Boots!

[JXC]

Been awhile since i made a new thread, but tonight there was a topic that came up in my head that i thought would be great to chat about, Boots!, specifically your favorite brands, make, models, styles, what you regularly wear etc., for me, my favorite pair right now are some wellco jungle boots/panama sole, not great for winter but there were available for a hell of deal at the time and i didn't want to miss out, plus i mostly stay indoors anyways, so thats pretty much what i'm wearing now, and i would like to hear from all of you what you prefer    

[skinster]

Totally. Original British (as in 'Made-in-England' British), if you can still find a pair - too many knock-offs. Gripfasts are my favorite, original army last. That's how the empire got built (don't ask how they fucked it up later). Thick hides, triple-stiching, thick curved non-skidding sole. 10-eye minimum. 14's are the best - perfect fit. You can walk whole day and not be tired at all. Metal toe cap for kicking ass. A lot of copycats on those - if it doesn't say England, it ain't it. Buck naked with those boots - they will keep up with you anywhere you venture.

 

Corcoran jump boots, if you're into stiffer rigid type. A bitch to break in. Very good US quality and goes forever.

Altamas and Danners are ok but they are tactical. Unless you have some uniform on, they are a bit off.

Engineer's, CHP/Dehner and Wescos are not my thing.

Docs are ok but have changed their ... everything, they are mostly fashion now. Plus they have more than 1 fit where even sizing is different - how's that for consistency? That's what happens when you don't own your brand. But I still have a few those, English and non-english.

 

Have a few pairs for different reasons and purposes - in's, out's, dirties, different laces and styles. It saves time and aggrevation. And adds tons of fun. Have all of it.

[JXC]

Totally. Original British (as in 'Made-in-England' British), if you can still find a pair - too many knock-offs. Gripfasts are my favorite, original army last. That's how the empire got built (don't ask how they fucked it up later). Thick hides, triple-stiching, thick curved non-skidding sole. 10-eye minimum. 14's are the best - perfect fit. You can walk whole day and not be tired at all. Metal toe cap for kicking ass. A lot of copycats on those - if it doesn't say England, it ain't it. Buck naked with those boots - they will keep up with you anywhere you venture.

 

Corcoran jump boots, if you're into stiffer rigid type. A bitch to break in. Very good US quality and goes forever.

Altamas and Danners are ok but they are tactical. Unless you have some uniform on, they are a bit off.

Engineer's, CHP/Dehner and Wescos are not my thing.

Docs are ok but have changed their ... everything, they are mostly fashion now. Plus they have more than 1 fit where even sizing is different - how's that for consistency? That's what happens when you don't own your brand. But I still have a few those, English and non-english.

 

Have a few pairs for different reasons and purposes - in's, out's, dirties, different laces and styles. It saves time and aggrevation. And adds tons of fun. Have all of it.

Thanks, I looked up the Gripfast brand because this is the first time i ever heard of them and they look pretty bad ass so i might have to eventually look into getting a pair. I also have actually been saving up to get either a pair of Martens or corcorans, both have some models i really dig, your right about the sizing though, there charts always confused in online so I'm jut going to wait to buy them in person, i may pay a little more but at least i can examine them and find my right fit much easier. Also if you interested i think Martens actually have a UK line that's closer to spec of the original design and even made in england. What ever the case i know they will be a step up from what i'm use to getting (cheap walmart work boots). 

[skinster]

Gripfast is a very old-school brand and is totally bad ass. Note that the stamped size is in US scale, not UK. Full sizes only. That is the only brand that I know to be from England not in UK scale. Similar to Prada footwear - made in Italy but in UK sizes. By all means trying on in person will trump any online suggestion, that's if you're lucky enough to get your hands on them in person. You have better chances with Corcorans at a surplus store, but damn they are just such a bitch to break in. And not very grippy - it's a jump boot, it is supposed to prevent ankle twists when parashooting.

 

Martens do have a UK-made line. Very rare availability and overseas shipping hassle is just not worth it for me. I've had one too many times when Royal Mail was not very royal in treatment. Or USPS. And I am not that hot to get more of them either - have had a few. With Martens I am not liking the changes in soles of late - quicker and more asymmetrical wearouts. Also, much earlier misshaping and stretching of the last - I guess hide tanning even for assembled-in-England still has to happen also in England. No such issues with Gripfasts, they're just sexy.

 

And aside from many a name that are gone in the bootmaking business, most things sold now in fetish and online shops are sourced from Asia and such. Even Grinders are off - they gawddamn smell of solvents and who knows what pertroleum. Ugh. All brands with a G used to be quite good - GettaGrip, Gladiators, Grinders. Only Gripfasts IMO remain. No Walmart shit - that's just unsanitary for long wear. Even if you get to a scat party - proper boot would still keep you upright at all times. Wash it off, dry, buff to shine and you're off yet again.

 

But ... if you're up to more of proper boots 'porn', there is a semi-historical site (I've come across them from very early days) - http://www.hotboots.com/ (http://www.hotboots.com/retail-s.html). Brands, stores, info, tons of stuff. Enjoy

Edited March 18, 2015 by skinster