Proper leather shoes

Are they waterproof-ish?

Anyone got a recommendation for getting Red Wings repaired in London? Orshould I just get my pants pulled down in the shop?

I need them resoled and the uppers need some stitching sorting out.

Classic Shoe Repairs Brecknock Road.

I posted about this ages ago in this thread, but the RW shop is expensive for repairs but, in my experience, excellent in terms of service. I got a worn cream cheese sole swapped out for a lugged sole on a pair of moc toes - can't remember the price. The new sole started coming away from the midsole and I took them back and because the boots were so old - 20 years - they took them back and replaced the mid sole and put on another lugged one, at no cost. Since then, which must have been 3 years ago, they've been perfect. Just my anecdote, but it felt like my pants remained pretty close to my waist.

Useful feedback thanks, mine are only about 3 years old but get worn pretty much daily 10 months of the year. Given the cost of a new pair it probably makes sense to go to them.

Will also check out Ludwig's recommendation, but its a bit far north of the river for me.

I’ve never been wet and I’ve sloshed about in snow / puddles / mud / etc so up to a few inches they’re like wellies.

It’s a leather construction though so will need looking after, but I haven’t even cleaned mine in two years and I was dry after a few hours in a rain soaked forest last week, so they’re solid

Woolpower is my current squeeze.

Got my decade-old Chukas resoled there over the summer. Did a wicked job but a bit pricey. Can’t fault the work one bit though.

Have they put their prices up? It was only £70 when I did mine, I thought that was a great deal...

I bought a pair of these 2 years ago for £8 in a charity shop. Wolverine Apprentice. Installed some new insoles and many miles/dog walks/ pub nights and rides later they're still going strong but looking tired in a shabby fashionable style. I've bought a new pair. They're oh so fresh...too fresh but at least my wife won't be complaining about the state of my footwear on pub nights (and kilt nights too for they go well with the tartan).

1 Attachment

They look just about worn in, no?

You could say that, but my wife's not buying it. Bless her. 'Buy some new ones', she said. Who am I to argue?

Remind her it’s so fashionable that people pay for that preworn look.

Anyone have any experience with ‘higher end’ boots a la Viberg, White’s, John Lofgren and so on? I’ve had my RW chukka’s for 9 years. Never resoled, never polished, comfiest shoes ever - love how worn they are... Is there any point in buying anything more spenny in reality? Guessing no.

I had Vibergs and White’s, both serious boots with serious weight penalties. I bought them partly in a search for help for heel issues and partly because they looked so damned good. They held up their side of the bargain but my feet just couldn’t live with them.

I've had a pair of whites as well. Lovely boots, but so so heavy. I could wear them for an evening out or for shorter walks, but they never became an everyday boot. Sold them at a massive loss :(

so any decent black friday deals about? after something with a commando sole...
Also - anyone know who makes a finer version of a Grafters monkey boot? usual suspects grenson Trickers etc?
Cheers,
Matt

Red wing does a nice monkey boot, it's hard to find though

Nice..very nice.

nice! cheers!

I know they are not 'proper' but for others hunting monkey boots something here might fit the bill - https://www.solovair-shoes.com/blog/styles/monkey/

20% off all trickers on their site. Also some decent deals on Skoaktiebolaget

@withered_preacher @kboy thanks both! I guessed as much. I had a pair of Yuketen Maine Guides once and I couldn’t even wear them. Tried for months. The stitching was so substantial in places that it dug into my foot/rubbed on bone and caused no end of pain. Will stick with Red Wing...

damn they have some nice stock! never heard of them before! cheers!!

Back to the shoe conundrum. I want something relatively similar to these:

But I want a pair that are made in Japan, England, or the U.S. These wonderful Yuketen's are the only thing I've found so far. Does anyone know of any other options?

https://www.thebureaubelfast.com/shop/9956/wax-brown-maine-guide-ox

you shouldnt....

but if you must then there's these https://www.sperry.com/en/handcrafted-in-maine/

also https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/wn3ni/a_brief_buyers_guide_to_highend_boat_shoes/