Flying boot repop comparison

[fishmeok]

Thought this might be an interesting comparison. A pair of Cockpit 1936 boots in brown and the hard to find Aero A11 flight boots. The Cockpit boots had a bad dye job on them to make them black and I had to strip and re-finish. Ended up having to paint them with Angelus leather paint to get a good finish. The Aero boots are horsehide and super comfy- but as rare as they are I don't wear them much, and not in the winter...

FYI, the cockpit boots run AT LEAST a full size smaller than the tagged size. These are a 10 and just a bit tight. I have been looking for a pair of brown 36's for years in my size, have been through at least 3 pairs of the black ones that were always just a little too small....

And the Cockpit boots in black:

 

[fleet16b]

I too have a pair of the Cockpit 36ers.
The details are spot on when compared to originals
IMHO these are the best repro that were made except for that treaded sole.
I took mine to a cobbler and he removed the rubber treaded sole and replaced with leather.
They now look perfect

 

[handworn]

The Cockpit ones aren't available anymore, are they?

 

[flyboy]

Don't think so. I used to have a pair of Cockpit 1936 boots too. The only thing wrong - as far as I remember - besides the small sizes and the horrible soles, were the seams. They were not "saddlers seams" as on the originals. Besides that: Great boots!
I sold mine due to the narrow size and am now - as I write - wearing a pair of 1936 pattern from Aero. Great boots too. And also not in production. Unfortunately.