which boot is best? (shell showdown)

[makewayhomer]

a few months ago I decided I wanted - a shell boot in one of the lighter colors - classically styled and versatile - winter appropriate, BUT I don't want a commando sole - preferably with speedhooks for easy on/off - not at full retail price yes, that is quite a wishlist 2 have come up recently that fit some, but not all of what I wanted. I can't afford to keep both. which one do you guys think is better/a better fit for me? Contender 1: C&J for BB Dark Brown Shell Cordovan Pro's are: I love the captoe, love the speedhooks, this is a real kick-ass boot thats nearly 2 inches higher than Alden boots Cons are: the color is darker than I hoped it would be, it's about $200 more than Contender #2, and many posters recently opined that the Dainite sole is actually really bad in the winter, it's made more for rain/wet vs ice/snow. I have a longwing and a loafer in Burgundy shell already...so for my purposes the ravello may be more versatile and that is the main drawback to the c&j

Contender 2: Alden Ravello NST Handsewn Pro's are: Ravello is my favorite color of shell and in boot form is nearly impossible to find at the discount I did. I would probably just have the leather sole "vibram'd" which may be a better option than Dainite. basically just a grooved, thin, rubber topy Cons are: I'm not sure what I think about the NST. my gut tells me I prefer a wingtip or captoe boot, but tastes changes and 6 months ago I wanted a plain toe. all eyelets vs speedhooks makes the on/off a bit harder. is this a style that will look good in 5/10 years? my bad pic

boots together along with some other shell colors

what say you, style forum?

 

[GBer]

Some scuffing on the BB. It could do with a polish.

 

[LatinStyleLover]

Depending on what size they are, my advice changes.

Assuming neither of these would fit me and that you are not going to offer the one you decide to get rid of here on the forum, then I would say that Alden is just way too nice to part with. That color is just amazing! I love the CJ, too, and would keep both were I in your position, personally.

Now, if the boots were a size in the 10 neighborhood, my opinion changes. Definitely keep the CJ and sell ME the Alden! Yo won't be happy with it in the long run and I will.

 

[alliswell]

C&J is a more versatile color. Dainite is better in snow than topy'd leather. Go with #1.

 

[makewayhomer]

Re color

I have a longwing and a loafer in Burgundy shell already...so for my purposes the ravello may be more versatile and that is the main drawback to the c&j

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

I like the look and colour of the BB pair better and I am still not convinced dainite is bad in snow. Maybe on ice. However, I have seen the price at BB and they are pretty expensive.

If you have the money, #1.

 

[xudisco07]

I recently got the BB ones and I walked in some snow and they seemed to have more grip than leather. The BB is more versatile I think.

I did realize the really annoying thing about the sole is that if you have pedals in your car that have upraised pieces of grippy rubber the lug of the sole can momentarily get caught on them.

 

[pebblegrain]

letting English people assemble shell cordovan shoes = win

 

[srivats]

I'm a big alden fan and my vote if you are keeping only one boot is for the BB Peal captoe boots ... more versatile. I like the NST on shoes ... on boots, not so much.

 

[JayJay]

Sounds like you really want to keep the NST ravello.

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by JayJay

Sounds like you really want to keep the NST ravello.
heh I have just coveted a Ravello boot for a while. I guess I am looking for a reason to keep it, your right. I generally prefer most everything about the C&J boot, except the fact that its a darker shell however, I keep looking at the C&J and thinking how kick ass it is, and dressy, and versatile, all at the same time. I didn't even realize how much bigger it was until I took a picture of them together it's better to spend more on something if you love it that much more.

 

[makewayhomer]

One bump for last thoughts

 

[JayJay]

I like the looks of the C&J boot better. It's easy to dress up or down with it and it has a great color. So what if you have several shoes in burgundy, the color goes with everything. Also the sole is better for inclement weather.

 

[tim_horton]

#1 is much more to my liking. I know you have other shoes in this color but there's a good reason for that, it's a great and versatile color that goes with almost anything. The same isn't true about the Alden's (in this guy's admittedly conservative opinion - I think the Aldens look cool but can't see myself choosing them over an identical shoe in nurgundy if both were in front of me while getting dressed in the morning.) And it's not like you're buying another longwing in burgundy, this is a completely different kind of shoe.

 

[HarleyBob]

I think the Alden's look horrendous. I can't believe you would even consider them even if you did get a good deal on them. I feel bad for you buddy. Bad enough that if they are a size 12D I will help you dispose of them. Send them to me, I will help you out and pay the shipping, and upon receipt I will slowly destroy them, one wearing at a time.

Anything for a fellow SF'er.