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Boots

Wondering if any of you RMW's wearers can help me out with something. I've worn my Comfort Craftsmen's into the ground, and both the sole, heel and inside lining are pretty stuffed. I can see nails / tacks in the heel, I've worn the sole down enough to wear out the stitching on the base and they're generally in need of total re-furb. The heel is so deformed I walk lopsided when I wear them, which is often. On the other hand, the elastic and upper is fine.

Pretty sure that I'm up for the full $250 re-last and lining, by my question is this: has anyone had this done, and incurred 'additional fees' for them finding additional damage? Can anyone give me an indication of what $$$ the additional fees might be?
 
Mong. said:
Wondering if any of you RMW's wearers can help me out with something. I've worn my Comfort Craftsmen's into the ground, and both the sole, heel and inside lining are pretty stuffed. I can see nails / tacks in the heel, I've worn the sole down enough to wear out the stitching on the base and they're generally in need of total re-furb. The heel is so deformed I walk lopsided when I wear them, which is often. On the other hand, the elastic and upper is fine.

Pretty sure that I'm up for the full $250 re-last and lining, by my question is this: has anyone had this done, and incurred 'additional fees' for them finding additional damage? Can anyone give me an indication of what $$$ the additional fees might be?
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No idea and cannot help you BUT - how did you let them get into this state!!!!!!

BTW, Nungar is usually the cheapest for replacements - $445 plus postage on the Comfort Craftsman
 
Speaking of boots, new to me Loake Burfords with GYW Dainite soles. Not bad for $115 posted when new they are RRP $599



​

Seem quite comfy on first brief wear. Well maintained, smell of Saphir, with box and bags
 
Mark1966 said:
No idea and cannot help you BUT - how did you let them get into this state!!!!!!

BTW, Nungar is usually the cheapest for replacements - $445 plus postage on the Comfort Craftsman
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Failure to rotate mostly. I got so sick of slipping around on the slippery bluestone in the Melbourne CBD that I literally wore the shit out of them in winter. Too much 'Sydney tuxedo' with the blue suit and brown boots.

Let it be a lesson to all unless you want to buy a new pair every 3-4 years - use shoe trees, don't wear them on consecutive days, and send them for repair early.

That's a cracker price on 1880 edition Loakes, and the dainite soles are great. Slick looking boots, the wingtip is nice. People always look at me funny in brogues, I look like a spies accountant.
 
Mong. said:
Failure to rotate mostly. I got so sick of slipping around on the slippery bluestone in the Melbourne CBD that I literally wore the shit out of them in winter. Too much 'Sydney tuxedo' with the blue suit and brown boots.

Let it be a lesson to all unless you want to buy a new pair every 3-4 years - use shoe trees, don't wear them on consecutive days, and send them for repair early.
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Amen brother - and I would add if leather soles chuck on a Topy (but not from the local Mister Minit - a proper bootmaker!)


That's a cracker price on 1880 edition Loakes, and the dainite soles are great. Slick looking boots, the wingtip is nice. People always look at me funny in brogues, I look like a spies accountant.
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Rabid Badger said:
How did you get those for $115?
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Second hand

Now before you go "Gross" as I thought at first, do some research (not unhygienic and nor bad for feet if not a lot of wear) and get onto shoe aficionado websites OR look carefully on eBay.

I've only got one pair of new shoes/boots apart from my RMWs, and that was when MJ Bale were clearing remaining Cheaneys for their own house brand ($550 RRP for $150 from memory)

This pair was used for a year, and came with bags and box (so well looked after) and smelling of Saphir polish.

Another pair I have was second hand but had NO wear at all, one of the others worn to a wedding and then sold (only very light scuffing on the sole) others with very light wear. Paid around $150 on average for $400+ shoes.

I wasn't sure about these, how comfortable they would be, but at that price - was happy to take a punt!
 
If you can find a proper cobbler in your area, they may be able to fit a new lining to the inside of the shoe to freshen it up too. I think it was Rekaris Cobblers in the Melb CBD that did this for me on some Allen Edmonds a while ago.

With the eBay stuff, you want to find something that's not heavily creased across the toe too. Seems to be a fair few lots where people have just bought the incorrect size, worn it for a few months then decided to flick it. Some might be salvaged with a decent amount of time with shoe trees to re-stretch the leather, then stripping the original polish and restoring it with conditioner.

I'm not convinced that this pathway is ultimately cheaper, given the high cost of re-lasting or re-soling these days - but you do get a vastly better shoe for the money.
 
While on the subject of footwear, I think I'll take the opportunity to show off my kangaroo leather brogues hand-made specially for me by Mrs Gargravarr for my birthday a couple of years back. Leather so strong, but so soft. There's nothing like the comfort of shoes made to fit your feet...

