Starting my first post off right.
After much research and many long nights of forum scanning I have purchased a couple of pairs of casual boots. My criteria were for the boot to be comfortable, durable and stylish without being overly faddish. Something that would fit my job's business casual dress code, as well as, a night out with the wife for dinner and a movie. I choose the Wolverine 1000 mile boot, the Wolverine Montgomery and the Redwing Beckman. Short version of the review is that my favorites have proven to be the Wolverine 1000 Mile and the Montgomery for their quality, style and comfort. While I love the style and quality of the Beckman, I find it to be a very uncomfortable boot.
Now for the details. I purchased the 1000 Mile Boot from Nordstrom in black, size 10D. My normal shoe size is 10 -10 ½ and the size 10D 1000 Mile Boot definitely feels slightly larger than a normal 10 ½. I inserted a standard size insole into the Wolverines to facilitate a perfect fit. The finish and craftsmanship of the 1000 Mile is high quality. In reference to its vintage roots the 1000 Mile Boot does not have lining on the inside. Still all stitching and seams are tight and the leather is consistent in color. I'm ex-military so I will give the boots a proper spit shine; however the stock color is rich and has a nice gloss that would be sufficient for the majority of people. The 1000 Mile boot is very comfortable wear and I particularly like the attention to detail of the polished wood between the sole and the leather upper.
Next up is the Wolverine Montgomery. Like the 1000 Mile Boot, the Montgomery is built on quality workmanship. The difference is that the Montgomery is made in China, while the 1000 Mile Boot is USA made. I purchased the Montgomery at Villains in San Francisco in brown, size 10. The Montgomery also runs a bit more than ½ size large, but the stock insert is thicker and more padded than the 1000 Mile Boot. In person the Montgomery is much more svelte than it appears on the Wolverine website. I expected the boot to be a chunky and reminiscent of a Korean War movie. Luckily, that is not the case. The Montgomery exudes ass-kickedness, but it's a subdued statement. I really like this boot. The padded boot top is just right and the leather lining inside is topnotch. The seams and contact points of this boot are all in proper order. Unlike the 1000 Mile Boot, the Montgomery has a rubber commando styled sole. Again, the war boot aspect is implied but not overstated so the lugs of the sole are not overly pronounced. Of course, I will apply a big ol' spit shine to this boot but already a perfectly acceptable luster.
Finally, the Redwing Beckman. Unfortunately, the fit of this boot is not compatible with me. The Beckman was in Cherry size 10 ½. As near as I can tell the boot seems to run about true to size. The finish and workmanship on the Beckman is high quality and the color is amazing. Inside the boot is unlined and like the 1000 Mile Boot there is minimal insole padding. The Beckman is noticably heavier than the Wolverines. The wood trim of the Beckman's sole is rough and unpolished. Overall, the style of the Redwing Beckman is more progressive than the Wolverines. The Beckman has a compact, muscular stance with a slightly bulbous toe. As a whole the Beckman presents a very eye pleasing symmetry. The boot looks terrific and I would love to pair them with jeans, a pressed white shirt and sports coat. My biggest problem with the Beckman is the overlap of leather that runs vertically up the inside of each boot. The overlapping seams are very hard and protrude directly into the side of the foot. I've read that the Beckman has a long break-in period and I can respect that. Redwing boots have always been a tough fit for me but I do admire their quality. I really wanted to wear and enjoy this boot but I just find it flat out uncomfortable. This one will be exchanged for a 1000 Mile Boot in Rust.