Casual Leather Boots

Lanx have a factory shop. If you're spending £200 it's worth the trip down to Lancashire

Lanx do look kind of nice. I saw some in a store near the craft centre in Manchester
https://lanxshoes.com/ I was tempted.

If that’s your budget then try William Lennon? https://williamlennon.co.uk/

The Field boots I bought are great. True to size and comfortable from the get-go. YMMV. Very traditional design and manufacture. Maybe a bit ‘country-style’ for city casual unless you’re historically Timberlands, jeans, and check shirt casual?

Cheaper options - Clark’s desert boots? Not very winter-suitable due to lightweight sole and leaky upper but fine for city/town use. Solovair have a few styles. Fairly hard wearing ime so far.

Someone will be along to say ‘Loakes’ soon I expect. Not me.

Enjoy choosing.

I'm curious about the same thing and I've also come across Lanx and Solovair. I haven't bought anything yet.

I've watched lot of videos on this channel https://youtube.com/@roseanvil

It'll explain all the jargon and different material types and dig into the build quality. It gives you a really good idea what's worth paying for and what's a waste of money (Dr Martens).

I’m amazed at the amount of hand made leather boots that don’t have a bellows tongue.

Check for that.

Thursday boots are really good. You can usually find them on UK Amazon to save shipping/import fees.

Solovairs, made in Northampton:

https://uk.nps-solovair.com/collections/mens/Chelsea-Boot

I've a pair of solovairs, bought for my wedding. Great quality boots. Made in UK, no shop to try unfortunately, but measure your foot properly and you should be ok with their measurements. They will need breaking in, though.

They used to make the original Dr martens before they went to a cheap supplier.

If that’s your budget then try William Lennon?

I've got 2 pairs and if the industrial style is to your liking then they are awesome. Unfortunately if you order them today, you won't be getting them this winter. Well maybe towards the end of it in Edinburgh, but definitely not the beginning.

I have the William Lennon tan leather boots and just received a pair of their hill walking shoes. Great bit of kit and again comfortable from the get go. Sizing is accurate too. They are very well made and both my boots and shoes are solid and heavy - very heavy. Hand made in Derbyshire if that is of interest. I suspect with care they would outlast me they are that solid.

I was seriously tempted on a pair of the field boots for the more grippy sole. They can also slightly customise boots and shoes too - my hill walking shoes were different to their stock model - half last instead of full. I did have to wait the full twenty weeks though.

IIRC they were doing boots for Hebtroco but obviously without the hipster tax.

If you want off-piste hipster style; Fracap boots from Italy.

This is an excellently timed thread, as I too am after some boots. Trying to find some that my thin, flat feet don't rattle around in is always a challenge though.

Love my Blundstone boots, super comfy and lightweight for daily wear

I have 2 pairs of NPS/Solovair (plain black shoes and some brown boots). They're excellent

Dr. Martens. Massive range of styles, colours, and will last well.

Another +1 for Lanx, I was treated to a pair for my birthday. They do need time to break in but are very well made, have a nice grippy sole and still look good 1 year on having been used for all sorts from Rock City to country walks. I occasionally treat them with mink oil (I've no idea how you get oil out of a mink).

They offer free returns so recommend ordering 2 pairs and sending one back.

I'm hovering over buying a pair of their trainers having been disappointed that a cheap pair look crap after less than a year. I'd much prefer to spend money on a well made something rather than several cheap somethings

Camper do some nice boots, some rather funky, some not so much, I'm a bit addicted to their shoes as they suit my very wide feet, sizes seem very uniform so a ten is really a ten, all their shops are in London tho so mail order only.

Do chealsea boot feel like they will fall off your feet?

I've only tested worn some Redback's in a shop, but they seemed to have really high heel and didn't feel that secure. That said I have some laced Blundstone that I dislike as there awkward to get in and out without undo the laces really loose.

Dr. Martens. Massive range of styles, colours, and will last well.

Ahem... Doc Martens are pretty crap nowadays and are quite narrow. You're far better off with Solovair - they're still made here and are much better quality !

Have some Blundstone Chelsea boots that are the comfiest things ever (with decent socks), no slippage at all, but obviously that depends on your foot shape. I have weird short but high volume feet and they seem to work well.

I quite like the look of some of the Lanx stuff and the William Lennon field boots.  I really want some Redwing Moc toe but that's a pricey right now and id quite like to try a pair on first.

