not made for walking

[dr greg]

Found this pair of what I assume to be flying boots, can anyone date them for me? The Lightning zipper speaks old to me.....

 

[andy richards]

For certain Flying boots, but not sure about age... Does a FL member knows more about the Vibram sole? Maybe that will give you some more information. I thought WWII Flying boots had a front zipp and leather sole, but I could be wrong...
Andy

 

[Creeping Past]

Maybe pre-1959, as per Wikipedia?

They look like horse-riding boots more than anything.

 

[Peacoat]

Maybe pre-1959, as per Wikipedia?

They look like horse-riding boots more than anything.

Riding boots (horse) would be taller than these to protect the leg from the stirrup leathers. These boots are too short to offer any protection from the leathers.

 

[Smithy]

I'd say flying boots, some features are reminiscent of British military flying boots but I'm fairly certain these are not as they are not 1936, 1939, 1940, 1943, etc Pattern flying boots. Vibram has been around since the 30s, and I would place these as 40s to 50s.

These could be civil, private purchase boots rather than military issue but that's just my guess.

 

[dr greg]

come fly with me

Yeah I thought 50's at the latest, they (or similar ones) were common when I was a kid and mostly worn by bikies, but this pair don't fit me so onto the stall they go!

 

[havocpaul]

Not official flying boots, most likely motorcycle boots. The zip is similar to those that appeared on Lewis/Aviakit boots from 1950's.

 

[ron521]

I also think they look like motorcycle boots, the lining indicates that they were intended for cooler weather. The location of the zipper is the most logical place for excluding spray on a motorcycle.

 

[Puzzicato]

I'd say flying boots, some features are reminiscent of British military flying boots but I'm fairly certain these are not as they are not 1936, 1939, 1940, 1943, etc Pattern flying boots. Vibram has been around since the 30s, and I would place these as 40s to 50s.

These could be civil, private purchase boots rather than military issue but that's just my guess.

http://www.vibram.us/products/default.asp - sounds like a very interesting company!

 

[Smithy]

http://www.vibram.us/products/default.asp - sounds like a very interesting company!

An interesting company alright Puzzicato and their soles are very good and long-lasting. I've got some hiking boots which I've stomped round Norway and NZ in and they are still in great nick.

Although I have to say that the soles on some Norwegian army boots I have are even better, virtually untouched after a number of hunting trips in Norway and lots of wear in the height of winter over there. Simply bulletproof.

 

[Dudleydoright]

They look more like British Army mess dress wellingtons to me . Although the vibram sole wouldn't be right. I assumed most biker boots from that period had kickstart plates as there was no electric start and the old bikes never started first kick !

 

[fishmeok]

What size are they? Just askin...
Cheers
Mark

 

[Charlie74]

I have a pair that look similar of British miltary motorcyle boots dating from WWII. I tried them on in an army navy surplus store and had to buy them when I could not take them off

 

[aswatland]

The shape of the top says riding boots (horse or bike!) to me and with this particular style of lightning zipper they may date from the 1940s.

 

[Puzzicato]

An interesting company alright Puzzicato and their soles are very good and long-lasting. I've got some hiking boots which I've stomped round Norway and NZ in and they are still in great nick.

Although I have to say that the soles on some Norwegian army boots I have are even better, virtually untouched after a number of hunting trips in Norway and lots of wear in the height of winter over there. Simply bulletproof.

My hiking boots have vibram soles as well - but when I bought them I assumed it was some sort of new-fangled high performance thingy. lol

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Hmm, well, I just pulled 2 pair of Lightning zippers out of boots made yesterday. Morlands, that sheepskin company in Glastonbury use deadstock 40s-50s era Lightnings still today. They must've gotten a giant load of them in at some point in the 40s or 50s. Great for Irvin sleeve zips.

The danger of dating on the evidence of ornamentation alone.

bk

p.s. I'm not saying these are not old; just saying that the zipper only gives you an earliest date.

with this particular style of lightning zipper they must date from the 1940s.

 

[aswatland]

Sure the zipper gives the earliest date and of course should not be used conclusively to date the boots. The design on the sole is typical 40/early 50s so they are most likely either 40s or early 50s production boots for riding a horse or a bike.

 

[Smithy]

I'm not convinced these are riding boots. From the pics they look too short to be, you'd have trouble with the saddle scraping and the possibility of it even pinching your leg riding in these.

I rode quite a bit when I was younger and I wouldn't want to horse ride in these.

I don't know enough about motorcycle boots to make the call but I suppose that's a distinct possibility.

 

[jon z]

As the soles are made by the British company Slazenger & have a reg. design no. I'm sure if you contacted them they'd be able to help with dating. A manufacturer of sports equipment & apparel but being around through WWII it's certain their production facilities would have been used for the war effort. Maybe these boots are an example of what they produced for the RAF?

Here's a link to Slazenger's history http://www.slazenger.com/about/about-slazenger

 

[BellyTank]

'50s MC boots, I think.
The rear zip is a bike thing.


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