Wolverine 721LTD Shell Cordovan 1000 Mile Boot Review

Crane's · Apr 24, 2012

brokeassp said:
did you oil the tongue?

Yep and the inner band on the top of the shaft as well. If it was #8 colored it was treated. The soles and heels were done as well. When I get around to letting them rest a while I'll treat all the smooth leather inside the boot with lexol conditioner. So far I haven't ended up wading in knee deep water but I'm sure it will happen sooner or later.

MarioImpemba · Apr 24, 2012

Mine just came in. I wear a 10 in most shoes (and according to measurement of a trace of my feet) and got them in a 9 and they're not snug at all. They're also much ligher in tone than I imagined, which I quite like. Very excited to wear them; think I'll wear them out tonight! :slayer:

Trapp · Apr 24, 2012

Love these shell cordovan pics.

Does Wolverine have a plain toe 1000 mile shell model? I'd be interested in grabbing a pair if they do.

MarioImpemba · Apr 24, 2012

Wore them out tonight. Felt great - no break-in necessary on these. Very comfy. If anything, maybe a tad tight in the vamp, but I have a fat/tall foot that doesn't do well in loafers and the like. By the end of the night it felt fine there, as well. Loving these.

Dayman · Apr 24, 2012

Trapp said:
Love these shell cordovan pics.
Does Wolverine have a plain toe 1000 mile shell model? I'd be interested in grabbing a pair if they do.

No, so far this is the only version in shell. They were copying the original 1k boot and they made only made 1000. They are supposed to be realeasing new shell model in September.

MarioImpemba said:
Wore them out tonight. Felt great - no break-in necessary on these. Very comfy. If anything, maybe a tad tight in the vamp, but I have a fat/tall foot that doesn't do well in loafers and the like. By the end of the night it felt fine there, as well. Loving these.

No break in needed for sure. Wear them well and post some pictures sometime.

Trapp · Apr 25, 2012

I'll be interested to see what they have in mind come September. A plain toe in #8 or perhaps a simple cap-toe would be something to behold.

Their current shell pattern is not really to my taste -- but the shell itself is.

thams · Apr 26, 2012

So, after getting my hands on a lifetime supply of Venetian Shoe Cream (compliments of Seer -- thank you VERY much once again), I set out to shine my 721LTDs.

Upon application of the cream, my rag that I used effectively turned color #8 (from white). Since receiving my boots a couple of months ago, they have continuously shed dye when rubbed down and brushed. I've worn them a decent amount and use a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth and brush afterward. While the routine brushing keeps them reasonably clean of buildup, there always seems to be a waxy film on the boot. I haven't used any polish, wax, or cream before last night either.

On the way home I stopped into a local Alden store to try on some boots, and lady helping me commented on how the 721LTD shell looks considerably different from Alden shell. They're both sourced from Horween, but I know factory finishes differ depending on the manufacturer. Comparing the two different boots side by side, the difference in finish was considerable (color and texture).

It's not that I want my boots to be ultra-shiny, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this as well. I've read that Allen Edmond shell cordovans tend to stay "cloudy" while Alden's tend to gleam a bit more. I love my boots dearly and I wouldn't trade them for anything -- I just want them to stop transferring dye every time I wipe them down.

I know the advice will be to keep wiping them down until the cloth comes away clean, but does anyone have any suggestions/thoughts?

Venetian Shoe Cream is awesome, by the way -- highly recommended!

Crane's · Apr 26, 2012

You'll always get dye transfer so keep some #8 cordovan wax around for color touchups. post pics of those boots of yours. Four days after the boot treatment and some more rub a dub a scrub with water and a brush. It's real obvious that they will shine up nicely...

Dayman · Apr 26, 2012

thams said:
So, after getting my hands on a lifetime supply of Venetian Shoe Cream (compliments of Seer -- thank you VERY much once again), I set out to shine my 721LTDs.

Upon application of the cream, my rag that I used effectively turned color #8 (from white). Since receiving my boots a couple of months ago, they have continuously shed dye when rubbed down and brushed. I've worn them a decent amount and use a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth and brush afterward. While the routine brushing keeps them reasonably clean of buildup, there always seems to be a waxy film on the boot. I haven't used any polish, wax, or cream before last night either.

