Hi. Advice please. I'm in the market for a new pair of boots. Over the past few years I've worn out a fair few pairs of boots. 1 pair of Gelert Hunt, 1 pair of Merrell hiking/cross-trainers, 1 pai of Timberlands, 1 pair of Caterpillars and 2 pairs of DMs. The Merrell were the most comfortable and the Caterpillars lasted the longest. The last two pairs of DMs I've had were shit and fell to bits in no time. I walk a lot and I'm not good to my footwear. I'm looking for a pair of comfortable, hardwearing walking boots for urban and rural pursuits. Any advice on brands I should avoid? Any dreamlike footwear you could recommend?
Thank you, in anticipation.
Posted by Boy Racer (Member # 498) on :
Hmmm, Redwing. They look good. The ones with the white soles look like butch Kickers.
Posted by Darryn.R (Member # 1) on :
Different picture, same boot choice.
Hard to find in Holland though, are they easier to come by in the UK ?
Posted by Boy Racer (Member # 498) on :
I can't speak for the rest of the UK, but they do tend to be stocked in at least one of the better footwear shops around Covent Garden at all times.
Posted by Darryn.R (Member # 1) on :
Maybe I'll have a look on Monday as I'm in London for meetings, I have until lunchtime free so..
Posted by sabian (Member # 6) on :
Oh, go on! Please? Posted by StevieX (Member # 91) on :
I'm just going to add my endorsement to the chorus of approval for Redwing boots, though I am a mite miffed that others beat me to it - I've often thought of them as my 'sole preserve'.
Posted by New Way Of Decay (Member # 106) on :
quote:Originally posted by StevieX: I've often thought of them as my 'sole preserve'.
Ouch!
I'd stick to '.' Stevie. Posted by StevieX (Member # 91) on :
That was a bit fucked up, eh? It wasn't *intended* as a pun; rather to indicate my surprise at finding other Redwing enthusiasts. In twisted Stevieworld style, I somehow thought that the quotes would distract attention from the appalling (accidental) pun. Oh well.
'.' was one of my better contributions.
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
How about these?
And while on the subject, should I buy these ones? I like the black/white thingumy, but I think they are a little chunky...
Posted by Vogon Poetess (Member # 164) on :
I'm sure I've seen blackenwhite ones like that but minus the chunkiness, Abby.
I haven't replaced my DMs since I came back from Oz. I've had a pair of DMs that were my default footwear since I was 13. Does this mean I've grown up or something now?
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
I'm currently wearing a pair of 1994 Doctor Martens Eight Hole Boots. I've had them on since I was sixteen and they still don't smell. Sadly they do have cracks and holes in their backs and soles but I wear them regardless, come rain or shine.
Posted by Black Mask (Member # 185) on :
quote:Originally posted by MiscellaneousFiles: I'm currently wearing a pair of 1994 Doctor Martens Eight Hole Boots. I've had them on since I was sixteen and they still don't smell. Sadly they do have cracks and holes in their backs and soles but I wear them regardless, come rain or shine.
Ten years wear and you expect that. That's fair, they're work boots. I think 1998 or 99 must've been the last decent batch. I don't know if they started making them out of crepe paper then, or started assembling them with Pritt Stick, but they're fucking rubbish now.
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
quote: I'm sure I've seen blackenwhite ones like that but minus the chunkiness, Abby.
So have I! But not if you are a horribly deformed mutant with enormofreak feet (size 8).
Though I would be interested in any information regarding location of said shoes incase wherever it is has supersize.
Posted by New Way Of Decay (Member # 106) on :
I was trying to look for the model of New Rock boots I own but could not find them. I couldn't find the other boots that were knee length and purple by New Rock either. I wanted to mix and match the boots but was unsure that I would slightly like a Slaneeshi Noise Marine.
I did find these little babies though;
[ 15.09.2004, 09:49: Message edited by: New Way Of Decay ]
Posted by 2@ (Member # 715) on :
Timberland classics are actually completely indestructible - mine have lasted the best part of 15 years of heavy outdoor use, and I haven't even changed the sole yet. They're very comfortable too.
The downside is that you'll need baggy jeans, a nickel-plated AK, some fly bitchaz and a crack habit to fit in with the rest of today's Timberland wearing population (at least those who appear in my locality).