Chelsea boots are my favoured style, but how secure they are does depend on sizing. You are right to want to try whatever boots you get on in person, IMO.

I have some Clarks Batcombe chelsea boots which have been magnificent, so I'd suggest looking at the lace up version of those if still available.

Here, found it on Amazon.

I know that makes it hard to try them in person, but hey.

I like the Sorel Chukka's, soles are hard-wearing and grippy. https://www.sorelfootwear.co.uk/c/mens-boots

I went to buy a pair of smart-ish boots for a wedding in the spring and came away with a pair of these from Grenson (which didn't fit the bill at all. Had to go and buy something else a few months later).  They've taken some wearing in but they're becoming really comfortable now. Good leather and full leather lining does make a difference (though more than anything it's finding something in a last that is the shape of my foot).  Supposedly for the best 'resolabilty' you want good year welted construction - some (but not all) of the Lanx are.  Solovair are. Most DMs are but NOT the 'industrial' chelsea boots K bought a few years back...

https://www.grenson.com/vincent-mens-derby-boot-brown-russia-grain-leather-commando-sole

List price is way more than it was when I bought and they were on sale at Lanx sort of prices.

Do chealsea boot feel like they will fall off your feet?

My "smart" shoes are RM Williams chelsea boots - had them for the best part of 20 years now. No they do not feel like they will fall off your feet - its a proper sit down, 2 handed heave job to get them on, then they're very definitely staying put.

I know their quality has gone down lately, but I have a pair of DM soft leather Chelsea boots that I bought about 5 years ago and they have been excellent. No breaking in required, they don't wobble about on my feet and regular waxing keeps them waterproof.

Have a look at this youtube channel.

He literally cuts various brands of boot in half to see what they are actually made of.

https://www.youtube.com/@RoseAnvil

Redwings. Expensive but last forever. I have a pair  of 8886 moc toes. They’re nearly 6 years old. Original soles were black crepe Christie’s.  I had them resoled last year at a cost of £70 with Vibram mini lugs.

Doc Martens are pretty crap nowadays and are quite narrow.

IYO...

I've got 4 pairs including Chelsea boots and a pair in the soft worn leather and zero complaints here. Also have wide feet and they all fit perfectly.

Thanks all, some good shouts - I'll investigate. I'll admit I've never actually tried Chelsea boots but just assumed that they would fit loosely given there's no means to tighten them. I have small feet and often feel casual shoes in particular are huge for the given length.

They used to make the original Dr martens before they went to a cheap supplier.

No, they made boots with Dr Martens patented soles under licence which was owned by R Griggs at the time sold as "Dr Martens by Solovair".

Lanx are great. See also Loake, Barker, Tricker, Grenson, though they're perhaps a bit more spendy still

How do people get on with the soles on DMs?

I've had a few pairs over the years and have worn out the grips in what seems like no time all.

This was fine when we were kids back in the 80s and DMs were cheap footwear from your local Army Stores*, but not at the premium price they are now.

(*pretty much every kid wore Docs).

Frontier on William Street Edinburgh sell Red Wing boots.

This was fine when we were kids back in the 80s and DMs were cheap footwear from your local Army Stores*, but not at the premium price they are now.

I was telling my GF the other day we used to pay about £30 a pair... they appear to be £150-200 now.

So 50%+ of that price increase is pure marketing cost eh.

I vote blundstones, definitely want to try them on though

, Grenson, Loake, Barker or go the whole hog and get some RMWilliams.
https://www.rmwilliams.com/uk/mens-outdoor-boots.html?lang=en_GB

I vote blundstones, definitely want to try them on though

I like my blundstones but theyre unlined  with a cheap, non replaceable, sole.  I think when I picked up my first pair in Oz they were about half the price of DMs (when DMs were cheap). At current RRPs a £170 DM (!) is a way better boot than a £150 Blundstone.

I have to admit to a level of disappointment this thread isnt about thigh length patent leather boots.

…I only wear thigh length patent leather boots at the weekend. Not for casual wear - I’m sure that’s the case for others!

Iv got a pair of those Clarks Batcombe boots posted a few ago and they are really rather good. Iv had compliments on them and would definitely recommend if you can get for a decent price.

I've got DM winter grip boots which are also lined. Keep feet pretty snug and the doors are much harder wearing and grip nicely on icy pavements.

I agree they're a rip off though, I'm one who's been wearing them since primary school in the 80's!

