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New boots

lordsummit

Moderator
'Tis time to purchase new boots. My trusty Clark's Desert Boots are well past their best and I have a pair of Timberland boots I wear in winter, but whilst seemingly indestructible, they are much suitable for winter, I chose the wrong colour (black), and I tend to avoid putting them on unless the weather dictates that they'd be ideal.

Having recently cheated redundancy, and feeling secure in the old finances again, I was pondering a few things, and am considering lashing out and buying a pair that will last a good few years, rather than cheaper chain store types that last a couple of years at best before they start to wear badly.

I was thinking of these:

http://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/boots/mr-jack/invt/567715

Then whilst doing some research came across Red Wing Chukka boots, and find I've fallen for these:

http://www.stuartslondon.com/footwear-c67/casual-boots-c71/red-wing-chukka-boot-3141-burgundy-p1565

I can get both in Manchester, and I'm sure a trip there will happen soon enough, but am I missing anything else? I've pretty much decided that chukka boots it is, although I was quite taken by some of the desert boots at Russell and Bromley's. Anybody know anything I should know before I spend and regret it?
 
If you want DM style but better qualitity go for Solovair, they bought the design rights and are British made. Rogue boots might be worth a glance, I haven't got any so can't comment though.
 
I know, but I've been there and done those...... Lived in them. Thing is all the kids at school are wearing DMs these days, and I wouldn't want to go down the same route as them. Let them enjoy them. I'm feeling too old to be fashionable
 
Those Blundstone ones look like builders boots. Not for me I'm afraid. Not a Chelsea boot wearer at all. I like laces.

Markus I knew that was coming :)
 
Then whilst doing some research came across Red Wing Chukka boots, and find I've fallen for these:

http://www.stuartslondon.com/footwear-c67/casual-boots-c71/red-wing-chukka-boot-3141-burgundy-p1565

I have that exact pair of boots and they are never off my feet. Very comfy, low maintenance (bit of the correct boot oil about once a month) and utterly gorgeous pull up leather. They last forever, are Goodyear welted and look better and better as they age.

Red-Wing-Chukka-with-nitrile-cork-outsole.jpg


Thing is all the kids at school are wearing DMs these days, and I wouldn't want to go down the same route as them. Let them enjoy them. I'm feeling too old to be fashionable

Red Wing are a lot more fashionable than DMs. Although they are fashionable in the same way Clark's Desert Boots are because traditional, "Heritage" brands are very much the thing.
 
I was amused to see an ad in Clarks, showing how simple it is to make its Desert Boots. This, when the price has risen from around £65 to £95 in about 5 years. I've just bought a pair of something similar in the sale at Timberland, for about £60. Those Red Wing Chukka boots look fab. Could be tempted.

What is the 'correct boot oil ' and where would I get it from?
 
Thanks Matthew. I think I'll be going for dark brown. What do you call the 'correct' boot oil?

http://www.schuh.co.uk/mens/red-wing-3-tie-chukka-boot-dark-brown-boots/3203146120/

It depends on the type of leather; the 3141 which are like mine and the one you linked are made from Briar Oil Slick Leather for which you want Boot Oil. I am almost certain the one you linked is the 3141, although that site does not have the original number and they make a lot of boots. It's a dark, reddish brown and being a "pull up" leather will lighten when you "pull up" which is part of the reason they age so beautifully; think old leather chairs like this: http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3843&d=1411251934

3141 site here :http://www.redwingheritage.com/USD/product/footwear/chukkas/chukka-brown-3141-03141

"For Harness, Oil Slick, Oro-iginal, and Worksmith leathers use Boot Oil; for Blackstar, Boomer, Chrome, Mustang, and Portage leathers use leather conditioner; and for Mesa and Rough & Tough leathers use Mink Oil. You can apply the conditioner with your fingers, a soft cloth or a sponge."

From https://www.denimhunters.com/2012/11/rwcare/

See also http://www.redwingheritage.com/USD/care-guides

The Red Wing branded cleaning stuff is probably something of a rip off price wise, although for the oil I thought it worth getting the proper stuff given so much of the joy of Red Wings are the lovely leathers. You can get the oils on Amazon and Ebay and the like where they might be cheaper than a shoe shop.
 


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