Footwear to go with our jackets

[MrProper]

Tempted to try a barefoot shoe to walk around, what would you guys recommend?

Unfortunately, I can't say much because I only have three pairs of Vivobarefoot and therefore no comparison.
If you like the look of them, I can say that you're probably not doing anything wrong with them.

I would also be interested in the ones from Lems, e.g. these https://www.lemsshoes.com/collectio...oot-leather?variant=23710868766778&country=AT

But I don't know how good they are.

 

[TartuWolf]

@red devil
You're in the UK so I can imagine you have LOADS of options.
My wife loves Koel products, I also think they are fantastic in terms of quality.
You can try a pair of DuckFeet.
I like the wool Ballop Corso.
Lems Boulder Summit if you want more of a rugged boot look.

 

[Bfd70]

Haha, so we are the opposites of the spectrum: I have recently discovered Astorflex, but decided to go Duckfeet first....
Ordering wasn´t at all easy with them. The website seems fine, all going well until after I attempted payment; then I received all sorts of misc. error notices. It has worked now, but my patience had worn thin.

These are what i bought. Very satisfied.
https://www.endclothing.com/us/asto...MnjaxceCr2PG4rD9hYjjyNGjSoF5BmOIaAvNhEALw_wcB

 

[Tom71]

These are what i bought. Very satisfied.
https://www.endclothing.com/us/asto...MnjaxceCr2PG4rD9hYjjyNGjSoF5BmOIaAvNhEALw_wcB

Yes, these are one of their classic models, I guess. I have two pairs of the Paraboot „Michael“ to scratch that particular itch. I am looking at one of Astorflex‘ loafers. Maybe next spring…

 

[red devil]

Unfortunately, I can't say much because I only have three pairs of Vivobarefoot and therefore no comparison.
If you like the look of them, I can say that you're probably not doing anything wrong with them.

I would also be interested in the ones from Lems, e.g. these https://www.lemsshoes.com/collectio...oot-leather?variant=23710868766778&country=AT

But I don't know how good they are.

Thanks, these Lems look good.

Of the Vivo shoes you have, is there a big difference in feel, if so which one would you say is best for trying it out and walking?

@red devil
You're in the UK so I can imagine you have LOADS of options.
My wife loves Koel products, I also think they are fantastic in terms of quality.
You can try a pair of DuckFeet.
I like the wool Ballop Corso.
Lems Boulder Summit if you want more of a rugged boot look.

Quite the choice, thanks!

 

[MrProper]

Thanks, these Lems look good.

Of the Vivo shoes you have, is there a big difference in feel, if so which one would you say is best for trying it out and walking?

I have the Tracker Leather AT, Tracker Moc and Tracker Forrest ESC.
The Forrest is definitely the best choice for tough off-road hikes.
For everyday wear, the Tracker Leather AT are a good choice because they look quite discreet.
I actually think the Mocs are the coolest, but they are quite conspicuous.
I think they all feel equally good and hardly notice any difference. If there is a difference, it might be in the Forrest, because it has a thicker tread and therefore possibly more cushioning. But I don't really notice that.

 

[red devil]

I have the Tracker Leather AT, Tracker Moc and Tracker Forrest ESC.
The Forrest is definitely the best choice for tough off-road hikes.
For everyday wear, the Tracker Leather AT are a good choice because they look quite discreet.
I actually think the Mocs are the coolest, but they are quite conspicuous.
I think they all feel equally good and hardly notice any difference. If there is a difference, it might be in the Forrest, because it has a thicker tread and therefore possibly more cushioning. But I don't really notice that.

Thanks, that's exactly the info I needed, I'd get the Tracker Leather AT out of these.

 

[Liam_Og]

I'm planning to grab a pair as well, but used for 1/3 of the price, not new.

I’m thinking of it too

 

[Liam_Og]

Have been looking at Astorflex recently too.

