Heritage/Service Boots

[Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker]

Went to the Allen Edmonds store near me today to try on the Higgins Mill boot.

In the pic below, I tried on the 10E (on the left) and the 10.5D (on the right) and the fit was pretty much identical.

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The 10.5D is a bit more snug across the foot but that snugness is barely discernible.

I went with the 10E because I would definitely wear a thicker sock in the colder months so the E width would be able to absorb that.

Now get this… the salesperson told me that these two boots were the same color: Brown.

I looked at both boxes and they both said “Brown”. I thought the one on the left was perhaps their Chili color but the salesperson said they were both brown. Perhaps just a different batch of chromexcel leather.

The darker one is definitely more of a “cigar” brown. The lighter boot definitely has more reddish tones (although not quite Chili) and has much more character, imo.

So… the 10E it is!
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The boots come with shoe bags…
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The leather is already supple and soft and they are incredibly comfortable right out of the box. View attachment 1919989View attachment 1919990
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I look forward to breaking them in and watching the leather develop a nice patina as time goes on and, after a period time, do a comparison with the Alden Indy 405. At the outset, the footbed on the Higgins Mill definitely has a bit more cushion than the Indy 405 boot.
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With the Indy 405’s mocc toe stitching and the Higgins Mill being a plain toe boot, maybe a cap toe boot in a darker color from Thursday Boot would round out the collection for this boot season.


So… why not the Factory Seconds?

With AE’s current sale, the difference between a pristine pair and the Factory Seconds is about $50 bucks so in the overall scheme of things, it was a negligible amount, so I opted for a a regular pair.

And they do look perfect and I am pleased. .

Very nice looking boots dude, they seem to be well made, like my Thorogood Loggers. I also agree with your philosophy, if a used pair is not substantially less in cost, not worth buying. Not sure how much those cost you, hopefully less then 400.

 

[johnniegold]

Very nice looking boots dude, they seem to be well made, like my Thorogood Loggers. I also agree with your philosophy, if a used pair is not substantially less in cost, not worth buying. Not sure how much those cost you, hopefully less then 400.

Regular Price: $495
Sale price: $379
Seconds: $325

 

[MrSpeedy]

Excellent choice! I'm still leaning towards one of the models from Thursday. I have a cheap pair of no-name service boots, which have actually served me well for several years. They have a zipper up the side (and laces) and are scratched up, giving them a funky, well-worn vibe. I'm wearing them on vacation at the end of next week, and I'll decide after that what to do.

 

[DrakeMegrim]

British boots are great but you have to be careful with sizing. UK sizes are about a full size smaller than US. Most British lasts are generally more narrow than US lasts (UK F is our D width). If you do end up getting some UK-made boots really do try them on to find out what size you are.

Grant Stone has some amazing heritage boots in some interesting leathers. Probably one of the best bang for buck boots out there.

 

[johnniegold]

Went all the day yesterday with the Higgins Mill boot and they were comfortable throughout the entire day. Not a hot spot or a pinch.

 

[johnniegold]

After a deeper dive into this style of boot, I ordered a pair of the Thursday Captain boot in the Natural Chromexcel leather. I went with their sizing recommendation and ordered a size 10US. Now they don’t offer different widths in the Natural version of the Captain. I thought perhaps going up a 1/2 size might resolve the width issue but their customer service recommended going a half-size down, so I did. If it doesn’t work out and I need a half-size larger, they offer free exchanges so no harm, no foul. Hopefully, I don’t have do that dance.

I chose this boot for several reasons. One is that I wanted a cap-toe boot in addition to the plain-toe Higgins Mill and the mocc-stitched toe Indy 405 to add some variety.

Secondly, I like a natural chromexcel leather for its qualities and characteristics. It’s the same leather I picked up from Oak Street Bootmakers with their beefroll penny loafer in natural chromexcel.

Lastly, (and maybe someone knows why), the Captain boot offered in Natural is the only Captain-style boot that comes in a chromexcel leather that is actually manufactured by the Horween Leather Company in Chicago.

Here’s a few descriptions of some of their Captain boots…

The Natural Captain boot

The Brown Captain boot

The Terracotta Captain boot

The Thursday Boot leather, I believe, is manufactured in tanneries located in Mexico.

If I can get a pair of boots made from chromexcel leather that was produced by the Horween Leather Company for under $200…

Well… when I get ‘em, you’ll see ‘em.

 

[La Malice]

I hope you enjoy them. I am looking at buying a new pair of shoes and in my budget range, I am trying real hard to avoid another Thursday boot pair

 

[johnniegold]

I hope you enjoy them. I am looking at buying a new pair of shoes and in my budget range, I am trying real hard to avoid another Thursday boot pair

They have such a variety of boots, that obtaining another pair, in a different style, from Thursday Boot isn’t a bad thing, if you’re happy with them.

