Wolverine 721LTD Shell Cordovan 1000 Mile Boot Review

Dayman · Apr 20, 2012

Yeah, it was a cap toe with a dark to medium green color, it wasn't as dark as the loden color, it was a lot lighter green compared to the Alden. It was had to tell, the picture was in low light a little blurry so it might be fake.

seer · Apr 20, 2012

Dayman said:
Yeah, it was a cap toe with a dark to medium green color, it wasn't as dark as the loden color, it was a lot lighter green compared to the Alden. It was had to tell, the picture was in low light a little blurry so it might be fake.

I guess we will have to wait, but I won't discount them because of the color.

Crane's · Apr 20, 2012

Here you go. The 721s are in the middle. Wiped them down with a damp rag, hit them with a brush and took the pic. I have done nothing maintenance wise since my initial oil snoseal treatment. They've gone through the same conditions as my other 2 pair of 1Ks and the difference in leathers is glaringly obvious. About all that's happened to them so far is a few scuffs that pretty much come out by rubbing them with a finger or rag. Water beads off, mud wipes off without discoloring the leather which is what I expect out of shell. Don't believe me? The pic tells the story way better than words.

MarioImpemba · Apr 20, 2012

Ordered a pair of 721's yesterday from juancanjura on ebay. Looks like he already shipped! Expected delivery 26 April. Very excited. Can anyone else comment on procedure for oven-baking sno-seal? I do not have a hair-dryer, and also this method seems easier, to boot (pun).

seer · Apr 20, 2012

MarioImpemba said:
Ordered a pair of 721's yesterday from juancanjura on ebay. Looks like he already shipped! Expected delivery 26 April. Very excited. Can anyone else comment on procedure for oven-baking sno-seal? I do not have a hair-dryer, and also this method seems easier, to boot (pun).

Ok, I know that Crane is the expert here but I have had some experience with shell. I would not use sno-seal on these. I wonder if you will be putting them through the same rigor that Crane does. Nick at Horween recommends Venetian shoe cream on cordovan. I used this on my Alden shell cordovans and it works great - a couple of coats really keeps out the moisture - and it creates a beautiful deep sheen. Just my two cents.

Crane's · Apr 20, 2012

Expert? Nah. Nick and a whole lot of really knowledgable people recommend VSC for Cordovan, Chromexcel and other good leathers. We can argue products all day long but that's not necessary. For what it's worth you avoid petroleum based products and mink oil. You do want to use a good cleaner, a product that restores the lost oils and waxes and if you're nuts like me a good waterproofer. I use lexol products, Filson boot oil, sno seal (even though it does have silicone in it) and Obernaufs. All these products are proven performers, period.

Another thing to keep in mind is you stay ahead of the leather when it comes to maintenance. Walking in mud is one thing, letting it dry on the boot is another. It'll suck the oils right out of the leather and dries it out. Wear the boots with dry mud on them and you abrade and cut the leather fibers on a microscopic level. The smart thing to do is wipe the crap off once you get home. A good example of what not to do is posted right up there. My brown 1Ks need a thourough cleaning and conditioning before I wear them again. I could have saved myself a lot of work by just wiping them off with a wet rag. If the leather absorbs water you have not done your job and you are behind the maintenance curve. Everyone here has heard me say condition and waterproof your leather boots or shoes before the first wearing. Russel mocassin says the same thing as does the two leather guys I use and the guy who made my saddle and tack gear. The advice is as solid as a rock. Don't think so? How many stained shoes on first wearing threads do you want to read on this forum before someone figures out something doesn't make sense? Better yet, vintage shoe threads where the leather cracks first time they're worn. That's what poor maintenance can buy you.

seer · Apr 20, 2012

Crane's said:
Expert? Nah. Nick and a whole lot of really knowledgable people recommend VSC for Cordovan, Chromexcel and other good leathers. We can argue products all day long but that's not necessary. For what it's worth you avoid petroleum based products and mink oil. You do want to use a good cleaner, a product that restores the lost oils and waxes and if you're nuts like me a good waterproofer. I use lexol products, Filson boot oil, sno seal (even though it does have silicone in it) and Obernaufs. All these products are proven performers, period.
Another thing to keep in mind is you stay ahead of the leather when it comes to maintenance. Walking in mud is one thing, letting it dry on the boot is another. It'll suck the oils right out of the leather and dries it out. Wear the boots with dry mud on them and you abrade and cut the leather fibers on a microscopic level. The smart thing to do is wipe the crap off once you get home. A good example of what not to do is posted right up there. My brown 1Ks need a thourough cleaning and conditioning before I wear them again. I could have saved myself a lot of work by just wiping them off with a wet rag. If the leather absorbs water you have not done your job and you are behind the maintenance curve. Everyone here has heard me say condition and waterproof your leather boots or shoes before the first wearing. Russel mocassin says the same thing as does the two leather guys I use and the guy who made my saddle and tack gear. The advice is as solid as a rock. Don't think so? How many stained shoes on first wearing threads do you want to read on this forum before someone figures out something doesn't make sense? Better yet, vintage shoe threads where the leather cracks first time they're worn. That's what poor maintenance can buy you.

