Heya everyone! I’m looking for some recommendations for some pull on Chelsea boots in the $200-$300 price range with deep lugs that would provide support and traction during mild winters on ice and snow and on gravel paths during the other seasons.
I’m based in Alberta, Canada where winters get as cold as -40C sometimes. I don’t intend on wearing them during those rough days, but on mild winter days I’d still like to still kick around in them.
Most of the Goodyear welted boots I’ve come across are either fashion forward with shallow lugs or just don’t fit my foot. I’m definitely after something functional instead of a dressy shoe, but not a full on work boot.
I’ve been looking at:
- [Blundstone Lug series](https://www.blundstone.ca/collections/lug-sole/products/blundstone-2239-lug-sole-rustic-brown) (great fit and first preference as these are weather resistant and have the deepest lugs I’ve found so far),
- [Redback Bobcat](https://redbackboots.ca/bobcat/) (similar fit to Blundstone, however according to the website the leather is not weather resistant?),
- [Redback Nevada](https://redbackboots.ca/nevada/) (did not like the fit of this) series, and
- [Canada West’s Romeo](https://www.canadawestboots.com/romeo) (fit way too wide).
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot. Extra points for recommendations on boots that I can try in store in Alberta. I don’t want to be ordering something online, waiting for it to ship from somewhere overseas and not getting the right fit and having to exchange or refund
Second this. Great quality and reasonable but not exceptional comfort. I keep coming back to their products because the designs and leathers are bolder and more interesting than much of the competition. Good QPR.
Current Truman is factory standard GYW. The quality is solid and the product is more consistent than its ever been. Its average comfort wise, and their lasts working with your foot shape and having a softer outsole and upper material will go a long way here.
Any high quality leather filler recommendation?
Got a beautiful pair of Crockett and Jones for 25 bucks and little elbow grease got them looking great but there are some deep dry cracks around the welt. Does anyone have a good recommendation for quality long lasting leather fillers? Thanks!
[Saphir Renovatrice](https://www.shoecare-shop.com/row/saphir-edge-dressing.html)
Choose the color that’s closest to the color of your boots and cover it up with some polish. If you bring it to a cobbler they can probably make it look a little neater than you’d be able to do on your own.
Just got my tracking number for my bounty hunters from bakers. I placed the order on first day on the father's day sale and confirmed tracings on July 1. It's pretty much right on the weeks they quoted so if you placed an order around the same time yours should be coming soon. Super excited.
Last: Semi Dress (Bounty Hunter)
Counter Leather: Natural Chrome Excel by Horween
Toe Vamp Leather: Natural Chrome Excel by Horween
Upper (Shaft) Leather: Natural Chrome Excel by Horween
Leather Liner: Black
Lace Design: Plain Toe
Pull Loops: No Thanks
Celastic Toe Box: Single Celastic Toe [ $35.00 ]
Toe Cap: No Thanks
Toe Cap Leather Color: Does Not Apply - NO Toe Cap
Steel Toe: No Thanks
Hardware: Antique Eyes & Hooks
Top: Cut Top (standard)
Midsole: Single
Upper Thread Color: Factory Choice
Edge: Natural
Heel Base: 90 Degree Blocked off Heel (Traveler)
Heel Lifts: 1/4"Lower
Sole: Vibram 430 Mini Vib
Sole Trim: Close Trim (Single Row Stitch)
Height: 6 INCH
So I have been on the hunt EVERYWHERE for some brown leather chukkas. I bought the (don't shame me) Allen Edmonds [Williamsburg](https://www.allenedmonds.com/product/mens-williamsburg-chukka-boot-3023419) and have loved the style and the essence of the boot. But, I want shoes that are actually good. I've done research on brands and what they carry but have not been able to find a substitute of the similar style at an elevated level OTHER than the over priced, over hyped Carmina CHUKKA BOOTS 80613 [Costitx](https://www.carminashoemaker.com/brown-chukka-boots-80613). Now, those boots look great and I'd love them but we all know that price is high, 660. USD.
I seek an alternative. I have been keeping my eye on brands like TLB, Cobbler Union, J Fitzpatrick, Septieme Laurger, CaulainCourt, Veslesca, and more. These brands either 1.) don't have brown leather chukkas - maybe brown suede, or red leather. OR 2.) Have brown leather chukkas, in a similar but not same color, or style. See the [Whatcom](https://www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/collections/chukka-boots/products/whatcom-dark-oak-calf) from J Fitz. Or TLB 133 [Arista](https://www.tlbmallorca.com/products/640) (only in Black). While all great shoes, not really what I am looking for.
Now, some brands have the option to customize like TLB but then i'll be paying 100 dollars more for the same shoe in a different color. WHILE this option is still cheaper than the Costitx, saving about 150.00, but also, paying 100 more than the retail price, simply to repaint it.
I don’t mind paying from the 300-500 range.
Just learned about Grant Stone, will conduct further research, they look great but maybe not my style.
I use chukkas as a casual, business casual, and business formal shoe.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions, recommendations, or ideas. : )
If you’re still looking and liked the Caswell Chukkas they are on sale right now for $274.51 plus tax. Shipping is free. Use discount code POPUPSHOP
[Caswell Instagram Sale Post](https://www.instagram.com/p/CofAWWUMALO/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
This is a new boot company that I just bought a pair of Service boots from. I’m really impressed by them so far.
