I'm glad you brought up conditioning old boots. My wife collects antique clothing, including ladies boots. Whenever she buys a new pair of those 100 year old boots, they come in looking like they're made of paper, but even as I'm adding conditioner you can see it start to come back to life. I usually give them three coats, which gets them buttery-soft within a few minutes. Leather is such amazing stuff, even after 100 years it can come right back to life with some simple care.
I wear a pair of 1960s jatsarit (fancy boots from the early half of 19th century that look similar to stovepipe boots) and when i conditioned them the first time they went from looking like they came from a ancient tomb to brand new shiny look
I just got a pair of 100 year old ladies boots. I cleaned them and put a couple coats of leather balm on them and it's kind of amazing how great they look. The main issue was just dirt from being in thrift stores for decades. They don't even have any real damage to the leather.
Adam, what does she use as conditioner? I have used lexol and leather guys leather conditioner with positive results, but that was on younger/non antique boots
@@DawaSupplyCo I've used Cadillac Conditioner and Bick 4, and have had great results from both. The key is to condition them a few times. Apply once, then wait for the leather to absorb it, then reapply.
Please don't ever apologize for giving us more great information! I'd rather watch a 20 minute video than miss out on an important facet of used boots I should watch out for!
Some boots with a ‘fake welt’ are actually Blake Stitched, which isn’t quite as good as Goodyear welting, but is at least superior to cement construction. Blake Stitching is often used on more elegant dress shoes and boots, particularly from Italy.
There is nothing wrong with a Blake stitch, and it can be resoled several times too provided the cobbler is at least decent. Here around the Alps Blake stitch was used on light mountain boots also, the added welt was not fake as to make it look like a goodyear welted, it was there to cover the line where upper and midsole touched so that dirt and debris would not get in between. The welt was sealed to the upper with some wax or other concoction different from each manufacturer, it was not glued to the upper. Overtime that seal would eventually let dirt in the boot, specially if used in conditions that would not keep the wax soft and the welt supple. Rebuilding old boots of that construction one can see where dirt and water found their way in. However it is a durable construction for low mountain with light packs, many of those boots are still being used after 30 years.
Blake stitch is pretty good, as well as norwegian or Goodyear. What is more important in my opinion is quality of stitch itself- thread used, distance between holes (more than 0,5 cm means that shoemaker was in a hurry ;) and above all if stitching was done by machine or by hand (double needle technique is far better than sewing with hook).
Another tip is to get an idea of what repairs cost at your local cobbler before you go thrifting! Some things that seem small might actually be prohibitively expensive, whereas some major fixes are surprisingly affordable. For example, you can get a new rubber halfsole for around $70, but fixing zippers can run upwards of $130 per zipper. Also worth pointing out that blundstones can be resoled! Not every cobbler will do it, but its certainly doable. If you find a pair of blundstones whose soles are going but have intact uppers, pull tabs, and elastics, it might still be worth it. Not to mention that you can then put a vibram outsole on that won't crack and crumble off.
I think you would have better luck out west looking for thrift store boots than in Chicago- but you never know. Always enjoy your vids Weston. Toaster can block all the boots he wants. Such a chill beast.
That last tip about Blunstones and the deteriorating outsole hit home. I had a pair of lace-up safety shoes I wore for several years, then I lost the job and put them in a closet. Five or more years later I took them out to either wear or put in a garage sale. But they were unusable! The outsole had turned to some sort of gummy bear-like substance, where before it had been a comfortable and long wearing foam material. The outsole acted as if it had been soaked in some powerful solvent, and completely dissolved chemically. Maybe that was the air-water interaction you spoke of. I did throw them away - they were just gunk junk by then.
Excellent video. Love your cat. My cat is always walking around my work bench. They just want to be near those they care about. I use Bick4 and it works very well. It is ok to put several applications on if the leather is very dry.
Regarding less expensive boots, can you please review military surplus boots? You can often get those unused for a bargain. Added bonus: most are coming in a lot of sizes (length & width) for optimal fit. I wore some older German Bundeswehr boots for years in the outdoors. The soles were replaced three times before they fell apart.
I never considered a preowned boot til I started watching your channel and a couple others. It is really a good way to find a deal on what would normally be an expensive set of boots. I have a cobbler close by who does good work at very reasonable rates and advice like yours has saved me a ton of money and helped me choose the right boots.
"Horrible addiction." Wow, feels good to get it out. I thought I was the only one. I have gotten excellent deals on Ebay and my local thrift shops. Takes practice though. Thanks for your advise. And oh yea, serious kitty is serious.
The hydrolysis explanation's really good, I had no idea there was a word for when that happens. I lost two pairs of ecco shoes I liked (but hadn't worn in years because my fashion sense shifted) because pieces of the foam were literally falling off.
Yes, this was interesting to learn about. I had what I thought was a really good pair of leather Wolverines work boots that I had for a while which I now realize were glued or cemented with this type of sole. The sole fell off in one piece on one and on the other it came off in several pieces. I decided if the boots were made with such bad soles that I didn't want to bother resoling them. I hadn't even worn them for a while, when they fell apart. So it was kind of a shock for them to disintegrate in that manner. They were not cheap and they were bought new. So good to learn about what makes a good boot so I don't end up with a pair like that again. Although now looking through the comment section I realize I probably should have tried resoling them, the uppers were fine. Oh well live and learn.
I just went to a Christmas party and decided to wear my Ecco loafers I hadn't touched in years. I literally walked out of the soles up the driveway. The foam disintegrated. Had no idea this hydrolysis was a thing until now.
Nice to see the sweet little kitty with you....LOVE your videos! Very informant, and I have learned soooooo much from you....THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Glad you're doing OK after Covid.
Forgot Blake stitch where the stitch goes through the sole into the gimming. These often have a false welt with stitch. Those can be resoled a few times but not as often as Goodyear. I have seen that hydrolysis happen to Bates dress shoes.
One really big miss on used boots, is musty mildew odor on the leather. I'm not just talking about the inside either, I'm talking about the uppers too. As a hobby, I like to buy used boots on eBay, and restore them, re-dye them, etc. and you'd be surprised how many owners will wear their boots in wet conditions without properly waterproofing them, or giving them enough time to dry in between getting them wet again, and they will develop mildew in the uppers. I have tried lots of different things to get rid of mildew smell on used boots, and so far I haven't found anything at all that completely gets rid of mildew odor. I've tried "odor killing" sprays specifically for shoes, I've tried powders, I've tried cleaning them with shoe cleaners like Jason Mark's, I've even washed them in the washing machine, and it is very difficult to kill mildew spores that cause odors. If you buy a pair of used boots and you smell that musty mildew odor on them when you take them out of the box, you're better off either returning them, or finding a professional who knows how to get rid of the mildew smell.
