Japanese Boot / Shoe Appreciation Thread (White Cloud, Rolling Dub Trio, John Lofgren, Clinch, etc.

[Gonzogonzo]

Managed to get away with a sports jacket at work today instead of a suit, then went all the way and snuck on some Devil’s Causeways when I got to my desk; it was a good day at the office…

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I had to look those up and I'm an owner of Lofgren's engineer boots in CXL. The feel is totally different!

 

[95tuanle]

Posted this on another forum, but I think the level of boot expertise is a little better over here…

So I just took delivery of some Lofgren M43 Service Shoes, the 10th anniversary in Italian veg-tan leather. The boots look spectacular, fit great, but there is one issue I’m a little unsure of.

On the left boot, on the inner heel area, there is a section of leather that has raised lines and wrinkles on it. Under my fingernail, they feel like kind of thin, raised tubes, kind of like long bubbles… Like thin top pieces of the leather are separated from the rest of hide. Which I’ve read is what loose grain feels like. Dunno if it‘s that or not, but whatever it is, it looks a bit strange to me, especially when the rest of the boots are basically flawless.

Or maybe I’m just being OCD.

So gentlemen, in your learned opinions, is this okay on a pair of Lofgrens, am I just being precious? Pics, below, first three are of the left boot, fourth is of the right boot in the same area, which has no issues.

Many thanks!

The left side of my brand new Combat Boots in black Shinki tea core HB also has the similar sign but less dramatic.

 

[Marc07]

Great boot and build for the money!

Hi, a pair of handsome boots! Any chance of sharing your opinion/review on them? I'm in the market and deciding between these and the JL Combat boots. Any views/advice is welcomed.

 

[E. coli]

Hi, a pair of handsome boots! Any chance of sharing your opinion/review on them? I'm in the market and deciding between these and the JL Combat boots. Any views/advice is welcomed.

Thanks, I'm not sure my feedback will be useful in that I've only had two wears in them and have not owned a pair of JL boots. I can say that the construction is top notch, the Maryam horsebutt leather although very stiff is nice and full of texture and robustness. I particularly enjoy the room the toe box provides as my feet are on the wide side, I believe more room than the current Viberg 2030 last and very comfortable. At the going price now it's a fantastic value compared to the JL. Good luck!

 

[sartoria vacua]

hey - just found this thread, thought i'd mention am offering

JL steadfast chukka boots - burgundy french calf, tag size 11.5. from the first S&S steadfast preorder ca. late 2018. LNIB with a whisper of crease at a vamp edge to right shoe from box storage. worn to confirm fit only and forever closet kit - never pulled into rotation, i've bonded with other JL makeups since.

if you've seen the steadfast chukkas in 10.5 recently on the 'bay, these are the same. can do $360 + shipping via conversation here. conus preferred - can research standard carrier estimates if elsewhere. includes original box and catalog.

 

[loigander]

Would anyone be interested in an almost unworn pair of John Lofgren m43 boots in a size 10.5? Bought a few days ago but made a sizing mistake. John Lofgren (as far as I can tell) uses UK sizing so the 10.5 I bought is really more of a 11.5 US, making them a size too big.
Happy to supply pictures if there's any interest
Only real signs they've been worn is some light wear to the sole and the light imprint of my orthotic insole on the sock liner. Otherwise they're basically flawless.

Hi, pls send pics, might be interested.

 

[carlos20co]

Ironclad Surveyor boots from Toys McCoy

 

[skyfall]

The Two Monkeys Sportif

 

[NautOfEarth]

New boot day. Finally got the 2nd of two Zerrow's boots (first pair) ordered back in November 2021. Due to a bit of confusion and language barrier issues, these boots that were supposed to take 5-6 months took til now to get here but those same issues also allowed me to change the sizing on these so I'm not complaining. The details are the same as my previous pair except this uses their black Ingrassato leather and the size was changed to 9E from 9D.

My initial thoughts are very similar to those for the first pair. Excellent finishing and a beautiful pair of boots. The difference occurs on the topic of fit: while the first pair were definitely too small, these in the E width feel just right. They are a bit harder to get off and on but that is due to the very, very stiff ingrassato leather. I can tell these will be a beast to break in. A natural result of getting a wider fit is that these are slight wider in the toe than my first pair but, to my eyes, they still avoid the duck feet look of some western boots out there.

All in all, very happy with these and might get one more pair in a brown, smooth leather - perhaps horsehide - at some point.

 

[peachfuzzmcgee]

Those look awesome! How much did they set ya back?

 

[NautOfEarth]

Those look awesome! How much did they set ya back?

~$800 or so due to upcharges

 

[Terminator]

Seeing your two pairs really makes me want to order this style, but perhaps on the flat toe last. I reached out on IG and they said they’ve not done this before (or at least don’t have photos).

 

[NautOfEarth]

Seeing your two pairs really makes me want to order this style, but perhaps on the flat toe last. I reached out on IG and they said they’ve not done this before (or at least don’t have photos).

It's worth it. From what I've read about sizing on the flat toe last, you might be just fine with D width but I'd still be sure to email and ask questions. Also, any customizations you want are best shown with pictures whenever you email them. Aside from a bit of a language barrier, they're pretty responsive and easy to work with.

Just did a browse on their insta and found a couple examples: 1 2 though they do have a roper offering on what looks to be a similar last

 

[XWT]

Ironclad Surveyor boots from Toys McCoy

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Love them. What's the sizing like?

 

[carlos20co]

Love them. What's the sizing like?

They are wide, you could probably go half a size down. I went with my true size and only wear them with thick boot socks and they fit fine. My feet swim in them with regular socks.