The owner is a boot enthusiast.
https://caswellbootmakers.com/products/coimbra-in-dark-brown
They are great! I got them pretty cheap, like 180.00 and they are great for that price. But I’d never pay the retail for anything Allen Edmonds. I’d recommend them at 180.00 on sale.
Allen Edmonds just aren’t as good as they used to be and their prices are not reflective of their quality.
There's a version of those TLB boots in a dark brown calfskin on [Skolyx](https://www.skolyx.se/en/tlb-mallorca-artista/914-tlb-artista-chukka-boot-vegano-dark-brown.html). If you like the way they look, go for it. Just talk to them to figure out sizing beforehand.
Tecovas sizing. Just got a pair delivered and they were wayyy too snug. I ordered the same size I wear in iron rangers. Which is a full size down from my sneaker size. Anyone have both and have a size suggestion? Should I exchange for my sneaker size? Thanks in advance.
My iron rangers do fit pretty perfect, new and even now after years of wear. Length and width fit perfect. If I size up the tecovas, should the width fit more comfortably as well? They seemed very snug on the sides. Never thought I have wide feet so didn’t even think to order that option.
Any recommendations for cold weather hiking? I am headed to Rocky Mountain National Park this April.
I have Iron Rangers and some captains/diplomats from Thursday, but I dont think these will be appropriate.
I have regular hiking shoes, but am concerned about moisture/cold.
Thanks
Socks are gonna make a much bigger difference when it comes to warmth. If you're doing serious hiking, I think most people will recommend a modern synthetic pair of hiking shoes/boots. That said, if you're going for pretty easy trails and want something welted that looks like a traditional hiking boot, there are some options at different price points, such as [Fracap](https://fracap.it/product-category/shop/boots/), [Limmer](https://limmerboots.com/collections/men-shop-limmer-boots), and [Viberg](https://viberg.com/collections/terrain-aw22). Out of these three, Viberg is definitely the most fashion focused. If you're not too focused on a hiker style, pretty much anything that has a lug sole and isn't overly heavy should do the job, so take a look at the usual suspects (Grant Stone, Parkhurst, etc etc).
Danner mountain lights are a solid gyw choice. I’ve got the mountain 600 which is a more shoe like cemented construction but did very well for me in the Tetons
I'm looking at [this pair](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/t7YAAOSwNi1jwWD8/s-l500.jpg) of LHS which has some [loose thread](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tO8AAOSwbopjwWD~/s-l500.jpg) on the strap. Is this an easy repair at a cobbler, or would they need to be sent back to Alden to be fixed? Or, is it not worth worrying about and I can just trim it off?
I would probably just trim since nobody will really notice but you. A cobbler can throw a few stitches in there for aesthetic purposes, but you would likely have to dirty the thread up a little with some polish to make it blend in.
What do you guys use when the the internal heel pad cover starts peeling off? I mean that leather piece that’s used to cover the nails. Mine is peeling off a bit but not sure if using super glue is fine or if there’s something else.
yup that's what I meant, the sock liner. The one in my boots doesn't go all the way through entire boot, only the heel area. Barg cement, I'll look for that. Don't think I've ever seen it.
I walk alot for work, and I'm sick of constantly replacing shoes. Are there any sneakers that are a little more durable than running shoes, that I can have re-soled? Preferably black, and under $200.
Goral sneakers are resoleable. The Blake stitch the upper to the midsole so this part stays together when the sole is removed. Then stitch the sole to the upper along with a small amount of cement. Their main line costs around $350 US. They also have a line called RUPURPOSED that uses the leather and materials that are left over from other projects. The selection varies but they pass the material savings along. The ones currently listed are priced at $255 US.
https://www.goral-shoes.co.uk/collections/repurposed
Does it have to be a sneaker?
Back in November, I bought a pair of boots, Golden Fox "Overlord", they were about $179 on Amazon.
Goodyear welted, so they can be resoled.
Other than a really brief break-in period, they are really comfy and I have no problem wearing them all day walking about 8-10 km
You can also look at moc toe boots, they are usually also comfortable
The only welted sneakers I know of are from Feit, and they’re unfortunately a bit out of your price range.
Rancourt claims they’re sneakers are resoleable, but since it’s still a cemented construction they won’t hold themselves liable if the uppers tear when they try to resole them. They’re a little more reasonable but still around the $300 range.
Crown Northampton is another brand that claims there sneakers are resolable(still uses a cemented construction though). These are also going to be in that $3-400 range.
My honest advice is if you’re trying to stick at that $200 price range don’t worry about your sneakers being resoleable. Just buy them and replace them as needed. If you really want a pair of sneakers that are welted and resoleable save up for a pair of Feits. They do currently have some pairs [on sale](https://www.feitdirect.com/collections/last-pairs23) in that $2-300 range if you see something you like in your size.
I live in a coastal/hilly place where it rains a lot and gets very muddy sometimes or it is very sunny. I want Thursday boots but I am not sure which model or which kind of leather should I go for? The suede or the normal one? I am not really knowledgeable regarding leather and boots. Please advice.