BTW Crane, If memory serves did you suggest one time to never use water-proofing or conditioners on leather soles? But I could be confused. Wolverine does recommend conditioners on the soles.

seer · Apr 20, 2012

Dayman said:
Yeah, it was a cap toe with a dark to medium green color, it wasn't as dark as the loden color, it was a lot lighter green compared to the Alden. It was had to tell, the picture was in low light a little blurry so it might be fake.

I talked to Brook at Wolverine today - I tried to get a picture of the 774 - no dice - poop. She did tell me that there would be a new boot in the Original made in the US line that will have rubber soles - or rather a rubber top on a leather sole.

MarioImpemba · Apr 20, 2012

seer said:
I wonder if you will be putting them through the same rigor that Crane does.

Not at all, but I just moved to the Pacific NW and anticipate wearing them in rain/puddles a fair amount. Though, I would think the shell inherently will be sufficient for this, as it's not like I'd be deep-wading, and I won't be facing the snows of the mid-west I'm ordinarily used-to. Maybe it is over-kill for my purposes, good point. I like the idea of a military-type technique (taking lighter to the wax polish), but likely more appropriate to calf or similar leather.

Crane's said:
Another thing to keep in mind is you stay ahead of the leather when it comes to maintenance. Walking in mud is one thing, letting it dry on the boot is another. It'll suck the oils right out of the leather and dries it out. Wear the boots with dry mud on them and you abrade and cut the leather fibers on a microscopic level. The smart thing to do is wipe the crap off once you get home.

Geeze, wish I would have known that before, lol. Made the mistake of wearing my AE McTavish's to a construction-site and came back caked in mud and just left them as I was living out of a hotel room. I'll just chalk it up to the adding to "raw" look of those shoes to make myself feel better.

I think I'll just wear the 721's out of the box for a bit and see how they do before I decide to treat them in any way.

Dayman · Apr 20, 2012

seer said:
I guess we will have to wait, but I won't discount them because of the color.

Crane's said:
Here you go. The 721s are in the middle. Wiped them down with a damp rag, hit them with a brush and took the pic. I have done nothing maintenance wise since my initial oil snoseal treatment. They've gone through the same conditions as my other 2 pair of 1Ks and the difference in leathers is glaringly obvious. About all that's happened to them so far is a few scuffs that pretty much come out by rubbing them with a finger or rag. Water beads off, mud wipes off without discoloring the leather which is what I expect out of shell. Don't believe me? The pic tells the story way better than words.

Very nice! Thanks for posting them.

seer said:
I guess we will have to wait, but I won't discount them because of the color.

No i wouldn't either, I have just never seen Cordovan that light of a green.

thams · Apr 20, 2012

seer said:
I talked to Brook at Wolverine today - I tried to get a picture of the 774 - no dice - poop. She did tell me that there would be a new boot in the Original made in the US line that will have rubber soles - or rather a rubber top on a leather sole.

Brook is really nice -- I've had several good interactions with her. Did she at least say anything about the color? I'm still up in the air about what I saw...

Crane's · Apr 20, 2012

seer said:
BTW Crane, If memory serves did you suggest one time to never use water-proofing or conditioners on leather soles? But I could be confused. Wolverine does recommend conditioners on the soles.

Yes I did say that. I wear out leather soles long before they'll dry and crack. That God forsaken razor sharp chert scree I find myself tromping through eats just about any sole for lunch; I've destroyed some of the best mountaineering boots money can buy in less than two weeks. About the only thing worse would be knee deep razor blades and freshly broken glass. The other reason is I don't need to make the soles any slicker than they already are. Wet smooth concrete or tile floors are bad enough without adding wax and oil. LOL. Wet ice is what it is and I don't think anything can make walking on that any worse. With all that said though if I ever get wet feet from sole seepage you can bet oil, sno seal and my trusty hair dryer will be used on them.

Hey I wouldn't worry about those AEs of yours. Chalk it up to experience and part of the patina process. Take care of them well from here on out and in a decade you'll have a patina that tells stories.

seer · Apr 20, 2012

thams said:
Brook is really nice -- I've had several good interactions with her. Did she at least say anything about the color? I'm still up in the air about what I saw...

No, she wouldn't give up anything - and I did try!

Crane's · Apr 20, 2012

seer said:
No, she wouldn't give up anything - and I did try!

This line and in particular the limited edition stuff is a big deal for Wolverine and IMO they are handling the marketing very well. Part of that is a srict guideline for releasing info and launch dates. The Fall lineup debuts in September I believe. Until then no matter how much any of us want to talk about what's coming we just can't.

thams · Apr 20, 2012

Crane's said:
This line and in particular the limited edition stuff is a big deal for Wolverine and IMO they are handling the marketing very well. Part of that is a srict guideline for releasing info and launch dates. The Fall lineup debuts in September I believe. Until then no matter how much any of us want to talk about what's coming we just can't.

Oh, I understand the NDAs that all sellers have to follow -- of course catching a glimpse of the boot makes us want to talk about it. It doesn't mean that we won't try to find out as much as we can though. Still looking forward to seeing the boot in person regardless of the color!

Wolverine 721LTD Shell Cordovan 1000 Mile Boot Review

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