 
Mong. said:
If you can find a proper cobbler in your area, they may be able to fit a new lining to the inside of the shoe to freshen it up too. I think it was Rekaris Cobblers in the Melb CBD that did this for me on some Allen Edmonds a while ago.
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Yeah, none of mine have had anywhere near the wear to justify that, I've never gotten a pair where the lining has been shaped by a previous owner.

With the eBay stuff, you want to find something that's not heavily creased across the toe too. Seems to be a fair few lots where people have just bought the incorrect size, worn it for a few months then decided to flick it. Some might be salvaged with a decent amount of time with shoe trees to re-stretch the leather, then stripping the original polish and restoring it with conditioner.
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Yep, definitely a LOT of overpriced and very worn shoes on eBay. I've avoided any that have a Topy or are resoled, only buying pretty close to new really - so I've missed out on a few as the prices get too high - happy with my bargains that have come with patience :)

I'm not convinced that this pathway is ultimately cheaper, given the high cost of re-lasting or re-soling these days - but you do get a vastly better shoe for the money.
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If you are patient and wait for a bargain then I think it it. I've built up a collection of 5 days of English bench-made GYW shoes. Average price in Australia probably $400+ for my purchase price of on average $150 which I've then spent $70 to Topy and $40 on a shoe tree, total investment (note language) per pair of around $260. I've not had to replace a Topy yet and it has probably been 4-5 years now, at least 3-4.

So a "collection" of work shoes which cost me $750 (not $2000) with an additional $550 on the Topy and trees which I'm expecting will form the basis of my work shoes for the next 10-15 years with only minimal ongoing maintenance and repairs.

As least that is what I'm telling myself!
 
Mark1966 said:
Speaking of boots, new to me Loake Burfords with GYW Dainite soles. Not bad for $115 posted when new they are RRP $599



​

Seem quite comfy on first brief wear. Well maintained, smell of Saphir, with box and bags
Click to expand...

These look like the sort of boots that would be worn by the assistant pox doctor to the pox doctors assistant.
The phrase "Flash as a rat with a gold tooth"comes to mind when I look at those.
 
gthomas04 said:
These look like the sort of boots that would be worn by the assistant pox doctor to the pox doctors assistant.
The phrase "Flash as a rat with a gold tooth"comes to mind when I look at those.
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So I should wear them the next time I visit mate? :)
 
gthomas04 said:
These look like the sort of boots that would be worn by the assistant pox doctor to the pox doctors assistant.
The phrase "Flash as a rat with a gold tooth"comes to mind when I look at those.
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Before you got into the time machine, what century did you come from GT? :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
There is nothing better than a good pair of shoes. Back when I was in the Finance industry doing client visits (managing million dollar contracts), I had a couple of shoes I got from Loake on rotation. Needed to look the part! Cost me about $300-$400 each plus shoe trees, polishes, creams, etc. I've had both pairs now for about 8 years and they're in excellent condition. I've changed the soles on them twice when they wear down and changed the laces on one pair as they were crap, but other than that these should last me another 10 years at least. I'd love to get a pair of boots, but I'm not sure I'd wear them enough to justify the cost.
 
Gargravarr said:
Obviously the same century as I did 😒
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Soooo, 29th century? Knew you blokes were ahead of the game. :blackalien: :greyalien:

Chappo said:
I've had both pairs now for about 8 years and they're in excellent condition. I've changed the soles on them twice when they wear down and changed the laces on one pair as they were crap, but other than that these should last me another 10 years at least. I'd love to get a pair of boots, but I'm not sure I'd wear them enough to justify the cost.
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Based on the expert testimony of you and Mark, I accept my failure as a shoe owner and undertake to do better. In my defence, rain on bluestone in Melbourne makes it bloody hard. Maybe I need to get some stylish galoshes like these.

AM5V_1_20191028697021241.jpg
 
Mong. said:
Soooo, 29th century? Knew you blokes were ahead of the game. :blackalien::greyalien:



Based on the expert testimony of you and Mark, I accept my failure as a shoe owner and undertake to do better. In my defence, rain on bluestone in Melbourne makes it bloody hard. Maybe I need to get some stylish galoshes like these.

AM5V_1_20191028697021241.jpg
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NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

But you do need to let them dry out for a couple of days post wear
 
Mong. said:
Soooo, 29th century? Knew you blokes were ahead of the game. :blackalien::greyalien:



Based on the expert testimony of you and Mark, I accept my failure as a shoe owner and undertake to do better. In my defence, rain on bluestone in Melbourne makes it bloody hard. Maybe I need to get some stylish galoshes like these.

AM5V_1_20191028697021241.jpg
Click to expand...
What this crap???? CSI Australia???
 
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