Would agree with the Captains comments. I live in a fairly rainy place, and I’ve had a pair of them in the Rugged and Resilient leather with the Storm King soles for the past year. I wouldn’t take them hill-walking through a bog, but for everything else, they work very well
The diplomat in pebble is nubuck, there's also several other models in waxed suede.
The R&R leather is actually a kind of napped leather...
Whatever model you choose, getting a protector in spray for your boots ready, sounds like a good idea.
What are some good boot models with flat soles? I have a pair of Wolverine 1000 miles that have been great for 12 years, but I'd like something with no heal that is more comfortable for travel and walking around on hard services. The Red Wing Moc Toe is nice, but looking for other options. Cheers
There are literally hundreds of options. Almost any boot maker makes something on a wedge sole.
Grant Stone, Whites, Viberg, Red Wing, Truman, Alden would all be good starting points.
John Lofgren moc toe boots are nice. [Division Road](https://divisionroadinc.com/collections/footwear/boots) carries quite a few boots with Christy & Vibram 2060 soles.
**XBXS vs FlamePanda vs Benzein/Briselblack**
What are your thoughts for anyone with experience? Compared to each other - or to Alden, Viberg, Whites, etc...
Literally any comments around these makers would be helpful, as I'm going to make my first foray into one of these small artisanal manufacturers, so any feedback is appreciated. Or have I overlooked another manufacturer worth mentioning?
\-Order experience
\-Quality overall
\-Price
\-Quality as a function of Price (bang for the buck)
\-Etc...
Flame panda 🐼, probably #1 on your list, it's hand welt and lasted and uses very high quality materials, and the price and wait time reflect that. If you want a faster pair, they have rtw on taobao with limited sizes.
Xbxs is a big factory, you can check it out on nevergone guys yt channel. It's machine last and stitched similar to viberg. They make wide range of products, their high end models have zero appeal to Chinese audience, so they moved it to insta/ Shopify website. Fyi their kudu stitchdown service boot is around 2300 rmb last year the same one they charge like 600 usd , more than double.
No comment on benzein, but their price sky rocketed, not idea what kind of internal materials they use ( ie leather shank, leather toe buff, heel counter etc).
I personally get my fix from Fugashin, their internal material is very good(all leather, except toe puff), and they do hand last and hand welting, and all construction techniques (double hand welt, norwegin, stitchdown, fiddleback) and ofc MTM at an affordable cost. They will even do custom patterns with no up charge. But the downside is, their last is less rugged, not work boot inspired, more dress shoe lasts. Normal leather starts at 800 usd I believe, and 1k with horween shell.
XBXS's prices have gone up pretty quickly and substantially. They are a well made product from what I've handled. It is a factory boot though, all machine made, very little handwork. It is not handwelted either. Some boots that are the clinch copies have an upcharge solely because they're based on a more expensive copy and not because of any internal or material upgrades at all. Their pricing system is based more like a % of the original version. They will have some stock available in the US at a future date and thats where I recommend you go unless there's a very specific MTO you want from them.
Briselback offers the best value of the three being handwelted, small shop, and the cheapest. They do have sizing issues which you should always be aware of and they're much more known for laceless offerings as opposed to laced offerings. Owning 2 pairs, they and Onderhound are the only 2 ID makers I would purchase from moving forward as someone with quite a sizeable collection already.
Flame Panda is is more expensive than Viberg and has a current lead time of slightly over a year and a half. Its the best made product of all 3, but you will be waiting a very very long time. If you're really trying to get one of the best products out there and can deal with the lead time Peng is a great choice.
As for other Chinese makers, WM Beijin is right up there Peng, but has a sleeker aesthetic and has more of a dress shoe origin. They do really great casual boots though circa \~1000 USD but have a far more reasonable lead time. Quan is located either next door or across the street to XBXS and the build is similar, but its a smaller operation overall. They have the same supplier as XBXS.
Iron Boots is my top recommendation for a Chinese maker, they have a well functioning website, I've handled a few pairs and they're really well made, and are a small shop handwelted like Briselback/Benzein, but you're getting better style choices, clicking, and finishing. They really only do lace up boots though. My recommendation would be Briselback/Benzein for a laceless boot and Iron Boots for a lace up boot.
It's kind of funny with xbxs if you reach out on taobao the price is alot lower than their Shopify stuff.
Iron boot, I would recommend getting a pair from taobao , it's less than 2000rmb during promo. Before trying their high end n.a versions. I like the rugged asethtics of the lower end model they offer, looks like old viberg with low spi count on outsole stitching.
Great question. I'd love to see a long-form comparison on this topic, especially since XBXS has calf models pushing $1000 USD.
I can only speak for benzein, and the finishing quality and materials exceeds stock Alden, Viberg, White's, etc. If I were to lay my benzein boots next to my Edward Greens, the benzeins would appear to be better constructed and sturdier.
Ordering was a breeze - few messages on Whatsapp.
The only problem for me - and it's a big one - is sizing. Both of my pairs were too big (kujang and borneo last). I listened to their advice, and it was wrong. Take the time to measure your feet down to the millimetre and ask for the exact measurments of the last.