-sigh-. Kidz, eh?
[ 15.09.2004, 10:11: Message edited by: 2@ ]
Posted by philomel (Member # 586) on :
The black and white chunk shoes are good, and rather carry a hint of Vivienne Westwood-esque stomp 'n' strut. I would like shoes with big fat heels but as my legs are dwarf-length and my feet are midget they only succeed in making me look foolish, with trotter-toes. This summer I haven't even touched my 5" scarlet wedges. :sad:
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
quote: hint of Vivienne Westwood-esque stomp 'n' strut.
Oooh...yes...a convincing argument...though Im not convinced I can walk in heels that high.
Posted by New Way Of Decay (Member # 106) on :
quote:Originally posted by Abby: I would be interested in any information regarding location of said shoes incase wherever it is has supersize.
Are you only allowed to purchase them if they offer you a supersize pair? Will you document the footage then be all supersmarm and humble that you proved the world that too-small shoes reduce your feet to nubs? Will you release it worldwide as Superbind Me?
Posted by StevieX (Member # 91) on :
quote:Originally posted by Black Mask: Ten years wear and you expect that. That's fair, they're work boots. I think 1998 or 99 must've been the last decent batch. I don't know if they started making them out of crepe paper then, or started assembling them with Pritt Stick, but they're fucking rubbish now.
They're all made in China now, innit?
DM Industrials, with a proper steel toecap, were long made in a separate factory from the slightly flimsy "Fashion Docs" which seemed to become the norm from about 1989 onwards. Flimsy Docs seemed to get flimsier by the year; I bought my final pair in 1990. My most recent pair of Industrials (still Northampton-made long after the reswt of the production had shifted east), by contrast, are only just starting to become broken-in after nearly 3 years of constant wear.
Posted by StevieX (Member # 91) on :
And if you clean your Docs regularly with DUBBIN (never polish!!!), the leather doesn't crack. Ever. That's DUBBIN.
D U B B I N
Posted by MiscellaneousFiles (Member # 60) on :
D U B B I N might be the answer to our leather problems, but surely it can't help our soles.
Third hook from the left, cheers. Posted by Black Mask (Member # 185) on :
quote:Originally posted by StevieX: They're all made in China now, innit?
Ah.
quote:Originally posted by StevieX: DM Industrials
These sound the shit. How d'you know you're getting bona British boots?
Posted by Black Mask (Member # 185) on :
quote:Originally posted by StevieX:
D U B B I N
Yes. I dubbin. And I black polish my Oxbloods so they look like mahogany.
Posted by Lucid (Member # 531) on :
quote:Originally posted by Black Mask:
quote:Originally posted by StevieX: They're all made in China now, innit?
Ah.
quote:Originally posted by StevieX: DM Industrials
These sound the shit. How d'you know you're getting bona British boots?
Sir Sir! I know this one (buttocks lifting from chair). Saw a prog about this - DM only refers to the sole. That's the only bit that is the Doctor Martin bit, the uppers can be made of any old shite. The soles used to be made in the UK, now all made in China, the uppers can be made anywhere. I had a pair of DMs, lasted bloody years, next pair (c1990) lasted three months, this was just after DM sold the licence to make the soles to all unsundry - so DM's no longer came as a package, uppers of high quality and shit kicking soles. HTH..
Posted by StevieX (Member # 91) on :
quote:Originally posted by Black Mask:
quote:Originally posted by StevieX: They're all made in China now, innit?
Ah.
quote:Originally posted by StevieX: DM Industrials
These sound the shit. How d'you know you're getting bona British boots?
'Made In England' stamped on all moving and non-moving parts. Available from most good Army & Navy Stores.
Posted by Sidney (Member # 399) on :
These should be good for when you're strutting about town, Barry:
[ 15.09.2004, 14:29: Message edited by: Sidney ]
Posted by ally (Member # 600) on :
For the boys - I own a pair of Salomon walking boots which have provided me with five years of sterling service and are still going strong. I don't wear then regularly though - country yomps only. Mr Ally will only wear Hi-teks, which you can get supercheap from www.sportsshoes.com
For the girls - those fetish brogues are sweet. Sadly I'm utterly inept in heels. I would fall over, spectacularly and in a very public place. I dream of gorgeous shoes, but I could only wear them if I'm provided with a matching chauffeur-driven red-carpet lifestyle where you don't have to walk anywhere. Abby, if you can walk in that sort of thing, you should definitely get them. They'd look great with a pair of black or pinstriped trousers, or a dress.
