Our friends in the Southern Hemisphere have been holding out on us...

Wambli Ska

I just got a pair of Blundstone boots and they are probably the most comfortable and versatile footwear I own.  From Sunday church to trails/rocks/mud and then out to dinner is a quick wipe with a damp cloth.  They go with EVERYTHING and go on and come off in a wink.  I could walk around in these things all day in pure comfort.  Hell they might replace my house slippers.  WHY have you not told us about these damned things before?!?!?!?!? 

I went to a local outfitter and all their sales people are actually real outdoor enthusiasts that know their stuff firsthand.  They have just about any footwear available to them at a discount at work where they stand and run around all day.  Just about all of them were wearing well worn copies of these.  They even come with a removable second insole that lets you adjust the fit for heavier socks in the winter, lighter or no socks in the summer.

Not mine, just a stock picture...

orchidman

I have worn out 3 pairs of them since about 2001.......My go to boot for use on the charter boat, working and daily wear.......even wear them while hunting but they dont have as much side support as a hunting boot.

About due for another pair...........

Their factory shop is about 600metres away from my house and has factory seconds.......on the above pair the price was halved due to slightly crooked stitching.....

For Gods sake, dont tell anyone.......the price will go through the roof!!! 

Wambli Ska

Oh so NOW I understand...    

I agree they do not have the lateral support to wear them for an energetic climb up a steep rocky incline but a walk to the blind down a country dirt road or trail?  Hell yeah...  I've taken mine on a couple of decent hikes so far.  Nothing outlandishly challenging because wife is still coming up to snuff on the balance and stamina front, but a fair amount of relatively uneven walking was not a problem.  When we get the cabin in the woods I'm shopping for these will live by the door.

Funny thing is it was my wife who first pointed them out to me.  We were watching an episode of "Lara Logan Has no Agenda", a Fox News show and she liked Lara's footwear which lead to me researching it on Google which ended up understanding that it was more than a fashion pick.  

Anyway thanks for confirming my impression.  If you have anything else that would be useful and you don't want the world to know, please PM me 

waipapa13

Elastic sided boots are pretty much the default work boot.

There's a lot of different makers, all with their fans.

I've got narrow feet, so Mongerels, which are still Australian made get my vote, great arch support too.
My boss swears by Redbacks (rubbish, the only taste he has is in his mouth)

If I didn't need steel toes I'd wear my R.M Williams over any other elastic sider. Shame they've become "trendy" and are now priced to match. Still worth it though.


If you need gumboots, I'm partial to Skellerup's, Red Bands are probably my most worn boot. 

Also moleskin trousers, way better than jeans.
Rugby shorts, harlequin pattern by preference.

Wambli Ska

Great, more stuff to check out.  I don't recall ever seeing those boot brands here but I'll check for sure.  Just looked at the RM Williams and damn they are NICE!!!

waipapa13

They are, RM's pretty much occupy the same place as the cowboy boot does in the US, they were and still are a Stockman's boot.

The founder was a legend too. Currently reading a book of his, covers everything from whip making and braiding, to tanning, to making your own boots.

All through it, he keeps commenting, "if you get stuck, write to me and we'll help you".

orchidman

Ditto on the R.M.Williams boots, my first pair lasted 15 yrs. Got 2 more pairs in 2010, one black, one brown. Most comfortable boot I ever wore. These 2 will see me out I reckon.....

PFD

waipapa13 said:

They are, RM's pretty much occupy the same place as the cowboy boot does in the US, they were and still are a Stockman's boot.

Ouch! Except a pair of Tony Lama boots costs about half, and they are up there.

I'm sure they're worth it but who goes roping or bull dogging in a pair of $600.00 boots?

Wambli Ska

Speaking of whips...  I have a bucket list entry for a real stock whip.  Any thoughts on that?  

Wambli Ska

PFD said:

waipapa13 said:

They are, RM's pretty much occupy the same place as the cowboy boot does in the US, they were and still are a Stockman's boot.

Ouch! Except a pair of Tony Lama boots costs about half, and they are up there.

I'm sure they're worth it but who goes roping or bull dogging in a pair of $600.00 boots?

Not the last few that are still made in the USA.  

PFD

Quite a selection of Tony Lama's made in El Paso in the $250.00 range. 😛

You work hard and earn your money. Get the ones you like!  Probably last a lifetime. 👍🇺🇸

waipapa13

Wambli Ska said:

Speaking of whips...  I have a bucket list entry for a real stock whip.  Any thoughts on that?  


I'm no expert on stock whips, my best mate's grandfather was a saddlemaker and was known for his whips, but unfortunately we planted him about 5 years back.

I'd go roo personally, and with the most plaits I could afford, https://www.aussiewhipmaker.com/
has been around a long time, might be worth a look for you.

ojr

We get given them for work.
well the people on the floor do. don't have many complaints about them.

