Canadian Boots

[dddrees]

I'm not that familiar with what all shoe and boot offerings come from Canada, however I have been made aware that Viberg is known to make a real nice boot.


So I figured I'd give my friend Carl's country a try. For my first one I figured I would order a pair of their Service Boots in Brown Chromexcel.

I hope to have my pair in about a week or two.

Picture from the Viberg website, boots Pre-Ordered from Leffot.

[Maxtor]

Nice boots. Let us know how they work out after the break in period.

[East Bay Rider]

I'd not heard of this brand. I like the biker boots.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Thank you for the tribute Dan...

I've never heard of that brand, let me know how they are.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Maxtor

Nice boots. Let us know how they work out after the break in period.

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I'd not heard of this brand. I like the biker boots.

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

Thank you for the tribute Dan...

I've never heard of that brand, let me know how they are.

Thanks guys.

These are really supposed to be some great boots. By the way Viberg basically has two different lines of products. One line which is more of a working class boot, and the other more fashion oriented which originally targeted the Japanese market.

The one I've chosen is from that more fashion oriented side (but still it's well put together boot). It's from a design that hails back to their roots. It's a design that a lot of companies modeled their boots from when making boots for service members during WWII.

[Challenger Deep]

A clean, or more dressier pair of Iron Rangers.

I like those.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Challenger Deep

A clean, or more dressier pair of Iron Rangers.

I like those.

Thanks.

They're a bit more expensive than Iron Rangfers, but then again these are hand welted. if your interested you might want to check them out. They sell a limited number of their own fashion oriented boots from their website, and third party retilers sell the rest. For example these went up on their web site on Friday and in about a couple of hours this particular color in Chromexcel had almost completely sold out. I actually Pre-Ordered my pair from a retailer called Leffot in New York. Barneys and Ironheart are other retailers which sell Vibergs.

The website you might want to checkout would be www.viberg.com. They often have a limited number of other versions and this one for sale on their website as they make a batch.

[Fredrik]

Oh, crap, Now I want a pair too. Viberg have them in black chromexcel in my size(I think) and without toe cap.

Dan, do you know if their sizes are, uhm, normal or maybe on the small or large side? Compared to, say, Edward Green, Crocket & Jones or Carmina?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Oh, crap, Now I want a pair too. Viberg have them in black chromexcel in my size(I think) and without toe cap.

Dan, do you know if their sizes are, uhm, normal or maybe on the small or large side? Compared to, say, Edward Green, Crocket & Jones or Carmina?

Fredrik,

I'm sorry but I'm not a sizing subject matter expert yet, besides I have yet to receive any boots from them yet. However I can definitely give you couple of things which might be helpful.

One: it is possible to call Viberg and or give them your measurements and they will be more than willing to help you with this.

Two: Do keep in mind they have different Lasts which tend to size differently. The Last information is contained in the description of the boot.

Three: To find this information and other items which may be helpful I would recommend checking this website:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/224463/viberg-boots/0_100


The particular Last my boot is using is the 2030 Last which tends to size a Half size bigger than TTS length wise. It does tend to be a bit narrower so going with a half size smaller does not work for everyone. I decided to use Leffots recommendation and go with a half size smaller. Besides if I have too I'll return my boots for in store credit.

I'm sorry I didn't give you a definitive answer, but these are the resources that I used to make a decision I was comfortable with.


Cheers,

Dan

[Fredrik]

Dan, thank you!

I have already skimmed that thread at the styleforum.

Thanks for the information on the 2030 Last, that is the one in the boots I am interested in. The sizing information on the viberg site is missing unfortunately.

I am still on the fence here, and they seem to sell fast too!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Dan, thank you!

I have already skimmed that thread at the styleforum.

Thanks for the information on the 2030 Last, that is the one in the boots I am interested in. The sizing information on the viberg site is missing unfortunately.

I am still on the fence here, and they seem to sell fast too!

No problem, and I'm sorry I couldn't give you anything definitive answer but I think that thread should do it for you. Keep in mind that you can always contact Viberg and send them measurements as well.

