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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    John Lofgren (Speedway)

    Footwear
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    • MizmazzleM
      Mizmazzle
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      @Memphisakers I’ve read every article/ review I could find as well as any YouTube videos and forum threads haha. I thought it was interesting in the article you shared how he doesn’t like CXL leather, especially the natural. Guess we all have our preferences and tastes. It was my first CXL so I’ve been way stoked on it.

      In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • M
        Memphisakers
        Iron Heart Deity
        Joined:

        @Mizmazzle That surprised me too!! I may like the natural cxl even more than the shinki on the causeways. I think it is a really comfortable leather for engineers too! And patina monsters… those pictures in his review don’t even look like the same leather. I had to go back and double check before I posted those pictures  😃

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • MizmazzleM
          Mizmazzle
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          Yeah it looks like a straight brown cxl at that point In his evo. @Memphisakers do you have the Lofgren engineers in Natural CXL too? We’re so many posts in at this point I can’t keep it all straight anymore. Haha. I’ve got one year to get some nice patina on these babies before next summers wedding. Just no super rough stuff. Color but no scratches says the future misses. Well, hell then!!!

          In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • M
            Memphisakers
            Iron Heart Deity
            Joined:

            Yep I have the cxl ones also! LOVE them!!

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • MizmazzleM
              Mizmazzle
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              @mclaincausey you been able to get the engineers out lately in this Denver July heat? Few evening walks to the park for me….i should really move to Montana haha

              In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • MizmazzleM
                Mizmazzle
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                What are anyones thoughts on using boot trees?

                In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • mikebarhootM
                  mikebarhoot
                  Iron Heart Deity
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                  Yes. Always. In boots and dress shoes.

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • MizmazzleM
                    Mizmazzle
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                    Thanks @mikebarhoot….do you go shoe trees or boot trees in the engineers?

                    In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • DmartD
                      Dmart
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                      I only have shoe trees.

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                      • MizmazzleM
                        Mizmazzle
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                        Thanks @Dmart

                        I’m wondering since shoe/ boot trees are meant to help a boot keep its shape, do they prohibit the leather from getting those cool rolls (horse butt leather) or the patina that we are all working for with the rich multi tones in the leather that come with creasing and folding etc. ?

                        In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • GilesG
                          Giles
                          IHUK Crew
                          Joined:

                          Depends what you want.  If you want them to look old and worn as soon as poss, don't bother.  If you want to let them properly dry and stay looking newer for longer, then use tree's….

                          "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

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                          • mclaincauseyM
                            mclaincausey
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                            I use cedar show trees in mine @Mizmazzle

                            I have not been wearing boots at all in this heat. Been wearing sandals mostly, which is not hugely typical for me; I don't generally regard boots as seasonal.

                            Think it, be it.

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                            • MizmazzleM
                              Mizmazzle
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                              Alright then! Seems so far everyone uses trees. I guess I lean towards what Giles said about wanting them to break in faster and not using trees. I live in a fairly arid climate so my boots always dry out fast. As for keeping the shape, that’s where I lack the expertise.

                              In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • GilesG
                                Giles
                                IHUK Crew
                                Joined:

                                Putting trees in allows them to dry "to shape"…

                                "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • DmartD
                                  Dmart
                                  啓蒙家
                                  Joined:

                                  Every pair of shoes I own has shoe trees, with the exception of the Birkenstocks and Crocs.
                                  We could debate on the use in sneakers but in leather shoes/boots, I would always use trees. It certainly adds to the longevity of the shoe because they properly dry and stay in shape. This doesn’t mean that you don’t get creases and wrinkles (if that’s what you are after) but it protects the leather from cracking which can be the death of a shoe.
                                  So far I went well with it and will continue using them.

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • goosehdG
                                    goosehd
                                    Mod Squad
                                    Joined:

                                    I am about 50/50 on shoe tree use.  If I consider them a work boot (Wescos with heavy lugged treads) then I tend not to use trees, and for a dressier boot (Vibergs, Trickers, and Cowboy Boots) then I do.

                                    "I don't give a shit what anyone else is doing, we will do what is best for us and our customers" - Giles P. :)

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • mclaincauseyM
                                      mclaincausey
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                                      I maintain that ANY quality footwear should be unfinished-cedar-shoe-tree'd. It is unquestionably better for your footwear to do so. The leather doesn't know or care if the shoe is a dress shoe or a workboot, but you'll benefit from less mold/mildew and bacteria buildup and eventually becoming smell, less damage to the leather and other constructional materials from moisture, the creases that form being from how they are worn and not how they are stored, them keeping their shape, etc… It is well worth the investment and time to keep anything off your foot on a tree.

                                      And I take @Giles ' recommendation around eschewing trees for aging aging to be a tongue in cheek way of saying the same thing, but don't want to put words in his mouth.

                                      Think it, be it.

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • goosehdG
                                        goosehd
                                        Mod Squad
                                        Joined:

                                        excellent point and received…need to get some more trees.

                                        "I don't give a shit what anyone else is doing, we will do what is best for us and our customers" - Giles P. :)

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • MizmazzleM
                                          Mizmazzle
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                                          Well ok! Getting some great input now!! As always this forum is a wealth of info that I appreciate immensely!!

                                          In the easy chair with my boots on, melted whiskey in my hand. Could'na been asleep for more than three hours...time to go to work again...

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • mikebarhootM
                                            mikebarhoot
                                            Iron Heart Deity
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                                            @Mizmazzle:

                                            Thanks @mikebarhoot….do you go shoe trees or boot trees in the engineers?

                                            in my RWs i use shoe trees as well as my Roperesque square toe Luchesse’s. all others which are western and newly acquired Drews, i use boot jacks. because of the instep addition to the tree.

                                            im really persnickety about my shoes and boots. mostly because thats how my dad taught me and due to the numerous foot and ankle injuries leaving them jacked. by no means am i afraid to use em and get em dirty,  but i keep em clean and ready to use however and repair/resole as needed.

                                            i consider myself to have a decent collection of shoes and boots (Made in USA). some of which ive had 40+ years. and have done everything from mucked horse and pig stalls to wade through Houston floods and hurricanes.

                                            maybe TMI but hope it is helpful.

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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