If you had to wear just 1 pair of boots for the rest of your life, what would they be?

[Bawheid]

^
Vintage bogan wear

You betcha cobber...***y as...

PS and I am well thru' with being cool haha...

 

[Pandemic]

You betcha cobber...***y as...

Heheh. It’s funny how Aussie subcultures of the 70s and 80s were so closely tied to footwear. Morrison that clothing, the boots or shoes defined your tribe (boat shoes, ripple sole desert boots, winklepickers, Doc Martin boots, Converse All Stars, etc)

 

[Bawheid]

Heheh. It’s funny how Aussie subcultures of the 70s and 80s were so closely tied to footwear. Morrison that clothing, the boots or shoes defined your tribe (boat shoes, ripple sole desert boots, Doc Martin boots, Converse All Stars, etc)

Dr Martens too hot for me in Western Australia, foot temperature wise I mean.
Some folks here do wear 'em tho'.

Many of the "Bikie" AKA Outlaw motorcycle gangs wear black Rossi ripple sole lace up Desert Boots.
Good enough for them haha...

 

[Pandemic]

Dr Martens too hot for me in Western Australia, foot temperature wise I mean.
Some folks here do wear 'em tho'.

Many of the "Bikie" AKA Outlaw motorcycle gangs wear black Rossi ripple sole lace up Desert Boots.
Goos enough for them haha...

Ha, I got into a few tussles in Dadas’ basement and the Hay Street Mall wearing my docs. Skinheads and bogans mostly.

 

[Bawheid]

I have been a biker since forever, you can ride year round here as you will remember. Not that many rain days.

I would reverse park my Harley into designated bike bays in Northbridge 25+ years ago, and the crowds would part to let you thru to the Brass Monkey Hotel. GREAT pub that, bike bays right at the door.

In my heavy soled Blundstones of course haha...

 

[MrProper]

Not the same pair obviously but thy would last maybe 3 years before they became "dog walking" or gardening boots , being replaced by a new pair.

There is a cobbler/shoemaker in Germany who resoles Blunnies.
Looks pretty good.

On the subject... for the life of me, I can't imagine getting by with just one pair of shoes. I now have around 30 or 40 pairs (some are in storage, so I don't know exactly) and new ones are constantly being added. The seasonal differences in weather alone are not suitable for a single pair. And who wants to look the same every day?
By the way, shoes last much longer if they are not worn every day. A break of one or two days to air and dry your shoes is good for them. So does occasional care.

 

[tamoko]

Definitely Red Wings one.

 

[jrkirkwo]

John Lofgren M-43's - comfy as a pair of slippers, but built like a tank.
or
another vote for Red Wing Moc Toes

Do you find the m43 comfortable for long walks? I have a pair that I haven’t put the time into breaking in and I love the shape and fit but the heel counter presses into me heel in a weird way. Can’t decide if they just aren’t broken in enough or not right for my feet….any reflections would be greatly appreciated!

 

[belfastboy]

I am a big Danner fan. My ONE go to boot would be the Danner, all leather service boot, The Black Hawk model .

 

[BloodEagle]

Do you find the m43 comfortable for long walks? I have a pair that I haven’t put the time into breaking in and I love the shape and fit but the heel counter presses into me heel in a weird way. Can’t decide if they just aren’t broken in enough or not right for my feet….any reflections would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, extremely comfortable, the most comfortable boots Ive ever onwed by some stretch - they didnt start off that way though and did take a little breaking in. Whereabouts on the heel counter is it pressing?

 

[jrkirkwo]

Yes, extremely comfortable, the most comfortable boots Ive ever onwed by some stretch - they didnt start off that way though and did take a little breaking in. Whereabouts on the heel counter is it pressing?

Thanks!

I guess just in the middle. Feels like in other boots there is a bit more of a rounded pocket of sorts for my heel to sit in and these feel like the back of the heel is flat and presses into the heel rather than cupping it. I imagine with the soft cxl it’ll just take some time to form to my feet. And when the sole gets more broken in it’ll put less pressure on the heel in the first place.

 

[r.biker]

Really appreciate all the thoughts and replies from everyone, loads of boots to look at that i was never aware of before.

For now, I think I'm going to grab a pair of red wing moc toes or iron rangers whilst I weigh up all the other options too.

