What Shoes Are You Wearing WSYW

Went shopping for some cowboy boots to day, came out with a new belt and shirt as well. Moonshine boots made in Mexico with leather sole.
The whole ensemble, yhihaa!

Aldens are my favorite, but it's a matter of shoe last more than anything. When it comes to their shell cordovan models there is little to no difference in build quality. Both are amazing hand built quality and will last a lifetime!

Those are fantastic, and that is a lot closer to Allen Edmonds older burgundy color, before they adjusted it to look more like horween color 8.

Gorgeous shoes and great purchase!

Nice!

Killer. 🥰

Summer time "Made in Italia"
.

A view of Bellagio👍

Pandas

The possibly vintage Allen Edmonds MacNeils have arrived. Placed next to modern day AE burgundy, it is clear that earlier AE "burgundy" is vastly different. I am still trying to decide what product to use on them before wearing them.

Nick Horween (who makes shell) apparently recommends Venetian shoe cream. I recall Adam from Alden of Caramel making a similar recommendation for shell. I would stick with a neutral, or maybe blend a burgundy and a neutral if you're feeling brave. Me personally, I would stick with a neutral and let that shoe show the personality it has.

I've used Saphir cordovan cream (neutral) when I haven't wanted something to darken. I also see lexol recommended for shell a lot on places like r/Goodyearwelt and other shoe forums- I would be concerned that would darken your light burgundy, though. I also think something like Saphir renovateur would darken that shade.

It was a bourbon and boot polish kind of night... cleaned up my 87519s yesterday with saddle soap. These things have been everywhere, including multiple rocky caves and wading through ((gasp)) creeks and lakes getting in and out of a canoe. After 6 years or so they're definitely ready for a new set of soles. Not my most comfortable boot, but very durable.

They, along with my trusty 403s that have been everywhere the 87519s have been and then some, needed a good brushing. The RWs were in need of some bick 4, the Aldens, not as much. The 403s are absolutely, Beyond any doubt, my favorite Boot and tied for the most comfortable. They are on their second sole. They've been through thick and thin. They've stayed comfortable after 10 hours and 8 miles of hiking.

Also decided to give Venetian shoe cream a shot on my cordovan color #8s after my post the other day because I've never used it before. I am incredibly satisfied with the sheen it left on these boots, and I can't tell that it darkened them at all (but this is a very dark color 8, even for Alden). They look awesome.



For as much as I love my watches.. I realized this evening as I spent a lot of time brushing these boots that.. they [the watches] just aren't as important as what is on my feet for hours. Perhaps I've had one too many bourbons, but the boots I wear work much harder than any watch I have ever worn.

I grew up dirt poor, with one pair of cheap shoes per school year. It took me a while to break out of that mentality of not owning more than one pair of shoes but now that I do, I realize how useful it is. How much longer they will live if I take care of them, even if they see hard use.

Enough waxing drunken poetic!