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
A vote for Merrells here. My current pair have lasted two and a half years, including 6 months daily abuse in A+E, a load of bike miles, walking miles, round town miles and every sporting event I've been to.
They're only going now - still structurally sound - because after a bke ride in a thunderstorm a few days ago, I stupidly left them wet. They have contracted a pedal supersmellybug which is resistant to 1) three times round the washing machine 2) being left out in more healthy cleansing rain and 3) being shouted at.
Posted by Louche (Member # 450) on :
Dear Black Mask,
I would recommend that for the benefit of your manly feet, you purchase a pair of these:
I purchased a pair of these and have, as they say, never looked back. Though that is mainly because they're so heavy that to do so could possibly have caused permanent disabilitating back trauma. I do find that after the first few wears, one is left with gigantic abraded holes in one's heels. The generally accepted solution to this is to soldier on as though one were in the trenches at the Somme and had no other boot option. Or to purchase a large tube of polyfilla to repair one's heels. However, aesthetically, when teamed with both corn plasters and comedy flourescent fishnet stockings, the results are highly pleasing. One also finds they are extremely useful in the social pursuits of pulling a transexual and getting ribald sexual abuse from a bus-full of Leeds teens. I feel such a ringing endorsement as this can only persuade you to favour the newrock look, and as such, patiently await my 10% commission.
Thank you Sad-Holding-Onto-Her-Teens Manchester
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
quote: They'd look great with a pair of black or pinstriped trousers, or a dress.
Or....nothing!!11!!11
I can also recomend NewRocks...but not for wholesome outdoor activities.
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
...infact NewRocks are good for getting hassle from teens everywhere. I was in Caerphilly one time (dont ask) when the local yoof decided they were a source of great amusement. I discovered that even when hassling a lone woman in a badly lit car park, at night, it is impossible to appear even slightly threatening if you have a Welsh accent.
Posted by New Way Of Decay (Member # 106) on :
I wish I could find the fucking make of NewRocks I own, because I have never had any hassle for wearing them...mainly because they look like they would make your heart stop upon looking at them.
Posted by 2@ (Member # 715) on :
Those Newrock things are, well, horrible.
In my humble Timberland wearing opinion, of course.
Posted by Louche (Member # 450) on :
I wasn't aware that anything about you was humble, 2@. Newrocks, erm, rock. Loudly. As loud and hard as a bunch of sweaty AC/DC fans bottling Rasmus in a muddy field to the left of Bonn.
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
yeah!...though I quite like Rasmus...well the one song I know.
I will go and listen to some Hypnoskull now as penance.
Posted by New Way Of Decay (Member # 106) on :
quote:Originally posted by Abby: I will go and listen to some Hypnoskull now as penance.
Please make the song 'Desire'
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
ok...only if I can do Operation Tough Guy as well.
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Louche: Newrocks, erm, rock. Loudly. As loud and hard as a bunch of anaemic 14-year-old goths from Redhill.
Hell yeah!!
Posted by New Way Of Decay (Member # 106) on :
quote:Originally posted by Abby: ok...only if I can do Operation Tough Guy as well.
Oh, is that the one that goes reeeeee, ker ker ker, ka ker gruj! ma-ah hah ha BFFFFZZZZT?
Posted by Sidney (Member # 399) on :
I'm trying really hard to make myself think "yeah! Newrocks, like, rock!" etc but what I keep thinking is "my daughter likes Newrocks. She's 13."
Posted by Carter (Member # 426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Carter:
quote:Originally posted by Louche: Newrocks, erm, rock. Loudly. As loud and hard as a bunch of anaemic 14-year-old goths from Redhill.
Hell yeah!!
Posted by Abby (Member # 582) on :
I am clinging determinedly to my youth. The boots help.
Posted by saltrock (Member # 622) on :
These are without doubt the stoopidest thing I have ever seen in the footwear department.
But can someone also explain to me why it is when you do a google image search of kinky boots you get lots of rock-climbing pictures?
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