Jodhpur boots -- 2 very different strap styles

[Tilyou]

I am the happy owner of a pair of Trickers Gresham Jodhpur boots. I am thinking of buying another pair of Jodhpurs, and I've gotten interested in different strap styles.

The "standard" method for Jodhpur straps seems to be the method Trickers uses: strap starts at the side, and wraps around. There are other methods. John Lobb sells at least 2 variations itself (including the one I'm calling "standard").

Recently I've become intrigued by what might be an older style -- where the strap starts on the bottom near the heel and goes over the foot before it wraps around the leg. I like the look of this approach and possibly it holds on the boot more snuggly and reliably.

Does anyone have any opinions about this -- about the visual appeal or practical advantages of the older heel-strap approach?

And more to the point -- does anyone know anyone who currently sells the heel-strap style? Friedson apparently does (but the company appears not to be well known) and Grenson *did.*

To illustrate what I'm trying to describe, please see below.

Many thanks for any responses.

CK

=== 2 METHODS OF JODHPUR BOOT STRAPS ====

[1] "Standard" approach (here - Trickers Gresham)

http://media.photobucket.com/image/t...b/100_0819.jpg

[2] Strap starts at the heel approach

Friedson Bros. (has anyone ever heard of them?)

http://69.94.109.132/media/LAStrapJod.jpg which was taken from http://www.fineboots.com/

Grenson (Grenson appears no longer to make this model)

http://www.classicshoesformen.com/sh...hpur-boot-415d

AND HERE's another example -- Sergio Grasso's Amalfi model

http://www.paulemorin.com/amalfi_g.jpg

 

[Tilyou]

Originally Posted by Tilyou

=== 2 METHODS OF JODHPUR BOOT STRAPS ====

[1] "Standard" approach (here - Trickers Gresham)

http://media.photobucket.com/image/t...b/100_0819.jpg

[2] Strap starts at the heel approach

Friedson Bros. (has anyone ever heard of them?)

http://69.94.109.132/media/LAStrapJod.jpg which was taken from http://www.fineboots.com/

Grenson (Grenson appears no longer to make this model)

http://www.classicshoesformen.com/sh...hpur-boot-415d

AND HERE's another example -- Sergio Grasso's Amalfi model

http://www.paulemorin.com/amalfi_g.jpg

No one seems very interested in my quest.... which I started not to save money, but to find the exactly Jodhpur strap style I prefer.

I am happy to report that I have found ANOTHER possible source of Jodhpur boots with the "straps start at the heel" approach. Presto!

http://www.boottownusa.com/files/images/BJ_1150.jpg

(search "Black Jack" Jodhpur 1150)

And they are a lot less exensive than Tricker's, Crockett, etc. OTOH they are made from "goat skin," and I don't know if they are Goodyear welted or whatever.

On thing I've learned from this is the world of boot suppliers is a lot broader than I formerly believed. I love Edward Green, Trickers, Loake and so on, and I would love to get a chance to experience John Lobb, Crockett & Jones and/or Dehner. But the world doesn't end with those companies when looking for Jodhpur Boots that appear to be well made, fully leather and leather lined.

I may actually buy the boots from Black Jack (made in El Paso, I think). Either that, or save a few bucks and get them from E. Vogel. Or wait to see if one of the Sergio Grasso vendors writes back (search "Sergio Grasso" Amalfi), tho' those boots seem easy to get in Europe (I've seen them listed on a French and an Italian website).

I'm I deluding myself? Will I find that Black Jack / Friedson / Sergio Grasso are no match for Crockett etc.?

CK

 

[wetnose]

I think from a practical pov, the strap for the tricker's model is the better one out of the others. Reason being is if the strap starts too low, then dirt can get easily trapped under the strap. It also makes polishing a wee bit more difficult. I have a pair with the straps just like the Trickers.

 

[Tilyou]

Originally Posted by wetnose

I think from a practical pov, the strap for the tricker's model is the better one out of the others. Reason being is if the strap starts too low, then dirt can get easily trapped under the strap. It also makes polishing a wee bit more difficult. I have a pair with the straps just like the Trickers.
Interesting, thanks.