I bought some old sorels that had this problem. Unlined, rubber bottom and basic leather uppers, like a duck boot. Was surprised at how much the leather and threads could hold the moldy smell. I tried lots of things- multiple soaks, soapy water and a brush, alcohol, vinegar, concrobium, etc... but nothing worked. Then I remembered a car detailing video where they remove the smoke smell from a car using an ozone generator. I did some research on using it for mold smell remediation and found people had great results with cars, houses, etc. So I bought one on Amazon for $50. Do so at your own risk, ozone is toxic. You must take proper safety precautions to use one, this is very serious stuff!!!!!! Never smell or breathe in the ozone!!!! Keep it far away from children, plants, pets and animals!!!! You must be very careful with it, but if you put the items in a trash bag (do this outside!!!! ) with the generator and run it for a few seconds ( I plugged and unplugged it from the outlet to do this) every 10 minutes or so to fill up the bag a bit and expose the boots long enough, it will reduce the smell significantly and eventually eliminate it with enough exposure. So if you get a big enough trash bag you can do several pairs at a time, if you don’t mind tending to the bag and taking proper safety precautions this can be an effective last ditch effort to save smelly but otherwise great boots. The amount of exposure time needed will vary depending on the construction of the shoes and the severity of the of the problem.
I know with other mildew problems letting the object bake in direct sunlight for as long as you can, for example days, can potentially kill the bacteria and help get rid of it. Not sure how that would effect the leather, but might be worth a try.
@@graciehood9007 I've honestly contemplated it. The problem is the heat. Leather is treated with oils and pigments that will dry out under the heat. There is also sun fading that happens. Sun bleaching is actually a thing too. It's risky, but not completely impossible.
Alcohol is good for killing odor causing bacteria and may help combat that musty smell of mildew. It’s good for a go first. If the mildew smell is still there, try spraying the interior and exterior with ammonia, close to saturation, then leave it in direct sunlight for a day or so to dry. You’ll have to condition it as soon as it’s dry because ammonia can make the leather dry by leaching out the oils.
Firs of all: thank you for being a younger guy in this business!! It's *so* hard to find cobblers!! We had one guy in our town, and he's retired now, so I have no idea what to do now. 😭. Second, I love how your old kittiot perched on that one pair of boots to the right. Adorable.
I was in the vintage clothing business for years. The one test I relied on for fake leather was a hot needle. Poke the needle in a place that won't show and the smell will tell you whether it's organic or synthetic. This also works with wool or fake wool products. New Subscriber - thanks! 👍
I have a pair of Aku hiking boots with a Vibram sole and after _25 years_ they are nowhere near worn enough to require replacing. I’ve been everywhere in them.
I own a few pairs of footwear from the 1920s (derby shoes, derby boots, button boots and military boots) and they always absorb so much oil when I condition them, one pair usually needs to drink 250-400 ml of oil before it’s saturated and supple. Although once you condition the leather feels “young” again. The point being, always condition old leather and stitching (even before you put the shoes on) until it’s fully saturated and then let it rest for a day or two, in order for it to really soak up all that conditioner.
Best pair of second hand boots I ever owned were a pair of 80s doc martens. We bought them second hand in 2010 ( I was about 5) and I wore them every day till I grew out of them in about 2014. I wore them in every weather condition possible and they always held up perfectly. My mum even got them painted white and wore them on her wedding day in 2018. They still haven't worn out.
those jungle boots are actually direct moulded soles, while functionally similar to cemented, it is a more reliable construction method and also fairly common. key telltales are a pronounced mould flash seam on the heel and toe of the sole, and where the upper meets with the sole often there will be some mould flash and / or it will look like the upper was clamped in a form and there will be some flattning / smoothing around the edge. this process was invented by wellco in tee 60's to combat gyw boots rotting in the vietnam jungle, and it works well when done right.
What I use for leather treatment is plain old Vaseline (brand matters, off brands can contain water). My leather gloves work hard out in the wet, and since I've been giving 'em a good dose of Vaseline (as much as they'll absorb) prior to first use and as needed thereafter, they last at least 5x longer -- the leather resists abrasion much better, and takes a lot longer to stiffen up from being repeatedly soaked. (Vaseline also helps keep the water out, so they take a lot longer to soak through.) I've tried various stuff sold as leather dressing but Vaseline works better, and lasts longer. So I found some steel-toed leather boots at the freebie place, good fit but so dried out they crackled. Took 'em home, gave 'em a good Vaseline soak, and the leather is now soft and flexible again.
Bought a pair of wolverine 6 inch soft toe work boots back in 2018, wore them for almost 3 years as my everyday footwear, both on the job and off. Had to get the fiber replaced once a couple years ago, and the laces twice and they are still going strong. You don't need to spend crazy amounts of money on comfy boots, just take good care of them. On the other hand, high end boots do have their appeal, and if you can get them on the cheap, good for you.
Haven't bought a new pair of shoes or boots in 21 years...thriftstores not as thrifty anymore..1. Good sole. 2. Stiching 3.name brand...underwear,socks new that's it..jackets oh all beauty's pendy shirts all beauty's,pants Levi to Carhartt,winter down feather jacket,pants..snowshoes on and on. Now Portland has a Goodwill, I call last chance for gas..all items not selling at reg Goodwill end up at this store..sum really great stuff..
I'd love to see more of Toaster. In fact, I'd love if you made a Toaster channel. Just Toaster, sometimes sitting around, sometimes doing stuff. This video was good too though.
I now own 12 pair of work boots shopping at thrift stores. I haul hazmat and the chemicals are hard on boots. I've now started shopping for boots for my coworkers.
Since I was thirteen years old I'm 58 now I remember going to a regular mom and pop shoe store and getting a pair of boots with the vibram soul best boots I've ever owned they were a brown leather hiking boot with red laces I think red wings . its time for something similar now after all these years .