Wambli Ska

PFD said:

Quite a selection of Tony Lama's made in El Paso in the $250.00 range. 😛

You work hard and earn your money. Get the ones you like!  Probably last a lifetime. 👍🇺🇸

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of not overspending for no reason and I love Lama boots.  I owned a pair of Tony Lama Buckaroos (tall 16" shafts with spur shelves on the heels) and they don't make them in the USA anymore that I know of.  They now have a Chinese made model with glued rubber soles meant for walking.  Most of the new models are meant to be thrown out when the soles come off or wear out.  I HATE that...

Those original boots set me back over $300 about 20 years ago and damn they were built like a tank, PLUS they had a round steel shank that fit perfectly in the iron oxbow stirrups I favor.  I beat the snot out of those boots and foolishly sold them (YES, people buy worn cowboy boots on eBay ) horse **** smell and everything.  I also had a pair of Olathe's that were priced about the same and I rotated from one to the other to make them last a bit longer.  They also got sold on eBay...  I should have kept them things because now I need them again 

I try to buy stuff I'll never have to throw out and if I fall out of love I can get my money's worth and then sell to someone else to recover my costs.  I was buying Merrells for range work because they are comfortable and fit my feet, and they are a little tougher than sneakers.  Most ranges I frequent have crushed stone on the ground that is rough on shoes.  After throwing out the 3rd pair in 3 years I'm done with disposable boots.  That's almost $400 down the drain...  Now I just wear my old Danners.  My oldest pair of Danners (made in the USA and resolable) just got rebuilt after 20 years of use and I'm sure I'll get another 20 years out of them.

Good shoes, interestingly enough, are very marketable when used if reasonably taken care of.  I even sold off some of my old expensive dress/office shoes for very good money 2 years ago when I decided to leave Corporate America. Now that I'm back they just put up with me wearing Jeans with Wolverine and Red Wings to meetings  

Wambli Ska

waipapa13 said:

I'm no expert on stock whips, my best mate's grandfather was a saddlemaker and was known for his whips, but unfortunately we planted him about 5 years back.


I'd go roo personally, and with the most plaits I could afford, https://www.aussiewhipmaker.com/
has been around a long time, might be worth a look for you.

Just looked and that's exactly what I was looking for.  Thanks!!!!

Wambli Ska

waipapa13 said:

They are, RM's pretty much occupy the same place as the cowboy boot does in the US, they were and still are a Stockman's boot.

The founder was a legend too. Currently reading a book of his, covers everything from whip making and braiding, to tanning, to making your own boots.

All through it, he keeps commenting, "if you get stuck, write to me and we'll help you".

Name of the book?

Linefinder

I'm a machinist that sometimes has to work within .001' tolerances in either steel or plastic, or even aluminum. That said, the last thing I'd want to do in this world is build myself a pair of boots.

Wambli Ska

Linefinder said:

I'm a machinist that sometimes has to work within .001' tolerances in either steel or plastic, or even aluminum. That said, the last thing I'd want to do in this world is build myself a pair of boots.

Anything above Indian rudimentary moccasins is well beyond my skills!  

waipapa13

Wambli Ska said:

waipapa13 said:

They are, RM's pretty much occupy the same place as the cowboy boot does in the US, they were and still are a Stockman's boot.

The founder was a legend too. Currently reading a book of his, covers everything from whip making and braiding, to tanning, to making your own boots.

All through it, he keeps commenting, "if you get stuck, write to me and we'll help you".

Name of the book?

The Bushman's Handcrafts.

Looks liked it's been revised again, first print was in the '40's, my copy is from the mid 60's.

orchidman

Synchonicity............

This article appeared today in our national newspaper.....Go figure

https://www.viva.co.nz/article/fashion/how-rm-williams-built-legacy-brand/?utm_source=nzherald.co.nz&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=nzh_box

Wambli Ska

waipapa13 said:

Wambli Ska said:

waipapa13 said:

They are, RM's pretty much occupy the same place as the cowboy boot does in the US, they were and still are a Stockman's boot.

The founder was a legend too. Currently reading a book of his, covers everything from whip making and braiding, to tanning, to making your own boots.

All through it, he keeps commenting, "if you get stuck, write to me and we'll help you".

Name of the book?

The Bushman's Handcrafts.

Looks liked it's been revised again, first print was in the '40's, my copy is from the mid 60's.

Thanks!  I’ll find a copy somewhere.  Sounds like a fine read! 

Wambli Ska

orchidman said:

Synchonicity............

This article appeared today in our national newspaper.....Go figure

https://www.viva.co.nz/article/fashion/how-rm-williams-built-legacy-brand/?utm_source=nzherald.co.nz&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=nzh_box

Ok that’s funny.  Good article 👍