What shoes are you wearing during winter/wet weather

[tamoko]

Just a Goretex. In work, fashion no matter

 

[Cuvier]

Just a Goretex. In work, fashion no matter

I can usually get away with goretex in casual wear. I needed something more business appropriate. Early this year my feet were freezing as all I had were low cut loafers, Oxfords or Derby.
I'll be picking up a black pair as well soon. Just need to spread it out a bit.

 

[Fifty150]

Early this year my feet were freezing

 

[Cuvier]

The boots came in today. They fit a tiny bit snug but I'm wearing thicker socks so it should be fine.
Being seconds I did find the damage. One has a small spot of discoloration on the sole and the other has some excess glue that needs to be cleaned. Neither bother me in the least.
I do have to say that these are stiff. They need a good break in period so I won't be wearing them on my trip this week like I had hoped. Color is very pleasing. I didn't think I'd like the lighter color but I do. I found a belt that closely matches so that's even better.
I'm looking for a cobbler shop now that can put a sole saver on. I don't know if it would be better to do it now or after I wear them in.

 

[Fifty150]

I'm looking for a cobbler shop now that can put a sole saver on. I don't know if it would be better to do it now or after I wear them in.

According to the pros, it's best to do it when the shoes are new.​

 

[saltedcarrot]

I don't know if it would be better to do it now or after I wear them in.

Congrats on getting new boots that you like. (I just recently joined this forum, so forgive me if I'm jumping into the ongoing conversation too abruptly)

One thing I heard from a sales staff before was to put those sole savers after some wears, as those leather soles are the most comfortable while molding to your feet when nothing is attached on, and also the leather soles are the most breathable when nothing is attached to it. Cobblers might feel different about this opinion, but this is what I was told before. Hope this helps!

 

[minsoochoi]

I think the tried and true Bean Boot from L.L. Bean deserves a mention! Iconic and quite functional!

 

[Edward]

The boots came in today. They fit a tiny bit snug but I'm wearing thicker socks so it should be fine.
Being seconds I did find the damage. One has a small spot of discoloration on the sole and the other has some excess glue that needs to be cleaned. Neither bother me in the least.
I do have to say that these are stiff. They need a good break in period so I won't be wearing them on my trip this week like I had hoped. Color is very pleasing. I didn't think I'd like the lighter color but I do. I found a belt that closely matches so that's even better.
I'm looking for a cobbler shop now that can put a sole saver on. I don't know if it would be better to do it now or after I wear them in.
View attachment 738620

I've done both over the years. Long ago I used to wait until shoes needed their first reheeling and do it then. Now I do it asap if I can, or after a handful of wears if needs must. I can't honestly say I've noticed a different there, though logically I should have thought that the less wear there is on the soles, the better the protector will apply (I've noticed over time a leather sole with no protector can wear a bit right at the toe tip, which might affect how well a protector sticks).

 

[GHT]

Sole protectors, as Edward has explained, is the way to go with leather soles. All mine have the stick-a-sole and the heel has a three quarter steel tip, due to my gait following the hip replacement. You have to be mindful of parquet and other wooden flooring, the steel tip can score such floors easily, but as weather and wear protectors they are perfect.

 

[Cuvier]

I found a cobbler that can put the protectors on, but the ones he has are super thick lug soles. I'm looking for a thin pair.

 

[vAx]

The winters here in Sweden can get pretty cold and wet, the slush and salt can really do a number on your shoes. I’ve primarily been using boots from Steinkogler during the winter, specifically the Bergwacht model, and they’ve held up really well. The black pair, for example, I’ve had for 10 years, and it’s only now that I’m considering a sole replacement. The brown pair I’ve only had for one season.

What I really like about Steinkogler is the quality-to-price ratio, and that the Bergwacht model is made from (more or less) a single piece of leather for the upper.

 

[Cuvier]

I ordered some vibram sole protectors. They should be in at the beginning of next week. I'll have my cobbler put them on.
He said it shouldn't take long but that he does have others in line ahead of me.

 

[Edward]

I found a cobbler that can put the protectors on, but the ones he has are super thick lug soles. I'm looking for a thin pair.

The heavy lug version can be great on a casual brogue, but yeah, for dressier wear the thin ones you got in the mail are best.

The winters here in Sweden can get pretty cold and wet, the slush and salt can really do a number on your shoes. I’ve primarily been using boots from Steinkogler during the winter, specifically the Bergwacht model, and they’ve held up really well. The black pair, for example, I’ve had for 10 years, and it’s only now that I’m considering a sole replacement. The brown pair I’ve only had for one season.

What I really like about Steinkogler is the quality-to-price ratio, and that the Bergwacht model is made from (more or less) a single piece of leather for the upper. View attachment 743282 View attachment 743283

Those are are nice. Swedish brand, I assume? Not one I've seen before. Lovely design - they have a great, pre-1960s look to my eye.

 

[vAx]

No, Austrian in fact. https://www.steinkogler-bergschuh.at/en/home/ They don’t get mentioned as much as I think they deserve, they make great stuff. I have several different models, and I believe they primarily live off military contracts. I think they also make shoes for others, like Dundas. Store Bjørn, and Lille Bjørn for example, but I might be mistaken on that last part.

 

[vAx]

Kind of reminds me of Limmers, made by Meindl, I believe. If anyone gets the urge to check out Steinkogler, I recently bought from https://festovniveci.cz/product-category/boty/.
I also have the Retro and Zero Drop models if anyone wants to ask any questions about them as well.

 

[Edward]

No, Austrian in fact. https://www.steinkogler-bergschuh.at/en/home/ They don’t get mentioned as much as I think they deserve, they make great stuff. I have several different models, and I believe they primarily live off military contracts. I think they also make shoes for others, like Dundas. Store Bjørn, and Lille Bjørn for example, but I might be mistaken on that last part.

Interesting. I wonder if they are available anywhere in the UK, I should hunt them down. They sound like an equivalent of Sanders here in England, an unsung but great brand that seem to primarily make their money from big military contracts .

 

[Fifty150]

I’ve primarily been using boots from Steinkogler during the winter, specifically the Bergwacht model

That is a very nice looking shoe. Single piece of leather for the vamp. Double row stitching. Lug soles. I don't see them being sold in The USA.

 

[Cuvier]

Well I got my vibram sole protectors in today. They're thin enough that I don't need to mess with the heels. I dropped my boots off with my shoe guy and he's expecting to have them done in a couple of weeks. I do still have to wait my turn in line. Hopefully this helps.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

The winters here in Sweden can get pretty cold and wet, the slush and salt can really do a number on your shoes. I’ve primarily been using boots from Steinkogler during the winter, specifically the Bergwacht model, and they’ve held up really well. The black pair, for example, I’ve had for 10 years, and it’s only now that I’m considering a sole replacement. The brown pair I’ve only had for one season.

What I really like about Steinkogler is the quality-to-price ratio, and that the Bergwacht model is made from (more or less) a single piece of leather for the upper.

Thanks for bringing these to our attention. I've never heard of them, and I'm always looking for hiking boots of this ilk (no Gore-Tex). Also, thanks for the photos and the specific model. Maybe it is my adblocker, but I can't find any models or details on their website. If you hadn't mentioned the model, I'd be totally lost in searches and with questions.

 

[Fifty150]

Hopefully this helps.

They will be better than you think. You won't even notice. You will just walk about , not slip, and go about your business without issue.