I also rock a pair of Clarks Desert Boots in taupe suede. So comfy.
What brand and style of boots do you wear?
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JHZR2
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I love wallaby boots. For workboots, not much can beat my doc martin steel toe. My red wings I got from work are clunkier and less comfortable in the same size. At least they are made in USA.
Im going to give those wolverine boots a hard look. What is the pricing like???
Im going to give those wolverine boots a hard look. What is the pricing like???
Expensive. The Montgomery captoe I have is styled like a military boot; it's their cheapest at about $230. The "Original" (and "Addison", which is the same basic design but wingtip) is about $325. They rarely go on sale but I know they will last me forever. FYI they're not available with steel or kevlar toes...they're fashion boots more than anything else.
JHZR2
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From the website seems all are US made. Any to the contrary in your experience?
Not all of the 1000 Mile ones are, supposedly. Only certain styles. The Horween leather actually comes from a small factory near my condo here in downtown Chicago:
http://www.horween.com/
Family owned and operated for over 100 years. I am going to try and get a tour of the facility one of these days.
The leather is quite stiff and you need to give it 6-8 wearings before it finally breaks in. So don't be discouraged if they feel stiff and weird at the store.
http://www.horween.com/
Family owned and operated for over 100 years. I am going to try and get a tour of the facility one of these days.
The leather is quite stiff and you need to give it 6-8 wearings before it finally breaks in. So don't be discouraged if they feel stiff and weird at the store.
For the winter, I wear these periodically:
Georgia Boots
Nice and warm and I can actually get away with not changing out of them at the office, depending on the pants I'm wearing.
Georgia Boots
Nice and warm and I can actually get away with not changing out of them at the office, depending on the pants I'm wearing.
JHZR2
Staff member
Do the original/Addison (both seemingly US made) have rubber or leather main soles? How do they hold up in the rain/wet weather?
Are the Montgomery version US made?
Are the Montgomery version US made?
The Montgomery is a rubber sole. The "Original" is a Vibram heel with leather sole. Mine have held up well. I wore my Montgomerys a lot in the winter and was pleased with them, but they are not insulated so extended outdoor time isn't the best idea. Salt is not good for most leathers; I stick with my Georgia Boots when it's really gross out. Don't want to ruin a $325 boot waiting for the bus.
No clue if the Montgomery is US made, but I have heard only the "original" is...haven't been able to confirm that, but it would explain the higher price.
No clue if the Montgomery is US made, but I have heard only the "original" is...haven't been able to confirm that, but it would explain the higher price.
8" Carolina lace ups with a wedge sole. Easy breakin, uninsulated so, I can keep the insides dry just by changing socks. This model is US made. I have a yearly boot allowance that covers the cost, so I buy a pair a year. For snow, I have a pair of LL Bean deer hunting boots with rubber bottoms.
Carolinas are nice. Almost got some instead of the Georgias. I got my Geogrias through my work allowance too.
Originally Posted By: dparm
The leather is quite stiff and you need to give it 6-8 wearings before it finally breaks in. So don't be discouraged if they feel stiff and weird at the store.
I own a pair of Originals and a pair of Addisons and this has been my experience to a tee. They are very stiff boots, but once broken in they are very comfortable.
Love my 1000 Milers!
The leather is quite stiff and you need to give it 6-8 wearings before it finally breaks in. So don't be discouraged if they feel stiff and weird at the store.
I own a pair of Originals and a pair of Addisons and this has been my experience to a tee. They are very stiff boots, but once broken in they are very comfortable.
Love my 1000 Milers!
Mink oil helps a lot too. Planning to do this when my Addisons arrive. You rub a [censored]-ton of mink oil into them each time you wear them. Helps soften the leather.
JHZR2
Staff member
Sorry, please do explain.
Im looking for some nice and US made shoes to wear for work. These seem to fit the bill.
But you mink oil them everytime you wear them, or just during break-in? How do you prevent oil stains on your car's carpeting?
Do you need to mink oil every time in order to retain waterproofness on the leather sole?
Im looking for some nice and US made shoes to wear for work. These seem to fit the bill.
But you mink oil them everytime you wear them, or just during break-in? How do you prevent oil stains on your car's carpeting?
Do you need to mink oil every time in order to retain waterproofness on the leather sole?
Just during break-in. It's like an ultra-moisturizer for leather. After break-in, just apply once a month as part of your clean/polish routine.
I do not apply it to the soles for that reason -- it can stain. I suggest getting rubber soles or having them re-soled with rubber if you are concerned about waterproofing and/or traction.
Also, check out Frye and Red Wing boots, or some of Timberland's more expensive models. All are very good and should last you 20+ years. There's also WORX and Irish Setter, which are less expensive versions.
I do not apply it to the soles for that reason -- it can stain. I suggest getting rubber soles or having them re-soled with rubber if you are concerned about waterproofing and/or traction.
Also, check out Frye and Red Wing boots, or some of Timberland's more expensive models. All are very good and should last you 20+ years. There's also WORX and Irish Setter, which are less expensive versions.
One thing about Mink oil..read the ingredients. Kiwi for instance puts in Lanolin and silicon. Silicon stops the leather from breathing and makes the boots cold in winter. That's my experience. (Which is not that great)
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: dparm
Just during break-in. It's like an ultra-moisturizer for leather. After break-in, just apply once a month as part of your clean/polish routine.
I do not apply it to the soles for that reason -- it can stain. I suggest getting rubber soles or having them re-soled with rubber if you are concerned about waterproofing and/or traction.