I was visiting my sister in Sugar Creek, OH 7 needed some leather treatment. She took me to a saddle shop which sells to many of the Amish folks. Shop owner asked if I wanted "good or best". Huberd's of Snowflake, AZ was the recommended product. I have used it for years & is true to its reputation, great product.
best made conditioner for leather is Blackrock Leather-n-rich ... cleans conditions moisterizes... use a clean white towel... pulls dirt out of the leather... i am a cobbler... own and operate my shoe & boot repair... best replacement soles are goodyear.
thank you so much for this!!! i try to shop completely thrift/second hand and ahve been LOOKING for some boots and not having much success. glad to see this to be a bit more mindful as im shopping
Great video. I’ve bought acouple pairs of whites off of ebay and don’t regret either pair! 1st pair was a set of brown whites packers similar to yours, and then a few months later a pair of black steel toe smoke jumpers. These boots are some of my most valued possessions. Love wearing them and admiring the care and attention that went into making them. I definitely recommend being patient and knowing what you’re looking for though. There is a ton of junk out there
If you can get hold of them, instead of buying Blunstones boots, do yourself a favour and buy the Rossi or Redback. Rossi (to my knowledge) are still made in South Australia and are a premium made boot. I've had mine for over 4 years and are still going strong (my Blundstone work boot only lasted 12 months before the rubber cracked right through).
I love this channel. As a musician my youtube account consists of guitar videos mainly but this is such a pallet cleanser! Wasn't a boot guy before but I can really appreciate the work that goes into a solid pair.
Another way to try to see if a stitch is real is to see if the number of stitches per inch on top matches those on the soles. Usually the cheaper made boots that mimic the stitches with fake ones don't bother to make the stitches match at all. Ex. If the stitches on top are way bigger than the ones at the bottom, it's fake b.c. it wouldn't make sense for them to not match if the stitch truly went through.
I didn't realize you are Salt Lake based, so am I. I just ordered my 1st pair Redback Easy Escape steel toe. This is a learning experience for sizing and selection. If it's not right I'll return & modify my order. I remember one of the best boots I ever had was purchased in a Denver army surplus store. Wore them for 18 years.
At my goodwill I found a pair of bean hunting boots for $20, A pair of brand new $250 steel toed Thorogoods for $30, and a new pair of Lehigh $210 steel toe boots for $30. So many good deals.
I absolutely love your channel, your honesty, and the way you educate people what is expected in a quality boot. My dad passed away 4 yrs ago at 83. I still have his boots from when he was attached to the Strategic Air Command. Had his other stuff but when he passed his house was robbed.
Please film a few (Cut in Half) videos of leather boots and shoes for women. I would love to find quality shoes worthy of resoling. Are there any craftsmen/cobblers making boots or heels that justify the exorbitant purchase price? It’s not uncommon for a store brand pair of boots to cost over $200 and only last a season or two.
Cant wait to see you get into those combat boots. If I had not abused mine after they issued the ACU's I would probably still have those all black all leather boots. Around 20 years
I bought my Red Wing 877s used and in spite of them needing new soles (I still wear em for the time being) I'm absolutely in love with them. After I get a resole done, I still end up saving a couple hundred dollars. The cork isn't quite molded to my feet perfectly but I use inserts anyway. I had been looking for Blundstones and kept getting put off by the PU deterioration.
There are many brands of cheap boots and shoes that fake the Goodyear welt stitch. Sometimes you can tell by matching up the stitch on top with the sole. You have to flip it over and back a few times, but if the stitching on top of the sole does not seem to line up with the underside, walk away. It is surely cemented.
As an Australian, its funny to think of Americans (or anybody for that matter) seeking out used Blundstones. Here they're available in basically every hardware or workwear store for fairly cheaply. That's not to say that they aren't very good, they're probably some of the best workboots widely available here that also fall under the "disposable" or "expendable" category (along with Redback or Steel Blue). And they aren't the cheapest, but they don't compare to, say, hand-made boots. Where us Aussies miss out is in the hand-made work boot. We simply don't have any made locally. The construction industry, like many trade industries in Australia, is *heavily* regulated from a safety point of view, and some job sites have extremely specific requirements (like compulsory non-steel safety toes, or boots requiring a zip for easy removal in a trauma event), and they seem to be getting more and more specific. (By the way, if you don't believe me on the zipper part, just check out some of the catalogs of the brands I mentioned above - and have a look at how many lace-up boots also have zippers). The cheaply made boot manufacturers are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this. They can quickly churn out new models meeting new regulations at a large scale, and make them widely available and affordable. So when that new guy turns up to a job site with "inappropriate" boots, their employer can send them off to the local hardware store to buy a pair of these disposable boots. And those who *do* opt to wear a higher quality boot, always need to keep some of these disposable junk boots around in case they need to enter one of these job sites. From an environmental point of view, its a damn shame.
I get boots from Australia called Redbacks. Are they essentially blundstones? They are super comfortable and very durable with a scuff cap. My only gripe is they really are not water proof for long and I usually wear out the sole in a years time. The reason I ask is it seems that redbacks are no longer available.
Check Facebook market place first in your area, then go to the low end stores first and high end stores last. This is because the high end stores buys up the good stuff locally and re-sells it for much more. I was looking at a pair of new in box LL Bean boots for $80 on FB but they were bought by a local high end store and they posted it on their FB page (as well in their physical store) as $175. High end thrift stores are often rip offs.
Hi, excellent information, noticed that when you comment on Leather it means "LEATHER" to you like it did mean for me until approximately 20 years ago when I noticed Shoe manufacturer stamp this word ( Leather = meaning man made Leather ) on their product when it fake Leather and if it is real Leather they use word "GENUANE LEATHER". just wanted to mention it.
Hey, I just binge watched a bunch of your videos and they are fun and informative. You must do a Merrell Moab hiker. They are the world's favorite hiker and lots of people swear by them.
I bought some and I'm disappointed. I've worn them in about 100 miles and was planning to take on a 2-month hiking vacation. I'm not convinced they'll hold up. What are the biggest performance features that make them worthy of "world's favorite hiker"? Thanks for sharing if you have an opinion.
Hitting up consignment shops in nicer neighborhoods rather than your typical goodwill will generally do the trick. You will be paying more though but less than a pair of new shit shoes.
ah yah you aren't going to find boots like this at some local Goodwill my dude. Gotta hit up the slightly pricier thrift shops for the super good finds. :P
You have to stick with it. Eventually something nice will find its way to Goodwill or the Salvation Army store. I go to both of those near me at least once per week. Over the last 6 months or so I've made a few excellent finds. It's usually garbage, but just be patient and persistent.
As a kid growing up in Minnesota, I had a pair of boots that looked like the LL Bean boots. I loved them and they where really good at keeping my feet dry playing in the snow.
Great videos today I found a pair of nicks wildland boots at the goodwill outlet. The soles are still in great shape the leather has some scratches but nothing that can't be polished. Great videos.
Remember to check the materials used on the inside of the boot as well, a good inside heel tab thick tongue and breathable material can go miles in making the boot comfortable for longer periods of time. Also check if the boot is insulated, in some areas having an insulated boot isn't practical and is others can be a life saver.
