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

[r.biker]

Hi all,

I'm on the hunt for my next pair of boots. Currently have some cool chippewa monkey style boots that I've had for a long time with a nice wedge sole (will post some pics if anyones interested in seeing how they're aging..) I have had redwing in the past which I rate highly.

But I thought it would be interesting to hear thoughts on, if you could pick just one boot to wear for the rest of your life, what would it be?

(Apologies if this has already been asked elsewhere, couldn't find a thread)

 

[The Lost kansan]

Probably Redwing Mocs or 80s/early 90s docs

 

[r.biker]

Probably Redwing Mocs or 80s/early 90s docs

Yeah I like the mocs. Have been considering those, and the new beckmans look nice too, but think they have an unstructured toe which might affect the longevity of them.

Old docs are great, not sure if the new "Made in England" ones stack up to those.

 

[The Lost kansan]

Yeah I like the mocs. Have been considering those, and the new beckmans look nice too, but think they have an unstructured toe which might affect the longevity of them.

Old docs are great, not sure if the new "Made in England" ones stack up to those.

I can’t speak for everyone, but my experience with the current production MIE docs hasn’t been great. Paper thin leather with very little support. Deadstock 90s models are getting harder and harder to find online though especially in larger sizes

 

[jchance]

John Lobb Double Monk Boots

 

[Pandemic]

For comfort: White’s Semi Dress boots.

For versatility and convenience: RM Williams Lachlan or Church’s Ryder 3 boots.

 

[Edward]

I can’t speak for everyone, but my experience with the current production MIE docs hasn’t been great. Paper thin leather with very little support. Deadstock 90s models are getting harder and harder to find online though especially in larger sizes

The ones I've handled recently are.... ok, but I wouldn't expect to have to choose between resoling and replacing. I wore the original MIE boots back in the early 90s. 18 months with a pair before the top split on a toe crease was a good innings. To be fair, that was with daily wear, six and a half days a week, but still. At today's prices, I'd much rather have something from the likes of Grenson or Trickers.

If I was seriously gonig to go to an 'only' boot, it would be something like Cathcart London (SJC as was then)'s Ammo boot:

(Promo image, unfortunately I don't have a photo of my own handy.)

Ideally in a burgundy (which I find a more flexible colour by far than either black or any shade of brown in terms of what it goes with). This style of boot can work with denim, but doesn't look absurd for the higher proportion of the time I'm in a less 'workwear' trouser. It wouldn't be much use for black or white tie, though I suppose as I more often wear a kilt to that sort of occasion these days, this sort of boot wouldn't look out of place as a substitute for a ghillie brogue.

Plenty of options for this style of boot. I like the mix of a shiny toecap and grained leather in the body: I've never had a boot split or look unsightly over the toe joint area when it's grained there.

William Lennon's offerings would run this style a close second, though they'd be less wearable in a situation requiring something dressier.

Of course, this is all I realise taking 'boot' quite literally; if we're defining this loosely enough to incorporate uncovered ankles, then a stout, grained leather brogue in burgundy would be the ticket, with the advantage of being a touch more bearable when the year turns and we hit hellheat season in London (June - September).

 

[Carlos840]

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...

 

[zebedee]

Solovair beat the Doc M boots I had in terms of quality and durability.

One pair of boots for me would be William Lennons. Brown tug-o-war boots with rubber soles.

 

[r.biker]

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...

These are a great shout. Finding a pair is another thing..

Thanks for the tip on nicks boots too.

 

[r.biker]

Solovair beat the Doc M boots I had in terms of quality and durability.

One pair of boots for me would be William Lennons. Brown tug-o-war boots with rubber soles.

Thanks! William Lennons looks cool too, not sure I've heard of those. Their fell boots look interesting https://williamlennon.co.uk/shop/x10-fell-boots/

 

[Randomuser]

Viberg service boot, although they’ve jacked the prices to laughable amounts.

 

[Edward]

Thanks! William Lennons looks cool too, not sure I've heard of those. Their fell boots look interesting https://williamlennon.co.uk/shop/x10-fell-boots/

Highly recommended. Not as cheap as they once were, but still significantly more affordable than anything of comparable quality.

 

[Guppy]

Hi all,

I'm on the hunt for my next pair of boots. Currently have some cool chippewa monkey style boots that I've had for a long time with a nice wedge sole (will post some pics if anyones interested in seeing how they're aging..) I have had redwing in the past which I rate highly.

But I thought it would be interesting to hear thoughts on, if you could pick just one boot to wear for the rest of your life, what would it be?

(Apologies if this has already been asked elsewhere, couldn't find a thread)

That's really tough due to different weather and terrain.

For a pair of uninsulated boots, I'd go with a 8" pair from a PNW maker: White's, Nicks, or Frank's. My most comfortable probably being my White's Bounty Hunters on their semi-dress last. They are a good mix of heavy duty, rugged, durable, and comfortable enough to wear all day, look great, and can be worn with a wide range of styles. Vibram V100 Lug soles, all-eyes lacing, black.

