Versatile boots

[Star Ferry]

I'm kind of a noob at this topic. I walk about 2.5 miles per day for my commute, and I'm in chicago. It's cold and the sidewalks can be icy and wet.

I have a pair of suede C&J boots with dainite soles. Sturdy but not sure if I want to beat these up. Also have a pair of very casual chelsea boots from red wing.

I ordered a pair of Red Wing moc toe boots. Out of box they look big and chunky. Might be good for outdoors, but not for nightlife.

I thought about keeping the moc toes and throwing in some alden chukkahs for going out. Is there a more versatile boot I should be looking at? Rather not get 2 pairs.

[Wesley Crusher]

Edward Green Galway

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Edward Green Galway

X2.

They have several leather and last options.

The 82 last is a little more refined. The 62 is a rounder toe.

They also have an option for a sole called the Ridgeway which is a bit softer than Dainite and better for snow and ice.

C&J also makes a nice boot called the Galway as well. Classic country boot. Their Northcote is a sleeker last you may like.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Edward Green Galway

You might want to mention that the poor guy needs to swing $1500+ for that

[Andad]

I found these and thought of you.

[dddrees]

Personally I would opt for two. One for this and one for that. You generally don't get a rugged boot when you choose a dress boot and you don't get a dress boot when you choose something more rugged.

However one model can fill both the very casual dress or the rugged because as they said it can be had in a number of different Lasts, Leathers, and soles.


CAN YOU SAY Galway?

Just but one configurations possible. Walnut CC and DOAK Calf on the 82 Last with Dainite Sole.




Another configuration with Navy Suede and Midnight Blue Calf 82 Last on Dainite Sole.




For rugged it just doesn't get any more rugged than Zug. Good Luck trying to find this but you certainly can't do any better especially when it comes to leather. Galway on the 62 Last (Rounded Toe) Veldtschoen construction on the Ridgeway Sole.



Here's another rugged option. Viberg Service boot in Chromexcel. Chromexcel is about the next best inclement weather leather after Zug. Nothing is as good as Zug when it comes to leather that I am aware of.



Grain leather is probably the next best thing after Chromexcel and I've always liked the C&J Islay here on the left with the C&J Lindrick in Cordovan on the Right.











Generally speaking if your trying to do both things your going to end up comprising something if you only buy one pair of boots.

[joli160]

Just bought these to get me through the winter;

Hippo leather
Completely fur lined, not just the ankle section.
Norvegese welt
Commando soles
Santoni (Voustenshoes)

[Abdullah71601]

Style and a proper sole for Chicago weather. Off the shelf from Gaziano & Girling.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Style and a proper sole for Chicago weather. Off the shelf from Gaziano & Girling.

Hey Abdullah,

Didn’t you say that those Thorpes were going to be your work boots? I’d love to see some updated pics to see what they look like now.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

They also have an option for a sole called the Ridgeway which is a bit softer than Dainite and better for snow and ice.

Interesting comment and I agree. My zug Galways are on the Ridgeway sole and I have to say that compared to Dainite, they do suffer a bit when you’re on wet, smooth surfaces. I wore mine to work yesterday because it was raining hard and walking on the street was a bit slippery.

I wear my Galways mostly in loose dirt or muddy conditions and the Ridgeway does very well there.

[Star Ferry]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I am going to return the red wings and look into C&J's offerings. Maybe Alden also. EG and G&G make beautiful shoes, but I'm not a 4-figure shoe guy.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by SearChart

You might want to mention that the poor guy needs to swing $1500+ for that

Yes, but it’s $1500 well spent.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Yes, but it’s $1500 well spent.

Definitely

[swils8610]

I’m a big Alden fan. The Commando sole is great for foul weather.

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Thanks for all the recommendations. I am going to return the red wings and look into C&J's offerings. Maybe Alden also. EG and G&G make beautiful shoes, but I'm not a 4-figure shoe guy.

Barney's on Oak is where I've gotten my C&J's, decent selection.

I have to say that at some point you will find yourself this winter having to either leap over or wade through the half-melted muddy slush soup at an intersection in Chicago. Depending on the drain situation, only an Olympic long-jumper could clear some of those puddles. If I'm walking for blocks, I've just caved and got a pair of waterproof Ecco's for that mess, though they don't wear nearly as nicely as a pair of proper leather boots with a goodyear welted sole.

[hitman23]

Are you looking for beater/daily boots or high quality boots that can be used in the winter?
Nothing wrong with spending 1.5k on boots if you can swing it. But I tend to stick to 3 figure realm myself. Alden/Viberg are my recommendations for quality and looks. If you want sleeker, C&J/Carmina give you similar value. I like british commando soles in the winter time. Alden commando soles are great and less noticeable, but are not very durable. Ridgeway soles have pretty solid traction as well and are not as rugged as true commando soles.

