Random questions to which you seek an answer

[tmg]

Qinhan, good choice, I've been wearing a pair of  chestnut comfort Crafstmen for work for the last few years and they're very adaptable boots - everything from factory to yard to conference room, and still look good with jeans in the evening!

Sizing is UK, and I would advise trying first because it's a close fit and we all have oddly shaped feet I wear 9.5G in these, but I may opt for a 10 in my next pair as they sometimes feel a bit tight (apparently your shoe size can change as you age due to foot splay or something), however I wear a UK 10 in Viberg's and US 10.5 in Red Wing's.

One last point, I chose the 'comfort' Craftsmen rather than the standard because it had the non-slip oil resistant sole, and the comfort insole, all of which help if you're on your feet a lot in a colder climate (I'm in the UK, but spend a lot of time in Scandinavia and Europe).

[Qinhan]

Very useful information.  Thanks TMG.

I had my eye on the craftsment so that info about the insole and non-slip sole is very good.  I'll be sure to check out the "comfort" version of these.

[tmg]

^ No problem, glad to help.

As testament to how good these are, both my wife and brother bought a pair on the strength of  my recommendation

[Snowy]

I too wear the comfort version.

[mclaincausey]

Snowy, we're the same shoe size. Filing that away

[grandmasterben]

Alright, so I'm about to try and score some boots.  Should I have to worry about boots matching leather jacket, belt, etc or just roll with it as long as the colors aren't crazy? Specifically this boot:

With something like the Himel heron which is a darker brown….thoughts?

[superfuzz]

I try to match my boots and belt but other than that just wear what you think looks good. Especially with work boots like that it doesn't make sense to worry too much about marching. That's my opinion anyway.

[Snowy]

The black wedge that says Visim on those boots would drive me nuts and would make that pair a no go (if interested).

@ Work, I match my shoes and belt.
@ Home/Weekend, I don't bother.

[Seul]

Black boots => black belt
Brown boots => brown belt
Other colours => tan belt

I only have three belts, so an elaborated system is undoable…

[Megatron1505]

Ben, I know you didn't ask but I'm with Snowy on those Visvim and I'm speaking as someone who owned quite a few pairs of Visvim.

As a work style boot they make no sense for the price point when you can have something very similar made for you by any number of manufacturers for the same or more likely less money. The Visvim stuff is not even made in Japan, it's made in Korea in a factory, and the leathers are not amazing either.

However, if it's just a style choice for you I will shut up.

Belts - always try to match as close as possible.

[grandmasterben]

Mega, I'm always interested to her opinions about things as long as they're constructive so no worries!

I would never pay what Virgil's go for stateside, but right now I'm bidding and now they're a deal (well we'll see when what they really go for.) and to be honest, I would actually prefer that the heal was colored like green or something but I'm extravagant like that. And I'm pretty sure the leather is horween so it can't be that bad right?

And well, mainly I'm tired of wearing vans because I don't feel like myself in them anymore. So it is for fashion the most part I guess - but I also know that I do not need a workboot that weighs 20 pounds strapped to my foot because I will be dealing with the cons while never working in them enough to really appreciate the benefits.

Basically, I want something comfortable and considering that these Virgil's are going right now for a very reasonable price and they are among my favorite silhouettes I believe it's at least somewhat justifiable.

Thanks again for the help everybody, if I even get them I think that color should be versatile enough…

[Finn666]

black leather jacket - can't go wrong no matter what color the boots/belt have!
for boots/shoes, i always try to match with the belt…mostly i'm wearing a black belt (ihb-02) to whatever color my shoes have...simply cuz i don't f^cking care

now that i've scored my dream pair of shoes (black shell), everything goes

[Megatron1505]

Good response Ben, and I can totally see where you're coming from. I didn't know that Visvim were using Horween to be honest, never had it on any of mine but it has been a few years since I owned a pair.

[superfuzz]

Hey Ben, just my two cents but since you live in LA and there should be a number of places around where you can actually try on boots I would say to find a pair that you can try on for your first pair. There's nothing more annoying than buying expensive boots online that don't fit! Better to pay some extra money up front and be able to try some on and then have a better idea of your size in general.

[grandmasterben]

Sf, don't think I ignored your last recommendation I actually went to leather soul to try some indys, and they had a wopping 7 and a 13 - not exactly my size…..

Also tried union as they stock visvim and they told me they'd probably have some Virgil's in a few months. So I'm gonna have to go in blind...

[superfuzz]

Ben I think that's the first time anyone took my advice! Sorry they didn't have better stock.

[grandmasterben]

Haha no worries, leather soul is decently close to mister freedom and self edge so I stopped by there to chat…. And with union I learned my lesson and called ahead first!

Now is the waiting time though, because I'm definitely ready for some boots!

[Denimrox]

Hi if anyone could help I would be appreciate. If anyone happen to hear about imperial denim? Other than self edge is there any other online store selling it?

[DougNg]

My first pair of high end denim was a pair of Imperial Kings. Incredibly crunchy when new. I liked them, though I doubt I will buy another pair of Imps

[JamesMarg]

I had a pair of indigo 'Shearers' for about 10 minutes…
And then i realised the rise was ridiculously high (it was like 13 inches)
Other than the cut, the jeans were really nice.
But nothing compares to Iron Hearts.