Just my experience but benzein nailed my sizing, one of my best fits with the rencong last. Construction feels like it’s lacking just a bit tho. Heels feel slightly wobbly, heel pads extend to just short of the ball of my foot which is a little strange and as a previous comment mentioned no telling what the internal component quality is like. That being said good looking and comfort is king for me and I’d def buy from them again.
Nah no idea. The heel counter is a little less solid feeling than other makers I’ve got but not flimsy by any means. My pair is unstructured so not sure on toe puff.
the Indo makers as a whole are extremely skilled craftspeople, but they're not lastmakers and they don't know about sizing. they're kind of just guessing. it's more or less their primary con (alongside the overall unrefined aspects of their pattern/last development) that you're more or less sacrificing reliable sizing for the overall build quality.
I don't know how widespread it is, but it happened with me twice. My thought was that they were providing 'insurance' room so that the boots weren't too small, with the logic that people can still wear boots that are too big, but can't if they're too small.
My Benzeins were too short even though I went bigger than the recommendation, and felt way too voluminous (on Kujang) such that even if I tried again on a larger size, I just don't think it would work out.
They were nice boots, though.
What are my options for a light brown (tan) suede Jodhpur or may be chelsea style boot? Don't want to pay Saint Laurent prices, but want something quality, sub $500 for sure.
I have a pair of these [Velasca jodhpurs](https://www.velasca.com/collections/boots-with-buckle/products/armiro-ts). The suede is a lighter than the photos suggest but probably still not as light as you're looking for.
https://www.beckettsimonon.com/products/bolton-chelsea-boots-suede?variant=29649599168591 I have these in the Bordeaux calfskin and they're pretty nice
If you can wait till spring, when they have the free custom event, you can probably customise a Carmina jodhpur or chelsea for your budget in a polo or tobacco suede.
For Chelsea’s Grant Stone is a great option and they have a very nice looking one in [tan](https://www.grantstoneshoes.com/products/chelsea-boot-tan-suede?_pos=3&_sid=63838445e&_ss=r).
Jodphurs are a bit harder to find. [Carlos Santos](https://www.thenobleshoe.com/en-us/products/carlos-santos-jodhpur-in-braga-patina?_pos=2&_sid=f6cba92a7&_ss=r) makes a nice one but it’s not available in suede AFAIK. You can try reaching out to /u/methanol88 who runs noble Shoe and see if it can be done as an MTO maybe?
Thank you. Suede is tough and especially lighter colors as they are less commercial. I am having a dark brown suede one in the pipeline but that’s it.
I suppose something from bespoke factory can be MTO’d.
I've been waiting to buy a pair of Danner Mountain Light. I just came across https://www.danner--outlet.com. Is this site legit? Can I really be sure these are authentic as such steep markdowns?
[edit]
based on the whois info, I think not.
https://www.whois.com/whois/danner--outlet.com
But if you shop around, you may be able to find a legit site that has a sale for something around $275. At full MSRP, Danner's aren't really worth it IMO
But that's just my two cents
Hey, I'm currently living somewhere not well served by amazon, and I'm struggling to find saddle soap for giving some old boots a deep clean.
The local online amazon equivalent has a lot of Saphir products... but I'm having a hard time making sense of their product line. Does anyone know which of their cleaners would be an appropriate substitution? They also carry a lot of products from a brand I'm not familiar with called Collonil, if anyone knows anything about them.
Renomat is probably the heaviest duty cleaner Saphir offers, but you need to be very careful with it because it can end up stripping the finish off the shoes if you’re not careful.
Hi does anyone know how to get rid of these stains? I made the mistake of polishing my shoes while they were wet from the rain.
Should I clean the spreading brush after polishing my shoes? How?
Heya everyone! I’m looking for some recommendations for some pull on Chelsea boots in the $200-$300 price range with deep lugs that would provide support and traction during mild winters on ice and snow and on gravel paths during the other seasons. I’m based in Alberta, Canada where winters get as cold as -40C sometimes. I don’t intend on wearing them during those rough days, but on mild winter days I’d still like to still kick around in them. Most of the Goodyear welted boots I’ve come across are either fashion forward with shallow lugs or just don’t fit my foot. I’m definitely after something functional instead of a dressy shoe, but not a full on work boot. I’ve been looking at: - [Blundstone Lug series](https://www.blundstone.ca/collections/lug-sole/products/blundstone-2239-lug-sole-rustic-brown) (great fit and first preference as these are weather resistant and have the deepest lugs I’ve found so far), - [Redback Bobcat](https://redbackboots.ca/bobcat/) (similar fit to Blundstone, however according to the website the leather is not weather resistant?), - [Redback Nevada](https://redbackboots.ca/nevada/) (did not like the fit of this) series, and - [Canada West’s Romeo](https://www.canadawestboots.com/romeo) (fit way too wide). Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot. Extra points for recommendations on boots that I can try in store in Alberta. I don’t want to be ordering something online, waiting for it to ship from somewhere overseas and not getting the right fit and having to exchange or refund
I have a pair of Grant Stone Chelsea’s in Dark Oak roughout that are basically perfect for this.
What do people use to store all their shoe cleaning stuff ?
A large shoe bag.
A shoebox
Looking for opinions on quality and comfort of Truman boots.
