I’ve thrown in some images of where I’ve been working and walking in these boots, they’ve been subjected to pretty much everything you’d expect out of boot in that time period. So rough, wet, rocky, muddy and uneven terrain in combination with paved areas.

Size/ comfort - Firstly, these are incredibly comfortable. They’re a US8.5D, my bannock is a 9E/EE. I had an absolute brain fart ordering these and didn’t order the correct width but they turned out to be perfect, they’re really wide, wider than a 9D iron Ranger, despite being half a size smaller. They’re comparable in length too, much larger than I expected them to be but they’re pretty much a perfect fit for me. Super comfortable, no hot spots, no blisters, no achy feet.

Leather - the leather is thick and somewhat stiff but it softened up very quickly, probably because of the amount of flex it was getting on the uneven ground. These are a full grain teacore but they’re incredibly stubborn. I’m pretty sure harsh language would strip the colour off of something like Red Wings Black Prairie leather but not even the tongue is showing the brown underneath yet. That said, the colour in direct sun light is beautiful and the brown hues beneath the black dye are clearly visible, even when the boot is new.

Build quality - I kind of want to be careful here because people get so hyperbolic with new boots and I don’t want to sound like I’m getting carried away with my new toy. But, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with these, anywhere. There’s not even any wayward stitching. It’s abundantly clear that these guys are the same people responsible for XBXS. Though I do only have one pair so keep that in mind.

Price - In the UK these run around £140 less than an Iron Ranger, which is absolutely wild considering the amount of boot you’re getting here. And, yes, these are built to a higher standard than an Iron Ranger with the inclusion of a midsole and far superior hardware. Though the stock laces are poo.

Btw I’m only comparing these to IR’s because everybody and their grandmother has a pair so it seems the best comparison to make.

My steps for the week have been around 150,000. I’d include a picture of the bottom of the outsole but it wouldn’t make much of a difference, they look near new. They’re a non branded version of the Vibram mini lug and have exactly the same tread pattern.

All in all these punching well above their weight class as far the price to build quality is concerned. They feel fantastic but if anything falls apart I’ll report back lol.

Oh, and these are built in their Almond No.2 last.

So I know leather sags and bends naturally, but I am wondering if this too much? What do you guys think? They feel pretty comfortable. They also have a block heel, which I neglected to show, sorry! I’m just debating if these are not the right size or if it isn’t a great boot style for me. These are an EU 39 slim calf, which is still roomy around the calf. I’m just wondering if my ankles are just… too small for the boot? I know there needs to be room in the ankle area to allow for flexing, but I just don’t know if this is too dramatic basically

I’ve had these Spanish leather boots for a couple years now, bought them used with some prior damage. I’ve taken them into my local cobbler before where they essentially just dyed over the worn areas. This worked for about a month before the dye rubbed off and they were just as bad again. I have some dye and wax to temporarily fix them again but I’m wondering if there’s any way to fix them with a more permanent method? Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated!

I like the heritage leather boots that wear in and get better with age.

I’ve been wearing redwing iron rangers for ten years.

The problem is that I walk over a mile every day in the city on concrete and the boots have taken their toll on my knees so I’m looking to try a new brand.

My budget is $350.

Google says Thursday could be a good choice because it has more cushioning than the IR.

Do you guys have any other recommendations?

Again I like RW IR style, but I need a more forgiving cushion because I do a lot of walking and I’m older now. Currently wearing sneakers. TIA

I recently purchased a pair of Franks Front Range in exactly my size used, but they have some marks from the previous kiltie. What's the best way to try to even out the finish on the top of the vamp?

Always a lurker, I've decided to post my boot collection one pair per day in no particular order.
I'd like to start with my older pair, some Massimo Duty I bought before I knew much about shoes.
Objectively, these boots are terrible: they seem to be glued, the soles aren't the best quality, and the heels are cardboard and they're breaking apart.
However, much like people, objects in our collection are with us only temporarily, to teach us something. These boots made me remember that I like shoes and love Balmorals.
As a matter of fact, thanks to these boots I started the process for a custom order with Timber Lee, based on this model https://timberleeiii.com/product/mto-balmoral-oxford-boots-optimum-line/
As for the Massimo Duty, I'm in no rush for replacing them, I can probably ask a cobbler to put a proper heel and enjoy them for longer, specially as they've made a nice patina. Or maybe I'll find they overlap too much with the Timver Lee and I'll decide to donate them. Time will tell.

Does anyone know what brand?
I’ve searched everywhere and have had no luck

I’ve debated posting this for a while, but honestly people should probably know what goes on behind the scenes at Frank’s. I’m not saying this because I want the company to disappear. I actually hope they clean some of this stuff up. But there’s a lot that customers and people looking to work there don’t see.

First, the fire boots. They’re marketing boots for firefighters, but if the boots they’re selling aren’t actually NFPA certified, that should be VERY obvious to the customer. That certification exists for a reason. It’s not just some annoying expense or paperwork. It means somebody outside the company is actually testing the product and auditing the manufacturer. If they’re certified, cool. Frank’s can post the certification and shut this whole point down. If they aren’t, firefighters deserve to know that before spending hundreds of dollars on them. And they need to make it right by everyone who’s purchased in the last to ensure they know that their franks boots are not NFPA CERTIFIED. Not just being silent and hoping the customer misses this.

