NEW BOOTS ....

[BIGTWIG]

@cory

 

[cory]

Geez fair to say you have THE sweetest set up.

In addition to the iron which could be considered an art form in some circles, you have a bit of art on the wall too?

Are you first gen BIGTWIG-er?

 

[BIGTWIG]

Thank you, Cory.
First gen, started in 2009.

 

[Burnham]

OK, now I am officially jealous.

 

[cory]

Tell me about it!

 

[davidwyby]

Not seeing much I like in their catalog, and their combat boots are spendy. My avg price for boots over my lifetime is probably $12/pr :^D I can't wear heels, and I'm not a fan of synthetics. I've zeroed in on combat boots as being perfect. 10" height, low heel. I'm flexible with the various options, but anything has to be mil spec(much prefer non steel toe though). I think I've had every valid option at this point, and they're all fine.

I might have a different opinion if I needed calks, but I'd want combat boots with spikes on the bottom, or as close as possible.

Watch eBay for Chippewas or Carolinas.

I like combats except the sole. Maybe I’ll get some and get them resoled.

 

[davidwyby]

I stumbled on some White’s the other day. Managed to resist.

 

[Burnham]

"Stumbled"....

 

[lxskllr]

I found some like new Haix boots in the thriftshop for $10. Too small for me, and I texted Mike, and his feet were too wide. Not my choice for boots, but I'll try anything for $10.

 

[Burnham]

Heck, I have to pay more than that for a decent pair of wool socks!

 

[davidwyby]

"Stumbled"....

I thought they were only custom fitted but they had them at CAL- ranch in AZ

 

[BIGTWIG]

Some stores will stock Whites boots, but generally the smokejumpers are a 6+ month build time. They have rebuilt boots faster in the winter time, though.

 

[stikine]

Boots, come on you are all slackers.
Lw corks,

 

[BIGTWIG]

What are these floppy floppy’s?
You don’t drive with your corks on?

 

[stikine]

Hoffman's haix, meaidel, White's smoke jumper

 

[stikine]

What are these floppy floppy’s?
You don’t drive with your corks on?

Haha, just some protection for flying in helicopters friend

 

[stikine]

Truth be told we mostly use our rubber corks.

 

[lxskllr]

This isn't half my collection. Just what I have sitting close...

 

[BIGTWIG]

Haha, just some protection for flying in helicopters friend

Sounds more expensive than a Ford XL 😂

 

[stikine]

Sounds more expensive than a Ford XL 😂

Might be, probably not as much as your rigs. 😄

 

[stikine]

This isn't half my collection. Just what I have sitting close...

View attachment 143204

Where's the deluxe pair that are half shoegoo?

 

[lxskllr]

This is one of them...



My one with the leather patch is at work. It's resting til warmer weather. Currently using workboots that better accomodate thicker socks. The leather patch has exceeded expectations. I'm very pleased with the repair.

 

[Cobleskill]

Better than duct tape! Did you use one of those awl needles with the built in spool? I wonder if they are still for sale. Most people just throw stuff away these days.

 

[lxskllr]

The leather patch I just shoegooed down. I put a skim coat of shoegoo over the whole thing after first cure, but that didn't really accomplish much. It just slowly peeled off. I do have a Myers sewing awl though. Two of them in fact, and a harborfreight Chinese facsimile. I bought the HF one for the needles. I need to get off my ass and track down (quality)replacement needles for the Myers awls.

I've been meaning to pickup some Barge cement, but I keep forgetting when I'm ordering online. I should check a couple local stores, but I kind of doubt they'll have it. I have a pair of boat shoes that have peeling soles. They're just old. I got them from the thriftshop ~20 years ago, and however old they were before that. The glue just gave up, and showgoo is too thick to do a nice job on them, though it would work.

 

[lxskllr]

This is the repair from March 2024. I'm not sure how you'd lockstitch something like that without a very frustrating 'feel & place' game with the thread. A real cobbler could probably disassemble the thing and put them back together, but then it would cost more than new boots.



This is Oct 2024. They've been through a lot. Submerged in mud/water, climbing around on concrete encrusted rebar, and walking through brier filled woods. Only one little edge has lifted slightly, and it hasn't gotten worse since the pic was taken.



I wanted to use the nylon material from a dead pair of boots, but couldn't find it, so I used leather from a beat pair of gloves. I later found the nylon, thought 'of course that's where it is!', then promptly forgot where I found it. Getting old's tough :^D