On the way home I stopped into a local Alden store to try on some boots, and lady helping me commented on how the 721LTD shell looks considerably different from Alden shell. They're both sourced from Horween, but I know factory finishes differ depending on the manufacturer. Comparing the two different boots side by side, the difference in finish was considerable (color and texture).

It's not that I want my boots to be ultra-shiny, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this as well. I've read that Allen Edmond shell cordovans tend to stay "cloudy" while Alden's tend to gleam a bit more. I love my boots dearly and I wouldn't trade them for anything -- I just want them to stop transferring dye every time I wipe them down.

I know the advice will be to keep wiping them down until the cloth comes away clean, but does anyone have any suggestions/thoughts?

Venetian Shoe Cream is awesome, by the way -- highly recommended!

Yeah, not matter what it will keep coming out little bits at a time. You'll use #8 polish for touch ups and keep going. Alden's finish their cordovan more like black purple cherry color instead of deep dark red. I'm glad you were able to get some VSC and it worked well.

Crane's said:
You'll always get dye transfer so keep some #8 cordovan wax around for color touchups. post pics of those boots of yours.
Four days after the boot treatment and some more rub a dub a scrub with water and a brush. It's real obvious that they will shine up nicely...

Thats looking real good, it shined up nicely too. Im excited to see them change color after some wear, almost looks like Alden's # 8. What size shoe are you?

Crane's · Apr 26, 2012

Dayman said:
Yeah, not matter what it will keep coming out little bits at a time. You'll use #8 polish for touch ups and keep going. Alden's finish their cordovan more like black purple cherry color instead of deep dark red. I'm glad you were able to get some VSC and it worked well.

Thats looking real good, it shined up nicely too. Im excited to see them change color after some wear, almost looks like Alden's # 8. What size shoe are you?

8.5D. In about a month after the oil and waxes stop seeping from conditioning them I'm going to hit them with wax and really get 'em shiny. LOL! That'll be a new one for me. I'm more into the covered in mud and muck look.

thams · Apr 26, 2012

Dayman said:
Yeah, not matter what it will keep coming out little bits at a time. You'll use #8 polish for touch ups and keep going. Alden's finish their cordovan more like black purple cherry color instead of deep dark red. I'm glad you were able to get some VSC and it worked well.

Yeah, I know there will likely always be some color transfer, but I'm just wondering if there will be a time when it doesn't come off so strongly. I'm not afraid so much of losing the color of the boot, but I want the leather to be less waxy looking/feeling. Below is a picture of what came off with a very very small amount of VSC applied.

thams · Apr 26, 2012

Crane's said:
You'll always get dye transfer so keep some #8 cordovan wax around for color touchups. post pics of those boots of yours.
Four days after the boot treatment and some more rub a dub a scrub with water and a brush. It's real obvious that they will shine up nicely...

Honestly, I wasn't too sure about the color of the boots right after you cleaned and oiled them, but I'm digging the way your boots look now. It really does look like they'll shine up nicely -- good work!

Crane's · Apr 26, 2012

thams said:
Yeah, I know there will likely always be some color transfer, but I'm just wondering if there will be a time when it doesn't come off so strongly. I'm not afraid so much of losing the color of the boot, but I want the leather to be less waxy looking/feeling. Below is a picture of what came off with a very very small amount of VSC applied.

Nothing to worry about. Mine still leach a bit of color as do my other 1Ks. The wax will eventually stop coming up to the surface and will settle down. Keep in mind when that happens keep an eye on them especially around water. If it looks like you're getting deep water penetration it's time to condition them up.

Crane's · Apr 26, 2012

thams said:
Honestly, I wasn't too sure about the color of the boots right after you cleaned and oiled them, but I'm digging the way your boots look now. It really does look like they'll shine up nicely -- good work!

Thanks. I've done this so many times now that I don't worry about the color. It has always come back to pretty much what it was before applying it. Same goes with Sno Seal. I know it will darken everything but it also adds depth to the color which is what I want along with the weather proofing.

MarioImpemba · Apr 28, 2012

All I have is a crappy Blackberry phone for now... =/

Wolverine 721LTD Shell Cordovan 1000 Mile Boot Review

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