How many of you are into shoes... (Dress Shoes)?

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by superdog

^^^

That said, I have had Frye boots in the past. I actually still have them. However, there is really no comparison to the AE shoes.

Do any of you guys have Frye's and, if so, what do you think about them? They are not cheap in cost. But they have left out some very disappointing details in my opinion.

My mom has some Frye boots. I know she likes them a lot. I don't know much about Frye, but I think they have a few different lines in varying degree of quality. As far as I know, many of their shoes/boots are made in Mexico. Some of the nicer ones may be made in the USA. I think they make some nice looking boots/shoes, but I really can't speak about the quality.

IMO, once you've committed yourself to spending a couple hundred dollars on a pair of shoes, your options really open up. AE is a good starting point for most people, but I think some of the mid range English brands are an even better value.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Seth, I know you're somewhat of an impulsive buyer. My best advice is to avoid this thread. Shoe buying can get out of hand very quickly.

Worse than watches.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Seth, I know you're somewhat of an impulsive buyer. My best advice is to avoid this thread. Shoe buying can get out of hand very quickly.

ha. no joke. but still....

I am enjoying the new boots, and I will likely pick up a pair of shoes. But I do not think this will be a "thing" for me.


On weekends you can't get me out of my Johnston & Murphy slip ons. Work wise, I beat the crap out of shoes. So I will likely just sit back and live vicariously through you guys.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Worse than watches.

No kidding!

Originally Posted by superdog

ha. no joke. but still....

I am enjoying the new boots, and I will likely pick up a pair of shoes. But I do not think this will be a "thing" for me.


On weekends you can't get me out of my Johnston & Murphy slip ons. Work wise, I beat the crap out of shoes. So I will likely just sit back and live vicariously through you guys.

Well, just so you know, there are lots of really nice boots that you can buy that can take a beating, so....

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

VSC, another popular product, also contains turpentine. I know it isn't good for shell and maybe some fine calf leather, but it may be ok for more "rough" leather. I still don't know what to think, but I'd like to think that if Saphir uses it in some of their products, it cannot be that harmful if used in small amounts.

Anyway, for me, cordovan cream and Bick4 is all I really need.

Frankly I just found it to harsh for my taste and since some people experienced issues with it and St Crispins advised against it I just went with a product that didn't have turpentine and cost less as well. Besides like I said Bick 4 help to get rid of and prevent water spots. Besides Bick 4 is strictly a conditioner and not a cleaner as well like Renovateur. It literally strips some of the finish off of your shoes. So if I need a milder cleaner than Renomat I'll use Renovateur, but for conditioning I use Bick 4.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by superdog

^^^

That said, I have had Frye boots in the past. I actually still have them. However, there is really no comparison to the AE shoes.

Do any of you guys have Frye's and, if so, what do you think about them? They are not cheap in cost. But they have left out some very disappointing details in my opinion.

Not even sure if Frye's make Good Year Welted shoes or boots. Most if not all of their stuff probably comes from Mexico or some other country of origin not known for making quality shoes, They're probably along the same lines as Cole Hahn which basically puts them in what would be consider cheaper lower quality shoes and boots. Cole Hahn at one time made some nice shoes but that's been awhile ago.


AE is in the lower tier as far as shoemakers go. Basically they pump them out faster than they can check them. Good thing is their customer support has always been fabulous. They're wiling to replace them as many times as necessary in order to keep their customers happy. Generally it's best to buy their shoes in person that way your less likely to get something that slipped through a very porous QC department. It's not like you can't get a perfect pair but they are known for making mistakes. In fact their CEO has admitted this happens but their philosophy is that this approach helps keep their costs down. AE mass produces shoes in vast numbers I imagine no other Good Year Welted Shoemaker comes close to making.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Frankly I just found it to harsh for my taste and since some people experienced issues with it and St Crispins advised against it I just went with a product that didn't have turpentine and cost less as well. Besides like I said Bick 4 help to get rid of and prevent water spots. Besides Bick 4 is strictly a conditioner and not a cleaner as well like Renovateur. It literally strips some of the finish off of your shoes. So if I need a milder cleaner than Renomat I'll use Renovateur, but for conditioning I use Bick 4.

