Proper leather shoes

Also look at Thuya by Heschung as an alternative to paraboots.

Meindl Borneo Pro

Pretty sure I either have the old version of those too, or the old Burma Pro. Got to say though the Sonnblick looks a bit more casual, and as much as I love them, my earlier point stands - if you're not carrying weight and doing serious distance I really don't think you need such an extreme sole.

This was them around their 7yr anniversary after a good clean by a shoe shiner in Peru:

Definitely something only an owner could love.

I'd be tempted to hit them up with some darker cream/polish. You wouldn't even need to go too extreme. Just enough to be the main areas the same as the burnished ends are now.

Yeah I'll see what they look and feel like, if I basically like them but not the colour I'd like to try stripping and dying them a darker colour. Seems easy enough on youtube so what could possibly go wrong. At least they were reasonably inexpensive (£60, RRP £270 I think) so good for experimenting. Otherwise I'll pass them on.

Yeah, but you said the Karrimors on sale at Blacks are perfectly good. I have rarely seen (other than Brashers) such poorly made boots. The sole is glued directly to the upper. If the leather gets saturated the glue stops sticking to it. I've seen several colleagues buy the £99 Skiddaw boots smugly only to have them fall apart after a wet day in the field. Also synthetic linings.
The Meindl Borneo are probably the best properly made boots without a synthetic liner for the price. And the sole is no more aggressive than the Karrimor boots. (I suspect it is a bit stiffer though)

Ymmv. My dad has used the cheap Black's Karimor goretex as winter and mild offeroad use for a few years now. Definitely purchased well below £99. For their occasional excursions they've been perfectly good. Admittedly nothing stressful, but the brief given was basically countryside walks to the pub...
But yeah I do think having a mainly leather lining is better. Mine have been worn in absolutely sweltering heat (humid and dry) as well as - °C and they've never missed a beat.

Re the soles I should have said stiff rather than aggressive. The Meindls we have are purposely designed for trekking on rough terrain whilst carrying weight. If that's not in the brief I'd go with something slightly more versatile / stylish and a bit easier on tarmac. I guess the advantage is once bought you can use them for proper trekking if needed. That said my other half managed all across the Andes in Converse leather "walking boots"...admittedly they weren't ideal and I was carrying the bulk of the weight.

Tl;Dr Meindls are good.

Just ordered some William Lennon leather boots, went for the tan wax boot. Just need to wait twelve weeks for delivery

The Meindl are proposed to be a replacement for a pair of Zamberlan Trek lite (pre GTX version).

From what I can see, the Meindl are similar, perhaps slightly heavier construction than the Zamberlan. Main use will be walking in Scotland.

May turn out to be a bit OTT for Epping Forest / pub walk but I imagine I will persuade myself at some point that I also need a replacement for the Merrill walking boots which I bought in a sale as a temporary stop gap when my Zamberlan gave up the ghost about 5 years ago.

I had Meindl Vakkum and Altberg Tethera, both excellent boots, I wear my walking boots all the time, unless I'm cycling or in the house. Meindls lasted 4 years, Altbergs (resoled once) lasted 9 years. Both were comfortable straight out the box, I've had cheaper boots, but never again.

Thuya is slightly slimmer profile and less chunky. Leather is softer and think the sole is softer. I've got them in black as a smarter shoe. Good shout.

Now that the question of proper leather walking boots has been addressed, what are the best proper woollen socks?

[Apologies if off topic]

I've got pairs of Bridgedale/Smartwool whatever-I-could-lay-my-hands-on-at-the-time and they've always been fine. I'm sure there are better out there for more money, but have never felt the need to go looking. Mrs c00ps' father swears by various 1000mile offerings and they live on the Isle of Lewis with all the weather that entails.

I'm really happy with Finisterre socks

https://finisterre.com/collections/socks

the welly socks are proper warm!

https://woolpower.se/en/ is my fav right now; really comfy made in Sweden socks that seem to have the wool in the right places. I have the 200 and 400 weights.

I use Bridgedale and they are great. Various types for the weather. My wife bought me three pairs for Christmas and I was rather pleased.
I think they have a long history back to WW2 and they’re great.

Would any one like a set of crocket and Jones ( US 10.5) before I pop them in eBay?

https://m.imgur.com/a/3IehTod

Anyone know anything about lucini? Where they're made etc. Ridiculously cheap:

https://www.lucinishoes.com/collections/goodyear-welted-shoes/products/lucini-mens-leather-black-oxford-goodyear-welted-shoes

How much are you asking?

I was thinking £100? Sound fair?

Question. This may be working thread but I’ll try here initially.

Could anyone recommend a trouser belt supplier. I want a plain black leather belt to wear with jeans. A normal buckle - no logos, just a plain buckle - preferably grey or just dark. My current belt is getting old ( like the wearer) and I am having problems finding a replacement.
I thought it would be easy to find one but it has proved more difficult than I expected.

Pretty sure in Old Spitalfields or in Camden you should find a dozen belt makers. I remember there were a few shops with novelty buckles, usually those are the guys with lots of leather and basic buckles too. Otherwise you need a big shopping center where there’ll be a man with a stall.

I make belts, can do pretty much anything you like.

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That may work. Black, plain leather, plain buckle. To fit 31’’ waist. Have you a guide for the price. Also, would I be able to specify width?
Thanks

Probably a bargain, but am concerned about the fit. My C & J are UK 9.5.

Were these samples or 2nds, why don’t they have the sizing and style printed like mine?

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They're actually C&J for the US department Store Barneys, I assumed it was something to do with that.

Where are you based? I would be more than happy for you to try before you buy if you're worried about fit?