I'm fairly new to this forum but finding it super interesting & helpful.

 

[Edward]

Really appreciate all the thoughts and replies from everyone, loads of boots to look at that i was never aware of before.

For now, I think I'm going to grab a pair of red wing moc toes or iron rangers whilst I weigh up all the other options too.

I'm fairly new to this forum but finding it super interesting & helpful.

Iron Rangers are a great boot. Mine are over a dozen years old now, and just coking ready for a first resoling (I could probably get a year or two yet if I really pushed it). If they did a version that would take a shine they'd be a very flexible boot indeed.

 

[Schambach]

I have been wearing Red Wings Engineers with crepe soles for around 15 yeard, they are a game changer:

You get the protection of boots with the comfort of trainers, nothing else feels like them.
It's all i wear day to day and it's all i entend on wearing in the future.

Unfortunately they are not made in men's size anymore, but i have contacted Nicks boots and they said they could do it...

I think you're on to something here. I have a pair of Wesco boss with a Vibram wedge and they are fantastic. I love them for everything except long walks.

 

[Budgewink]

I'd love to say Iron Rangers but for comfort my Thorogood mocs would definitely be considered.

 

[r.biker]

I'd love to say Iron Rangers but for comfort my Thorogood mocs would definitely be considered.

I like the thorogoods! They seem harder to come by in the UK. Is there much of a difference between the quality of thorogood and redwing overall? Danner is another one that seems to put out very similar models at a similar price point

 

[AeroFan_07]

There is a cobbler/shoemaker in Germany who resoles Blunnies.
Looks pretty good.
View attachment 703259 View attachment 703260
On the subject... for the life of me, I can't imagine getting by with just one pair of shoes. I now have around 30 or 40 pairs (some are in storage, so I don't know exactly) and new ones are constantly being added. The seasonal differences in weather alone are not suitable for a single pair. And who wants to look the same every day?
By the way, shoes last much longer if they are not worn every day. A break of one or two days to air and dry your shoes is good for them. So does occasional care.

Good response right here:
On the subject... for the life of me, I can't imagine getting by with just one pair of shoes. I now have around 30 or 40 pairs (some are in storage, so I don't know exactly) and new ones are constantly being added. The seasonal differences in weather alone are not suitable for a single pair. And who wants to look the same every day?
By the way, shoes last much longer if they are not worn every day. A break of one or two days to air and dry your shoes is good for them. So does occasional care.

I do not haul gravel or tow a skid loader with my Honda Civic. Trucks are built for these purposes. To me a boot still needs to be a boot, not a raised shoe. But I also do not climb a hiking trail in a work boot either - that is yet another direction.

 

[The Lost kansan]

I like the thorogoods! They seem harder to come by in the UK. Is there much of a difference between the quality of thorogood and redwing overall? Danner is another one that seems to put out very similar models at a similar price point

Others opinions may differ but in my experience wearing both Redwing and Thorogood Mocs for work and off work, Thorogood is more comfortable but Redwing lasts longer and is generally better build quality (and fully made in the USA). I’m not sure if this is still the case with all the political stuff happening but boot barn sells Thorogood and ship most items to the uk.
For Redwing they have a store here in London but their customer service is lacking.

 

[cl206]

My RM Williams Comfort Craftsman. However I would never ever wear the same boots or shoes on consecutive days b/c my feet would REALLY start to stink. Trust me, baaaad!
I have 2 pairs of RM Williams and love them both. Very comfy. Am considering a 3rd pair in chestnut. Not having to deal with laces is just major slay!

 

[Budgewink]

I like the thorogoods! They seem harder to come by in the UK. Is there much of a difference between the quality of thorogood and redwing overall? Danner is another one that seems to put out very similar models at a similar price point

The Quality of Thorogoods is very good, very well constructed, good stitching. I'm UK also and have wide feet so it's always a bit of a gamle with sizing. Which was my main gripe with Red Wings, even after visiting the London store I struggled to find Iron rangers that either didn't slip or feel like they rubbed somewhat. Iron Rangers do have a very straight (flat) heel rise though. Im yet to own any Red wing MOCs or engineers so couldn't comment on those. I did try some mocs on instore which felt quite tough but I'd obviously need to see them through the break-in stage. Thorogoods leather is quite soft in comparison, especially around the heel.