I'm not sure if you've had the same experience, but I've noticed that the cordovan cream also strips off some finish. Whenever I apply the cream to my color 8 Aldens, my rags are left a bit purple. I am not too concerened, though.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I'm not sure if you've had the same experience, but I've noticed that the cordovan cream also strips off some finish. Whenever I apply the cream to my color 8 Aldens, my rags are left a bit purple. I am not too concerened, though.

I've not experienced that with the neutral cordovan cream. I only have one pair of Alden Cordovans however and some will finish their cordovan a bit differently. Alden most certainly does. It's almost like a clear coat spray of some kind.

[swils8610]

Some Alden Ravello LWB's...


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[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I've not experienced that with the neutral cordovan cream. I only have one pair of Alden Cordovans however and some will finish their cordovan a bit differently. Alden most certainly does. It's almost like a clear coat spray of some kind.

I know Alden adds additional layers of polish to their cordovan and also applies some sort of acrylic layer. My preference is when the cordovan is left more natural. C&J, for examples, seems to use the cordovan exactly how it comes from Horween. The only issue is that the more natural cordovan will require a bit more upkeep. Dry spots will develop much faster.

Originally Posted by swils8610

Some Alden Ravello LWB's...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Wow! Nice score!!

Those look very light, almost like whiskey.

[JasoninDenver]

Well, they are not shoes, but they have been my grail for a couple of years now...

And last weekend in Vail, the nice folks at Axel's made it impossible to say no to these Galways.

Boots 1.jpg

Boots 2.jpg

Even the shoe trees are works of art.

Boots 3.jpg

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Well, they are not shoes, but they have been my grail for a couple of years now...

And last weekend in Vail, the nice folks at Axel's made it impossible to say no to these Galways.

Attachment 890048

Attachment 890049

Even the shoe trees are works of art.

Attachment 890050

Big congrats, Jason! The Galways are great looking boots and thanks to Dan and his pics, I really fell in love with them.

[Wesley Crusher]

Dan, they're here!!!



Specs:

• EG Galway
• E64 last
• Veldschoen construction
• Zug leather
• Full bellows tongue
• Fully leather lined with "wheat calf" leather
• Ridgeway soles

[rickyslam]

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned but I've been wondering if any of you guys use toe taps on your shoes. I recently started to wonder on the importance of them. Is it something I should get installed?

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by rickyslam

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned but I've been wondering if any of you guys use toe taps on your shoes. I recently started to wonder on the importance of them. Is it something I should get installed?

Yes, I use them on my leather sole shoes. You can do plastic or metal taps, but unless you pay to have the metal taps flush mounted (not easily done and somewhat expensive), go with the plastic taps.

I also use plastic heel taps.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I know Alden adds additional layers of polish to their cordovan and also applies some sort of acrylic layer. My preference is when the cordovan is left more natural. C&J, for examples, seems to use the cordovan exactly how it comes from Horween. The only issue is that the more natural cordovan will require a bit more upkeep. Dry spots will develop much faster.



Wow! Nice score!!

Those look very light, almost like whiskey.

Saphir Neutral Cordovan Cream seems to work real well on my Cordovan C&Js.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Well, they are not shoes, but they have been my grail for a couple of years now...

And last weekend in Vail, the nice folks at Axel's made it impossible to say no to these Galways.

Attachment 890048

Attachment 890049

Even the shoe trees are works of art.

Attachment 890050

Ah yes, very nice!!

Congrats!!!

My first pair of Galways were purchased from Axels. At the time I didn't realize that they sold what was Edward Greens narrrow size. Good thing they worked for me.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Dan, they're here!!!



Specs:

• EG Galway
• E64 last
• Veldschoen construction
• Zug leather
• Full bellows tongue
• Fully leather lined with "wheat calf" leather
• Ridgeway soles

Yes, yes, yes. Zug, now that's some bad a** leather right there.

Very nice Wes, Cograts!!!

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Yes, yes, yes. Zug, now that's some bad a** leather right there.

Very nice Wes, Cograts!!!

Thanks, Dan. I love them.

