John Lofgren Steel Gang… a perfect boot?

I have a little land and a family farm. I have worn these boots 12-14 hours a day doing chores around the property, at work in the office and going to town on the occasional Sunday.

Starting with care, I brush them daily. Once a week after ~90 hours of wear, they get a little Obenauf’s or Smith’s. We haven’t seen too much snow yet but the treatments will increase as the heels and midsole dry from snow. Break-in took a little longer than bovine leather but was expected from horse butt. The leather is still quite rigid and I expect them to take years to really get supple. They started out as a camel / light saddle color and have started to darken up into a beautiful deep saddle. One thing to note is the dye on one vamp “chipped” off in the beginning where the creases were forming. I’ve never seen this before. Being a teacore leather it doesn’t look too bad now but at first I was feeling a little short changed. Another competitor has these boots in the dark brown. I really love the way the texture shows on the darker finish.

They fit amazing. I have high arches and wide feet but these are close to my most comfortable boots. The toes box has ample room. I prefer a higher arch, namely the 55 last from White’s & Nick’s but these are great. Definitely size down 1/2 from your Brannock size with the John Lofgren 120 last, namely the Steel Gang and Donkey Puncher.

The design is classic and the construction is amazing. They are definitely worth the premium price.

The traction is nice without having a full lug and they have barely shown any wear

The traction is nice without having a full lug and they have barely shown any wear

I love these boots! Seventy-five days in and I am not regretting running them this year.