I mean for 100$ pretty hard to find anything better. You'd be better off saving up for Thursday's or Jim Green's or whatever but for 100 bucks you can't really expect anything better. I'd rather get a pair of sneakers but it's kind of subjective.
Trust me on this: Do not always trust what rose anvil has to say about boots. He has misconceptions about lots of boots, more importantly, if you are able to do research, you will see how cheap leather actually is from where they get it. It's only in the US and Canada that boot prices go upto 100s of dollars.
@@humanfirst11 I mean, that's blatantly not true. Tons of bootmakers all over Europe and Asia making really high-quality boots that cost what they're worth in labour and materials.
@@humanfirst11to be fair, the claims Portland is making leave little room for anything sub-par. If they had said "this is a top tier $100 boot", that would be one thing. Their claims go far beyond that, and then some.
It was a good video covering them. I commented there too that PLG started with Goodyear welted construction as part of their value proposition. Their bags and tech products are their bread & butter, but they made a okay at “handmade by 3rd generation boot makers” limited time for this massive discount kind of thing. They have a $200-250 listed price in most of their Patina branded footwear with constant sales for less with almost content promo codes for probably what they boots are really worth in the American market. The weird games with making people think that they’re getting a huge discount from made up numbers, along with the unannounced switch to cemented construction with no change in price, and then hiding where their leather and outside come from all make them pretty shady.
These are all great tips that come from Nick's years of boot reviewing experience. He's right! Companies that do great boots are proud about their craft and openly show how they make their boots and where they source their materials.
Good list. I almost want to say the transparency part is my #1 because so many subpar brands hide their crappy boots behind vague statements about construction, materials, or origin. However, sometimes perfectly reputable brands can be strangely non-transparent as well. For example, a lot of the PNW brands will use Horween leathers labelled as such in some of their boots (they'll specifically call out that it's Horween Chromexcel or Horween Waxed Flesh), but don't list the tannery of origin for their more standard work leathers, despite the fact that this leather is also very high quality from reputable tanneries. As an example, White's never tells you anywhere that their work and dress leathers come from Seidel, even though it does and Seidel leather is at least as good as Horween. I think a lot of the newer or more fashion-oriented companies will specify tanneries, but the more old-school work-oriented companies often don't because they don't realise how much boot nerds like us nerd out over things like that. Just my guess.
I have those Grant Stone storm kudu diesels you used in the thumbnail. They fit great and the combo of grey leather with a good kudu lottery texture makes them break necks when I wear them.
I have some Meermin kudus and these are probably the only pair of Meermins I will keep in the long run. The leather is very comfortable due to its softness and stretchiness.
Great list, won't do wrong following those points. Ironically, I listened to the Full Grain podcast with the Grant Stone boys, they spoke about the Chromexcel lottery. Another factor is how discerning the boot maker is when cutting leather. Viberg has a great reputation for their leather compared to others. Full Grain is a good sign, but there are other factors like the tanning process and the selection of leather. I believe that chromexcel is better than Thursday Chrome.
You're the first I've heard say that Beckett Siminon leather isn't great. I recently bought a pair of pull up leather loafers from them. So not a boot, of course. To my untrained eye, they are nice. I am not saying you are wrong. These loafers are the first "big boy" footwear purchase I have made. I had heard good things about their boots before now. I will definitely have to look closer before purchasing again. Thank you!
Beckett Simonon's leather is perfectly fine. I've got three pairs that I've had for several years and other then some creasing its held up great. They are just like Thursday. Their leather is fine for a $200 boot, but if that leather came on a $400+ pair of boots you should have a problem with it. Its all relative to price point.
I have two pairs from BS and I love them especially for the price. They do sales regularly making it a no brainer. I love BS. My Nolan boots are one of my favorite pairs in my boot collection.
A company that will help you get the very best fit is helpful to me. Not sure why they can't all just use the Brannock sizing, but since they won't, having someone to tell you what they recommend based on something else you own or a brannock conversion matters to me.
Getting really excited about the TXture boots I ordered based on your recommendations. Should have them in 4-8 weeks according to the latest update I asked about...