Also, check out Frye and Red Wing boots, or some of Timberland's more expensive models. All are very good and should last you 20+ years. There's also WORX and Irish Setter, which are less expensive versions.
Well Im liking the wolverines, especially since they are US made.
Its just that I dont want to ruin them prematurely due to rainstorms, having to walk distances on very wet grounds, etc.
You never know, but it can be an expensive mistake.
Just during break-in. It's like an ultra-moisturizer for leather. After break-in, just apply once a month as part of your clean/polish routine.
I do not apply it to the soles for that reason -- it can stain. I suggest getting rubber soles or having them re-soled with rubber if you are concerned about waterproofing and/or traction.
Also, check out Frye and Red Wing boots, or some of Timberland's more expensive models. All are very good and should last you 20+ years. There's also WORX and Irish Setter, which are less expensive versions.
Well Im liking the wolverines, especially since they are US made.
Its just that I dont want to ruin them prematurely due to rainstorms, having to walk distances on very wet grounds, etc.
You never know, but it can be an expensive mistake.
This site is my go-to place for shoe care:
http://shoeshinekit.com/conditioners.html
They carry many brands and styles. And it is true that some conditioners and polishes actually contribute to leather break-down. Never use a wax polish because it effectively seals the leather; looks good, but the leather cannot breathe and the wax isn't absorbed. Use the polish/paste versions whenever possible. Wolverine includes the liquid version in the care kit with their "original" style boots (and the other versions like the Addison).
JHZR2 -- get the original style but have them resoled with rubber bottoms. Any shoe repair shop can easily do this. Proper care will help them survive inclement weather, though you shouldn't be wearing them if you plan to stand in the rain for an hour. I would suggest a leather boot marketed as waterproof/resistant for that type of work.
If it must be made in USA and waterproof, check this:
http://www.shoebuy.com/usa-mens-waterproof-boots.htm
If waterproof is not a concern, the same list minus waterproof:
http://www.shoebuy.com/usa-mens-boots.htm
My old roommate wears the Wolverine Durashocks while he is climbing on locomotives and swears by them.
http://shoeshinekit.com/conditioners.html
They carry many brands and styles. And it is true that some conditioners and polishes actually contribute to leather break-down. Never use a wax polish because it effectively seals the leather; looks good, but the leather cannot breathe and the wax isn't absorbed. Use the polish/paste versions whenever possible. Wolverine includes the liquid version in the care kit with their "original" style boots (and the other versions like the Addison).
JHZR2 -- get the original style but have them resoled with rubber bottoms. Any shoe repair shop can easily do this. Proper care will help them survive inclement weather, though you shouldn't be wearing them if you plan to stand in the rain for an hour. I would suggest a leather boot marketed as waterproof/resistant for that type of work.
If it must be made in USA and waterproof, check this:
http://www.shoebuy.com/usa-mens-waterproof-boots.htm
If waterproof is not a concern, the same list minus waterproof:
http://www.shoebuy.com/usa-mens-boots.htm
My old roommate wears the Wolverine Durashocks while he is climbing on locomotives and swears by them.
Mid-brown Justin Ropers, a pair I've had since the mid-90s, and a pair of dark brown goatskin cowboy boots (not pointed toe) I bought at a going-out-of-business sale at a Western wear store in Denver in 1997.
Looks like I'll be keeping these. I recently priced new cowboy boots and ropers at the one Western store in town, and my eyebrows fell off. Besides, it's too hot to wear boots most of the year in The Swamp anyway.
Looks like I'll be keeping these. I recently priced new cowboy boots and ropers at the one Western store in town, and my eyebrows fell off. Besides, it's too hot to wear boots most of the year in The Swamp anyway.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: dparm
JHZR2 -- get the original style but have them resoled with rubber bottoms. Any shoe repair shop can easily do this. Proper care will help them survive inclement weather, though you shouldn't be wearing them if you plan to stand in the rain for an hour. I would suggest a leather boot marketed as waterproof/resistant for that type of work.
If it must be made in USA and waterproof, check this:
http://www.shoebuy.com/usa-mens-waterproof-boots.htm
If waterproof is not a concern, the same list minus waterproof:
http://www.shoebuy.com/usa-mens-boots.htm
Thanks for the links. While Im an engineer, Im only climbing on ships/equipment a very limited period of time. Most of the time it is office work and design/analysis stuff... Thus a more workshoe looking item is good... But given that Im tall, I like the taller shoe. Hiking boots are too informal, workboots moreso.
Im not standing in the rain for hours, but more concerned with walking 10 blocks in a city in a downpour... that kind of thing...
JHZR2 -- get the original style but have them resoled with rubber bottoms. Any shoe repair shop can easily do this. Proper care will help them survive inclement weather, though you shouldn't be wearing them if you plan to stand in the rain for an hour. I would suggest a leather boot marketed as waterproof/resistant for that type of work.
If it must be made in USA and waterproof, check this:
http://www.shoebuy.com/usa-mens-waterproof-boots.htm
If waterproof is not a concern, the same list minus waterproof:
http://www.shoebuy.com/usa-mens-boots.htm
Thanks for the links. While Im an engineer, Im only climbing on ships/equipment a very limited period of time. Most of the time it is office work and design/analysis stuff... Thus a more workshoe looking item is good... But given that Im tall, I like the taller shoe. Hiking boots are too informal, workboots moreso.
Im not standing in the rain for hours, but more concerned with walking 10 blocks in a city in a downpour... that kind of thing...
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