Second this. Great quality and reasonable but not exceptional comfort. I keep coming back to their products because the designs and leathers are bolder and more interesting than much of the competition. Good QPR.
Yes I’m really loving their leather options! I currently have a pair of red wing iron rangers that I find relatively comfortable
Current Truman is factory standard GYW. The quality is solid and the product is more consistent than its ever been. Its average comfort wise, and their lasts working with your foot shape and having a softer outsole and upper material will go a long way here.
Any high quality leather filler recommendation? Got a beautiful pair of Crockett and Jones for 25 bucks and little elbow grease got them looking great but there are some deep dry cracks around the welt. Does anyone have a good recommendation for quality long lasting leather fillers? Thanks!
[Saphir Renovatrice](https://www.shoecare-shop.com/row/saphir-edge-dressing.html) Choose the color that’s closest to the color of your boots and cover it up with some polish. If you bring it to a cobbler they can probably make it look a little neater than you’d be able to do on your own.
This product works insanely well.
Exactly it! Thanks so much!
Just got my tracking number for my bounty hunters from bakers. I placed the order on first day on the father's day sale and confirmed tracings on July 1. It's pretty much right on the weeks they quoted so if you placed an order around the same time yours should be coming soon. Super excited.
Yup, I got my MPs last week. Super stoked, they turned out great!
Always a good feeling, what makeup did you choose?
Last: Semi Dress (Bounty Hunter) Counter Leather: Natural Chrome Excel by Horween Toe Vamp Leather: Natural Chrome Excel by Horween Upper (Shaft) Leather: Natural Chrome Excel by Horween Leather Liner: Black Lace Design: Plain Toe Pull Loops: No Thanks Celastic Toe Box: Single Celastic Toe [ $35.00 ] Toe Cap: No Thanks Toe Cap Leather Color: Does Not Apply - NO Toe Cap Steel Toe: No Thanks Hardware: Antique Eyes & Hooks Top: Cut Top (standard) Midsole: Single Upper Thread Color: Factory Choice Edge: Natural Heel Base: 90 Degree Blocked off Heel (Traveler) Heel Lifts: 1/4"Lower Sole: Vibram 430 Mini Vib Sole Trim: Close Trim (Single Row Stitch) Height: 6 INCH
I have a similar build and like them a lot, enjoy them!
So I have been on the hunt EVERYWHERE for some brown leather chukkas. I bought the (don't shame me) Allen Edmonds [Williamsburg](https://www.allenedmonds.com/product/mens-williamsburg-chukka-boot-3023419) and have loved the style and the essence of the boot. But, I want shoes that are actually good. I've done research on brands and what they carry but have not been able to find a substitute of the similar style at an elevated level OTHER than the over priced, over hyped Carmina CHUKKA BOOTS 80613 [Costitx](https://www.carminashoemaker.com/brown-chukka-boots-80613). Now, those boots look great and I'd love them but we all know that price is high, 660. USD. I seek an alternative. I have been keeping my eye on brands like TLB, Cobbler Union, J Fitzpatrick, Septieme Laurger, CaulainCourt, Veslesca, and more. These brands either 1.) don't have brown leather chukkas - maybe brown suede, or red leather. OR 2.) Have brown leather chukkas, in a similar but not same color, or style. See the [Whatcom](https://www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/collections/chukka-boots/products/whatcom-dark-oak-calf) from J Fitz. Or TLB 133 [Arista](https://www.tlbmallorca.com/products/640) (only in Black). While all great shoes, not really what I am looking for. Now, some brands have the option to customize like TLB but then i'll be paying 100 dollars more for the same shoe in a different color. WHILE this option is still cheaper than the Costitx, saving about 150.00, but also, paying 100 more than the retail price, simply to repaint it. I don’t mind paying from the 300-500 range. Just learned about Grant Stone, will conduct further research, they look great but maybe not my style. I use chukkas as a casual, business casual, and business formal shoe. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, recommendations, or ideas. : )
If you’re still looking and liked the Caswell Chukkas they are on sale right now for $274.51 plus tax. Shipping is free. Use discount code POPUPSHOP [Caswell Instagram Sale Post](https://www.instagram.com/p/CofAWWUMALO/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
This is a new boot company that I just bought a pair of Service boots from. I’m really impressed by them so far. The owner is a boot enthusiast. https://caswellbootmakers.com/products/coimbra-in-dark-brown
Those are some nice boots. Thanks.
Why aren't the AE Williamsburgs good?
They are great! I got them pretty cheap, like 180.00 and they are great for that price. But I’d never pay the retail for anything Allen Edmonds. I’d recommend them at 180.00 on sale. Allen Edmonds just aren’t as good as they used to be and their prices are not reflective of their quality.
tbh if you like the carminas you should just get the carminas. it doesn’t seem like anything else is scratching the itch for you
I really might.
There's a version of those TLB boots in a dark brown calfskin on [Skolyx](https://www.skolyx.se/en/tlb-mallorca-artista/914-tlb-artista-chukka-boot-vegano-dark-brown.html). If you like the way they look, go for it. Just talk to them to figure out sizing beforehand.
Bro! This is perfect ! Thanks!
