Show us your boots

[UnTucked]

I'm no expert, but I believe the cracks are irreversible…

From the pics tho, they look fairly superficial, so some good conditioner and/or oil should prevent or slow down further deterioration.

Have the been resoled???

[Aetas]

@Paddy:

…..you folks seem like you would understand the desire to "save" a pair of boots....

I can only speak for myself, but of course! Thanks for posting @Paddy Ofurniture

[neph93]

Lovely boots. I agree with UnTucked, stuff them with good quality leather conditioner then use some kind of beeswax sealant on top.

[Paddy Ofurniture]

Thanks, guys.  In retrospect, I think I was too impatient when I bought these. I oiled them once with neats foot and started wearing them immediately. I should have considered how long they had gone without any conditioning and taken the reconditioning of the leather more seriously  & slowly in a few steps. I think the leather needed more oils to fully penetrate. On the bright side, this cracking has led me here and gotten me purchase new boots in which to do the heavy work. I have promoted these old friends to "emeritus" boot status and they won't see much more rain, snow, dirt or salt of the Wisconsin winters. They'll be mostly worn as coffee house boots now. That way, I can make them live longer and keep them original without a resole. 

[Paddy Ofurniture]

@Giles:

Oh my. These are just perfect. All steak (leather) with just the right amount of sizzle (those speed hooks!).

[neph93]

@Paddy:

Oh my. These are just perfect. All steak (leather) with just the right amount of sizzle (those speed hooks!).

They are stupendous aren’t they.

Sadly you need to be able to make two trips to Japan to get the boots made, and either be good friends with Josh from Good Art, or financially irresponsible to get the speed hooks (otherwise we’d all have a pair [emoji23]).

[momo]

My boot collection so far
L-R Viberg Service rough out, Oliver Sweeney Noceto, Oliver Sweeney Selby, Viberg Boondockers, Oliver Sweeney Ackerman, Magnanni Chelsea boots

Looking for a nice pair of rough out hiker boots at the moment.

I haven't tried any Wesco boots yet - are they comparable to Viberg?

[gaseousclay]

@momo:

I haven't tried any Wesco boots yet - are they comparable to Viberg?

I think you'll get varied answers to your question. I don't own either brand but i'd guess those that do will say Wesco makes a high quality boot.

[Chris]

Three of my favorite pairs of boots are in dire need of maintenance.

(L-R: 2012 Viberg service boot in loden green, 2014 White's semi dress in brown horsehide, 2014 Wesco jobmaster in burlap, if anyone's curious)

[Engineer]

555-02 and Zonkey Boot Chelseas.

[mclaincausey]

The ones in the middle look like they were used as though they were the ones on the right.

[Canucklehead]

What do you think?

[neph93]

Some nice looking boots there. Which brand/maker?

[Canucklehead]

I made them! First attempt.

@neph93:

Some nice looking boots there. Which brand/maker?

[Canucklehead]

[sabergirl]

You made those? Impressive. They look really good.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mclaincausey]

??? ??? ???

Very impressive indeed!

[Chris]

Where did you learn to make boots?

[Canucklehead]

@Chris:

Where did you learn to make boots?

Mostly online but I did get help from a local bootmaker when it got tougher.

[Chris]

Wow, that's even more impressive.