Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

[gorebug]

Canadian made boots just arrived. WM Moorby by Canada West. CW still makes boots and shoes for the Canadian military and some police forces. Fit wise, snug around ankle and heel area. Toe box is very roomy and square. I scored these for cheap from a seller on Facebook. Stitching isn't bad, with 270 GYW. Vibram 430 sole. Leather doesnt seem to be that great, relative to other brands. I will have speed hooks installed.

I would put Boulet well above WM Moorby.

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I have a pair of 2802s and my biggest visual disappointment is the bulbous toe - other than that I've been very pleased with mine.

Break in for me took a couple months as while I never had heel slip, i did suffer from 'sock-pull' for a while. Now they are my go-to for anything more extreme than a sidewalk but less than a hike.

I do find that heel very slippery on ice so if you plan or wearing it in cold and icy conditions you may consider putting on a lugged vibram 430 heel (or whatever else your cobbler may recommend).

 

[suitforcourt]

I now have 3 pairs of Boulet boots bought through Gary Coakley's shop. Canadian made, and quality is arguably better than Red Wing or Wolverine 1000 Mile. Stitching and QC is tight and consistent. The black and dark brown pair are chromexcel so just need some conditioning. These are also my best fitting and most comfortable pairs of boots. Gary added speed hooks. These will be used as my indoor footwear.

 

[Jiqea]

I have had an eBay search setup for a "Dack's shoe shine box" for two years. I have never even seen one before, but I suspected they existed, just like theoretical sub-atomic particles. Well today was the day one popped into existence, complete with two Dack's brushes. The Dacks plaque on the box and the brushes are the same as was applied to their shoe trees that show up in adverts between 1957 and 1968. I have a Hartt's box from the same era. I will continue to search for a McHale box, but given they did not own their own shoe outlets, they may not exist, at least in this dimension.

 

[suitforcourt]

Sorry that I keep violating the vintage rule. I spent a full day at home with the WM Moorby boots by Canada West. With thicker wool socks, they are snug. Feet were comfortable all day. Definitely would consider getting this brand again, but still prefer Boulet.

 

[suitforcourt]

Boulet boots in chromexcel have joined my arsenal for indoor footwear. The wedge soles are incredibly comfortable. Fit and comfort get top billing. Happy to keep Canadian workers busy by purchasing their goods.

 

[suitforcourt]

Another vintage violation. But these are Canadian made!

3rd pair of Boulet boots. CXL leather, and the fit is spot on. Using these as indoor footwear.

 

[Jiqea]

My two pairs of tiny John McHale's built for Owen and Elmes of Toronto finally arrived today. Does time slow down when you are waiting for shoes to arrive? It sure seems so. The black pair are from circa 1950 and are a size 6D while the U-wings are circa 1955 and are a size 6.5D. Both pairs need a bit of work, but they cleaned up well.

 

[kenucklehead]

After months of repairs due to an accident that damaged the shop, our shop in Vancouver, BC is now back open and we're taking orders again. HD Russell Boots

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

 

[Jiqea]

My 1957-68 Dack's shoe shine box arrived, so I grabbed a couple pairs of Dack's shoes and trees from that era and had a little photo shoot. The dovetailed pine box is really quite nice. I may put it in my will that it gets used for an alternative function when I am ready for the final re-sole/soul. Seriously.

 

[Jiqea]

Well call me Ishmael, I have a new white whale to find. I was looking through Canadian adverts from 1950-1970 for shell cordovan. There are some interesting imported shoes that were being sold in low numbers in Canada, and I will pull that info together soon, but what really jumped out was this 1950 ad from the Montreal gazette for shell short wing brogues by Hartt. My lord would I love to find a pair of these!!!

 

[Jiqea]

Tonight I was tipped off tonight to the presence of these "Brown Leather Oxfords" on Poshmark, listed for $45 CDN. They are of course John McHale Custom Bombers (85306), in what appears to be pretty good condition, and in my size. More to follow when they arrive. Thanks Carl!

 

[Quantum17]

I cannot believe this. I have been missing out on a whole Canadian thread until now. Little time left to catch up on this saga, feeling the need to read through the night... must fight the urge!!!

 

[Jiqea]

I cannot believe this. I have been missing out on a whole Canadian thread until now. Little time left to catch up on this saga, feeling the need to read through the night... must fight the urge!!!

Go for it! You will see some damn nice shoes, and even get a bit of poetry.

 

[Quantum17]

Go for it! You will see some damn nice shoes, and even get a bit of poetry.

I tried giving her my Hartt but she wanted my Dack!

Found the poem. It was just on the previous page. Beautiful words written, probably by either Irving Layton or Drake ?

 

[Jiqea]

Found the poem. It was just on the previous page. Beautiful words written, probably by either Irving Layton or Drake ?

Check out page 54 of the thread.