RAF Aircrew Boots

Deacon211 · Feb 13, 2015

Now that I have my Irvin, I have been tempted to find a set of aircrew boots. It doesn't seem like there is an over abundance of them.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

http://www.smwholesaleusa.com/raf-flying-boots

Thanks

Deacon

Dumpster Diver · Feb 13, 2015

Those are nice Looking Escape boots! woah...like do you own a bank or something tho!

Deacon211 · Feb 13, 2015

No doubt....they ain't giving them away!

But where else would you find something as unusual as a pair of RAF flight boots?

Big J · Feb 13, 2015

They look great, but the thing that always puts me off is the idea of slipping over on my ass with those smooth leather soles. They'd be great otherwise.

Stearmen · Feb 13, 2015

Here is a thread on RAF boots, including many replicas. Good reading! http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?26585-Flying-boots

Spitfire · Feb 13, 2015

I know that Lewis Leathers do RAF boots. Around £ 420. They are well made but got the vamp wrong. As many replica makers did through time. And they do not have the looked after saddle stitching either. But all in all - maybe the best replica you can get out there.
I bought a pair from AERO - but they've stopped making them. Mine are great and gets a lot of use in the wintertime.

Deacon211 · Feb 13, 2015

Big J said:
They look great, but the thing that always puts me off is the idea of slipping over on my ass with those smooth leather soles. They'd be great otherwise.

The thought did occur to me! LOL!

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Deacon211 · Feb 13, 2015

Stearmen said:
Here is a thread on RAF boots, including many replicas. Good reading! http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?26585-Flying-boots

Thanks Stearman! I had looked at it before, but some of the prices are up there. These seem a decent way to dabble in what would just be mucking about boots...provided they don't fall apart in two years in which case I should have bitten the bullet and went big!

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Deacon211 · Feb 13, 2015

Spitfire said:
I know that Lewis Leathers do RAF boots. Around £ 420. They are well made but got the vamp wrong. As many replica makers did through time. And they do not have the looked after saddle stitching either. But all in all - maybe the best replica you can get out there.
I bought a pair from AERO - but they've stopped making them. Mine are great and gets a lot of use in the wintertime.

Thanks to you as well Søren! I'll need to check them out even if they aren't the epitome of accuracy.

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WhiskeyTangoFox · Feb 13, 2015

Deacon:

I do have these RAF boots. They aren't completely accurate reproductions as has been said by others but they are pretty well constructed. I have had mine resoled/reheeled so they can be repaired when necessary.

The funny thing is that with the leather sole, they aren't as slippery on snow and ice as they should be. I've even used them for cold weather motorcycle riding and never had any grip issues. To be on the safe side, one could get a rubber half-sole installed for extra insurance.

All that being said, the Lewis Leathers version look really nice too.

Noel

Stand By · Feb 13, 2015

I had a pair of the 1936 pattern boots that were made for ELC in the late 1980s - just one of 48 pairs! I got them as I'd just got my first Irvin (by Aviation Leathercraft) and felt I wanted a pair at the time to go with it - and the boots were perfect reproductions (made in Northampton on the same lasts as originals) - and the soles were the same too; which is to say deadly on snow and ice! I had them resoled by an old cobbler who put a lightly gripped sole on them and that helped. And they looked great.
But I would say that, as much as people around here appreciate boots like this, the question is where do you wear them??? Pair them with an Irvin and suddenly you're in costume for Piece of Cake or something (as nice as that might feel) and I felt too self-conscious to wear them outdoors - so I let them go.
I'm certainly not looking to rain of your parade of desire, Deacon, but I just want to say that it might be a bit more difficult to wear them out and about than you may think … unless you just want them for having them's sakes - in my single years, I always enjoyed wearing mine around the house and with my feet up enjoying a tasty beer (alone, I might add! Ha!Ha!Ha! Later my girlfriend HATED them! I always thought that was bit harsh).

Otter · Feb 13, 2015

That echoes my sentiment, nice for keeping your feet warm on the rudder pedals, but f all use if you have to walk anywhere.

