Let's talk boots and shoes.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I've never heard of pouring water in a boot. Do manufacturers really condone that?

Tobra has been pushing that for a long time, and he's a foot guy, so he knows. I've never done it as he described, BUT...

many years ago (college) I worked part time at a grocery store. When my black sneakers wore out, I started wearing my black Florsheim penny loafers because I never wore them any other time. I got rained on helping little old ladies out to their cars in the FL rain. The shoes ended up being EXTREMELY comfortable. They formed to my foot as if they'd been made for my feet. I think the soles wore out or something, so I stopped by a shoe repair place with them (didn't know anything about leather shoes) and asked "can you fix that?" I think I picked them up a day or two later. They had been refinished so they were shiny and the soles had been replaced. They were like new shoes except that they still fit me like a custom shoe.

I've actually been tempted to try Tobra's method since something very similar worked well for me before, but I have a hard time doing that to perfectly good, expensive shoes. I suspect I'd be mostly happy with the results.

I'd wear wool socks when I did it. I assume you'd want to condition the shoes when you got done, but I don't know.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Zeke

As I said, I over pronate a little but I have healthy arches so I have to up the game a little to compensate for the pronation.

Same here. I get the NB 1540 and put a higher end insert in. They are $60 at the old fashioned (full service - expensive) shoe store. Suspect you can get them online for $40.

I churn through the shoes wearing them in the shop. About nine months life at $170 a pair.

https://www.newbalance.com/pd/made-in-us-1540v3/M1540V3-20186-M.html

I may try a pair of the Merrel Moabs that Craigster likes and put in the spiffy inserts. The made in USA NB shoes are spendy. Merrel Moabs are 2/3rds the retail price.

[jcommin]

Allen Edmonds for dress shoes. I buy them on sale
Work steel toed shoes - Kean
Work steel toed high tops - Dr Martens
Tennis shoes - New Balance
Sandals - Chacos
Outdoor hiking - I'm stuck here torn between Keans, Merrill's, Salomon. I need to figure this out.

Insoles - Superfeet orange

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by jcommin

Allen Edmonds for dress shoes. I buy them on sale
Work steel toed shoes - Kean
Work steel toed high tops - Dr Martens
Tennis shoes - New Balance
Sandals - Chacos
Outdoor hiking - I'm stuck here torn between Keans, Merrill's, Salomon. I need to figure this out.

Insoles - Superfeet orange

Good list. But it's "Keen". They make great work boots, even without the steel toe. If you are in an environment like a construction zone, then you might consider steel reinforced insoles. I have not found a pair since the old school Red Wings, which are NLA. They stop nails and stuff, and still insulate against shock if you step on a live wire.

[jcommin]

Rusnak, I work on a manufacturing floor and I'm on my feet allot. Dr Martens are very good - I can be on a concrete floor for over 8 hours and my feet don't hurt. I can put insoles on them too. The "Keens" feel the same as well. That shoe doesn't look like a work shoe/boot. Sorry about the spelling.

I try to buy quality -

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by tabs

Starting in the late 90's American shoe mfg started outsourcing production, by 2005 most of the venerable American shoe mfgs went BK.. The brands were bought up by Holding co's where the mfg was contracted out to factories overseas. At first the quality was almost comparable to what was being made in America. As time when ton to maintain price point quality went down, down and down.

Today Alden is the only American shoe mfg left. Allen Edmonds cuts the material in the Dominican Rep and does the assembly in the USA. For Edmonds 400 to 450 is the starting point, Alden about $600. THAT IS WHAT IT COSTS FOR A GOOD BUT NOT GREAT PAIR OF DRESS SHOES. You want a cut above it's a G. Fact of life..

There is almost a cult about the old Florsheim 5 nail Imperials...guys will spend $650 t get them restored... they won't even wear em, but put them on display. The Japaneses in particular treasure them. Some guys think they are the best shoes ever made..on a production basis anyway. It is not a bad idea to restore them considering the quality of the shoe you will wind up with.

There are still good American made boots to be had...Red Wing, Danner, Chipewa among
others...

BUT THEN WE STEP INTO A WHOLE NEW REALM of the semi custom or custom boot mfg...Whites, Nicks, Wesco, Viberg, among others..

Then what I can see is the penultimate: https://www.kreosote.com/

Especially the Rail Road Nail boot..

Tabs, Allen Edmonds still uses leather (not all leather) from the USA. It comes from the last Tannery in Chicago - they produce high quality leather for Allen Edmonds, the NBA and the NFL to name a few.

https://news.wttw.com/2018/04/26/chicago-s-last-tannery-specializes-horse-leather-nfl-footballs#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20another%20 notable%20distinction%3A%20Horween%20Leather,Arnol d%20%E2%80%9CSkip%E2%80%9D%20Horween%2C%20III.%20% E2%80%9CThe%20work%20is%20difficult.

[911boost]

I thought this thread would be about Prestige Worldwide....

Boats and ho’s

[tabs]

Originally Posted by jcommin

Tabs, Allen Edmonds still uses leather (not all leather) from the USA. It comes from the last Tannery in Chicago - they produce high quality leather for Allen Edmonds, the NBA and the NFL to name a few.

https://news.wttw.com/2018/04/26/chicago-s-last-tannery-specializes-horse-leather-nfl-footballs#:~:text=The%20company%20has%20another%20 notable%20distinction%3A%20Horween%20Leather,Arnol d%20%E2%80%9CSkip%E2%80%9D%20Horween%2C%20III.%20% E2%80%9CThe%20work%20is%20difficult.

It is Horween. The leather is called CORDOVAN...and a pair of Edmonds Cordovans cost 600...