I was reading about people washing their leather boots from thrift shops, garage sales, & such in the washing machine, saying they came out fine. Watched a couple videos as well, in the comments they said they came out fine. Hey, thought maybe you could do a video on what happens with those LOL.
Your channel is super cool. I have a bit of a footwear obsession, and currently own around 20 pairs of shoes/boots, and just recently I found a brand new pair of thorogood mondo pt military issue boots at value village for $25. I couldn’t have known they were good without watching this video, so thanks!
You know I've never really known much about boots this video alone is explaining more about boots than anything I've ever learned from a store salesman manual or whatever.
I think part of it is because I just didn't understand and he makes this so easy to understand I don't know where you learned how to teach but you are good at it
Super informative video not mentioning the cat in the video makes this a rare informative and at the same time hilarious video brilliant!!! Thank you !
I have a pair of Irish setter mock toes that have absolutely molded to my feet. I love their fit after break in the only thing I will change is a more grippy sole when the factory ones wear out. They cost me 150 at a red wing store 4 years ago as a model year close out but did not graduate to every day till 2 years ago. That's my vote for best value
I used to swear by Blundstones as workboots (in Victoria, Australia), but they sent their manufacturing to China about 8 years ago and the quality has dropped off a cliff. The soles were quite durable on the Tasmanian ones, but aren't on the Chinese ones. Now I have pair of JK Boots OTs and would not wear anything else. Even tho' they cost USD $80 (AUD $130) to post to Australia. & you have to lace them up.
Thanks for the shopping tips. Toaster was a welcome site. I love how he walked on all the boots to try and get your attention. Didn't realize you had the corona virus glade you are doing better. I was down for 2 weeks with it back in October.
Personally i make my own boots, i had gotten into leather work a few years back and decided to make my own boots cuz of it mainly cuz it’s cheaper for me because i run shoes into the ground pretty fast. Iv only made one pair and so far they have lasted pretty well, though iv had to resole them once already
My favorite and most functional/comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned are Danners, comfortable right out of the box with NO break in time, fully waterproof, good grip, light weight.
Went to a little antique store in an old part of a small town two years ago and bought a pair of "ok looking" cowboy boots that were worn to hell on the outsole for $40 that I thought were probably fake. Did some research and little did I know I bought a pair of Dan Post lizard skin boots that typically go for between $300-$500 now. While they don't make the model I have anymore that's the price they charge for similar looking boots of theirs.
You solved a mystery for me. I have a pair of insulated pull on Wolverine's, with "Durashock" soles. I used them for years on my rural mail route (driving route, about 30miles long) in the winter, rain, snow, and cold. With a combination of (separatel polypro and wool socks, they kept my feet warm and dry. Fast forward to retirement, I continued to use them, and one day the heels totally self destructed. Your description of the foam inner soles coming apart in the Blundstones matches what happened to them. Now the leather upper and insulation are still in great shape, and I'm wondering if they can be resoled.
Thank you for these tips! I like to browse the thrift store and always look at the boots, so it's good to know what to look for! don't apologize for Toaster, we love him
Man I got them same Danner grouses for $40 at value village, brand new, not even broke in, I almost shit myself when I saw them, still my favorite boot ever since my wife donated my Ft. Lewis’s
Good education and thanks. My expensive Meindl boots just "hydrolyzed" and the soles fell off. The mid sole disintegrated. I did wear them regularly but not daily. They last 4 years but I never ever thought a shoe could have a time-clock. There should be a label - THESE SOLES WILL DISINTEGRATE WITH IN 5 YEARS. But then no one would buy them.
This cat channel seems to have a lot of boot info in it, cat seems unimpressed though. Thanks for the boot info, I love watching the cuts and the construction vids
Until this channel, I was never exposed to the complex world of boots. I hope I'll get into boot making and learn all about the different types of boots.
Thank u good stuff ..music in my 71 year old head getting intense...even made a stick contraption help me lace my boots..I thought I never wear can't reach upper lace holes.use women's( boot lace thick) rubber hair bands for laces..pre tied,laces well, 25 seconds to unless a boot.
Mention picked up my Hawthorne's at a used clothing store...no wear look new ropers $60 most I ever paid weigh 6 lbs and hav 4 Philips screws top of back heel section.never seen that b4.
Grab a leather wallet, belt, camera harness, or MORE from the Rose Anvil shop here - bit.ly/44jXLNu
Had to share found a pair of vintage Red Wing 2218 logger (soft toe) for 190 on eBay, damn near brand new took your advice thanks Rose Anvil!
I'm glad you brought up conditioning old boots. My wife collects antique clothing, including ladies boots. Whenever she buys a new pair of those 100 year old boots, they come in looking like they're made of paper, but even as I'm adding conditioner you can see it start to come back to life. I usually give them three coats, which gets them buttery-soft within a few minutes. Leather is such amazing stuff, even after 100 years it can come right back to life with some simple care.
I wear a pair of 1960s jatsarit (fancy boots from the early half of 19th century that look similar to stovepipe boots) and when i conditioned them the first time they went from looking like they came from a ancient tomb to brand new shiny look
I just got a pair of 100 year old ladies boots. I cleaned them and put a couple coats of leather balm on them and it's kind of amazing how great they look. The main issue was just dirt from being in thrift stores for decades. They don't even have any real damage to the leather.
Cool information!
Adam, what does she use as conditioner? I have used lexol and leather guys leather conditioner with positive results, but that was on younger/non antique boots
@@DawaSupplyCo I've used Cadillac Conditioner and Bick 4, and have had great results from both. The key is to condition them a few times. Apply once, then wait for the leather to absorb it, then reapply.
Please don't ever apologize for giving us more great information! I'd rather watch a 20 minute video than miss out on an important facet of used boots I should watch out for!
Toaster is the real star.
Some boots with a ‘fake welt’ are actually Blake Stitched, which isn’t quite as good as Goodyear welting, but is at least superior to cement construction. Blake Stitching is often used on more elegant dress shoes and boots, particularly from Italy.
There is nothing wrong with a Blake stitch, and it can be resoled several times too provided the cobbler is at least decent.
Here around the Alps Blake stitch was used on light mountain boots also, the added welt was not fake as to make it look like a goodyear welted, it was there to cover the line where upper and midsole touched so that dirt and debris would not get in between. The welt was sealed to the upper with some wax or other concoction different from each manufacturer, it was not glued to the upper.
Overtime that seal would eventually let dirt in the boot, specially if used in conditions that would not keep the wax soft and the welt supple.
Rebuilding old boots of that construction one can see where dirt and water found their way in.
