Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot Review

In case you guys were wondering about applying Obenauf's LP to 1Ks in Rust, I just went through with it today - along with oiling some other boots and an old leather jacket. They came today from Nordstrom and I wanted to get them conditioned, as winter is rolling into Boston. After the discussion several pages back, I went with the 9.5 (I'm usually a 10 in most casual shoes) and discovered that they weren't as loose as I remember when trying them on at the Tannery. I just had to manhandle the laces a bit when tightening. These boots are some kind of crazy magic; at once both supple and sturdy. Comfortable out of the box. Not like those stiff, bulbous Red Wings. But I digress.

To condition them, I pretty much followed Crane's method for applying Sno-Seal. I microwaved the LP for about 30 seconds and applied a liberal coat with my fingers to the uppers and outsoles, brushing the stuff well into the welt with a horsehair dauber. Then went over it with a hair dryer on high with medium-high heat. I let it dry for about 25 minutes then buffed firmly with a cloth made from an old tee shirt (gets off the excess LP and smooths out the coat). Then I did the whole thing again the same way. Finally I grabbed a horsehair brush and brushed each boot until each of my arms were tired from brushing each boot (I was a few drinks in at this point, and rather obsessed. Don't remember how long that took).

Surprise surprise, the LP didn't really darken the boots. But they drank the stuff in, so I'm confident that they're protected.

My Rust 1Ks Before



And after two coats of LP





My apologies for the lighting.

Thanks for the info @BostonHedonist.

Can you please link me to the crane's method?

@dgonsh

Sure. He showed us on his review of the magnificent 721ltd shell cordovan 1Ks. Don't get too jealous now.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/205531/wolverine-721ltd-shell-cordovan-1000-mile-boot-review/15

Thanks BH!

Wow, that's a great post he did there. Mine (not cordovan, just standard 1k) are being shipped out tomorrow and I ordered a bottle of Obenauf's off ebay (much cheaper with only $3 shipping to canada) and will treat them with it when I get it. Glad to know the application process Crane outlined can be applied to Obenauf's as well.

I just managed to import Obenauf's LP to Denmark. I bought from http://myworld.ebay.com/anevarr last friday and the parcel arrived yesterday! I picked it up today, so shipment was extremely fast. Reasonably priced as well, low enough that I didn't have to pay any import fees. You other Euros might want to try it. Definitely recommended over buying from Obenauf directly since the parcels get a tracking number and shipment is much faster (Obenauf's shipping time is 90 days!!!)

have I mentioned how enamored I am with my Wesleys?

Saksen said:

I just managed to import Obenauf's LP to Denmark. I bought from http://myworld.ebay.com/anevarr last friday and the parcel arrived yesterday! I picked it up today, so shipment was extremely fast. Reasonably priced as well, low enough that I didn't have to pay any import fees. You other Euros might want to try it. Definitely recommended over buying from Obenauf directly since the parcels get a tracking number and shipment is much faster (Obenauf's shipping time is 90 days!!!)

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That's who I bought from too! Can't wait to receive mine.

i personally went for Huberd's grease, will apply it tomorrow.

Btw, i'm looking for thick socks but I haven't found anything so far. Problem is everything is made of 50% wool and rest is mix of acryl, polyamid or elasthan... I wonder where to go if I want good quality socks, made of natural material (wool, cotton or other) and not these ****** unatural fibers

I got some really nice, very thick ones from Nudie. Might be 10-20% poly in there, but that's okay and actually help increase longevity.
Other goods are from American Apparel, Wigwam, Harvey Nichols.

I've applied Obenauf's LP to my 1000 Miles twice now, let each application sink in for about 24 hours. The boots now have a "greasy film" on them kind of, am I supposed to leave this or is it excess grease I should remove with a cloth or something? I don't mind it being there except I'm not to keen on the idea of it rubbing off on my jeans.

Saksen, I always just rub off the excess with a cloth.



ErPupone said:

i personally went for Huberd's grease, will apply it tomorrow.

Btw, i'm looking for thick socks but I haven't found anything so far. Problem is everything is made of 50% wool and rest is mix of acryl, polyamid or elasthan... I wonder where to go if I want good quality socks, made of natural material (wool, cotton or other) and not these ****** unatural fibers

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I have these: http://www.rei.com/product/242163/rei-classic-ragg-socks

They are ridiculously thick, warm and comfy. 80% wool/18% stretch nylon/2% spandex

Go to Costco (no joke) and pick up their Merino hiking socks.

I was just about to post today about what a huge difference socks make. Anyways. I started off wearing some Banana Republic boot socks with my 1Ks. What garbage. I walked 5 miles in the boots that day and, while I didn't get any blisters, there was some rubbing and my feet were not happy with me afterwards. So I headed over to REI and picked up a Spenco gel insole (the thin, cheap $10 one) and some everyday merino socks. These socks are especially great because they have extra padding around the toe and front foot area, which is right where the end of the toe box of the 1Ks can rub up on your feet before they're broken in. Slap on the right pair of socks and PRESTO, your feet are not invincible. And warm!

Let me tell you, I walked several more miles in these babys and with the softness and thickness I now have inside, i just don't want to take them off. I actually haven't taken them off since this morning because I'm enjoying breaking them in so much. If i didn't look down to remind myself that they were boots I'd be convinced I was wearing ankle slippers...

Here's an update on my Rust 1Ks about 10 miles of walking after applying two coats of LP while brand new. As I wear them, a richness to the color is starting to show, as well as some lightening in the areas where they crease as I walk.