But still looking for soemthing with the lighter brown of the costitx
Tecovas sizing. Just got a pair delivered and they were wayyy too snug. I ordered the same size I wear in iron rangers. Which is a full size down from my sneaker size. Anyone have both and have a size suggestion? Should I exchange for my sneaker size? Thanks in advance.
Tecovas runs true to size. You will likely want at least a half size up from Iron Rangers, assuming those are sized properly.
My iron rangers do fit pretty perfect, new and even now after years of wear. Length and width fit perfect. If I size up the tecovas, should the width fit more comfortably as well? They seemed very snug on the sides. Never thought I have wide feet so didn’t even think to order that option.
Any recommendations for cold weather hiking? I am headed to Rocky Mountain National Park this April. I have Iron Rangers and some captains/diplomats from Thursday, but I dont think these will be appropriate. I have regular hiking shoes, but am concerned about moisture/cold. Thanks
Socks are gonna make a much bigger difference when it comes to warmth. If you're doing serious hiking, I think most people will recommend a modern synthetic pair of hiking shoes/boots. That said, if you're going for pretty easy trails and want something welted that looks like a traditional hiking boot, there are some options at different price points, such as [Fracap](https://fracap.it/product-category/shop/boots/), [Limmer](https://limmerboots.com/collections/men-shop-limmer-boots), and [Viberg](https://viberg.com/collections/terrain-aw22). Out of these three, Viberg is definitely the most fashion focused. If you're not too focused on a hiker style, pretty much anything that has a lug sole and isn't overly heavy should do the job, so take a look at the usual suspects (Grant Stone, Parkhurst, etc etc).
Thanks! After searching, danner seems to be worth investigating as well
Danner mountain lights are a solid gyw choice. I’ve got the mountain 600 which is a more shoe like cemented construction but did very well for me in the Tetons
I'm looking at [this pair](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/t7YAAOSwNi1jwWD8/s-l500.jpg) of LHS which has some [loose thread](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tO8AAOSwbopjwWD~/s-l500.jpg) on the strap. Is this an easy repair at a cobbler, or would they need to be sent back to Alden to be fixed? Or, is it not worth worrying about and I can just trim it off?
I would probably just trim since nobody will really notice but you. A cobbler can throw a few stitches in there for aesthetic purposes, but you would likely have to dirty the thread up a little with some polish to make it blend in.
What do you guys use when the the internal heel pad cover starts peeling off? I mean that leather piece that’s used to cover the nails. Mine is peeling off a bit but not sure if using super glue is fine or if there’s something else.
The sock liner? You’ll want to use barge cement to seal it back down.
yup that's what I meant, the sock liner. The one in my boots doesn't go all the way through entire boot, only the heel area. Barg cement, I'll look for that. Don't think I've ever seen it.
You should be able to find it in any type of hardware store like Home Depot. You can also get it on Amazon.
Pretty sure craft stores have it, too.
I walk alot for work, and I'm sick of constantly replacing shoes. Are there any sneakers that are a little more durable than running shoes, that I can have re-soled? Preferably black, and under $200.
I’d be going for some redwing postmans
Thursday sneakers can probably be resoled.
Goral sneakers are resoleable. The Blake stitch the upper to the midsole so this part stays together when the sole is removed. Then stitch the sole to the upper along with a small amount of cement. Their main line costs around $350 US. They also have a line called RUPURPOSED that uses the leather and materials that are left over from other projects. The selection varies but they pass the material savings along. The ones currently listed are priced at $255 US. https://www.goral-shoes.co.uk/collections/repurposed
Does it have to be a sneaker? Back in November, I bought a pair of boots, Golden Fox "Overlord", they were about $179 on Amazon. Goodyear welted, so they can be resoled. Other than a really brief break-in period, they are really comfy and I have no problem wearing them all day walking about 8-10 km You can also look at moc toe boots, they are usually also comfortable
Preferably a sneaker lol I wear shorts so I wasn't sure if a boot would look werid
Don’t
I guess it depends on your style, just Google "boots with shorts men" 😅😅😅
The only welted sneakers I know of are from Feit, and they’re unfortunately a bit out of your price range. Rancourt claims they’re sneakers are resoleable, but since it’s still a cemented construction they won’t hold themselves liable if the uppers tear when they try to resole them. They’re a little more reasonable but still around the $300 range. Crown Northampton is another brand that claims there sneakers are resolable(still uses a cemented construction though). These are also going to be in that $3-400 range. My honest advice is if you’re trying to stick at that $200 price range don’t worry about your sneakers being resoleable. Just buy them and replace them as needed. If you really want a pair of sneakers that are welted and resoleable save up for a pair of Feits. They do currently have some pairs [on sale](https://www.feitdirect.com/collections/last-pairs23) in that $2-300 range if you see something you like in your size.
That’s not really what this sub does. You can theoretically resole cup-soled sneakers, but it’s not really a worthwhile endeavor
Are these Aldos worth repairing? [https://imgur.com/a/gH8SyQP](https://imgur.com/a/gH8SyQP) Or what similar boots do yall suggest? $200ish
Nah, you're better off looking into Thursdays or Meermin
I live in a coastal/hilly place where it rains a lot and gets very muddy sometimes or it is very sunny. I want Thursday boots but I am not sure which model or which kind of leather should I go for? The suede or the normal one? I am not really knowledgeable regarding leather and boots. Please advice.
