Proper leather shoes

Do it!

Take Scoot along as there is some nice bits there. I saw Kenzo, Margaret Howell, acne, nudie, Prada, heider Ackerman. Nuts!

Well that's tomorrow sorted, cheers.

Not sure this helps you but I just sent my Tricker's boots back to Tricker's for resoling, with commando soles this time. Big money, I hope it's worth it. However, a few other heads recommended Richard at ShoeHealer for this kind of stuff, bell him.

Depends what's inside!

2 quick questions.

Whats the best way of softening up a pair of leather shoes?
I'm getting some pretty mean bite around the ankle which is making them pretty unbearable to wear.

Also, I'm thinking about in investing in some redwings for the winter.
Either the 875 or 9111. Any insight into what is good?

These arrived.

Initially wasn't so keen but they've grown on me now.
They're a size too big but I guess with winter socks...Just to get some Obernaufs snow seal and they're perfect for winter.

Richard at ShoeHealer for this kind of stuff,

Danke ;)

Just spoke to 'Richard' at ShoeHealer, comes at about 85gn for sole replacement.

CSR in Islington, quoted me 65gn for the same jobby.

Might go for SH as the finish seems to be top notch. But it's like buying new shoes basically.

Had no idea it would cost me the world to fix them.

#sadface

It's quite a big job, dude, I was quite happy to hand over 75GN to Redwing to get mine done... I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd asked for twice that...

Got any real life photos?

In the army they told us to piss in our boots and then wear them! Or, you could just fill them up with water and then wear them. Maybe more hygenic...

875's are a classic. Can't go wrong with them in red.

Whats the best way of softening up a pair of leather shoes?
I'm getting some pretty mean bite around the ankle which is making them pretty unbearable to wear.

Try a hairdryer and a hammer. I've dabbled in shoe-making in the past...
or you could piss in them...

Now I see how @31t®um got started!

2 quick questions.

Whats the best way of softening up a pair of leather shoes?
I'm getting some pretty mean bite around the ankle which is making them pretty unbearable to wear.

Also, I'm thinking about in investing in some redwings for the winter.
Either the 875 or 9111. Any insight into what is good?

You could try a little mink oil. It'll absorb deep into the leather and should soften them up.
If you go for RWs then invest in Obernauf's LP. Wear them for at least a couple of weeks, then clean them, use a hair dryer to soften them then apply the LP by hand.

check this

I stick mine in the oven on lowest heat for 10 minutes before obenaufs. Gives a nice low and even heat, find it works much better than hairdryer

anyone got a pair of lundhags forest boots? are they worth the money?

Haven't got them, but know many that does, and census seems that they're well worth their money.

Come winter I might get a pair if my wallet allows

I got my Loakes fully re-soled with Dianites,(they did have double leather soles, and got them to clean up, as opposed to double up the stitching) £50 in my local cobblers, perfect job.

Most decent UK boots/shoes, always come up half a size bigger, Trickers, Loakes, Grensons, Sanders, Sargents...

Whilst US shoes are generally the same US as UK, so a 8.5 US will fit a UK 8.5, like wolverines, redwings, aldens etc...

I wouldn't use any of the recommended techniques for softening boots, just wear them for short periods of time initially and gradually work up to full time usage - they'll last longer.

the softening is for of these: http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20351786

not got any boots yet

Same applies.

fair.
will give it a shot

Good leather shoes take time to conform to your feet, I've found that the sore points often migrate on a regular basis until things settle down.

Agree with others, just wear them down to the shop the first few times. Then when you get brave go to the pub with them. Pain will subside with every pint, and when you get home either your shoes or your feed will be broken in