Spitfire · Feb 13, 2015

"In costume for Piece of Cake!" lol lol lol
It's true what Stand By wrote. Combining the Irvin and the 1936 pattern boots give a certain look.

I very seldom uses my Irvin AND my boots together. Only when I have to drive very far in the wintertime, and snow is all over the place. Then I always throws in the Irvin and the boots in the back of my car. It has saved the day several times, when I got stuck in snow or roads were blocked. I just took on the jacket and boots. Cut off the engine and went to sleep. And when I finally could drive on I just kept them on - nice on "the rudder pedals" and nice to wear when I arrived at my destination and had to walk through 50 cm of snow.

Stand By · Feb 13, 2015

You wear them all well, Spitfire! (Great silk scarf too!). I love the look - even the "olde sepia photo" lends the perfect final detail !!! I love the look, don't get me wrong. But let's face it - go in a pub wearing the full ensemble and it'd be asking to get the "Where'd you park your bomber, mate? You find room in the car park? Hur Hur" comments … Oh, so original.

And I know what you mean Spitfire - I used to enjoy just putting on the Irvin with the boots and they felt so comfy together … pour a beer and put some music on and the feet up and relax … all in the privacy of my own home of course. It's very harmless and there are worse things to be caught doing …!!!

I was watching Ken Burn's lengthy (2+ hour per episode) and meaty documentary "The War" the other night with my girlfriend (and it's fantastic, well recommended) and we got to Part 4 and there were some scenes of the Eighth AF crews in their B3's and B6's and A2's and my girlfriend said cheerfully "Oh look! They've got your costume on." Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!

Spitfire · Feb 13, 2015

Thanks mate!
Funny thing is, if you wear the boots without the jacket some people ask wether you have a motorcycle.
And if it's really cold and with lots of snow, people are envious at the boots and asks where I bought them.
When you wear the Irvin - without the boots - it attracts lots of attention. From the female part of the population too. They like to touch it and try it on.
It's only when you wear the two things together, you might get these looks and remarks. "Hey Battler Britton, where did you park your Spitfire?"
HA HA HA!
But like you, I really like wearing my boots. They are warm and comfy. Makes a special noise, when you walk around in them, which always reminds me of back then in the 40's. It is often described in books too..."the sound of many heavy boots in the corridors just before breakfast."
I know nothing better than to put on my boots and my Irvin just to sit outside autumn nights with a sip of single malt. Or on frosty winter days with clear blue sky. And then - I swear - I can not be bothered, what people think.

aswatland · Feb 13, 2015

Dumpster Diver said:
Those are nice Looking Escape boots! woah...like do you own a bank or something tho!

They are repro 1936 pattern boots, rather than the 1943 Escape boots. Sadly the 1936 pattern boots are not accurate reproductions.

Big J · Feb 13, 2015

I could see me wearing them on the bike, or walking the dog in the snow, but I think that my chances to wear a pair would be limited.

BUT....
...they do look bloody good!

Dumpster Diver · Feb 13, 2015

I like the polished Look as much as the dull suede and Rubber Look on those boots.

I think back in the 80s 90s US calvary magazine had RAF escape boots to order, but they were Imitation looking, but still looked good.

Trotsky · Feb 13, 2015

WhiskeyTangoFox said:
Deacon:

I do have these RAF boots. They aren't completely accurate reproductions as has been said by others but they are pretty well constructed. I have had mine resoled/reheeled so they can be repaired when necessary.

The funny thing is that with the leather sole, they aren't as slippery on snow and ice as they should be. I've even used them for cold weather motorcycle riding and never had any grip issues. To be on the safe side, one could get a rubber half-sole installed for extra insurance.

All that being said, the Lewis Leathers version look really nice too.

Noel

Yep, the leather sole is fine as long as your heel is rubber. Does anybody have Jerry Lee's '36 Pattern boots?

Stearmen · Feb 14, 2015

Spitfire said:

You pull the look off well Søren!

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