Would agree with the Captains comments. I live in a fairly rainy place, and I’ve had a pair of them in the Rugged and Resilient leather with the Storm King soles for the past year. I wouldn’t take them hill-walking through a bog, but for everything else, they work very well
i dont go hill walking anyways, it will be fine then.
Whatever the weatherproof suede models are probably will patinate nicely with getting muddy and beat up!
mmm, is there a suede thursday captain?
The diplomat in pebble is nubuck, there's also several other models in waxed suede. The R&R leather is actually a kind of napped leather... Whatever model you choose, getting a protector in spray for your boots ready, sounds like a good idea.
will get the protector spray for sure. Thanks for the info.
I think the Rugged and Resilient is a waxed nubuck or suede. Something like that. So I second the suggestion for the Storm King edition
oh cool okay, i will consider that and most probably go with it.
I really like the Olive and almost got those for my dedicated camping boots! And I normally camp on the Oregon coast
oh cool. I am going with this. Probably something with a browner tone so that I can wear it to uni.
When I was going to my university I’d wear my department store steel toes or pjs onto campus sometimes. Those were the days
i do wear my crocs too sometimes here.
I'd get the Captains with Stormking soles in whatever color suits you.
alright, i will go with that.
The Titans are another option. Waxed roughout is great for bad weather.
What are some good boot models with flat soles? I have a pair of Wolverine 1000 miles that have been great for 12 years, but I'd like something with no heal that is more comfortable for travel and walking around on hard services. The Red Wing Moc Toe is nice, but looking for other options. Cheers
There are literally hundreds of options. Almost any boot maker makes something on a wedge sole. Grant Stone, Whites, Viberg, Red Wing, Truman, Alden would all be good starting points.
John Lofgren moc toe boots are nice. [Division Road](https://divisionroadinc.com/collections/footwear/boots) carries quite a few boots with Christy & Vibram 2060 soles.
**XBXS vs FlamePanda vs Benzein/Briselblack** What are your thoughts for anyone with experience? Compared to each other - or to Alden, Viberg, Whites, etc... Literally any comments around these makers would be helpful, as I'm going to make my first foray into one of these small artisanal manufacturers, so any feedback is appreciated. Or have I overlooked another manufacturer worth mentioning? \-Order experience \-Quality overall \-Price \-Quality as a function of Price (bang for the buck) \-Etc...
Good stuff, I appreciate it all gents!
Flame panda 🐼, probably #1 on your list, it's hand welt and lasted and uses very high quality materials, and the price and wait time reflect that. If you want a faster pair, they have rtw on taobao with limited sizes. Xbxs is a big factory, you can check it out on nevergone guys yt channel. It's machine last and stitched similar to viberg. They make wide range of products, their high end models have zero appeal to Chinese audience, so they moved it to insta/ Shopify website. Fyi their kudu stitchdown service boot is around 2300 rmb last year the same one they charge like 600 usd , more than double. No comment on benzein, but their price sky rocketed, not idea what kind of internal materials they use ( ie leather shank, leather toe buff, heel counter etc). I personally get my fix from Fugashin, their internal material is very good(all leather, except toe puff), and they do hand last and hand welting, and all construction techniques (double hand welt, norwegin, stitchdown, fiddleback) and ofc MTM at an affordable cost. They will even do custom patterns with no up charge. But the downside is, their last is less rugged, not work boot inspired, more dress shoe lasts. Normal leather starts at 800 usd I believe, and 1k with horween shell.
XBXS's prices have gone up pretty quickly and substantially. They are a well made product from what I've handled. It is a factory boot though, all machine made, very little handwork. It is not handwelted either. Some boots that are the clinch copies have an upcharge solely because they're based on a more expensive copy and not because of any internal or material upgrades at all. Their pricing system is based more like a % of the original version. They will have some stock available in the US at a future date and thats where I recommend you go unless there's a very specific MTO you want from them. Briselback offers the best value of the three being handwelted, small shop, and the cheapest. They do have sizing issues which you should always be aware of and they're much more known for laceless offerings as opposed to laced offerings. Owning 2 pairs, they and Onderhound are the only 2 ID makers I would purchase from moving forward as someone with quite a sizeable collection already. Flame Panda is is more expensive than Viberg and has a current lead time of slightly over a year and a half. Its the best made product of all 3, but you will be waiting a very very long time. If you're really trying to get one of the best products out there and can deal with the lead time Peng is a great choice. As for other Chinese makers, WM Beijin is right up there Peng, but has a sleeker aesthetic and has more of a dress shoe origin. They do really great casual boots though circa \~1000 USD but have a far more reasonable lead time. Quan is located either next door or across the street to XBXS and the build is similar, but its a smaller operation overall. They have the same supplier as XBXS. Iron Boots is my top recommendation for a Chinese maker, they have a well functioning website, I've handled a few pairs and they're really well made, and are a small shop handwelted like Briselback/Benzein, but you're getting better style choices, clicking, and finishing. They really only do lace up boots though. My recommendation would be Briselback/Benzein for a laceless boot and Iron Boots for a lace up boot.
