u/mr5rdj4n

I like good boots...I have plenty....maybe too much :)

So... I was looking for Red Wing Iron Rangers....naturally.

I have pretty decent collection of well made boots but nothing from Red Wing, especially from their iconic heritage lineup.

As I am from Belgrade, Serbia, funny enough... a local ad pops up... brand new NIB Iron Rangers in my size (I am size EU41 but based on my research RW IR US7.5D was supposed to be my fit) and I immediately took a chance...even got some discount.

Next day box was at my door...and I was so excited...

Iron Rangers... model 8112, Oro Original leather, cork nitrile outsole... year of production 2013... Leather was looking healthy and beautiful... outsole looked unworn, fit was spot on...

Almost two years later.... I really learned to appreciate more this purchase....cork nitrile outsole is very sturdy with plenty of life, leather aged nicely and boots are so comfortable and good looking now - in my regular weekly rotation.

Timeless classic!

Always liked PNW style boots, rugged, overbuilt, that American iconic silhouette...I wanted one....but...

Naturally, I was looking at fantastic trio... Nicks, Whites and Franks.

A lot of things have to be aligned because it is not an easy task to get them when you live in non-native environment for this kind of product (especially Serbia).

You have to do a proper research of the lasts and sizing to nail your fit, be prepared for the investment, process and accept in your mind the wait time for the boots to be made... shipping to my country is not standard and usual offering...

So... I tried to approach this subject with more relaxed tone and ended up looking at Drews Contractor boots that "drew" my attention 😄

They looked intriguing, off the shelf with no wait time and they were on sale...everything just clicked and I pulled the trigger and rest of the steps were pretty straightforward process.

I tried to tone down my expectations and was preparing myself for eventual disappointment.

Eventually boots arrived ...and what a pleasant surprise...heavy, beefy, robust, well made...and smell incredible... unboxing was quite an sensation experience.

Boots are made in Mexico....and Drews are implementing all PNW design and construction principles in the build with US sourced components - thick work leather, all leather components-heel counter, shank, leather structured toe, styling, hardware.....

Some specifics of Drews approach in regard to 55 last makes a significant difference to me and slight departure from standard PNW 55 last offerings - use of modified 55-1 last which is more in my "ball park" zone - wider toe box, roomy instep, pre molded insole.....

Those modifications alone were unintentionally exact sweet spot why these boots fits my feet so well (I have done a ton of research for Drews sizing and fit prior to purchase).

I am so glad that I got these boots and I am wearing them frequently and enjoying for more than a year and I AM VERY HAPPY !!!!!!!!!!

I am an outdoor person and was (re)searching for well made hiking boots. These type of boots sit perfectly with my lifestyle and I really like the looks, construction (mostly one piece of leather for the uppers) and overall design decisions integrated in these, both from aesthetics and as a tool perspective.

Normally my search initially went to a local advertising website where people sell stuff and when result came up I was pretty intrigued by one particular pair.... Adidas hiking boots from 70s.

They seemed to have stitch down construction, leather midsole, leather insole, calf skin leather lined....lugged rubber outsole... interesting leather (brown reddish pebbled)... and they looked like unworn and new... almost like a time capsule... and size seems to be just right.

Price was very affordable, but I was drawn by the looks and intrigued with the brand vs construction...never saw a sports brand such as Adidas experimented with traditional boot making ideas for their product. I pulled the trigger and when they arrived I was blown away and not expecting this at all.

Boots looked stunning and they were actually very seriously made.... like a proper (LTT) work boot...heavy... even came with kilties...mind blown... I was not expecting this...

I wanted to dig a bit deeper and try to find as much as possible on these but literally nothing of use I could find to satisfy my huge curiosity.

All I could find is that some experimental product runs were produced in Italy, Germany and former Yugoslavia (I live in Serbia) but eventually canceled and not part of a regular product line. All tags, minimalistic branding and design philosophy points and align that these are genuine adidas hiking boots from the 70s, when shoes and boots were designed and made with function, dependability and durability in mind and from the boot making era that screams quality unmatched by the modern shoe industry. I am enjoying this pair for more than a year (these are recent pictures) and so stoked every time I put them on...so comfortable, so well made...amazing.

A couple of years ago, I came across William Lennon, a traditional English bootmaker that has a pretty old technique of making boots with a brass screwing machine instead of stitching thread. They are simple but wonderfully made, sturdy, tough and good looking, with a generous and roomy Munson-like toe box.

They make their boots mostly on a traditional army last with a sprung toe, and walking in these is so much fun because of the rocking motion — it feels like the boots want to walk on their own.

Purposely, they are work boots in both aesthetics and construction, so they sit mostly in casual outfits, but occasionally they can be a good choice in some smart-casual scenarios as well.

Those are my companions and they fit me really well, so I opt for them almost daily, whether it is my day in nature, an office visit or hanging out at the pub...

I am enjoying them so much on my feet and every time I wear them, it is truly an experience, as they tell a century-old story from the "good old days" of bootmaking, as we walk together for many more decades to come.

This May I got my pair of these wonderful boots by Prof Barnet in Wickett and Craig English Bridle Tan leather.

From my perspective, they are extremely well made and stunningly beautiful - wide sprung toe is my cup of tea.

Fit and finish is spot on... everything about them hits the sweet spot.

Comfortable, right out from the box, with absolute zero break in.

Silhouette, shape and curves in all the right places just like Italian sports car design wise and matching Japanese handcrafting quality and precision.

Versatility in so many scenarios to dress up or down from rugged to dressy and all in between...these can do it all for me without compromise.

Communication with Prof Barnet was a joy...responsive, helpful and very professional.

I provided all my measurements and once we dialed in all the details in terms of makeup it took around 2 months for the build and shipping to Belgrade, Serbia.

For almost bespoke boots, tailor made and all the details included on my request it is very affordable...

Looking forward enjoying and appreciate these down the road.