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Boots / shoes to wear with your flight jacket s...
- Thread starter ties70
- Start date
CombatWombat
Well-Known Member
Blundestones used to be phenomenal years ago.......nowadays they use a sole that's susceptible to hydrolysis, TPU soles tend to get mircofractures if you store them for abit.
I find Redbacks better for my "duck feet" (wide toe splay with high forefoot and narrow ankles)
ZuZu
Well-Known Member
I have the elastic side ones too. Both are great boots- they kind of put the 8 pound resoleable premium boots to shame as far as actual work boots. I had Redbacks too- lace up and side elastic.
The boutique boot thing is like our jacket thing- it's rooted in fantasy and nostalgia. Practically it makes no sense.
Grant
Well-Known Member
I wear Blundstones for work and fun (steel toe and regular). They're super comfortable, but the heels and soles wear down easily and eventually crack.
For me, being able to re-sole my Red Wings and keep on wearing them is better than adding to a land fill.
ZuZu
Well-Known Member
Yeah- my Dad wore the same pair of Red Wing Irish Setters all his life- probably resoled them at least twice- maybe thrice. He was a professor but his field (Plant Pathology) called for a lot of field work to which he wore his Red Wings. Old school.
Cocker
Well-Known Member
Oh, regarding the cobbler, no worries, I have it covered! There's a little one near me, very old school, doing amazing things with shoes, boots, horse and motorbike saddles, luggages, whatever you want! I'm really just after the correct sole itself to give 'em for replacing mine.
Having had both I’d never go back to Blundstones. Redbacks are definitely far more comfortable, harder wearing and more reasonably priced.
They are also still made in Australia, whereas Blundstone moved production of most of their boots overseas to China, Vietnam, India, Mexico and Thailand.
Blundstones might be seen as the more fashionable (which could explain the higher prices) however around where I am Redbacks are by far the most popular choice for those who actually wear boots for work, which is mainly farming/agriculture.
Smithy
Well-Known Member
I agree Wombat, my first pair from the late 80s, early 90s lasted forever. The newer ones aren't as good but are OK for knocking around in so long as you get them on special or a sale.
In terms of pull on boots I'd still pick RMs over everything. Yup they cost more and some styles are more dressy but you can resole them again and again. My first pair got resoled twice and only gave up the ghost in the leather cracking from extremes of hot and cold from living in Arctic Norway, South America and Oz. Bloody terrific boots.
Chandler
Well-Known Member
And they are...
tjoenn
Well-Known Member
Service shoes from At The Front... wish I had bought two pairs as they're not available any longer
Chandler
Well-Known Member
Rollin says he's working with another vendor -- stay tuned.
Grant
Well-Known Member
The leather laces are a cool addition!
tjoenn
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Keep the original NOS in a drawer, leather ones are more practical in my opinion.
CombatWombat
Well-Known Member
Haha!
I actually hate RM Williams with a passion......the leather cracks around my pinky toe in the 4 pairs I've had.
For that more dressy look I wear Baxter's, which make the same styles but in a leather that (for me) hasn't been a problem.