However it is a durable construction for low mountain with light packs, many of those boots are still being used after 30 years.
Blake stitch is pretty good, as well as norwegian or Goodyear. What is more important in my opinion is quality of stitch itself- thread used, distance between holes (more than 0,5 cm means that shoemaker was in a hurry ;) and above all if stitching was done by machine or by hand (double needle technique is far better than sewing with hook).
As a lady who loves boots, thrifting and this channel, thanks for including some 'ladies boots' in this one.
Same! Gonna go find out if the American Rag ankle booties I just found are legit lol. I'll love them either way!
Maybe you should do a video on what can be repaired or rebuilt on a used pair of boots and when they are beyond hope.
Trenton and Heath did that on their channel.
@@bluegrassman3040 came here to comment this...... I'm convinced they can save a pair of shoes if you bring them just a piece of the leather.......
Another tip is to get an idea of what repairs cost at your local cobbler before you go thrifting! Some things that seem small might actually be prohibitively expensive, whereas some major fixes are surprisingly affordable. For example, you can get a new rubber halfsole for around $70, but fixing zippers can run upwards of $130 per zipper.
Also worth pointing out that blundstones can be resoled! Not every cobbler will do it, but its certainly doable. If you find a pair of blundstones whose soles are going but have intact uppers, pull tabs, and elastics, it might still be worth it. Not to mention that you can then put a vibram outsole on that won't crack and crumble off.
Toaster sat vibing in front of the camera at the end was a great addition.
I think you would have better luck out west looking for thrift store boots than in Chicago- but you never know. Always enjoy your vids Weston. Toaster can block all the boots he wants. Such a chill beast.
That last tip about Blunstones and the deteriorating outsole hit home. I had a pair of lace-up safety shoes I wore for several years, then I lost the job and put them in a closet. Five or more years later I took them out to either wear or put in a garage sale. But they were unusable! The outsole had turned to some sort of gummy bear-like substance, where before it had been a comfortable and long wearing foam material. The outsole acted as if it had been soaked in some powerful solvent, and completely dissolved chemically. Maybe that was the air-water interaction you spoke of. I did throw them away - they were just gunk junk by then.
Excellent video. Love your cat. My cat is always walking around my work bench. They just want to be near those they care about.
I use Bick4 and it works very well. It is ok to put several applications on if the leather is very dry.
Toast looks pissed at the end, you were interrupting his meditation time lol
Such a badass cat. And definitely sharing this on my IG. I buy tons of ebay boots for cheap and no one gets it. This explains it all. Keep it up man.
Regarding less expensive boots, can you please review military surplus boots? You can often get those unused for a bargain. Added bonus: most are coming in a lot of sizes (length & width) for optimal fit. I wore some older German Bundeswehr boots for years in the outdoors. The soles were replaced three times before they fell apart.
Bundeswehr Kampfstieffel 77' (Kapral Metzeler) is cool.
2000/2007 - crappy, only upper is good, but haix models are lil bit ugly.
I waited the whole video for him to talk about those jungle boots!
I love my BW2000. They survived years of really heavy wearing in any weather
I never considered a preowned boot til I started watching your channel and a couple others. It is really a good way to find a deal on what would normally be an expensive set of boots. I have a cobbler close by who does good work at very reasonable rates and advice like yours has saved me a ton of money and helped me choose the right boots.
Who doesn't love this dude strait to the point and no bs love his videos and calls out the makers of boots that are subpar regardless of their size
Great to have you back🙌🏻
By 18:37, your inquisitive kitty has had enough talk about boots... he/she looks so sleepy.
Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom.
"Horrible addiction." Wow, feels good to get it out. I thought I was the only one. I have gotten excellent deals on Ebay and my local thrift shops. Takes practice though. Thanks for your advise. And oh yea, serious kitty is serious.
All the thrift stores near me are filled with junk. Even if they do have good boots they are all gone as soon the store opens.
The early bird catches the boots.
Thrift stores near Salt Lake are awesome. Lots of money and people who buy high end gear they never or rarely use.
The hydrolysis explanation's really good, I had no idea there was a word for when that happens. I lost two pairs of ecco shoes I liked (but hadn't worn in years because my fashion sense shifted) because pieces of the foam were literally falling off.
This happened with some red Ecco sandles I had. I didn't wear them much and the solel fell apart.
Yes, this was interesting to learn about. I had what I thought was a really good pair of leather Wolverines work boots that I had for a while which I now realize were glued or cemented with this type of sole. The sole fell off in one piece on one and on the other it came off in several pieces. I decided if the boots were made with such bad soles that I didn't want to bother resoling them. I hadn't even worn them for a while, when they fell apart. So it was kind of a shock for them to disintegrate in that manner. They were not cheap and they were bought new. So good to learn about what makes a good boot so I don't end up with a pair like that again. Although now looking through the comment section I realize I probably should have tried resoling them, the uppers were fine. Oh well live and learn.
I just went to a Christmas party and decided to wear my Ecco loafers I hadn't touched in years. I literally walked out of the soles up the driveway. The foam disintegrated. Had no idea this hydrolysis was a thing until now.
Nice to see the sweet little kitty with you....LOVE your videos! Very informant, and I have learned soooooo much from you....THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Glad you're doing OK after Covid.
Forgot Blake stitch where the stitch goes through the sole into the gimming. These often have a false welt with stitch. Those can be resoled a few times but not as often as Goodyear.
I have seen that hydrolysis happen to Bates dress shoes.
One really big miss on used boots, is musty mildew odor on the leather. I'm not just talking about the inside either, I'm talking about the uppers too. As a hobby, I like to buy used boots on eBay, and restore them, re-dye them, etc. and you'd be surprised how many owners will wear their boots in wet conditions without properly waterproofing them, or giving them enough time to dry in between getting them wet again, and they will develop mildew in the uppers. I have tried lots of different things to get rid of mildew smell on used boots, and so far I haven't found anything at all that completely gets rid of mildew odor. I've tried "odor killing" sprays specifically for shoes, I've tried powders, I've tried cleaning them with shoe cleaners like Jason Mark's, I've even washed them in the washing machine, and it is very difficult to kill mildew spores that cause odors. If you buy a pair of used boots and you smell that musty mildew odor on them when you take them out of the box, you're better off either returning them, or finding a professional who knows how to get rid of the mildew smell.
I bought some old sorels that had this problem. Unlined, rubber bottom and basic leather uppers, like a duck boot. Was surprised at how much the leather and threads could hold the moldy smell. I tried lots of things- multiple soaks, soapy water and a brush, alcohol, vinegar, concrobium, etc... but nothing worked. Then I remembered a car detailing video where they remove the smoke smell from a car using an ozone generator.
