looking for boots advice

Hi all
I'm looking for a new boot for the autumn / winter season, black color

I'm currently watching:

John lofgren combats boot
John lofgren monkey boot
oak street lakeshore boot

other options?

I have a wide foot, as a comparison I wear an 8US EE in Red Wing iron ranger

Try nicks handmade boots, once you order you can request a try on boot that will help get you the most ideal fit

Jin431 said:

Try nicks handmade boots, once you order you can request a try on boot that will help get you the most ideal fit

Click to expand...

unfortunately I don't know where to find them in Europe

Since you're located in Europe and you're after a cap-toe or combat-style dress boot, I'd recommend the following British brands and models:

https://eu.crockettandjones.com/col...lection/products/northcote-darkbrown-wax-calf
https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection/products/coniston-tan-scotch-grain
https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection/products/harlech-whisky-cordovan
https://www.trickers.com/eu/mens/country-boots/grassmere-black-scotch-grain-boot-commando
https://www.cheaney.co.uk/cheaney-trafalgar-capped-derby-boot-in-black-calf-leather-p880
https://www.cheaney.co.uk/cheaney-elliott-ii-r-capped-derby-boot-in-mahogany-grain-leather-p1079
https://www.loake.com/product/roehampton-black/
https://eu.barkershoes.com/collections/mens-boots/products/donegal-black-grain

I've owned all these brands and I'm pretty happy with them. I prefer C&J and Tricker's to the rest, however they are quite more expensive.

Ofcourse you can try Alden's as well, along with C&J and Tricker's my favourite brand:
https://www.fransboonestore.com/col...ts/re-stock-alden-cordovan-8-parajumper-boots
https://www.fransboonestore.com/col...en-x-frans-boone-snuff-suede-parajumper-boots

Another brand that gets enough praise is Carmina, though I have never tried it myself:
https://www.carminashoemaker.com/cordovan-boots-bourbon-80184
https://www.carminashoemaker.com/dress-boots-cordovan-hatch-grain-burgundy-80179

Brunell80 said:

Hi all
I'm looking for a new boot for the autumn / winter season, black color

I'm currently watching:

John lofgren combats boot
John lofgren monkey boot
oak street lakeshore boot

other options?

I have a wide foot, as a comparison I wear an 8US EE in Red Wing iron ranger

Click to expand...

I am a huge fan of Danner. Own about 8 pairs of their Portland OR made boots. I have a wide foot and their EE width fits me like custom made.

If you make it to Munich or Cologne before, you could make a visit at Bertl or Kentaurus, he does some nice stuff that might be worth a tryout.

https://schuhbertl.com/en/home/

http://www.kentaurus.de/

these are also interesting

https://www.stuf-f.com/en/clothing/...ther-vege-chrome-horse-work-boots-black-vs-02

I would also recommend the Crockett & Jones Conniston boots (linked in the post above).
Also …fun fact … if you want to save some money look for the same boot as a Peal & Co boot - I found mine on eBay, unworn, for around 200 euro shipped (retail price here in Ireland is around 500 euro for the C&J branded version). C&J make/made these boots for Peal and Co - it’s an identical boot to the Conniston (I have both … the only difference is that the model number and size are handwritten on the lining of the Peal and Co, but printed on the C&Js)

Also … I too have a fairly wide foot. I’m at least an E in most US brands. I’m between a 11 and 10.5UK in terms of size (between 11-11.5 US brannock).
I’ve worn Whites, Vibergs, Lofgrens, Trickers and C&J.

Of course the fit is dependent on lasts - but in general I’m comfortable in a Viberg size 10.5 (2030/1035 last), 11US in Whites (MP boots), 11 in Lofgren engineers (though I needed to stretch the shaft to get my foot into them - length wise they were perfect - width too), 10.5-11 in Trickers (width is fine - they’re wide - length can be tricky) and 11 in C&J.

I highly recommend Trickers, they may be more expensive but they will last a lifetime.

Brunell80 said:

Hi all
I'm looking for a new boot for the autumn / winter season, black color

I'm currently watching:

John lofgren combats boot
John lofgren monkey boot
oak street lakeshore boot

other options?

I have a wide foot, as a comparison I wear an 8US EE in Red Wing iron ranger

Click to expand...

I am a fan of Danner, their top line is made in Portland OR still....a fine boot. I have a wide foot and high instep and their 10EE fits me like a custom boot.