1:46 Roughout and Suede are different. Suede is split leather, but roughout is full grain but flipped (top grain inside the boot and the fleshy side outside). Nice video though.
No I know roughout and suede are different, i just mean when someone says 'these boots are made with full grain leather' they aren't talking about a roughout boot.
I have developed a real bias for a veg-tan leather insole now. They are a pain to break in, but once you get over that and your foot print starts to become apparent in the boots, they become old familar friends.
The Portland Boot is attractive, but from what I've seen, is overrated. I've worn some Clarks stuff in the past in the UK but moving away from them because they don't mention the tannery, or even the construction. For their 'higher-end' Craftsmaster stuff, the guess is that it's stitch down, but it doesn't say anything to confirm.
Most of Clarks' should be from CF Stead but I'm not sure. None of them are really meant to be resoled having the crepe outsoles so the construction doesn't really matters that much. They're more sneakers than hard-soled shoes. For what they are, they're good but they're not really meant to last a decade or be recrafted.
I dont think Maverick that people know is a tannery, pal. It is a leather shop, carrying many horween, sb foot, and other tanneries. Maverick tannery exist in Canada but it is not provider of many hides for the footwear factories.
Im looking at getting a new chelsea boot one nicer than a blundstone but not crazy expensive that i can wear on every occasion and you can resole any recommendations?
I dont get how stitchdown is harder to resole? You dont even need a fancy sewing machine to do it. Just rip the old sole off and cement the new one on after scuffing both surfaces. I could do it in my garage for crying out loud.
If it is only glued to the upper you will probably damage the uppers and then the shoes are done for. Especially on glued shoes where leather quality is lower in general.
@teekue no you'll just mess up the mid sole which can also be replaced. There's plenty of cobblers on youtube doing this for Blake stitch and stitch down shoes
blimey i do not know! you know a lot of places just kind of invent new kinds of construction haha White's Cruiser is an example I go into here czcams.com/video/S0T4EL0fzBI/video.htmlsi=LwTVxeP4b137NCpF&t=373
those are Rancourt's Baxter boots, they have a wedge sole too. Not on the site right now but the Harrison is www.rancourtandcompany.com/collections/mocs
I have noticed a very strange thing about you: You hardly make any eye-contact with the camera!!! You hardly look at the camera directly, you might look for half a second and then you turn your eyes away 😮😮😮 I have also noticed that pattern when you interview someone, you avoid making eye contacts with them, you rather be looking down or looking at the boots or simply doing lots of head movements and hand gestures, but you avoid eye contact as much as possible, both with the person sitting in front of you and also your camera audience.
People do, but honestly, we people that like these kinda shoes most of the time will buy them for the craft and have too many pairs to even wear down one of them enough. That being said I don't even want to know how many pairs of shoes I threw away before I got into more durable shoes and boots. This could have easily been avoided.
Rose Anvil did a nice video on the Portland boot a few days. Terrible quality and materials. Worth a watch.
I mean for 100$ pretty hard to find anything better. You'd be better off saving up for Thursday's or Jim Green's or whatever but for 100 bucks you can't really expect anything better. I'd rather get a pair of sneakers but it's kind of subjective.
Trust me on this: Do not always trust what rose anvil has to say about boots. He has misconceptions about lots of boots, more importantly, if you are able to do research, you will see how cheap leather actually is from where they get it. It's only in the US and Canada that boot prices go upto 100s of dollars.
@@humanfirst11 I mean, that's blatantly not true. Tons of bootmakers all over Europe and Asia making really high-quality boots that cost what they're worth in labour and materials.
@@humanfirst11to be fair, the claims Portland is making leave little room for anything sub-par. If they had said "this is a top tier $100 boot", that would be one thing. Their claims go far beyond that, and then some.
It was a good video covering them. I commented there too that PLG started with Goodyear welted construction as part of their value proposition. Their bags and tech products are their bread & butter, but they made a okay at “handmade by 3rd generation boot makers” limited time for this massive discount kind of thing. They have a $200-250 listed price in most of their Patina branded footwear with constant sales for less with almost content promo codes for probably what they boots are really worth in the American market.