Also the Viberg website has a list of resellers and one of them might actually have a boot you are looking for.

Good Luck,

Dan

[Fredrik]

Well, I ordered a pair already now in black(the last one in size 8.5). The closest reseller is 500km away so that was never an option.

Let's see who will get their pair first.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Well, I ordered a pair already now in black(the last one in size 8.5). The closest reseller is 500km away so that was never an option.

Let's see who will get their pair first.

Congrats!!!

Great choice.

You'll probably get yours first, I have to wait for Viberg to send them to the retailer I purchased mine through first.


Now I'm off to enable someone else.

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Congrats!!!

Great choice.

You'll probably get yours first, I have to wait for Viberg to send them to the retailer I purchased mine through first.


Now I'm off to enable someone else.

Haha, thank you. I have the luxury of getting them through Swedish customs so I think you will get your pair first. There's nothing like paying customs on the total price including shipping and 25% VAT on top of that!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Haha, thank you. I have the luxury of getting them through Swedish customs so I think you will get your pair first. There's nothing like paying customs on the total price including shipping and 25% VAT on top of that!

Ouch

Still I think you'll really like them, I've herd nothing but good things about them. It sounds like my retailer Leffot won't get them for another week or two. So it may take a couple of weeks to get mine.

Please let me know what you think when you get them.

Cheers,

Dan

[Fredrik]

My boots are with the customs office since Friday, my guess is that i will have them on Monday, stay tuned for some pictures.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

I've never heard of that brand.

I guess the reason is they not made flip-flops.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by Jocke

I guess the reason is they not made flip-flops.

That must be it...

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

My boots are with the customs office since Friday, my guess is that i will have them on Monday, stay tuned for some pictures.

I can't wait to see the pictures. I still have yet to here about mine, but hopefully the retailer I ordered them through will get them sometime next week.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

That must be it...

Hey Carl, let me know if you need some more flip flops. One of the retailers I normally order shoes through have some on sale as we speak.

[Fredrik]

I just picked them up. They felt a bit stiff first but loosened up after wearing them for a few minutes. I think I'll wear them to work tomorrow, it's a 2 mile walk and that should be enough to get a feel for them. They look enormous next to my Carminas, but the size is right, they fit well. I usually walk to/from the office so the Carminas and the Crocket & Jones' in the picture have something like 300-400km in them each. Quality wise my first impression is that they are on par with my Carmina boots, better than my C & J. I am slightly disappointed with Crocket & Jones, but that's another story.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

I just picked them up. They felt a bit stiff first but loosened up after wearing them for a few minutes. I think I'll wear them to work tomorrow, it's a 2 mile walk and that should be enough to get a feel for them. They look enormous next to my Carminas, but the size is right, they fit well. I usually walk to/from the office so the Carminas and the Crocket & Jones' in the picture have something like 300-400km in them each. Quality wise my first impression is that they are on par with my Carmina boots, better than my C & J. I am slightly disappointed with Crocket & Jones, but that's another story.

Looking good, I'm glad you like them. Congrats


I'm surprised that you aren't so happy with you C&J boots though. I have 3 pairs of C&J boots and a couple of shoes and I've been rather happy with the results. I have a pair of Lindricks for RL and the Islay. May I ask which boot you bought and what seems to be the problem?

[dddrees]

I just received word from Leffot that my boots have arrived and they are ready to ship. I hopefully should have them in a couple of days.

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Looking good, I'm glad you like them. Congrats


I'm surprised that you aren't so happy with you C&J boots though. I have 3 pairs of C&J boots and a couple of shoes and I've been rather happy with the results. I have a pair of Lindricks for RL and the Islay. May I ask which boot you bought and what seems to be the problem?

Thanks!

It's a pair of Snowdon C&J boots. First of all the tounge(if that what it is called) on the left shoe is crooked. I only have limited experience in cutting leather but it looks to me as they used an unsuitable piece for it. I have to forcibly adjust it to the middle before lacing up. But also they literally eat through laces. The original laces lasted 2-3 months, the replacements(which I got for free from the retailer) lasted 2 more, I am on my third pair of laces now. The Carminas which i have used as much still have pristine laces. They are otherwise really nice, but I need to start buying laces in bulk for them.

