Calling all LLBean Katahdin Iron Works Boots owners

[scrwl]

What treatments have you done? They look great.

I bought those used and they looked kinda beaten and blotchy. Revived with some no-name leather grease and darkened them considerably. For the next year I beat them to hell and back a couple times and treated with SnoSeal. At that point they had a nice layer of gunk and grease on them and looked like they were black.
Got tired of the lifeless dark leather and scraped most of the **** off with a dry rag and some cleaner/conditioner, might have been woly or some other Finnish bramd. They lightened considerably and I was happy for a while.

Last august I decided to wash them dish soap inspired by this video. Instead of Obenauf's I treated them with a light coat of Saphir Renovateur. For the first time they looked clean. The dish soap got almost all the crap off the leather but left the leather really dry. The Saphir revived the leather and left it nice and light. I had gotten used to sheen on cap toe so I brought out the old no-name grease and that with damp rag brought a nice contrast and sheen. Since that they've been my go to boots for when I go see some live bands. They've gone through litres of beer and imagineable **** during punk/metal shows but that has cleaned off quite well.

I do not recommend any of that haha. Ok, maybe the Saphir Renovateur.

 

[BeedLam]

Hi guys,

Could anyone tell me if the Katahdin runs wider than the Chippewa utility 1901M29. I have a pair of Katahdin's in a 9.5EE and they're wide on me with enough space to move my foot side to side a little, toes are also flopping about in them.

Then I have a pair of the 1901M29 in a 9.5D and they're to narrow, though mostly its accross my instep. They'd be fine if i didn't have to wear authotics. I am wearing them and they have eased off a litle but its pretty brutal and i know they don't fit me, i'm just hoping they'll give as i really like them.

Also have a pair of Waterproof Katahdins in a 10D and they fit pretty well with a little tightness across the instep but with their lining i figured they could be a different fit and didn't want to use them as a guide.

I wanted to use the Katahdins for general wear and keep the 1901M29's for dress ups.so my question is do i get a Katahdin in a 10D or would the 9.5D work.. do katadins have more space than 1901M29's and other chippewa boots?

Ordering from the the other side of the world so returns and try outs are a non starter.

Thanks guys hope that's follow-able for you.

 

[scrwl]

After a year of light wear.

 

[7_rocket]

Those look nice

 

[shade]

Cool look with the wedge sole.

 

[scrwl]

Thanks guys! I've been wearing them a lot lately. They're my go-to walking boots.

 

[Smitty2k1]

Kinda kicking myself I didn't buy the black Katahdin's when they were on sale + 20% off at LL Bean (just on sale now).

I'll probably pick up the Katahdin's in a EE size but will miss the extra $35 savings.

How do you all find these fit? My Red Wing Moc Toes and Beckmans in 8.5D are too long and too tight across the front. I tried the RW moc toes in 8EE and the length was great but the heel was just too lose.

I've also got Allen Edmonds in the 65 last. 8.5EE is probably my best fit, 8.5EEE is fine but a little wide. Most of my AE 9D's are too long and tight across the forefoot.

 

[poena]

has anyone resoled for something with a bit more grip/tread?

 

[matthewh]

Kinda kicking myself I didn't buy the black Katahdin's when they were on sale + 20% off at LL Bean (just on sale now).

I'll probably pick up the Katahdin's in a EE size but will miss the extra $35 savings.

How do you all find these fit? My Red Wing Moc Toes and Beckmans in 8.5D are too long and too tight across the front. I tried the RW moc toes in 8EE and the length was great but the heel was just too lose.

I've also got Allen Edmonds in the 65 last. 8.5EE is probably my best fit, 8.5EEE is fine but a little wide. Most of my AE 9D's are too long and tight across the forefoot.

I've got both the cap toe and cordovan versions in size 11 and I wear the Red Wing moc toe boot in size 10.5 if that helps. I like the cordovan boot much better than the cap toe. I recently saw the black version and thought they were pretty cool looking. I don't wear my Katahdin's as much though since I've discovered Red Wings.

 

[Smitty2k1]

I've got both the cap toe and cordovan versions in size 11 and I wear the Red Wing moc toe boot in size 10.5 if that helps. I like the cordovan boot much better than the cap toe. I recently saw the black version and thought they were pretty cool looking. I don't wear my Katahdin's as much though since I've discovered Red Wings.

Thanks! Did you size up on the Katahdin's (compared to RW moc toe) because of the length or width? I think my RW's are a little long and a little narrow, so I'm trying to decide if I should go for the same size or down 1/2

 

[matthewh]

Thanks! Did you size up on the Katahdin's (compared to RW moc toe) because of the length or width? I think my RW's are a little long and a little narrow, so I'm trying to decide if I should go for the same size or down 1/2

My Brannock size is 11, which is what I usually order. For me its for length. I have narrow feet so typical D width shoes are always too wide. I typically wear thicker socks and like to have plenty of toe room so I seldom size down. I also wear the RW Chukka is 11. The RW moc toe is the only boot I've ever had to size down for.

 

[derass]

So I just finished reading this thread for care advice, and the overwhelming majority of recommendations was to use Obenauf's LP.

My question is: what do you use to clean the boots before applying LP? I've already worn mine for a year untreated, and they have dirt and salt on them. I am thinking saddle soap. Chippewa recommended Apache Cream for maintaining these boots. Bickmore makes Apache Cream, and their recommendation for cleaning Apache/distressed leather (which the Iron Works boots are made from) was saddle soap, so that's how I came to that conclusion. Seems to have worked well for these Iron Works as seen in this video:



I just didn't see many mentions of saddle soap in this thread.

I also find it surprising that so few people followed Chippewa's recommendation of using Apache Cream / conditioning cream, and chose to use LP instead. Any reason as to why? I have the waterproof Iron Works, so I am hesitant to use such a heavy waterproofing product like LP. I do like the darkening and patina it causes, but I don't like the idea of it leaving a waxy coating, and needing to be re-applied so often.

One final note, I saw a lot of discussion about sizing, so I figure I'll offer my experience. My Brannock size is 12D, and the waterproof Iron Works in 12D fits perfectly in length and width. I am able to wear both plain athletic socks, and thick wool socks with these boots comfortably.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

For what it’s worth, I used LP on my Katahdins after following recommendations and it turned them a horrible very dark matte brown with absolutely no character that never went away. Ended up selling them.

 

[scrwl]

I use my Katahdins (pic above) quite lightly, occasional slush but mostly dry snowy winter wears so I treat them like suede. Saphir renovateur spray and weather proofer spray and that's enough for me.

 

[otc]

For what it’s worth, I used LP on my Katahdins after following recommendations and it turned them a horrible very dark matte brown with absolutely no character that never went away. Ended up selling them.

I still like mine, but honestly, I had a similar experience.

I thought the Sno-Seal I used on a previous pair made them look much better (and allowed a little more of a shine) than LP, even though LP is a much more "premium" product.