For extreme cold I'd probably want something else.

 

[The Lost kansan]

The ones I've handled recently are.... ok, but I wouldn't expect to have to choose between resoling and replacing. I wore the original MIE boots back in the early 90s. 18 months with a pair before the top split on a toe crease was a good innings. To be fair, that was with daily wear, six and a half days a week, but still. At today's prices, I'd much rather have something from the likes of Grenson or Trickers.

If I was seriously gonig to go to an 'only' boot, it would be something like Cathcart London (SJC as was then)'s Ammo boot:

View attachment 702039

(Promo image, unfortunately I don't have a photo of my own handy.)

Ideally in a burgundy (which I find a more flexible colour by far than either black or any shade of brown in terms of what it goes with). This style of boot can work with denim, but doesn't look absurd for the higher proportion of the time I'm in a less 'workwear' trouser. It wouldn't be much use for black or white tie, though I suppose as I more often wear a kilt to that sort of occasion these days, this sort of boot wouldn't look out of place as a substitute for a ghillie brogue.

Plenty of options for this style of boot. I like the mix of a shiny toecap and grained leather in the body: I've never had a boot split or look unsightly over the toe joint area when it's grained there.

William Lennon's offerings would run this style a close second, though they'd be less wearable in a situation requiring something dressier.

Of course, this is all I realise taking 'boot' quite literally; if we're defining this loosely enough to incorporate uncovered ankles, then a stout, grained leather brogue in burgundy would be the ticket, with the advantage of being a touch more bearable when the year turns and we hit hellheat season in London (June - September).

Joseph Cheaney also does some similar models, shiny polished caps but pebbled on the creasing areas. I always linger at their shop window to look but they’re out of my price range for the time being.

 

[Carlos840]

These are a great shout. Finding a pair is another thing..

Thanks for the tip on nicks boots too.

I have found an unworn pair of of brown ones on Ebay a few years ago (number 2970) and a spare pair of black ones (2989) last year, they are out there and pretty cheap as not "fashionnable"...

I had the pair in the pics resoled last year and they are good to go for another decade.

 

[Zoro]

I'm not a fan of the question because I'm a big fan of complementary items. For example, I got my Grant Stone mocs with a wedge sole and they are extremely comfy... But I would never want to wear them on a dirt trail because I distrust the wedge to perform well there. You know what? I actually wouldn't want to wear any of my boots to the woods or a hike because I use them all as different fashion styles while in town. My complementary here would be hiking trainers/shoes, not boots (let alone heritage style ones).

If I had to really choose a single boot that I would functionally wear in any situation in life, I would probably choose some combat boot with a chunky sole... Which is something I do not even want to own.

I know, I'm reading it too literally But I still believe what's right for you is entirely dependant on your lifestyle and your current wardrobe.

 

[Carlos840]

These are a great shout. Finding a pair is another thing..

Thanks for the tip on nicks boots too.

Sorry i got that wrong, just double checked my emails and it was Whites Boots who said they would do it.
A custom Nomad boot with crepe soles would be USD 629.95

I never went through with it as the custom order proces seemed a gamble and i am in Europe...

 

[Carlos840]

I'm not a fan of the question because I'm a big fan of complementary items. For example, I got my Grant Stone mocs with a wedge sole and they are extremely comfy... But I would never want to wear them on a dirt trail because I distrust the wedge to perform well there. You know what? I actually wouldn't want to wear any of my boots to the woods or a hike because I use them all as different fashion styles while in town. My complementary here would be hiking trainers/shoes, not boots (let alone heritage style ones).

If I had to really choose a single boot that I would functionally wear in any situation in life, I would probably choose some combat boot with a chunky sole... Which is something I do not even want to own.

I know, I'm reading it too literally But I still believe what's right for you is entirely dependant on your lifestyle and your current wardrobe.

Dude, the US Marines had crepe soles on their combat boots in WWII and the Red Wing Moc Toes have crepe soles and have been used on dirt trails for decades!

I wear Red Wing 877 doing forestry work and to climb on rooves (tubing chimneys) and they are great soles for both activities.

Crepe for life!

 

[The Lost kansan]

Dude, the US Marines had crepe soles on their combat boots in WWII and the Red Wing Moc Toes have crepe soles and have been used on dirt trails for decades!

I wear Red Wing 877 doing forestry work and to climb on roofs (tubing chimneys) and they are great soles for both acitivites.

Crepe for life!

Agree completely with this. I’ve worn Redwing and Thorogood wedge soles for everything from warehouse work to forestry, to general farm labour, forklift and tractor driving, trail hiking etc. I’ve really not been in a situation with those boots where I wished I had put on a different pair of shoes…. Except for one time I stepped on a cardboard box to pre crush it before putting it into the bailer and it shot out from under my foot and I faceplanted…. But otherwise, they’re my all purpose go to sole style