[hitman23]

actually, I would highly recommend these for you:

https://viberg.com/products/service-...one-waxed-kudu

interesting leather with solid construction and ridgeway soles.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by joli160

Just bought these to get me through the winter;

Hippo leather
Completely fur lined, not just the ankle section.
Norvegese welt
Commando soles
Santoni (Voustenshoes)

They are beautiful.

[droptopman]

The enablers here helped with this selection. C&J Coniston. My fav boots and pretty versatile. I have worn with a suit but also with jeans.

[Star Ferry]

Alden chukkahs arrived. For $500 they are OK but have some loose strands of rubber -- and a big streak of glue visible on the sole. Not bad shoes, nice leather, but a clear step down from C&J mainline quality. And C&J costs around the same. Maybe alden is riding the "made in USA" gravy train too hard.

I'm going to try the Vibergs mentioned in this thread

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Alden chukkahs arrived. For $500 they are OK but have some loose strands of rubber -- and a big streak of glue visible on the sole. Not bad shoes, nice leather, but a clear step down from C&J mainline quality. And C&J costs around the same. Maybe alden is riding the "made in USA" gravy train too hard.

I'm going to try the Vibergs mentioned in this thread

If choosing between Alden and C&J I would choose C&J every time. Style, quality, and everything in between.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Alden chukkahs arrived. For $500 they are OK but have some loose strands of rubber -- and a big streak of glue visible on the sole. Not bad shoes, nice leather, but a clear step down from C&J mainline quality. And C&J costs around the same. Maybe alden is riding the "made in USA" gravy train too hard.

I'm going to try the Vibergs mentioned in this thread

If you need help with fit check out the Styleforum thread for Viberg boots. Plenty of users that can give you a good idea what will work best for you.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

If you need help with fit check out the Styleforum thread for Viberg boots. Plenty of users that can give you a good idea what will work best for you.

Are yours on the 2030 last? How would you compare the last to the EG 64?

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by dddrees

If you need help with fit check out the Styleforum thread for Viberg boots. Plenty of users that can give you a good idea what will work best for you.

Thanks upside is the aldens fit great with medium socks. According to styleforum the viberg 2030 fits much like the alden barrie. So I took the vibergs in the same size.

$730 (they actually charged me $25 shipping on top, which most e-tailers don't do these days) is more than I set out to spend, but if they are good boots for years I am fine with it

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Are yours on the 2030 last? How would you compare the last to the EG 64?

Very similar even though the 64 has a rounded toe Last. In fact I downsized by a Half for both Lasts. The 64 might be a bit more snug in spots but not by much. The 2030 is slightly longer by just a tad.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Thanks upside is the aldens fit great with medium socks. According to styleforum the viberg 2030 fits much like the alden barrie. So I took the vibergs in the same size.

$730 (they actually charged me $25 shipping on top, which most e-tailers don't do these days) is more than I set out to spend, but if they are good boots for years I am fine with it

Vibergs are fabulous boots. I would probably buy more Vibergs but I own so many boots already.

I think the length is about the same but the width of the 2030 is more narrow than the Barry Last.


Good luck and please let us know what you think when you get them.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Very similar and in fact I downsized by a Half for both Lasts. The 64 might be a bit more snug but not by much.

Hmm, the 64 fits me well, but perhaps a bit loose all around. If the 64 is more snug than the 2030, I wonder if it makes sense for me to size down. I am a 12D brannock and take 11.5E for the 64. I wonder if an 11 would work for me on the 2030.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Hmm, the 64 fits me well, but perhaps a bit loose all around. If the 64 is more snug than the 2030, I wonder if it makes sense for me to size down. I am a 12D brannock and take 11.5E for the 64. I wonder if an 11 would work for me on the 2030.

I'm a 11.5 D on the Brannock and took the 11 D for my 64 Lasted Galways. They were snug out of the box for me but wear very comfortably. At the time I got mine there were a number of people stating they had a similar experience on the 64 Last. Not all but a good number.

I'd hesitate giving you any advice to go any further down than a half size on the 2030. However if there's any chance you could size them in person or have the ability to return that might be best.

[Peter99]

I find these Edward Green Galway boots very comfortable.
They are forest brown with mink suede and calf leather.
Had them now about year and have just got to get up to town to try on their single buckle monk boots in black with rubber sole.
Much like to show them off in the London Cafe's and pubs!

[Chester01]

Alden Indy boot. Treat with llbean beeswax once a year. The most versatile, tough, and comfortable boots I have ever owned.