There is probably a reason the Tricker's style is (seemingly) far more common, at least today, than the "strap starts at the heel" style.

I anticipate the heel approach will feel differently. The Tricker's approach holds the boots snug at the ankles, but the heel approach (which starts at the bottom) may be more snug, reducing any space between the foot and the sole of the boot.

Not that I'm advocating one style over the other. I just like the look of the heel approach, and I'm curious about the history -- which strap style is most authentically or anciently Jodhpur.

C

 

[Slewfoot]

Wait. Those Greshams are Trickers? The Edward Green Jodphur style is named Gresham and I thought I saw that same photo a while back after and EG sale. You sure those are Trickers you have? Regardless, I think those look much more balanced and elegant than the straps coming up from the bottom. They seem avante garde, but trying a bit too hard to impress.

 

[twistoffat]

Those Grensons are already showing signs of creasing due to the strap eminatinting at the Heel. The traditional form is still the best and anyone who had even actually used them for riding will agree

 

[TRINI]

There's also the Barker Black Lavenum style:

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by TRINI

There's also the Barker Black Lavenum style:

Almost looks like a monk-strap boot

 

[Blackhood]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Almost looks like a monk-strap boot

The fabled Triple Monk?

 

[TRINI]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Almost looks like a monk-strap boot

Originally Posted by Blackhood

The fabled Triple Monk?

I'm wearing these today.

 

[SureShopApparel]

I love those boots! Friedson Bros were my favorite, but liked them all.

 

[Tilyou]

Originally Posted by TRINI

There's also the Barker Black Lavenum style:

Interesting, thanks. I didn't know about that one.

C

 

[Tilyou]

Originally Posted by Slewfoot

Wait. Those Greshams are Trickers? The Edward Green Jodphur style is named Gresham and I thought I saw that same photo a while back after and EG sale. You sure those are Trickers you have?
You are sharp!

I'm sure I have Tricker's Chepstow Jodhpurs, but the link I provided was just something I found by Googling while looking for an example of the "standard" Jodhpur strap approach. It's not a picture of my boots.

And yes, whoever did post that picture is a little mixed up -- I don't know if the picture is Edward Green Greshams, or Tricker's Chepstow.

Good catch!

 

[Tilyou]

Originally Posted by twistoffat

Those Grensons are already showing signs of creasing due to the strap eminatinting at the Heel. The traditional form is still the best and anyone who had even actually used them for riding will agree
Haha! As perhaps you guessed, I do not ride horses.

I often wear Jod's while bicycling riding. Possibly that is a ridiculous practice, but IMO the relative stiffness and limitation on ankle flex that I associate with Jodhpurs is useful in bicycling for the same reason as it appeals to horsemen and Spitefire pilots. The stiffness helps to maintain the correct foot position.

Also, they look groovy.

I'm not advocating one style over another -- at least not until I actually get to wear the "strap starts at the heel" style -- but for what it's worth the Trickers Chepstow Jodhpurs I have are not immune to wrinkling. I've worn them enough to replace the heels just once, but he sides are very wrinkly, and I also needed to get some of the stritching re-done (maybe because I am not overly delicate in opening them to put my feet in).

Originally Posted by twistoffat

The traditional form is still the best
I don't know if there is any way to resolve this -- outside of a visit to the shoe museum, or a study of 19th century paintings. But I wonder what style was the original. What is standard today may not be the original. Two straps originating at the back and crossing at the front without any fancy loops to guide straps seems simpler, and maybe for that reason older. Straps that start on both sides and criss-cross also seems reminiscent of very old styles -- Roman sandals, for example http://www.costumes4less.com/prodima...MainZ17169.jpg

Is there a boot historian in the house?

 

[Thomas]

I wanted a pair of jodphurs for a long time but never bought a pair. Eventually the want faded. Now I want a pair of Frye Harness. Wonder if that, too, will fade.