I did some research on using it for mold smell remediation and found people had great results with cars, houses, etc.
So I bought one on Amazon for $50.
Do so at your own risk, ozone is toxic. You must take proper safety precautions to use one, this is very serious stuff!!!!!!
Never smell or breathe in the ozone!!!! Keep it far away from children, plants, pets and animals!!!!
You must be very careful with it, but if you put the items in a trash bag (do this outside!!!! ) with the generator and run it for a few seconds ( I plugged and unplugged it from the outlet to do this) every 10 minutes or so to fill up the bag a bit and expose the boots long enough, it will reduce the smell significantly and eventually eliminate it with enough exposure.
So if you get a big enough trash bag you can do several pairs at a time, if you don’t mind tending to the bag and taking proper safety precautions this can be an effective last ditch effort to save smelly but otherwise great boots.
The amount of exposure time needed will vary depending on the construction of the shoes and the severity of the of the problem.
I know with other mildew problems letting the object bake in direct sunlight for as long as you can, for example days, can potentially kill the bacteria and help get rid of it. Not sure how that would effect the leather, but might be worth a try.
@@graciehood9007 I've honestly contemplated it. The problem is the heat. Leather is treated with oils and pigments that will dry out under the heat. There is also sun fading that happens. Sun bleaching is actually a thing too. It's risky, but not completely impossible.
Alcohol is good for killing odor causing bacteria and may help combat that musty smell of mildew. It’s good for a go first.
If the mildew smell is still there, try spraying the interior and exterior with ammonia, close to saturation, then leave it in direct sunlight for a day or so to dry. You’ll have to condition it as soon as it’s dry because ammonia can make the leather dry by leaching out the oils.
Firs of all: thank you for being a younger guy in this business!! It's *so* hard to find cobblers!! We had one guy in our town, and he's retired now, so I have no idea what to do now. 😭.
Second, I love how your old kittiot perched on that one pair of boots to the right. Adorable.
I was in the vintage clothing business for years. The one test I relied on for fake leather was a hot needle. Poke the needle in a place that won't show and the smell will tell you whether it's organic or synthetic. This also works with wool or fake wool products. New Subscriber - thanks! 👍
My go to is eBay, I bought a pair of Old Moc toe boots LL Bean made back in the 60’s and 70’s I work at a lumber yard and they’re great!
Glad to have you back! Could we get a Toaster Shenanigans Compilation?
I've loved hitting Thrift shops for a long time.
Shoes has never been an area I've had any luck.
I have made some great used purchases on eBay though.
I have a pair of Aku hiking boots with a Vibram sole and after _25 years_ they are nowhere near worn enough to require replacing. I’ve been everywhere in them.
How many resoles were needed in that time? The way my soles are wearing it looks like I will need a resole roughly once every 18 months or so.
@@garethbaus5471 Try Vibrams if you haven’t already.
I have some Danners that I bought back in 93 when I was in the military, I need to replace the soles. They have been all over the world.
I own a few pairs of footwear from the 1920s (derby shoes, derby boots, button boots and military boots) and they always absorb so much oil when I condition them, one pair usually needs to drink 250-400 ml of oil before it’s saturated and supple. Although once you condition the leather feels “young” again. The point being, always condition old leather and stitching (even before you put the shoes on) until it’s fully saturated and then let it rest for a day or two, in order for it to really soak up all that conditioner.
Best pair of second hand boots I ever owned were a pair of 80s doc martens. We bought them second hand in 2010 ( I was about 5) and I wore them every day till I grew out of them in about 2014. I wore them in every weather condition possible and they always held up perfectly. My mum even got them painted white and wore them on her wedding day in 2018. They still haven't worn out.
The original Docs were amazingly durable and comfortable. Tried one pair after the transition and they were garbage at the same pricing. What a shame.
those jungle boots are actually direct moulded soles, while functionally similar to cemented, it is a more reliable construction method and also fairly common. key telltales are a pronounced mould flash seam on the heel and toe of the sole, and where the upper meets with the sole often there will be some mould flash and / or it will look like the upper was clamped in a form and there will be some flattning / smoothing around the edge. this process was invented by wellco in tee 60's to combat gyw boots rotting in the vietnam jungle, and it works well when done right.
What I use for leather treatment is plain old Vaseline (brand matters, off brands can contain water). My leather gloves work hard out in the wet, and since I've been giving 'em a good dose of Vaseline (as much as they'll absorb) prior to first use and as needed thereafter, they last at least 5x longer -- the leather resists abrasion much better, and takes a lot longer to stiffen up from being repeatedly soaked. (Vaseline also helps keep the water out, so they take a lot longer to soak through.) I've tried various stuff sold as leather dressing but Vaseline works better, and lasts longer.
So I found some steel-toed leather boots at the freebie place, good fit but so dried out they crackled. Took 'em home, gave 'em a good Vaseline soak, and the leather is now soft and flexible again.
Do you have a glove full of Vaseline?
Bought a pair of wolverine 6 inch soft toe work boots back in 2018, wore them for almost 3 years as my everyday footwear, both on the job and off. Had to get the fiber replaced once a couple years ago, and the laces twice and they are still going strong. You don't need to spend crazy amounts of money on comfy boots, just take good care of them. On the other hand, high end boots do have their appeal, and if you can get them on the cheap, good for you.
Haven't bought a new pair of shoes or boots in 21 years...thriftstores not as thrifty anymore..1. Good sole. 2. Stiching 3.name brand...underwear,socks new that's it..jackets oh all beauty's pendy shirts all beauty's,pants Levi to Carhartt,winter down feather jacket,pants..snowshoes on and on. Now Portland has a Goodwill, I call last chance for gas..all items not selling at reg Goodwill end up at this store..sum really great stuff..
I'd love to see more of Toaster. In fact, I'd love if you made a Toaster channel. Just Toaster, sometimes sitting around, sometimes doing stuff. This video was good too though.
I now own 12 pair of work boots shopping at thrift stores. I haul hazmat and the chemicals are hard on boots. I've now started shopping for boots for my coworkers.
Since I was thirteen years old I'm 58 now I remember going to a regular mom and pop shoe store and getting a pair of boots with the vibram soul best boots I've ever owned they were a brown leather hiking boot with red laces I think red wings . its time for something similar now after all these years .
