I need help identifying this boot, its a female version of the captain, but what color is it? Arizona Adobe ? Terracotta? Or Burnt Cooper? This is definitely a brown boot, no reddish tint at all, and its matte, I bought this used online thinking it was a male version but its a female version. TIA
After getting plantar fasciitis last year, I needed to get my boots more comfortable. So I have started to modify them in some way or just stretched them and put insoles in them. And this is the case with these Vanguards. I stretched them and added an old insole I had from some tennis shoes, but later discovered that after getting some Wolverine 1000 Mile boots, having a narrower and shorter heel helps me a ton to walk more easily. So I went ahead and decided that after stretching and adding an insole, removing a stack of leather from the heel, they would be a bit more comfortable to walk.
I removed a single stack of leather from the heel by carefully removing the rubber without damaging it.
removed the rubber and 1 leather stack from the heel
Then I decided to sand some off the heel width to make the heel a bit thinner and less pronounced from all sides.
both heels sanded, narrower and shorter overall
I then stained the heel back, and the boots look great and are a bit easier to walk. I have noticed that having a lower/shorter heel helps me walk easier, another thing that helps me a ton is using insoles. Having arch support is my goal with every boot now.
So after stretching, adding insoles, and modifying the heel, I have made it more comfortable for me.
My most comfortable boot now is a Brandy Captain in 1/2 larger than usual, with an insole and RT3 last. This is the most comfortable Thursday boot I own. My redwings with insoles and 1/2 a size larger with an insole is more comfortable too, and my wolverine 1000 mile are also very comfortable after adding an insole. I use very generic insoles from CVS that are very affordable, and somewhat thick to help my feet deal with the boots and my pain.
Strangely, a few months back, I bought a pair of handmade boots in Guatemala for $50, they are GYW boots, with a very low heel. They are very comfortable, and I think they do not even have cork in the sole, but I also added the insole and a thin layer of foam on the footbed. I have a pair of old Aldo boots that I'm planning on converting GYW myself. They feel like tennis shoes, the heel is very cushioned, so I will re-use that and hopefully keep using them if all goes well.
