Having had a pair of wolverines I found for 60$, and wore them to death for over a decade, that finally died to smell after being worn in sewage water, I was dismayed when I found out that my 1 year old Doc Martins couldn't be resoled. With the sole flat, and me getting 0 traction on anything but blacktop, it was time for a new pair. Unable to find a new pair of the old wolverines I had, I figured why not try out the local Red Wings.
Things they don't tell you in the shop:
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There is no 'comfort' warranty.
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They don't come with a sole.
That's right, buy a pair of boots in store, in and after wearing them indoors for a few hours and they still don't fit, you are SOL. Luckily they have a solution for #2. You can purchase an insolesole for the boots. 40$ gets you what every single other boot/show manufacturer has included for decades, a shoe insole. To avoid walking on wood, you have to pay more. On to the review.
Aesthetic 7/10
They are classic. Look like a nice pair of oil tanned boots that wont die on you, ever. I got black as it went with everything I would want to wear it with. However, some of the other colors are BEAUTIFUL! The Brown and oxblood made me drool. Other than that, nothing special.
Fit/comfort 1/10
The wear like early 1990's hi-top sneakers. They don't wear like boots. They rise to just above the ankle. Their is NO padding in these things, so you have in some sections a supple veg-tanned leather on your foot, and in others a very stiff, tough, hardened leather. In the areas that are stiff leather, expect blisters, even through socks.
Right above the heel, where the hard leather heel cap (?) meets the supple ankle leather, it curves in ward. As a result theres a hot on the heel. Do a heel lock lace to prevent that you say? What a great idea! Tried it.That lowers the top lace just a smidge, right on top of the tendon thing that goes on top of the, very painful. Solution I found there is tie the lower part as tight as you want/can, and leave the heal looser, this will cause them to move a smidge, and cause hotspots/blisters, but your feet wont be numb.
Additionally, they don't have wide sizes, while not an uncommon feature its slightly frustrating. While I'm a size 11, the size 11 toe box would put multiple toes to sleep. The toe box shrinks right where it meets the rest of the leather on the boot, thus putting pressure on the foot at the toe joint. Go up a half size and that problem is gone.
Selection 5/10
Small. Some boots have multiple color leathers available, but others dont have the same. If you are looking for safety/steel toe, expect the boots to look like Tonka Toys.
Overall 3/10
They look great, but feel like crap. If I had known what I know now about them, I would not have bought them. I've had them for a week, am wearing bandaids on the hot spots and HOPING they loosen up just a smidge. If they do loosen up, or become more comfortable, I will update here.
Edit: sole --> insole
Submitted November 19, 2018 at 08:51AM by jahesus https://ift.tt/2BfYyn8