I was visiting my sister in Sugar Creek, OH 7 needed some leather treatment. She took me to a saddle shop which sells to many of the Amish folks. Shop owner asked if I wanted "good or best". Huberd's of Snowflake, AZ was the recommended product. I have used it for years & is true to its reputation, great product.
best made conditioner for leather is Blackrock Leather-n-rich ... cleans conditions moisterizes... use a clean white towel... pulls dirt out of the leather... i am a cobbler... own and operate my shoe & boot repair... best replacement soles are goodyear.
thank you so much for this!!! i try to shop completely thrift/second hand and ahve been LOOKING for some boots and not having much success. glad to see this to be a bit more mindful as im shopping
Great video. I’ve bought acouple pairs of whites off of ebay and don’t regret either pair! 1st pair was a set of brown whites packers similar to yours, and then a few months later a pair of black steel toe smoke jumpers. These boots are some of my most valued possessions. Love wearing them and admiring the care and attention that went into making them. I definitely recommend being patient and knowing what you’re looking for though. There is a ton of junk out there
If you can get hold of them, instead of buying Blunstones boots, do yourself a favour and buy the Rossi or Redback. Rossi (to my knowledge) are still made in South Australia and are a premium made boot. I've had mine for over 4 years and are still going strong (my Blundstone work boot only lasted 12 months before the rubber cracked right through).
Do more women's shoes! I like how you talked about the women's fashion boots.
I love this channel. As a musician my youtube account consists of guitar videos mainly but this is such a pallet cleanser! Wasn't a boot guy before but I can really appreciate the work that goes into a solid pair.
Another way to try to see if a stitch is real is to see if the number of stitches per inch on top matches those on the soles. Usually the cheaper made boots that mimic the stitches with fake ones don't bother to make the stitches match at all.
Ex. If the stitches on top are way bigger than the ones at the bottom, it's fake b.c. it wouldn't make sense for them to not match if the stitch truly went through.
I didn't realize you are Salt Lake based, so am I. I just ordered my 1st pair Redback Easy Escape steel toe. This is a learning experience for sizing and selection. If it's not right I'll return & modify my order. I remember one of the best boots I ever had was purchased in a Denver army surplus store. Wore them for 18 years.
At my goodwill I found a pair of bean hunting boots for $20, A pair of brand new $250 steel toed Thorogoods for $30, and a new pair of Lehigh $210 steel toe boots for $30. So many good deals.
I love crrazy look when mentioning the guy who stole your trailer
I love how passionate you are about boots! It's contagious
Stoked to see the upcoming restorations!
Pumped!
I absolutely love your channel, your honesty, and the way you educate people what is expected in a quality boot. My dad passed away 4 yrs ago at 83. I still have his boots from when he was attached to the Strategic Air Command. Had his other stuff but when he passed his house was robbed.
Oh that cat is awesome ... I was watching Toaster all the way through :)))))
Please film a few (Cut in Half) videos of leather boots and shoes for women. I would love to find quality shoes worthy of resoling. Are there any craftsmen/cobblers making boots or heels that justify the exorbitant purchase price? It’s not uncommon for a store brand pair of boots to cost over $200 and only last a season or two.
Cant wait to see you get into those combat boots. If I had not abused mine after they issued the ACU's I would probably still have those all black all leather boots. Around 20 years
I bought my Red Wing 877s used and in spite of them needing new soles (I still wear em for the time being) I'm absolutely in love with them. After I get a resole done, I still end up saving a couple hundred dollars.
The cork isn't quite molded to my feet perfectly but I use inserts anyway.
I had been looking for Blundstones and kept getting put off by the PU deterioration.
Just get redbacks
i put Vibram on my blundstones (after 9 years). these comfy buggers will be with me for a long time.
You might be my new favorite channel. Bush guy and roadside service / tow guy. I have a love hate thing with boots.
You have to wonder how much they really save putting the effort into faking a welt instead of just stitching it together.
I didn't even know I needed this video. Thanks for the help! Also, Toaster is the best!
There are many brands of cheap boots and shoes that fake the Goodyear welt stitch. Sometimes you can tell by matching up the stitch on top with the sole. You have to flip it over and back a few times, but if the stitching on top of the sole does not seem to line up with the underside, walk away. It is surely cemented.
Your cat rocks...I love the facial expressions 😆 Like a grumpy retired assassin.
As an Australian, its funny to think of Americans (or anybody for that matter) seeking out used Blundstones.
Here they're available in basically every hardware or workwear store for fairly cheaply. That's not to say that they aren't very good, they're probably some of the best workboots widely available here that also fall under the "disposable" or "expendable" category (along with Redback or Steel Blue). And they aren't the cheapest, but they don't compare to, say, hand-made boots.
Where us Aussies miss out is in the hand-made work boot. We simply don't have any made locally. The construction industry, like many trade industries in Australia, is *heavily* regulated from a safety point of view, and some job sites have extremely specific requirements (like compulsory non-steel safety toes, or boots requiring a zip for easy removal in a trauma event), and they seem to be getting more and more specific. (By the way, if you don't believe me on the zipper part, just check out some of the catalogs of the brands I mentioned above - and have a look at how many lace-up boots also have zippers).
The cheaply made boot manufacturers are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this. They can quickly churn out new models meeting new regulations at a large scale, and make them widely available and affordable. So when that new guy turns up to a job site with "inappropriate" boots, their employer can send them off to the local hardware store to buy a pair of these disposable boots. And those who *do* opt to wear a higher quality boot, always need to keep some of these disposable junk boots around in case they need to enter one of these job sites. From an environmental point of view, its a damn shame.
@Mike Byrne they're not really work boots though. they aren't at the same level of ruggedness
I get boots from Australia called Redbacks. Are they essentially blundstones? They are super comfortable and very durable with a scuff cap. My only gripe is they really are not water proof for long and I usually wear out the sole in a years time. The reason I ask is it seems that redbacks are no longer available.
@@steventidwell5232 Essentially, just another brand but similar quality.
People in my town sell them on Facebook for 100 US +
Check Facebook market place first in your area, then go to the low end stores first and high end stores last. This is because the high end stores buys up the good stuff locally and re-sells it for much more. I was looking at a pair of new in box LL Bean boots for $80 on FB but they were bought by a local high end store and they posted it on their FB page (as well in their physical store) as $175. High end thrift stores are often rip offs.
Hi, excellent information, noticed that when you comment on Leather it means "LEATHER" to you like it did mean for me until approximately 20 years ago when I noticed Shoe manufacturer stamp this word ( Leather = meaning man made Leather ) on their product when it fake Leather and if it is real Leather they use word "GENUANE LEATHER". just wanted to mention it.
Please make some videos about the hikking boots! Love your channel!