The weird games with making people think that they’re getting a huge discount from made up numbers, along with the unannounced switch to cemented construction with no change in price, and then hiding where their leather and outside come from all make them pretty shady.
These are all great tips that come from Nick's years of boot reviewing experience. He's right! Companies that do great boots are proud about their craft and openly show how they make their boots and where they source their materials.
Good list.
I almost want to say the transparency part is my #1 because so many subpar brands hide their crappy boots behind vague statements about construction, materials, or origin. However, sometimes perfectly reputable brands can be strangely non-transparent as well. For example, a lot of the PNW brands will use Horween leathers labelled as such in some of their boots (they'll specifically call out that it's Horween Chromexcel or Horween Waxed Flesh), but don't list the tannery of origin for their more standard work leathers, despite the fact that this leather is also very high quality from reputable tanneries. As an example, White's never tells you anywhere that their work and dress leathers come from Seidel, even though it does and Seidel leather is at least as good as Horween. I think a lot of the newer or more fashion-oriented companies will specify tanneries, but the more old-school work-oriented companies often don't because they don't realise how much boot nerds like us nerd out over things like that. Just my guess.
I have those Grant Stone storm kudu diesels you used in the thumbnail. They fit great and the combo of grey leather with a good kudu lottery texture makes them break necks when I wear them.
I'm a huge fan of them!
I have some Meermin kudus and these are probably the only pair of Meermins I will keep in the long run. The leather is very comfortable due to its softness and stretchiness.
Great list, won't do wrong following those points. Ironically, I listened to the Full Grain podcast with the Grant Stone boys, they spoke about the Chromexcel lottery. Another factor is how discerning the boot maker is when cutting leather. Viberg has a great reputation for their leather compared to others. Full Grain is a good sign, but there are other factors like the tanning process and the selection of leather. I believe that chromexcel is better than Thursday Chrome.
Excellent video. Non boot lovers will understand us boot lovers a little more with this video.
You're the first I've heard say that Beckett Siminon leather isn't great. I recently bought a pair of pull up leather loafers from them. So not a boot, of course. To my untrained eye, they are nice. I am not saying you are wrong. These loafers are the first "big boy" footwear purchase I have made. I had heard good things about their boots before now. I will definitely have to look closer before purchasing again. Thank you!
Beckett Simonon's leather is perfectly fine. I've got three pairs that I've had for several years and other then some creasing its held up great. They are just like Thursday. Their leather is fine for a $200 boot, but if that leather came on a $400+ pair of boots you should have a problem with it. Its all relative to price point.
@@anthonyh9481that makes sense. Thanks!
@@anthonyh9481they recently changed leather suppliers
I have two pairs from BS and I love them especially for the price. They do sales regularly making it a no brainer. I love BS. My Nolan boots are one of my favorite pairs in my boot collection.
Sure, there are better leathers but FOR THE PRICE Beckett Simonon can't be beat.
A company that will help you get the very best fit is helpful to me. Not sure why they can't all just use the Brannock sizing, but since they won't, having someone to tell you what they recommend based on something else you own or a brannock conversion matters to me.
It’d be great if you did a video on henleys, how to pick the right one, how to style them, what brands are good, etc
Great quick and concise guide. Thanks, Nick.
I just ordered my first boots in the shape of Eastland, I hope they're good. Nice video.
Getting really excited about the TXture boots I ordered based on your recommendations. Should have them in 4-8 weeks according to the latest update I asked about...
That's awesome! I'm visiting Bandung next week :D
Another very good and informative video Nick… Enjoy your videos… Keep up the great work… Greg👍
Appreciate it Greg!
Absolutely agree. Well said.
Great video as always,can you please research and do a review on Asphalte boots?,they make derby boots from Portugal.
loving the jacket dude
Thanks! It's Taylor Stitch's long haul
SB Foot Tanning Company Red Wing MN
1:46 Roughout and Suede are different. Suede is split leather, but roughout is full grain but flipped (top grain inside the boot and the fleshy side outside). Nice video though.
No I know roughout and suede are different, i just mean when someone says 'these boots are made with full grain leather' they aren't talking about a roughout boot.
