Reviews

Boot and shoe reviews from real owners. Honest evaluations of quality, construction, sizing, fit, comfort, durability, and patina development.

I recommend, ordering from Wesco website and brannock size with insole

Wesco Boss Engineer Boot in Burgundy Domain
By Mobeeenzeee • October 26, 2025"Working in the office, light walking, or just going about daily life...."Read the full review
Thumbnail of review: I recommend, ordering from Wesco website and brannock size with insole
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A perfect blend of rugged and refined - with character to spare.

Viberg Service Boot BCT in Maryam Fango Vitello Calf
By Slash • October 21, 2025"I first used this boot only for work since it's a nice color, goes well with chinos and has a relatively formal style thanks to the BCT. I also really loved that it didn't crease too much. After a few months of use I started using it for every occasion, whether it was going to work or just walking to dog. The big change came when I decided to take this boot on my vacation to Africa, where I wore it very rough for 3 weeks (alternated with another boot). The sun, the mud, and the sweat blended to really push the boot towards a cool patina, which I love. I've since cleaned and conditioned it and it looks phenomenal...."Read the full review
Thumbnail of review: A perfect blend of rugged and refined - with character to spare.
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Worn for 3 weeks so far and they feel great! Super solid and supportive. The leather is beautiful.

White's MP-Sherman Toe Cap in Horween Olive Waxed Flesh
By ZFitzGolf • October 20, 2025"I’ve worn them to perform site visits at multiple manufacturing facilities. Ive worn them for up to 8 hours and have had no issues with discomfort...."Read the full review
Thumbnail of review: Worn for 3 weeks so far and they feel great! Super solid and supportive. The leather is beautiful.
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A Secondhand Shell Steal

Carmina Zip Boots in Horween Bourbon Shell Cordovan
By nikolanottesla • October 13, 2025"These were fastidiously cared for before I picked them up through a Discord transaction. I'm not sure why the previous owner decided to let them go, but I'm glad he did: I ended up with a beautiful pair of boots at an absolute steal of a price. I, stupidly, never took any "before" photos when they arrived. They came on fairly worn leather soles with a pronounced toe spring, so I immediately sent them off to Unsung for a V-Bar resole. My hope was that a fresh sole and new cork filling would correct the spring and help the boots mold better to my feet. Unsurprisingly, the guys at Unsung knocked it out of the park: they came back looking practically brand new (minus some set rolling in the upper). If I could do it all over again, I'd probably opt for a midsole. I wanted to preserve the low profile and stance of the original design, but skipping the midsole left their aesthetic sitting somewhere between a sleek European slip-on and a side zip with a hint of Western Americana. To me, it kinda-works-kinda-doesn't. Horween's Bourbon shell ages beautifully. It darkens over time, developing a rich depth of color that makes these one of the first pairs I reach for when I want something in that caramel shade. The dull glow which shell picks up after a few minutes of brushing seems almost exaggerated here: they shine with next to no effort. The pattern and clicking were executed beautifully by Carmina too, as the vamp and shaft rolls have developed in a way that leans the whole boot into a well-worn/character-rich look. As far as I know, this particular makeup isn't even available through Carmina's custom design program. So... yeah... a total steal in my book...."Read the full review
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A Red Wing Retrospective

Red Wing Iron Ranger in S.B. Foot Amber Harness
By nikolanottesla • October 13, 2025"For many of us, Red Wing (particularly the Iron Ranger) serves as the gateway drug into this hobby. I never expected my first pair of welted boots to spark what became an adult scavenger hunt for rare and interesting footwear. But despite the numerous pairs that have cycled through my collection (some far more expensive than these), this pair has stayed put. And likely always will. Calling them a "starter boot" feels like an understatement of just how strong a value proposition they offer. Excellent materials and unmatched quality of construction at this price point. Red Wings are the mid-90s base-model Lexus of the boot world. Relatively affordable with some (but minimal) flash, built with an unwavering commitment to quality and function. Rock-solid dependability. You can upgrade, sure, but that's a matter of choice rather than necessity; you could be perfectly content owning these as your sole (ha!) pair of high-end welted footwear for life. I picked these up from the flagship store in Minnesota during one of the toughest professional stretches of my life. In hindsight, I think planning that drive and debating which model to buy helped pull me through some of the worst of it. Since then, they've been everywhere with me: on trips, through milestones, through change. They don't see much wear these days, maybe a few times a year. But I still like having them prominently displayed on my footwear shelf as a quiet reminder of where all this fun (see: insanity) started...."Read the full review
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for the first time I joined an open Dome

JanSewn Boots JS-200 in indonesian Tan Pull Up
By januardwijuang • October 13, 2025"I only wear these boots indoors..."Read the full review
Thumbnail of review: for the first time I joined an open Dome
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