Hey, I just binge watched a bunch of your videos and they are fun and informative. You must do a Merrell Moab hiker. They are the world's favorite hiker and lots of people swear by them.
I bought some and I'm disappointed. I've worn them in about 100 miles and was planning to take on a 2-month hiking vacation. I'm not convinced they'll hold up. What are the biggest performance features that make them worthy of "world's favorite hiker"? Thanks for sharing if you have an opinion.
Dude what how did you find all of these thrifting. I always check the shoe section when I go thrifting and rarely find high quality boots
I subscribed your channel because of your cat😍
Hitting up consignment shops in nicer neighborhoods rather than your typical goodwill will generally do the trick. You will be paying more though but less than a pair of new shit shoes.
ah yah you aren't going to find boots like this at some local Goodwill my dude. Gotta hit up the slightly pricier thrift shops for the super good finds. :P
You have to stick with it. Eventually something nice will find its way to Goodwill or the Salvation Army store. I go to both of those near me at least once per week. Over the last 6 months or so I've made a few excellent finds. It's usually garbage, but just be patient and persistent.
It’s because he’s in Utah. It’s nearly impossible to score like that in my area.
As a kid growing up in Minnesota, I had a pair of boots that looked like the LL Bean boots. I loved them and they where really good at keeping my feet dry playing in the snow.
Great videos today I found a pair of nicks wildland boots at the goodwill outlet. The soles are still in great shape the leather has some scratches but nothing that can't be polished. Great videos.
Remember to check the materials used on the inside of the boot as well, a good inside heel tab thick tongue and breathable material can go miles in making the boot comfortable for longer periods of time. Also check if the boot is insulated, in some areas having an insulated boot isn't practical and is others can be a life saver.
I was reading about people washing their leather boots from thrift shops, garage sales, & such in the washing machine, saying they came out fine. Watched a couple videos as well, in the comments they said they came out fine. Hey, thought maybe you could do a video on what happens with those LOL.
Your channel is super cool. I have a bit of a footwear obsession, and currently own around 20 pairs of shoes/boots, and just recently I found a brand new pair of thorogood mondo pt military issue boots at value village for $25. I couldn’t have known they were good without watching this video, so thanks!
You know I've never really known much about boots this video alone is explaining more about boots than anything I've ever learned from a store salesman manual or whatever.
I think part of it is because I just didn't understand and he makes this so easy to understand I don't know where you learned how to teach but you are good at it
Super informative video not mentioning the cat in the video makes this a rare informative and at the same time hilarious video brilliant!!!
Thank you !
Glad your back take care much respect from Australia
I have a pair of Irish setter mock toes that have absolutely molded to my feet. I love their fit after break in the only thing I will change is a more grippy sole when the factory ones wear out. They cost me 150 at a red wing store 4 years ago as a model year close out but did not graduate to every day till 2 years ago. That's my vote for best value
This was a 4 star video until Toaster arrived, then it went to 5 star! Subscribed.
Very informative! Toaster is such a handsome kitty, btw!
Thanks so much, just picked up a pair of Red Wing 1411's in great shape for under $30 using your video as a guide.
I used to swear by Blundstones as workboots (in Victoria, Australia), but they sent their manufacturing to China about 8 years ago and the quality has dropped off a cliff. The soles were quite durable on the Tasmanian ones, but aren't on the Chinese ones. Now I have pair of JK Boots OTs and would not wear anything else. Even tho' they cost USD $80 (AUD $130) to post to Australia. & you have to lace them up.
Thanks for the shopping tips. Toaster was a welcome site. I love how he walked on all the boots to try and get your attention. Didn't realize you had the corona virus glade you are doing better. I was down for 2 weeks with it back in October.
Personally i make my own boots, i had gotten into leather work a few years back and decided to make my own boots cuz of it mainly cuz it’s cheaper for me because i run shoes into the ground pretty fast. Iv only made one pair and so far they have lasted pretty well, though iv had to resole them once already
Where do you buy your outsoles?
@@seasaltisland I want to ask the same question...
My favorite and most functional/comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned are Danners, comfortable right out of the box with NO break in time, fully waterproof, good grip, light weight.
I love these more generally informative videos! Great to know you're recovering.
Went to a little antique store in an old part of a small town two years ago and bought a pair of "ok looking" cowboy boots that were worn to hell on the outsole for $40 that I thought were probably fake. Did some research and little did I know I bought a pair of Dan Post lizard skin boots that typically go for between $300-$500 now. While they don't make the model I have anymore that's the price they charge for similar looking boots of theirs.
Watching your cat (toaster) nod off had me laughing so hard I had to watch this twice.
You solved a mystery for me.
I have a pair of insulated pull on Wolverine's, with "Durashock" soles. I used them for years on my rural mail route (driving route, about 30miles long) in the winter, rain, snow, and cold. With a combination of (separatel polypro and wool socks, they kept my feet warm and dry. Fast forward to retirement, I continued to use them, and one day the heels totally self destructed. Your description of the foam inner soles coming apart in the Blundstones matches what happened to them. Now the leather upper and insulation are still in great shape, and I'm wondering if they can be resoled.
Thank you for these tips! I like to browse the thrift store and always look at the boots, so it's good to know what to look for!
don't apologize for Toaster, we love him
Man I got them same Danner grouses for $40 at value village, brand new, not even broke in, I almost shit myself when I saw them, still my favorite boot ever since my wife donated my Ft. Lewis’s
Good education and thanks. My expensive Meindl boots just "hydrolyzed" and the soles fell off. The mid sole disintegrated. I did wear them regularly but not daily. They last 4 years but I never ever thought a shoe could have a time-clock. There should be a label - THESE SOLES WILL DISINTEGRATE WITH IN 5 YEARS. But then no one would buy them.
I brought second hand ..borneville boots years ago ... gortex lined most comfortable boots I ever got ...
The last 4 minutes of the video, very sleepy kitty, adorable!
This cat channel seems to have a lot of boot info in it, cat seems unimpressed though.
Thanks for the boot info, I love watching the cuts and the construction vids
Until this channel, I was never exposed to the complex world of boots. I hope I'll get into boot making and learn all about the different types of boots.
Thank u good stuff ..music in my 71 year old head getting intense...even made a stick contraption help me lace my boots..I thought I never wear can't reach upper lace holes.use women's( boot lace thick) rubber hair bands for laces..pre tied,laces well, 25 seconds to unless a boot.
Mention picked up my Hawthorne's at a used clothing store...no wear look new ropers $60 most I ever paid weigh 6 lbs and hav 4 Philips screws top of back heel section.never seen that b4.
What a cute lil kitty who also appreciates a good pair of boots