[masraum]

Allen Edmonds has a few pretty big sales a year. They also frequently put stuff on clearance that you can find at allenedmonds.com or their other site, ShoeBank - Allen Edmonds Factory Outlet. They have "seconds," discontinued, etc... that they sell on shoebank. The seconds have cosmetic issues that are usually very minor so that they don't pass QC. Many years ago, I paid full price for a couple of pairs of AE shoes, but I haven't done that in a while. I've gotten some amazing deals on AE shoes that sometimes have no discernible defects or defects so minor that for me, at least, they were inconsequential. I'm happy to pay $150-$250 for $400-500 shoes.

What is the Shoe Bank?

In 1966 Allen Edmonds opened its first Retail Store in an abandoned bank building near our Wisconsin factory and, appropriately, called this Factory Outlet Store the "Shoe Bank." The Shoe Bank is still selling shoes today. While ShoeBank.com is not currently an e-commerce site, we are proud to now offer the ability to look up which Factory Outlet Stores have those same Factory-Seconds, closeout and discontinued styles available in your size.

What Makes a Factory Second?

Our Factory Second shoes contain a minor cosmetic blemish that does not affect the fit, comfort or durability of our shoes. The shoes simply do not pass our exacting standards at one of the various inspection points throughout our 212 step handcrafting process. The savings are passed along to our Allen Edmonds outlet customers.

Shipping & Returns

Simply return unwanted, unworn Factory Second shoes by mail or at any Allen Edmonds Retail Store or Factory Outlet within 90 days of purchase to receive a refund. Please note there is a $25 restocking fee for Factory Seconds returned to retail stores. For more details on how to return an item or about our refund policy, please read our refunds and returns policies.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by tabs

It is Horween. The leather is called CORDOVAN...and a pair of Edmonds Cordovans cost 600...

Unless you get them on sale or clearance or from the thrift store for $4.53.

[masraum]

I recently got a set of Merrill short boots. My feet are average width, but I have a high instep and like a wide toe box. Merrills have a pretty wide toebox and also often come in regular or wide. I love the pair that I got. I used to get Timberlands. Again, not just any timberland. I'd try on a bunch until I found the right set. It's a very personal thing.

I'd love to get a set of bespoke dress shoes made, but I don't see paying that sort of cash for shoes that I rarely wear.

I also love Vibram Five Fingers. Super comfy. I have several pairs, and have worn out several pairs over the years. Even my wife loves them. I wear them for almost any activity including running a 10k through the woods and over gravel. I wear socks with them (good toe socks). I don't usually wear them if it's super wet/raining, but you can. They also make some that are designed for water wear.

[herr_oberst]

Here's a few Romeos from Danner Boots. An Oregon company that has a tremendous reputation for fit and quality.

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by masraum

Allen Edmonds has a few pretty big sales a year. They also frequently put stuff on clearance that you can find at allenedmonds.com or their other site, ShoeBank - Allen Edmonds Factory Outlet. They have "seconds," discontinued, etc... that they sell on shoebank. The seconds have cosmetic issues that are usually very minor so that they don't pass QC. Many years ago, I paid full price for a couple of pairs of AE shoes, but I haven't done that in a while. I've gotten some amazing deals on AE shoes that sometimes have no discernible defects or defects so minor that for me, at least, they were inconsequential. I'm happy to pay $150-$250 for $400-500 shoes.

I agree that AE quality has lagged, and it's unfortunate that you have to dig to make sure of what you're buying.

Ten years or so ago I bought into the AE thing and have a half dozen pair. I think I'm done with them. I've got what I need, and when I buy again it'll be something nicer.

What really sealed the divorce was a recrafting that I sent them. A relatively well shaped (for them) shoe went out and a canoe paddle came back. I'd have thought the 'factory' would do better than my shoe guy, but now that I think of it my shoe guy is in Santa Fe NM and knows his way around a last.

For my style, the next will be Alden or something british. But considering that I've worn pants for about four days in the last year - I'm not expecting to put on a suit anytime soon...

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by tabs

It is Horween. The leather is called CORDOVAN...and a pair of Edmonds Cordovans cost 600...

I have been there - I was able to take a tour of the facility. Very high end leather.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by mjohnson

But considering that I've worn pants for about four days in the last year - I'm not expecting to put on a suit anytime soon...

Exactly, I like nice clothes and shoes, but I can't see spending money on them since I'm unlikely to wear them much. Especially now that we live in the country. I was very excited to get a pair of AE "whole cut" shoes in "walnut" super cheap from shoebank when they were discontinued. That's probably the last pair of dress shoes that I'll buy for a long time or maybe ever.

I've got a couple of pairs of their Jefferson model (walnut and black) that I also got for <50% of original price from shoebank. I can't remember what they call it, but they've got a premium line that's made with nicer leather, nicer soles, etc..., that's what the Jefferson's are.

[Tobra]

The thing with the slip on shoes is the foot tends to move around too much in them. I suggest you wear the new shoes around your house a bit, especially if it is a brand you have not used before. Sometimes you have to walk around in them before they become uncomfortable.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I've neve heard of pouring water in a boot. Do manufacturers really condone that?

Yep, all the time. When I sold Kinney's shoes back in the day they had a particular brand of high work boot. The Cowboys from the Irvine Ranch (yes that long ago) would buy these boots a size small. They would soak the whole boot in a tub of water and wear them wet to get a perfect fit.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

Yep, all the time. When I sold Kinney's shoes back in the day they had a particular brand of high work boot. The Cowboys from the Irvine Ranch (yes that long ago) would buy these boots a size small. They would soak the whole boot in a tub of water and wear them wet to get a perfect fit.

Interesting!

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by masraum

Interesting!

Yep, they would pick up a small can of neatsfoot oil from us and put that on the boot after they stretched them.

[flatbutt]

I wonder if the water bit would work with leather gloves? I have a new pair of Held gloves that are killin' me to break in.