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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    John Lofgren (Speedway)

    Footwear
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    • DmartD
      Dmart
      啓蒙家
      Joined:

      I only have shoe trees.

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • MizmazzleM
        Mizmazzle
        見習いボス
        Joined:

        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

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • mclaincauseyM
            mclaincausey
            見習いボス
            Joined:

            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.

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • MizmazzleM
              Mizmazzle
              見習いボス
              Joined:

              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
                      見習いボス
                      Joined:

                      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
                          見習いボス
                          Joined:

                          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
                            Joined:

                            @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
                            • mikebarhootM
                              mikebarhoot
                              Iron Heart Deity
                              Joined:

                              @mclaincausey:

                              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.

                              lol. eschew obfuscation.

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

                                Been on vacation the last two weeks… the Lofgrens caught about 80% of it.

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

                                  It was a very long two weeks. The 777 142OD caught a bunch of wear as well…

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                                  • M
                                    Memphisakers
                                    Iron Heart Deity
                                    Joined:

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                                    • M
                                      Memphisakers
                                      Iron Heart Deity
                                      Joined:

                                      Oh yeah… @Mizmazzle I agree with what others here have said about using cedar shoe trees. I buy a new pair with every pair of leather shoes I buy and if they are not on my feet they have trees in them. It seems to eliminate ugly breaking on the toes! Every pair I’ve had since I started doing that have nice uniform breaks  😎

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                                      • M
                                        Memphisakers
                                        Iron Heart Deity
                                        Joined:

                                        @Pipeboss713 Ive been putting some heat on the Causeways

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                                        • M
                                          Memphisakers
                                          Iron Heart Deity
                                          Joined:

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                                          • Pipeboss713P
                                            Pipeboss713
                                            Haraki san Expert
                                            Joined:

                                            @Memphisakers:

                                            @Pipeboss713 Ive been putting some heat on the Causeways

                                            Damn! Those look amazing
                                            I’m glad you got them
                                            I couldn’t have gotten them this far just yet
                                            They’re gorgeous

                                            Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                                            “He who guards his mouth, protects his life”
                                            Proverbs 13:3

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