EG did a great job with these. The instep is slightly tight, so getting my feet in the boots is a bit tough, but once they're in, they fit great. I am hoping that the instep loosens up just a bit so getting the boots on becomes a bit easier.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Dan, they're here!!!



Specs:

• EG Galway
• E64 last
• Veldschoen construction
• Zug leather
• Full bellows tongue
• Fully leather lined with "wheat calf" leather
• Ridgeway soles

Nice Score. Love the Zug!

I tried to find a pair with the Ridgeway soles as they are supposed to be better on slick, wet flooring.

Let us know how you like them.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Ah yes, very nice!!

Congrats!!!

My first pair of Galways were purchased from Axels. At the time I didn't realize that they sold what was Edward Greens narrrow size. Good thing they worked for me.

Fortunately, I have a narrower foot so the 82 last fits like a glove.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Thanks, Dan. I love them.

EG did a great job with these. The instep is slightly tight, so getting my feet in the boots is a bit tough, but once they're in, they fit great. I am hoping that the instep loosens up just a bit so getting the boots on becomes a bit easier.

Just in time for boot weather.


Huge congrats again.

With all of my boots and shoes these still remain of my all time favorites.

I still can't believe more shoemakers don't use this type of leather, if people only knew how great this leather really is.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Fortunately, I have a narrower foot so the 82 last fits like a glove.

I actually have what I consider a medium but I was able to wear the 82 in both D and E without issue. i was really surprised initially at how much difference in the size of a pair of Galway in D vs E. the D really does look much smaller.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Nice Score. Love the Zug!

I tried to find a pair with the Ridgeway soles as they are supposed to be better on slick, wet flooring.

Let us know how you like them.

Thanks! Yes, Ridgeway is supposed to be a bit better and longer lasting than Dainite for rough weather. For most shoes, I prefer Dainite since since the soles are much more sleek, but my Galways aren't meant to be sleek so Ridgeway was the way to go, imo.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Just in time for boot weather.


Huge congrats again.

With all of my boots and shoes these still remain of my all time favorites.

I still can't believe more shoemakers don't use this type of leather, if people only knew how great this leather really is.

It definitely seems like a great leather.

I am sure most shoemakers don't use it because country calf is easier to find and looks similar. And unfortunately, most people are not in the market for high end water resistant boots so the demand is low.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I actually have what I consider a medium but I was able to wear the 82 in both D and E without issue. i was really surprised initially at how much difference in the size of a pair of Galway in D vs E. the D really does look much smaller.

The 82 last is beautiful and when in a D width, the Galways are practically dress boots because of how sleek they look. Unfortunately, my big dogs aren't meant for the 82 last and especially not in a D width. That would be like trying to squeeze a basketball in a golf hole.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

The 82 last is beautiful and when in a D width, the Galways are practically dress boots because of how sleek they look. Unfortunately, my big dogs aren't meant for the 82 last and especially not in a D width. That would be like trying to squeeze a basketball in a golf hole.

And I have the opposite problem. I don't know which is worse. So many shoes are lasted for feet like yours rather than my scrawny feet.

Do you live in a climate with harsh winter weather?

I know the country calf can take a bit more rough conditions than some of my finer calf options. I might consider a pair of the Galways in the Utah Delapre if I can ever reach Dan status.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

The 82 last is beautiful and when in a D width, the Galways are practically dress boots because of how sleek they look. Unfortunately, my big dogs aren't meant for the 82 last and especially not in a D width. That would be like trying to squeeze a basketball in a golf hole.

Good point, the D Last does make them look a lot more like a dress boot.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

It definitely seems like a great leather.

I am sure most shoemakers don't use it because country calf is easier to find and looks similar. And unfortunately, most people are not in the market for high end water resistant boots so the demand is low.

Yep

Ah well, they just have no idea what they're missing out on.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

And I have the opposite problem. I don't know which is worse. So many shoes are lasted for feet like yours rather than my scrawny feet.

Do you live in a climate with harsh winter weather?

I know the country calf can take a bit more rough conditions than some of my finer calf options. I might consider a pair of the Galways in the Utah Delapre if I can ever reach Dan status.

More Galways, you just need more Galways.