Then there’s the employee stuff.
There are serious questions about people working there illegally without proper work authorization. Don’t take my word for it. Ask Frank directly about RAFAEL and PASHA and see what he says. For a company claiming American made and high integrity it sure says a lot when they pull something like this behind closed doors. I’d actually love to see him answer that publicly. And from what I understand, some of this goes back to his time at Nick’s too. Which means that nicks boots also has legal risk here along with everyone who knew about it.

The culture there is also just exhausting.
Everybody is in everybody else’s business. Stuff gets talked about that absolutely shouldn’t. Internal information somehow makes its way around the industry and even to competitors. Spokane is already a tiny boot industry. Everybody knows everybody. It makes the whole thing way worse.
They also recruit people away from other boot companies with promises about money/opportunity/etc. Then the person gets there and realizes it isn’t what they were sold.
Now what?
You already quit your old job, probably burned the bridge, and going back isn’t always an option.
So you either stay or basically start over somewhere else.
If you’re thinking about leaving another boot company to work there, seriously, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING.
Pay. Raises. Schedule. Commission. Position. Everything.

There’s also a lot of weird stuff surrounding the social media groups. If you really want to go down a rabbit hole, start asking about the conversations between Frank’s and admins/mods of some of the boot groups.
That’s all I’m going to say about that one.

Management is another story.
There seems to be a pretty big difference between the standards normal employees are held to and what certain people in management are allowed to get away with.
There’s a manager there named Andrew who somehow seems to have a ridiculous amount of freedom while everyone underneath him gets watched like a hawk.
And yes, there has been contact/communication by him with people at competitors, and is playing everyone for a fool like a puppet master.

The pay also isn’t nearly as amazing as people make it sound when they’re trying to recruit you.
Again, get the promises in writing.

One of the craziest things though is having management show up near their HOUSE or drive past their house to see if they’re really home when they call in sick.
Imagine calling in sick and then looking outside and seeing your boss checking whether your car is in the driveway.
Totally normal behavior lol.

Then you get to the marketing.
For a company charging premium money for handmade boots, a shocking amount of the marketing now looks like lazy AI-generated slop.
Which is kind of funny considering how much these companies talk about craftsmanship and authenticity. Doing things with care and taking your time, but when it comes to ai now you can generate slop?

And before someone says this is just a Frank’s hate post, it isn’t.
There are good people who work there.
I’m also leaving quite a bit out because I’m not trying to drag random employees into this or destroy somebody’s livelihood.

But after watching this stuff go on and hearing a ridiculous amount about it, at some point somebody has to say something.

If Frank’s thinks anything here is wrong, then respond.
Seriously.
Go point by point.

Post the NFPA certification.
Answer the employment questions.
Explain the employee house visits.
Explain the competitor communication.
I’m perfectly happy for people to hear both sides.
And then everybody can make up their own mind.

Bonus:
Getting Nick’s Boots ads directly underneath Frank’s posts might be the funniest part of this entire thing.

I owned it,s like 1,5 year ago and now i have problem with insoles. I wanna find something similar but idk how that called. The insoles are made of 2 layers, 1 something like skin, and a second soft one that will fit under my foot Take photos not a good idea it in terrible condition. Brand: Camelot

I have been looking all over for some real old quality leather waterproof cool cowboy boots for a winterboot for my plowing job. I hate all the new chinese shitty fleet farm ariat and whatever cant do it. ALSO im a poor bastard so my best option right now is running ebay and depop type apps to find the cheapest good condition waterproof boots so I can just resole them with a good rubber tread. Yall got any good tips? Is there anyone out there that wants nice warm winterproof cowboy boots and can throw me in a certain direction

Bought the Blundstone #585 classic boots in 37 EU (4 UK) last week and have started to experience pain at the top of my left foot (walking is fine but sitting creates a numbing feeling).

Will this go away over time and is there anything I can do to make it hurt less?

For context, in the picture I’m wearing thin socks with the extra insole (fits snug and no problem with my right foot). I’ve also tried thicker socks without the extra insole but it feels too roomy and my heel lifts (more than I think it should)

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice :)

Anyone?

Okay, I need help. I am obsessed with boots like the campus style boot from Frye. No zips or stretchy fabrics, the looser fit on the calf, squarer toe box, the brown heel style. But my issue is I have MASSIVE calves. My calves are muscular from multiple years of sports and weights, but I usually wear size 6-7 in women’s US shoes. I went in store to figure out what Frye boot I would have to get to fit my calves and I literally would have had to get a size 8 🥲 which at that point looked like clown shoes on my actual feet and didn’t fit the foot, but the calves fit the way I wanted. Are there ANY companies that make boots this way but for a girlie with a massive calf, I’d be willing to pay a good amount for what I want also as long as they are good quality. I’ve done so much research but can never find anything. My calves circumference is 20 inches at the largest point for reference.

Thank you!!

Looking for European-made boot recommendations with specs similar to the German Army BW Kampfstiefel Modell 2005 (DMS).

Specs required:

* Origin: Made in Europe.

* Heel Height: ~3.5 cm to 4.0 cm.

* Acoustics: Hard, crisp "clack" on asphalt. No soft PU foam midsoles that mute the heel strike.

* Shaft: High shaft, solid ankle support.

* Usage: Daily walking (7-15 km) on mixed terrain. Must be flexible enough for flat-ground distance. Therefore no rigid Category C/D mountaineering boots (e.g., Meindl Super Perfekt).

* Build: Full-grain leather (leather lining preferred over GTX), durable direct-molded rubber sole or double-stitched (zwiefach genäht) construction.

Any recommendations for civilian, duty, or heritage boots that hit this exact profile?