danner. Own about 8 pairs of their Portland OR made boots. I have a wide foot and their EE width fits me like custom made.
 

Despot

Familiar Face
Messages
95
Location
Dublin, Ireland
I would also recommend the Crockett & Jones Conniston boots (linked in the post above).
Also …fun fact … if you want to save some money look for the same boot as a Peal & Co boot - I found mine on eBay, unworn, for around 200 euro shipped (retail price here in Ireland is around 500 euro for the C&J branded version). C&J make/made these boots for Peal and Co - it’s an identical boot to the Conniston (I have both … the only difference is that the model number and size are handwritten on the lining of the Peal and Co, but printed on the C&Js)
 

Despot

Familiar Face
Messages
95
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Also … I too have a fairly wide foot. I’m at least an E in most US brands. I’m between a 11 and 10.5UK in terms of size (between 11-11.5 US brannock).
I’ve worn Whites, Vibergs, Lofgrens, Trickers and C&J.

Of course the fit is dependent on lasts - but in general I’m comfortable in a Viberg size 10.5 (2030/1035 last), 11US in Whites (MP boots), 11 in Lofgren engineers (though I needed to stretch the shaft to get my foot into them - length wise they were perfect - width too), 10.5-11 in Trickers (width is fine - they’re wide - length can be tricky) and 11 in C&J.
 
Messages
10,879
Location
vancouver, canada
Hi all
I'm looking for a new boot for the autumn / winter season, black color

I'm currently watching:

John lofgren combats boot
John lofgren monkey boot
oak street lakeshore boot

other options?

I have a wide foot, as a comparison I wear an 8US EE in Red Wing iron ranger
I am a fan of Danner, their top line is made in Portland OR still....a fine boot. I have a wide foot and high instep and their 10EE fits me like a custom boot.
 

Ernest P Shackleton

One Too Many
Messages
1,255
Location
Midwest
I had a great time looking at all these. Thanks. Most I haven't seen. The prices are insane.
 

Ernest P Shackleton

One Too Many
Messages
1,255
Location
Midwest
I remember Sarah Silverman being on a talk show. One of the questions was how she treated herself. Like after a success or a big pay day, how did she reward herself. She said she bought a pair of combat boots for herself at a high end department store after her last movie. She gave the brand, but I can't remember it right now. I found that curious, so I googled them. They were north of $800, and they really didn't look like anything too outside your standard combat boot. I didn't get it. I don't get it. If they'd had a fashion flair to them, or some special look, I'd have understood. On top of it, they looked like they were made like crap.
 

ES335

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
Baltimore. Actually, I love it.
I remember Sarah Silverman being on a talk show. One of the questions was how she treated herself. Like after a success or a big pay day, how did she reward herself. She said she bought a pair of combat boots for herself at a high end department store after her last movie. She gave the brand, but I can't remember it right now. I found that curious, so I googled them. They were north of $800, and they really didn't look like anything too outside your standard combat boot. I didn't get it. I don't get it. If they'd had a fashion flair to them, or some special look, I'd have understood. On top of it, they looked like they were made like crap.
Let her be the judge of that- it's her money.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,111
Location
London, UK

Good list. Aero's boots are always nice, and I would find it very hard to look past William Lennon.

I remember Sarah Silverman being on a talk show. One of the questions was how she treated herself. Like after a success or a big pay day, how did she reward herself. She said she bought a pair of combat boots for herself at a high end department store after her last movie. She gave the brand, but I can't remember it right now. I found that curious, so I googled them. They were north of $800, and they really didn't look like anything too outside your standard combat boot. I didn't get it. I don't get it. If they'd had a fashion flair to them, or some special look, I'd have understood. On top of it, they looked like they were made like crap.

It would be interesting to see; while they're typically far above what I could justify spending, I've often been surprised by the quality of some 'fashion' brands once you get into that level of money. Really depends on the boot. I've seen boots that retail around that price in these parts that don't look significantly different to a pair of standard issue squaddie boots I could pick up in the local army surplus store for around USD100 equivalent.

Course, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder... I've known plenty of folks can't see the difference between a non-descript leather jacket I picked up on ebay for thirty quid and an Aero I bought new at over £700.

It's interesting what different priorities there are in different markets, though. Aside from whether a label is desirable, I've handled plenty of expensive shoes from both England and Italy. The English shoes were very much more to my tastes: solid, hefty build, what I regard as 'quality'. The equally expensive Italian calf-leather shoes felt too flimsy, too soft, too fragile, even , to me - despite being equally well stitched and made. I know, of course, that plenty of people will flock to buy those Italian shoes precisely because they are very soft and require no break-in. Storses for courses as we say in these parts.
 

Fifty150

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,146
Location
The Barbary Coast
I am a fan of Danner

Corcoran 1500

Both are excellent choices. Along those lines, Rocky and Bates also produce good work boots. Corcoran, Danner, Rocky, Bates - all sold by uniform shops, and perfectly comfortable for all day wear by postal service, police, fire, medics, bus drivers. Look for the term "Berry Compliant". Those boots are usually built a little better.

Over the years, I have bought a lot of shoes and boots. Some more expensive. Some at a rock bottom price. I got to a point where I decided that I no longer wanted shoes. Only boots. Even in a suit and tie, or dinner jacket, I could wear polished black boots. There are certain boots which honestly stand out and feel really good on my feet. My feet. We all have different feet. Your feet may feel good with something else.

I can appreciate the craftsmanship and build quality of more expensive shoes. And I understand how certain shoes can be built to be rebuilt by a good cobbler. Some shoe manufacturers offer recrafting.

Not taking anything away from really expensive boots, but there are 2 cheap boots that I would buy again without hesitation.

The 1st would be Dr. Martens. On my feet, they feel good. I've always liked Dr. Martens when riding motorcycles. Those soft rubber AirWair soles feel good when I have to put my feet down. I know how they don't use great leather, and that the soles are actually melted onto the shoe with a hot knife. And it's ridiculous that "artisan cobblers" can skilfully take the shoe apart, build a new Goodyear welt, and then resole with a Vibram sole - all for more than it cost just to buy a new pair.
eng_pl_Dr-Martens-1460-Cherry-Red-10072600-6650_2.jpg

The 2nd pair of cheap boots that I really like, are Stacy Adams Madison. The "kidskin" uppers are barely like a 2nd cousin, once removed, from pleather. They have that cheap shoe look, which looks like you should wear it with a cheap suit. Stacy Adams are the premium shoe, in stores and flea market booths, which still sell Zoot Suits. Literally, a $100 shoe to go with a $100 suit. While they are not absolute junk like $35 shoes from Kohl's and Wal*Mart; there is absolutely nothing good about the way these boots are constructed. Before I even wear them, I have a cobbler apply a thin sheet of Vibram rubber on the sole. This is the type of shoe which the cobbler will laugh at, if you ask him to repair them. I cannot understand, how they feel so good, on my feet. Absolutely comfortable - on me. I've literally put miles a day on them. Not sitting behind a desk, staring at a screen. But real constant walking, on city streets, for hours.

20191029_141625_800x.jpg
 

Davy Crockett

A-List Customer
Messages
368
Location
UK
If you like Dr Martens try Solovair, similar air wear soles but vastly better constructed and using superior leathers and a very good range of boot styles.

D
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,639
Messages
3,085,492
Members
54,470
Latest member
rakib
Top