Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by cjd

Don't wear the same ones every day. Salt water is also really hard on materials, especially leather. I'm making an assumption on failure mode here but years ago I was a fit specialist and occasionally got to customize work bootsand heard this a lot. Also if you wear cotton socks, consider synthetics or wool... Cotton is a sponge and doesn't breathe once wet. Just makes everything worse.

so you're saying i should be alternating between 2 pairs of work boots?

these are the socks i use, they're a blend
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

62% Cotton, 30% Polyester, 6% Nylon, 2% Elastane

[Kiske]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

https://www.redwingshoes.com/
Fifteen years ago, these were the shizzle. I haven't shopped for safety boots in a long time. I'd still consider them first if I was looking today.

I'm currently on a set that is way overdue for a replacement after a year. Did the whole foot scanner to get the custom inserts and everything. The inserts killed my feet after a few hours. Bared through it and after a month they broke in. Felt like a rock was placed in the middle for the longest time.

The exterior held up but the foam lining on the inside heel was done for after about 6 months. My biggest complaint is the laces. They are a hardened round cord that will not stay tied for shit. Double bow (knots) and I still have to redo them a few times a day.


Limited choices though as I really enjoy a sneaker-style low cut work boot

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Kiske

I'm currently on a set

Oh, that is a bummer. Goes to show that brand should be low in the order of things to consider.

[soundman98]

yea, i never tried redwings. my brother did once, he got 3 weeks in trying to break them in. his feet got so chewed up he could barely walk after that. took about 2 months to recover

[cjd]

Originally Posted by soundman98

so you're saying i should be alternating between 2 pairs of work boots?

these are the socks i use, they're a blend
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

62% Cotton, 30% Polyester, 6% Nylon, 2% Elastane

Depends on failure mode but it can definitely help to alternate. Gives 'em a chance to dry out rather than soaking out. Won't help a thing if it's the soles wearing first or cracking, but if it's uppers or inners it probably will at least a little - maybe a lot.

If it's just inners coming apart it may also just be poor fit or lack of support, too. Often a generic orthotic can help (I prefer Superfeet, but there are a couple other good options these days).
And if you're one to sweat a lot... ditch the cotton. Once had a customer swearing at me so bad I almost kicked him out... he was complaining about his feet always being hot and sweaty in his dress shoes (banker type) and sure enough, cotton. Which is, of course, a good fabric if it's hot... as long as sweat/moisture is able to evaporate, something shoes prevent. Sold him a pair of Smartwool socks (they offered a money back guarantee... may still) - next weekend he ordered a case of 'em. Turns out moving sweat helps keep you comfy. Full synthetics work well too for most folks (cold feet, less so - that's where the good merino/merino synthetic blends work well)
Some shoes like workout/running shoes are likely to lose any good sole/support/padding before the uppers look bad - so if you're using a soft EVA midsole type shoe and that's what is failing, this may just be how they go.
I was only able to offer Redwing to the guys coming in for work boots (outdoor outfitter so we mostly sold hiking boots) and didn't always sell... sometimes just did fit mods (heel cup refit and stretching mostly). Maybe when I age out of my current role I'll find my way back to something like that. The stories were always fun, especially outfitting kids to go wander Europe for a few months and the like.

[Captain Snooze]

.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by cjd

Depends on failure mode but it can definitely help to alternate. Gives 'em a chance to dry out rather than soaking out. Won't help a thing if it's the soles wearing first or cracking, but if it's uppers or inners it probably will at least a little - maybe a lot.

If it's just inners coming apart it may also just be poor fit or lack of support, too. Often a generic orthotic can help (I prefer Superfeet, but there are a couple other good options these days).
And if you're one to sweat a lot... ditch the cotton. Once had a customer swearing at me so bad I almost kicked him out... he was complaining about his feet always being hot and sweaty in his dress shoes (banker type) and sure enough, cotton. Which is, of course, a good fabric if it's hot... as long as sweat/moisture is able to evaporate, something shoes prevent. Sold him a pair of Smartwool socks (they offered a money back guarantee... may still) - next weekend he ordered a case of 'em. Turns out moving sweat helps keep you comfy. Full synthetics work well too for most folks (cold feet, less so - that's where the good merino/merino synthetic blends work well)
Some shoes like workout/running shoes are likely to lose any good sole/support/padding before the uppers look bad - so if you're using a soft EVA midsole type shoe and that's what is failing, this may just be how they go.
I was only able to offer Redwing to the guys coming in for work boots (outdoor outfitter so we mostly sold hiking boots) and didn't always sell... sometimes just did fit mods (heel cup refit and stretching mostly). Maybe when I age out of my current role I'll find my way back to something like that. The stories were always fun, especially outfitting kids to go wander Europe for a few months and the like.

i'm willing to give them a shot. but $22/pair! i'd end up nearly $350 in socks!

is there a poor man's version?

[cjd]

Originally Posted by soundman98

i'm willing to give them a shot. but $22/pair! i'd end up nearly $350 in socks!

is there a poor man's version?

I find Bridgedale lasts a lot longer... Cost more too but cheaper in the long run for me. I try to find rejects at a sale site... Don't care if the brand name is missing letters. Campsaver or Campmor. Wigwam does good stuff too and a range of prices. Just look for merino wool in socks. Fancy full synthetic brand is Thorlo. Loads of options and don't feel like you have to jump for the stuff I used to sell. Decent stuff is around for less. I just don't know the brands by memory.

Fwiw I have 15 year old Bridgedale still holding up well... 23 year old pair is a bit threadbare in the heel now... But still not gone holey. Usually do laundry every couple weeks. I'm light so maybe a bit easier on socks than some.

[Captain Snooze]

I have no idea what I'm looking at here but I'm thinking it wasn't produced within the last 5 years.

[bcj]

59 Chebby
Single year only tail lights - unobtainium
First year of the El Camino - not pictured here

Awesome straight six merc two stroke outboard
re-worked boat hull to matchy-match

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I have no idea what I'm looking at here but I'm thinking it wasn't produced within the last 5 years.

They made lots of boats that looked like cars with fins back then. Not many survived. Fiberglass rots.

There isn't many lakes these days that allow old 2 stroke motors. You can watch the trail of oil behind you.

Edit: in the US.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I have no idea what I'm looking at here but I'm thinking it wasn't produced within the last 5 years.



Attachment 216257

They had 59 Chevys in Australia. Or at least there was one. The owners did fair to well though.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by bcj

59 Chebby
Single year only tail lights - unobtainium
First year of the El Camino - not pictured here

Awesome straight six merc two stroke outboard
re-worked boat hull to matchy-match

I had a still in box NOS pair of them in my basement for years which was odd since I never owned a 59. Think I got them with a bunch of stuff I bought for my 58 back in 81. Sold them for 2 or 3 hundred (don’t remember exactly) about 20 years ago.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I had a still in box NOS pair of them in my basement for years which was odd since I never owned a 59. Think I got them with a bunch of stuff I bought for my 58 back in 81. Sold them for 2 or 3 hundred (don’t remember exactly) about 20 years ago.

With a quick search I found remakes for $20, and original restored with bezels for $1100.