Corcoran 1500. Actual combat boots, but with pants over them, they don't really stand out. I always thought they paired well with jeans.

Harris HTM said:

Since you're located in Europe and you're after a cap-toe or combat-style dress boot, I'd recommend the following British brands and models:

https://eu.crockettandjones.com/col...lection/products/northcote-darkbrown-wax-calf
https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection/products/coniston-tan-scotch-grain
https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection/products/harlech-whisky-cordovan
https://www.trickers.com/eu/mens/country-boots/grassmere-black-scotch-grain-boot-commando
https://www.cheaney.co.uk/cheaney-trafalgar-capped-derby-boot-in-black-calf-leather-p880
https://www.cheaney.co.uk/cheaney-elliott-ii-r-capped-derby-boot-in-mahogany-grain-leather-p1079
https://www.loake.com/product/roehampton-black/
https://eu.barkershoes.com/collections/mens-boots/products/donegal-black-grain

I've owned all these brands and I'm pretty happy with them. I prefer C&J and Tricker's to the rest, however they are quite more expensive.

Ofcourse you can try Alden's as well, along with C&J and Tricker's my favourite brand:
https://www.fransboonestore.com/col...ts/re-stock-alden-cordovan-8-parajumper-boots
https://www.fransboonestore.com/col...en-x-frans-boone-snuff-suede-parajumper-boots

Another brand that gets enough praise is Carmina, though I have never tried it myself:
https://www.carminashoemaker.com/cordovan-boots-bourbon-80184
https://www.carminashoemaker.com/dress-boots-cordovan-hatch-grain-burgundy-80179

Click to expand...

I had a great time looking at all these. Thanks. Most I haven't seen. The prices are insane.

to conclude, I bought John Lofgren's combat boots, black color, size 8

I remember Sarah Silverman being on a talk show. One of the questions was how she treated herself. Like after a success or a big pay day, how did she reward herself. She said she bought a pair of combat boots for herself at a high end department store after her last movie. She gave the brand, but I can't remember it right now. I found that curious, so I googled them. They were north of $800, and they really didn't look like anything too outside your standard combat boot. I didn't get it. I don't get it. If they'd had a fashion flair to them, or some special look, I'd have understood. On top of it, they looked like they were made like crap.

Ernest P Shackleton said:

I remember Sarah Silverman being on a talk show. One of the questions was how she treated herself. Like after a success or a big pay day, how did she reward herself. She said she bought a pair of combat boots for herself at a high end department store after her last movie. She gave the brand, but I can't remember it right now. I found that curious, so I googled them. They were north of $800, and they really didn't look like anything too outside your standard combat boot. I didn't get it. I don't get it. If they'd had a fashion flair to them, or some special look, I'd have understood. On top of it, they looked like they were made like crap.

Click to expand...

Let her be the judge of that- it's her money.

Harris HTM said:

Since you're located in Europe and you're after a cap-toe or combat-style dress boot, I'd recommend the following British brands and models:

https://eu.crockettandjones.com/col...lection/products/northcote-darkbrown-wax-calf
https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection/products/coniston-tan-scotch-grain
https://eu.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-boots-collection/products/harlech-whisky-cordovan
https://www.trickers.com/eu/mens/country-boots/grassmere-black-scotch-grain-boot-commando
https://www.cheaney.co.uk/cheaney-trafalgar-capped-derby-boot-in-black-calf-leather-p880
https://www.cheaney.co.uk/cheaney-elliott-ii-r-capped-derby-boot-in-mahogany-grain-leather-p1079
https://www.loake.com/product/roehampton-black/
https://eu.barkershoes.com/collections/mens-boots/products/donegal-black-grain

I've owned all these brands and I'm pretty happy with them. I prefer C&J and Tricker's to the rest, however they are quite more expensive.

Ofcourse you can try Alden's as well, along with C&J and Tricker's my favourite brand:
https://www.fransboonestore.com/col...ts/re-stock-alden-cordovan-8-parajumper-boots
https://www.fransboonestore.com/col...en-x-frans-boone-snuff-suede-parajumper-boots

Another brand that gets enough praise is Carmina, though I have never tried it myself:
https://www.carminashoemaker.com/cordovan-boots-bourbon-80184
https://www.carminashoemaker.com/dress-boots-cordovan-hatch-grain-burgundy-80179

Click to expand...