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I just received word from Leffot that my boots have arrived and they are ready to ship. I hopefully should have them in a couple of days.

Great!

I wore my pair to work today. They fit nicely but are stiffer than the Carmina or C&J boots were when new. I can imagine someone with sensitive feet would get some soars from them in the beginning. I have two red specks on my heels from the walk this morning and I usually don't get that even from new shoes. They will be fine in a week.

Oh, I am also not used to waxed leather laces, it takes a while to get them both on and off. This will most likely improve over time.

Do you have any proper trees for your pair yet? I got a really nice pair with my MTO Carmina boots and would have liked to get a pair directly from Viberg.

This was a nice touch:

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Thanks!

It's a pair of Snowdon C&J boots. First of all the tounge(if that what it is called) on the left shoe is crooked. I only have limited experience in cutting leather but it looks to me as they used an unsuitable piece for it. I have to forcibly adjust it to the middle before lacing up. But also they literally eat through laces. The original laces lasted 2-3 months, the replacements(which I got for free from the retailer) lasted 2 more, I am on my third pair of laces now. The Carminas which i have used as much still have pristine laces. They are otherwise really nice, but I need to start buying laces in bulk for them.

Wow, that sounds odd and I'm sorry to hear you've had such problems with your C&J boots. I've had nothing but great experiences with C&J so far. But I did have a bad experience with one of my Alfred Sargent boots. I guess quality issues will occur from time to time with almost anything however. Did the retailer ever offer to replace your boots?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Great!

I wore my pair to work today. They fit nicely but are stiffer than the Carmina or C&J boots were when new. I can imagine someone with sensitive feet would get some soars from them in the beginning. I have two red specks on my heels from the walk this morning and I usually don't get that even from new shoes. They will be fine in a week.

Oh, I am also not used to waxed leather laces, it takes a while to get them both on and off. This will most likely improve over time.

Do you have any proper trees for your pair yet? I got a really nice pair with my MTO Carmina boots and would have liked to get a pair directly from Viberg.

This was a nice touch:

It's my understanding that Viberg doesn't sell shoe trees. This is unfortunate since I understand the 2030 last has a low vamp or toe box which can be a challenge in regards to getting some shoe trees to work. I've seen some contradictory statements which some users have used the regular Woodlore shoe trees without issue. Another user stated that they used a Rochester shoe tree without issue. I plan on checking on this when I get my boots and see if the regular Woodlores work or not.

I'll let you know what I figure out when I get them.

Good luck with your break in.

[dddrees]

I just received my first pair of Vibergs. I'll have to take pictures later, but they are The Service Boot in Brown CXL on the 2030 Last thru Leffot I'm very pleased, these are pretty nice indeed. The leather is pretty thick, and I really like the way the boot looks. Overall I'm pretty impressed. I had given some thought to getting a Whites Boot next, but at this point I wouldn't mind getting another Viberg Boot.


I went with my Barrie size and all they are snug at the ball and the toes, but they do seem to fit Ok.

[dddrees]

These definitely a pair of handsome but yet well constructed and durable boots. Of course they cost a bit more, but it's certainly fairly easy at least on my end to tell which pair of boots are the best when comparing to other boots that are fairly similar. They very easily beat out my Redwing Beckmans, Wolverine 1Ks, and Alden 405 Indys.

In my opinion Viberg Service Boots win hands down.

[Fredrik]

Nice!

I found a pair of Adidas shoe trees in my wardrobe that fit good enough for now. They don't go all the way to the toe, but they fill out the front of the shoe nicely. I am thinking of sanding a pair of my no-name cedar shoe trees to fit in the boots instead.

Regarding the C&J boots I haven't really complained about it to the retailer... I tend to vote with my feet in situations like this and just avoid the brand/retailer in the future. Maybe I should go back? It could be argued that it is a manufacturing fault and then I could just return them and get my money back. The model, Snowdon, isn't available in black anymore.