The Red Wing Gentleman Traveler Boot, Alden Indy Boot, and Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot are damn solid vintage work boots for men. And at $200-300, they are costly. The mediocre "Vintage Shoe Company" line at Eddie Bauer doesn't seem like anything special at first glance. The only reason I bring it up is that there you can find a more affordable womens' version of the vintage work boot, the likes of which (devoid of annoying feminine frills) can be found nowhere else, save Wolverine ($$$) and maybe Frye. It's an extra 30% off today. I told myself over and over again that I would not covet heritage work boots, but the price is right!
I dug around more to see what "The Vintage Shoe Company" was all about. It does exist, and offers a $265 womens Lilly boot. Not in my price range though, sadly.
Made in: USA
Handmade? No
$139 today
Have you ever checked out Danner Boots, made in Portland, Oregon?
ReplyDeleteI visited their factory store over the weekend and saw many styles available for both men and women. Great hikers, work boots, military boots -- very non-girly yet available in these amazingly small sizes.
My favorite was the Mountain Light II http://www.danner.com/boots/mountain-lighttm-ii-mens-womens-hiking-boots.html a classic hiker.
The sole is much more flexible than it looks, and the leather feels soft & of high quality. The profile of the MLII's is not huge --it's not like you're wearing boots to probe the surface of the South Pole or the Moon - they actually looked pretty understated on the employees (the vast majority of which wear wearing them).
Best part of the visit -- they had several styles on hand from 'Danner Japan,' which are made specifically (and theoretically only) for sale in Japan http://www.danner.co.jp/
After an hour and a half of trying everything in the store I ended up with a pair of Danner Japan Mountain Lights - olive suede (yet gortex & thus waterproof) with a white vibram 'Cristy' sole - $160.
Next time you're in Portland ...
Calvin,
ReplyDeleteI was in Portland a few months ago and did not have time to drive over to the Danner factory. I like the look of them, but to me they seemed way too heavy duty, warm, and, well, heavy, for normal wear. How comfy are they? Thanks for the comment, I will have to give them another try next time I am in Portland!
They are definitely an old-school hiking boot. Part of their allure (for me) is that they are made mostly by hand right here in PDX. As hikers go they do not look huge. The leather is supple & the sole has some flex. Yes, you could probably find lighter weight boots ... or you could think of walking around with the additional heft of the Danners as a built-in exercise program!
ReplyDeleteP.S. here's a photo link from the Danner site's "Customer Stories" - not too huge looking at all:
ReplyDeletehttp://images2.powerreviews.com/media_popup.html?type=image&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpowerreviews.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fimages_customers%2F02%2F06%2F5843534_52495_full.jpg
Nice. I see what you mean.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a fan of this F-Troupe version, although it's not an original by any means.
http://us.asos.com/F-Troupe/F-Troupe-Hiker-Boots/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=742494&r=1&mk=VOID