Good list. Aero's boots are always nice, and I would find it very hard to look past William Lennon.

Ernest P Shackleton said:

I remember Sarah Silverman being on a talk show. One of the questions was how she treated herself. Like after a success or a big pay day, how did she reward herself. She said she bought a pair of combat boots for herself at a high end department store after her last movie. She gave the brand, but I can't remember it right now. I found that curious, so I googled them. They were north of $800, and they really didn't look like anything too outside your standard combat boot. I didn't get it. I don't get it. If they'd had a fashion flair to them, or some special look, I'd have understood. On top of it, they looked like they were made like crap.

Click to expand...

It would be interesting to see; while they're typically far above what I could justify spending, I've often been surprised by the quality of some 'fashion' brands once you get into that level of money. Really depends on the boot. I've seen boots that retail around that price in these parts that don't look significantly different to a pair of standard issue squaddie boots I could pick up in the local army surplus store for around USD100 equivalent.

Course, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder... I've known plenty of folks can't see the difference between a non-descript leather jacket I picked up on ebay for thirty quid and an Aero I bought new at over £700.

It's interesting what different priorities there are in different markets, though. Aside from whether a label is desirable, I've handled plenty of expensive shoes from both England and Italy. The English shoes were very much more to my tastes: solid, hefty build, what I regard as 'quality'. The equally expensive Italian calf-leather shoes felt too flimsy, too soft, too fragile, even , to me - despite being equally well stitched and made. I know, of course, that plenty of people will flock to buy those Italian shoes precisely because they are very soft and require no break-in. Storses for courses as we say in these parts.

belfastboy said:

I am a fan of Danner

Click to expand...

Ernest P Shackleton said:

Corcoran 1500

Click to expand...

Both are excellent choices. Along those lines, Rocky and Bates also produce good work boots. Corcoran, Danner, Rocky, Bates - all sold by uniform shops, and perfectly comfortable for all day wear by postal service, police, fire, medics, bus drivers. Look for the term "Berry Compliant". Those boots are usually built a little better.

Over the years, I have bought a lot of shoes and boots. Some more expensive. Some at a rock bottom price. I got to a point where I decided that I no longer wanted shoes. Only boots. Even in a suit and tie, or dinner jacket, I could wear polished black boots. There are certain boots which honestly stand out and feel really good on my feet. My feet. We all have different feet. Your feet may feel good with something else.

I can appreciate the craftsmanship and build quality of more expensive shoes. And I understand how certain shoes can be built to be rebuilt by a good cobbler. Some shoe manufacturers offer recrafting.

Not taking anything away from really expensive boots, but there are 2 cheap boots that I would buy again without hesitation.

The 1st would be Dr. Martens. On my feet, they feel good. I've always liked Dr. Martens when riding motorcycles. Those soft rubber AirWair soles feel good when I have to put my feet down. I know how they don't use great leather, and that the soles are actually melted onto the shoe with a hot knife. And it's ridiculous that "artisan cobblers" can skilfully take the shoe apart, build a new Goodyear welt, and then resole with a Vibram sole - all for more than it cost just to buy a new pair.

The 2nd pair of cheap boots that I really like, are Stacy Adams Madison. The "kidskin" uppers are barely like a 2nd cousin, once removed, from pleather. They have that cheap shoe look, which looks like you should wear it with a cheap suit. Stacy Adams are the premium shoe, in stores and flea market booths, which still sell Zoot Suits. Literally, a $100 shoe to go with a $100 suit. While they are not absolute junk like $35 shoes from Kohl's and Wal*Mart; there is absolutely nothing good about the way these boots are constructed. Before I even wear them, I have a cobbler apply a thin sheet of Vibram rubber on the sole. This is the type of shoe which the cobbler will laugh at, if you ask him to repair them. I cannot understand, how they feel so good, on my feet. Absolutely comfortable - on me. I've literally put miles a day on them. Not sitting behind a desk, staring at a screen. But real constant walking, on city streets, for hours.

If you like Dr Martens try Solovair, similar air wear soles but vastly better constructed and using superior leathers and a very good range of boot styles.

D

I am between 9.5 and 10 E on the Brannock, can any suggest what size Crockett & Jones will fit me?
I looking at a size 9 E 338 last