I have developed a real bias for a veg-tan leather insole now. They are a pain to break in, but once you get over that and your foot print starts to become apparent in the boots, they become old familar friends.
@@TobiasRieperGood That just sounds like cheating 😊...but thanks for the tip. I have never tried it before.
How to buy good boots:
1) Watch Strisewise
2) Do what the man says.
Job done.
The Portland Boot is attractive, but from what I've seen, is overrated. I've worn some Clarks stuff in the past in the UK but moving away from them because they don't mention the tannery, or even the construction. For their 'higher-end' Craftsmaster stuff, the guess is that it's stitch down, but it doesn't say anything to confirm.
Most of Clarks' should be from CF Stead but I'm not sure. None of them are really meant to be resoled having the crepe outsoles so the construction doesn't really matters that much. They're more sneakers than hard-soled shoes. For what they are, they're good but they're not really meant to last a decade or be recrafted.
Im wanting to find a pure mink oil is red moose good? If not what is a company that makes a real 100% pure mink oil paste
I dont think Maverick that people know is a tannery, pal. It is a leather shop, carrying many horween, sb foot, and other tanneries. Maverick tannery exist in Canada but it is not provider of many hides for the footwear factories.
What are the pumpkin-colored boots second from left (your right)? They appear to be the tallest boots in this video. Thanks.
He says at the end there is a link to the best boots @6:35 but I can't see the link.
Im looking at getting a new chelsea boot one nicer than a blundstone but not crazy expensive that i can wear on every occasion and you can resole any recommendations?
Out of all those boots which ones are your favorite
What are the roughout boondockers on the right?
how come you didn't show up at the NYC boot camp last week?
i was there both days :D
1 Fit
2 Fit
3 Fit
4 Fit
5 Fit
I dont get how stitchdown is harder to resole? You dont even need a fancy sewing machine to do it. Just rip the old sole off and cement the new one on after scuffing both surfaces. I could do it in my garage for crying out loud.
If it is only glued to the upper you will probably damage the uppers and then the shoes are done for. Especially on glued shoes where leather quality is lower in general.
@teekue no you'll just mess up the mid sole which can also be replaced. There's plenty of cobblers on youtube doing this for Blake stitch and stitch down shoes
@@teekue how do you think wedge soles are done
thursday boots has some boots for sale that say they are sturdy STITCHOUT construction
.....What the hell is that? is that stitchdown??
blimey i do not know! you know a lot of places just kind of invent new kinds of construction haha White's Cruiser is an example I go into here czcams.com/video/S0T4EL0fzBI/video.htmlsi=LwTVxeP4b137NCpF&t=373
what are the 5th boots the ones that have a moc toe with a regular heel?
those are Rancourt's Baxter boots, they have a wedge sole too. Not on the site right now but the Harrison is www.rancourtandcompany.com/collections/mocs
I have noticed a very strange thing about you: You hardly make any eye-contact with the camera!!! You hardly look at the camera directly, you might look for half a second and then you turn your eyes away 😮😮😮
I have also noticed that pattern when you interview someone, you avoid making eye contacts with them, you rather be looking down or looking at the boots or simply doing lots of head movements and hand gestures, but you avoid eye contact as much as possible, both with the person sitting in front of you and also your camera audience.
I just noticed that in this vid, never before. I assumed Nick was looking at script or something. Now I will never be able to unnotice it
First
3rd time now 🎉
@@alexmorgab9441 nailed it dude!!!!!
Does anyone really wear boots long enough per day to justify this over-engineering? Most would prefer value over perfection.
What do you mean for 'overengineering'?
People do, but honestly, we people that like these kinda shoes most of the time will buy them for the craft and have too many pairs to even wear down one of them enough. That being said I don't even want to know how many pairs of shoes I threw away before I got into more durable shoes and boots. This could have easily been avoided.
This doesn’t make any sense.
Save your money up, buy a pair of Iron Rangers. Call it good. You don't need anymore. If you have more then a couple pairs of boots you're a dandy.
🙄
Will hold up quite well but they are really not comfortable.
Informative video
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽🎿🥾