 

[Bfd70]

Yes, these are one of their classic models, I guess. I have two pairs of the Paraboot „Michael“ to scratch that particular itch. I am looking at one of Astorflex‘ loafers. Maybe next spring…

I bought a pair of paraboot chambord.
highly rec. Tough to get here.

 

[Tom71]

I bought a pair of paraboot chambord.
highly rec. Tough to get here.

They’re French but virtually unheard of this side of the border.
I’ve bought mine in England of all places. So very, very comfortable!

 

[Herrvallmo]

I have this pair of boots I've been playing around with, did a full recolor from a greyish-green to black, put some color on the soles to not make them "pop" as much as the original and removed the speed hooks(I HATE speedhooks, got some eyelets on the way to finish it).

Super happy with the "new" look for now, may black them out 100% in the future but right now it feels like I got a brand new pair of boots. Sadly I have no good "before" pictures(just a ****py one found online) but here are some of the result at least

 

[TartuWolf]

I have this pair of boots I've been playing around with, did a full recolor from a greyish-green to black, put some color on the soles to not make them "pop" as much as the original and removed the speed hooks(I HATE speedhooks, got some eyelets on the way to finish it).

Super happy with the "new" look for now, may black them out 100% in the future but right now it feels like I got a brand new pair of boots. Sadly I have no good "before" pictures(just a ****py one found online) but here are some of the result at least

Looked better before the alterations IMO, but what was up with the speed hook and eyelet color not matching?

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

Gonna have to agree with @TartuWolf.
They were much more interesting to look at before being blacked out

 

[Herrvallmo]

Looked better before the alterations IMO, but what was up with the speed hook and eyelet color not matching?

Hmm, I don't know why they decided to use two different colors really(never noticed before you told me haha).

I couldn't stand the original color(bought at sale not really thinking, the classic you know) as I thought it was super dull in real life vs pictures on the net, making it hard to match.

@TartuWolf @bigmanbigtruck I'm glad for the honesty! as it should be

Cheers!

 

[Tom71]

That said, I just ordered a pair of "Duckfeet" shoes, as per the discussion on TFL last week. Not really "barefoot" shoes, but with a broad toebox and very little heel elevation. Just curious at this point in time, but visually I guess they will work well enough with a simple pair of Jeans and a T-Shirt.

Update here: Shoes arrived yesterday; took me longer to conquer the bugs of the website than it took the box to swim over from Denmark.

Shoes are beautiful; leather is great. Pix sometime later. Bought a pair for my wife too, as a surprise and can´t break mine out without spoiling the gift.

The fit guide on the website is a fraud, though. They make you measure your feet in "mm" (which technically should be ideal, as due to the broad toe-box, lenght is really all that matters) and suggest a size.
I was unconvinvced from the get-go, despite assurances from the custom service teams (very responsive) and sized up one. Turns out, they fit, but two sizes up from the suggestion would have worked too.
IRecommendation: just pick your "normal" size and ignore the measuremnt-chart.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

Got Truman's Gallun Horse Rump boots today. Really dig the shrunken hide revealing all the striations. Very chunky leather used here as well. Was kind of worried about how stiff it is and the break-in more likely to break my foot - but all things considered are surprisingly comfortable.

Thanks @Khilij & @Tom71 for sharing your experience with Truman

 

[BloodEagle]

Stormy weather in the UK this weekend, and what better footwear for this than my Buco engineers.

 

[Tom71]

Got Truman's Gallun Horse Rump boots today. Really dig the shrunken hide revealing all the striations. Very chunky leather used here as well. Was kind of worried about how stiff it is and the break-in more likely to break my foot - but all things considered are surprisingly comfortable.

Thanks @Khilij & @Tom71 for sharing your experience with Truman
View attachment 660651 View attachment 660652

They look great!

 

[barnabus]

How versatile are black boots, really?

I'm after some Chelsea boots at the moment and instinctively I go for brown or tan - so all the boots I've got are brown or tan.

I feel like getting some in black as a bit of a change, but I don't want something that feels too 'smart' and serious.

Do you wear black?