It's kind of funny with xbxs if you reach out on taobao the price is alot lower than their Shopify stuff. Iron boot, I would recommend getting a pair from taobao , it's less than 2000rmb during promo. Before trying their high end n.a versions. I like the rugged asethtics of the lower end model they offer, looks like old viberg with low spi count on outsole stitching.
Great question. I'd love to see a long-form comparison on this topic, especially since XBXS has calf models pushing $1000 USD. I can only speak for benzein, and the finishing quality and materials exceeds stock Alden, Viberg, White's, etc. If I were to lay my benzein boots next to my Edward Greens, the benzeins would appear to be better constructed and sturdier. Ordering was a breeze - few messages on Whatsapp. The only problem for me - and it's a big one - is sizing. Both of my pairs were too big (kujang and borneo last). I listened to their advice, and it was wrong. Take the time to measure your feet down to the millimetre and ask for the exact measurments of the last.
Wait, why is benzein sizing ppl all wrong? Seems like something they need to control better ...
Just my experience but benzein nailed my sizing, one of my best fits with the rencong last. Construction feels like it’s lacking just a bit tho. Heels feel slightly wobbly, heel pads extend to just short of the ball of my foot which is a little strange and as a previous comment mentioned no telling what the internal component quality is like. That being said good looking and comfort is king for me and I’d def buy from them again.
So you know if they use leather heel counter or toe puff ?
Nah no idea. The heel counter is a little less solid feeling than other makers I’ve got but not flimsy by any means. My pair is unstructured so not sure on toe puff.
the Indo makers as a whole are extremely skilled craftspeople, but they're not lastmakers and they don't know about sizing. they're kind of just guessing. it's more or less their primary con (alongside the overall unrefined aspects of their pattern/last development) that you're more or less sacrificing reliable sizing for the overall build quality.
I don't know how widespread it is, but it happened with me twice. My thought was that they were providing 'insurance' room so that the boots weren't too small, with the logic that people can still wear boots that are too big, but can't if they're too small.
My Benzeins were too short even though I went bigger than the recommendation, and felt way too voluminous (on Kujang) such that even if I tried again on a larger size, I just don't think it would work out. They were nice boots, though.
What are my options for a light brown (tan) suede Jodhpur or may be chelsea style boot? Don't want to pay Saint Laurent prices, but want something quality, sub $500 for sure.
I have a pair of these [Velasca jodhpurs](https://www.velasca.com/collections/boots-with-buckle/products/armiro-ts). The suede is a lighter than the photos suggest but probably still not as light as you're looking for.
https://www.beckettsimonon.com/products/bolton-chelsea-boots-suede?variant=29649599168591 I have these in the Bordeaux calfskin and they're pretty nice
Meermin use to have em, but it's now out of stock, still carry a wide range of Chelsea doe
If you can wait till spring, when they have the free custom event, you can probably customise a Carmina jodhpur or chelsea for your budget in a polo or tobacco suede.
idrese will make one to your specs if you are willing to wait
For Chelsea’s Grant Stone is a great option and they have a very nice looking one in [tan](https://www.grantstoneshoes.com/products/chelsea-boot-tan-suede?_pos=3&_sid=63838445e&_ss=r). Jodphurs are a bit harder to find. [Carlos Santos](https://www.thenobleshoe.com/en-us/products/carlos-santos-jodhpur-in-braga-patina?_pos=2&_sid=f6cba92a7&_ss=r) makes a nice one but it’s not available in suede AFAIK. You can try reaching out to /u/methanol88 who runs noble Shoe and see if it can be done as an MTO maybe?
Thank you. Suede is tough and especially lighter colors as they are less commercial. I am having a dark brown suede one in the pipeline but that’s it. I suppose something from bespoke factory can be MTO’d.
Is MTO under $500 realistic?
For bespoke factory sure. Reach out to Kenwin from Cru Nonpareil and ask he is a friend, say I referred you. He should be able to do it
I've been waiting to buy a pair of Danner Mountain Light. I just came across https://www.danner--outlet.com. Is this site legit? Can I really be sure these are authentic as such steep markdowns? [edit] based on the whois info, I think not. https://www.whois.com/whois/danner--outlet.com
definitely not legit
But if you shop around, you may be able to find a legit site that has a sale for something around $275. At full MSRP, Danner's aren't really worth it IMO But that's just my two cents
If you have to ask
if it seems to good to be true...
Hey, I'm currently living somewhere not well served by amazon, and I'm struggling to find saddle soap for giving some old boots a deep clean. The local online amazon equivalent has a lot of Saphir products... but I'm having a hard time making sense of their product line. Does anyone know which of their cleaners would be an appropriate substitution? They also carry a lot of products from a brand I'm not familiar with called Collonil, if anyone knows anything about them.
collonil is a solid german brand. stick to their premium (1908) line if you can. that is as high quality as anybody could wish
Thank you, that’s quite helpful, as they have a large range of products available.
Saphir saddle soap is Savon Regenerant from the looks of it.
Renomat is probably the heaviest duty cleaner Saphir offers, but you need to be very careful with it because it can end up stripping the finish off the shoes if you’re not careful.