 

[La Malice]

They have such a variety of boots, that obtaining another pair, in a different style, from Thursday Boot isn’t a bad thing, if you’re happy with them.

Indeed I was looking for a Derby type shoe that could take on a beating and replace my beyond trashed up cheapo plasticky Dockers I bought years ago. The Statesman in Tabacco or Cacao was definetly the contender but as a fall back if I could not find something else and it was hard to find something I felt interested in, anything in store just felt wrong everytime my hand touched it and with my budget I did not found much out there until yesterday afternoon. I have actually ordered it last night on Amazon and it should be here tomorrow. Hopefully I got the sizing right.

 

[johnniegold]

The Statesman in Tabacco or Cacao

I have actually ordered it last night on Amazon and it should be here tomorrow. Hopefully I got the sizing right.

I’ll look forward to seeing them.

 

[La Malice]

I’ll look forward to seeing them.

Et moi donc.

They won't be Thursday boots though

 

[MrSpeedy]

I think the Captain in Brandy (from Thursday's Classic collection) is going to be my choice. Once I return from vacation I will message them and figure out the proper size in relation to the other boots I have from Thursday.

 

[johnniegold]

I think the Captain in Brandy (from Thursday's Classic collection) is going to be my choice. Once I return from vacation I will message them and figure out the proper size in relation to the other boots I have from Thursday.

Great choice.

Last week, I emailed their customer service about the Brandy version. I inquired whether the toe cap and heel area were burnished (it is). I just wanted to confirm that since it didn’t appear to be so in some of the photos I had seen of the Captain in the Brandy colorway.

 

[Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker]

I had seen of the Captain in the Brandy

 

[johnniegold]

The Captain Boot in Natural Chromexcel arrived today in Size 10.

The boots look (and smell) great. The leather looks like it’s just aching to be worn in.

But… they don’t fit.

I want to like them. I want to think they’ll stretch after a short break-in period but truth be told, they are just a bit too narrow (especially the left foot) in the toe box. The length is fine. Probably an inch worth of extra real estate in front of my toes.

If I went up to 10.5, it would definitely be too big and probably cause too much heel-slippage.

Sooo…

I’m exchanging them. Unfortunately, Thursday doesn’t offer the natural chromexcel boot in a wide size, only a standard size.

Therefore, I went with my “other first choice” and exchanged them for the Brandy colorway in Size 10 Wide (EE).

I think Thursday’s “EE” is just a normal wide size and not like it skipped over a “E” width. They offer widths of either Standard or Wide (EE).

Exchange process is easy enough. Package/label is already to go to UPS tomorrow.

When I “get in the brandy”, you’ll see it.

 

[Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker]

Personally, if you asked me, I prefer the darker leather color, of the Brandy colorway boots. There is just something about that color style, and that lovely shine to them, that speaks to me, on a soul level you know? Only thing is, you will have to maintain that shine with shoe polish, if you don't want them to naturally patina.

Seems like a nice quality pair of walking boots/medium duty work boots. They don't have the dual stitched bottom souls like mine do, but they are still strong enough to give someone the boot, if they cross the line though. Because my boots are not the shinny style, I don't have to worry about patina and polishing them.

After a couple of years of use, my boots are dirty though, does anybody have any recommendations for leather boot cleaning? To remind people of the boots that I have, here is a picture once again.

 

[johnniegold]

After a couple of years of use, my boots are dirty though, does anybody have any recommendations for leather boot cleaning?

From Thorogood:

Leather Boot Care

Keeping your work boots clean is one of the simplest and most important things you can do to extend the life of your boots. Mother Nature and job-site

thorogoodusa.com

 

[dojpros]

JG is spot on!!! (as usual btw)

I happen to use Bicks #4 as my conditioner as that is what I happen to have in the box. I also given the a bit of a brush buff at the end.

 

[johnniegold]

I’m guessing/hoping that the 10 Wide Thursday Boot should be a perfect fit, if the fit mirrors that of the Higgins Mill.

I really can’t get over how comfortable these boots are right out of the box.

 

[nemo]

After a couple of years of use, my boots are dirty though, does anybody have any recommendations for leather boot cleaning? To remind people of the boots that I have, here is a picture once again.

Those look barely used! Just a good horsehair brush for now SWCT. When you do need it the stuff I use for cleaning is Fiebing's saddle soap, lather it up, quick scrub with a dauber, and quickly dry off with a towel. What I see is people using too much conditioner and too often.