This is super timely, my work shoes gave up the ghost last week and that’s the last bloody pair I buy from Clark’s, and not a huge surprise after watching that dude cut up several pairs in half on YT. (I have had previous Clarks shoes that have lasted, but not in recent years)

so was looking at a quality pair that will last, do like the look of the William Lennon chukka, if only they didn’t just come in black. Black chukka

edit just seen they supply Hebtreco, better colour for work but pricey. I’m sure they’re great but I can’t bring myself to pay the hipster tax.

the sorrel chukka boots have better colour combos, but some rubbish reviews on quality.

This thread may just have solved my where the fek do I get wider shoes for work, judging by the fit info on Lanx and William Lennon pages.

so was looking at a quality pair that will last, do like the look of the William Lennon chukka, if only they didn’t just come in black. Black chukka

Email Libs on their customer service e-mail. They make them to order so will do any leather you prefer or other changes. I've got black workboots, which are normally brown and army boots that are 6 eyelet height instead of 9.

Again the drawback is the delivery time. They don't keep stock, I had to wait 20 weeks for my last ones. You'll need a cheap pair of something to put you on.

As @tthew said, they also modified my hill walking shoe order from standard and have this

https://williamlennon.co.uk/bespoke-footwear/

I have some Clarks brogue boots, they’re nice enough as an everyday shoes but my William Lennon boots are in a completely different class.

Does anyone know if the Hebco Moto boot has a bellows tongue?

I'll also suggest loake.   Have a look here

https://www.northshoes.co.uk/mens-c2/boots-rubber-soles-c485#sort3

They sell loake and barker but of most interest is I'd suggest the loake seconds.  You'll not know why they are a second in most cases as the cosmetic blemish is so small.   I've bought from north shoes loads.... they dumped loads of stuff at £60 in the January sale almost 2 years ago so I stocked up.

Please don't wear your trousers like this

Email Libs on their customer service e-mail. They make them to order so will do any leather you prefer or other changes. I’ve got black workboots, which are normally brown and army boots that are 6 eyelet height instead of 9.

Again the drawback is the delivery time. They don’t keep stock, I had to wait 20 weeks for my last ones. You’ll need a cheap pair of something to put you on.

thanks, will do @tthew @kilo

I’ve had a few pairs over the years and have worn out the grips in what seems like no time all

This. A few years back I bought a pair of 'Made in England' 8-hole DMs. Soles were flat within a few months. Leather tore through at the toe box creases with 16 months. Would not buy again 🙁

Back in the 70s/80s DMs were probably about, what, £30 a pair as folks suggest? I remember the 'ugh' look on my father's face when I went into adult sizes with their VAT addition. £30 in 1980 would have the spending power of £125 now so DMs aren't that over inflated.

On the William Lennon comments - yes! Libs was so very helpful when I ordered mine. And like others here I asked for a different leather from the 'standard' - no extra cost for the option I went for. The 20-week wait was not quite exciting, but it did build anticipation. They arrived neatly and simply packaged very soon after a 'your boots have been shipped and your order is now complete' email.

The 20-week wait can be offset by buying from HebTroCo. Plus you get an extra pair of laces and Brant's/Ed's choice of leather and finish. So, perhaps less of a 'hipster tax' and more of an opportunity or design cost?

I’ve been wearing Meindle Desert Fox boots for years, but the foam midsole has disintegrated on all of mine, and having some money to play with I bought a pair of Redwing Moc-toe boots, which can be fully resoled, and are great with jeans.

Please don’t wear your trousers like this

Oh God no! I’ll wear shorts if I’m going to have the hem that high; I can’t imagine why anyone thinks that’s a good look, it’s just ridiculous.

Im toying with the idea of getting another pair of Redwings, the Iron Mountain boots originally made for iron miners, with a double thickness toe box, like steelies, but not cold in the winter.

Used to buy AirWear soled boots from Blackmans in Cheshire St off Brick Lane back in the mid 70s. DM cherry red 8 hole with yellow stitching round the welt were about £9, what I half remember to be medium brown Solovair 7 hole steels without eyelets or the stitching were £7 and black 12(?) hole DM Blackburn steels were about £11. When the cheapest ones got to about £20, we all started buying the solid Ranger screw on soled nobbly leather 12 hole steels from the Army Surplus in Manor Park for about £12. Skint punk chic.

Off the back of this thread I've just ordered a pair of Lanx Settle boots. Had a hankering for some nice boots so cheers for the recommendation.

Could you ford a stream in those redwings and have dry feet?

Does anyone know if the Hebco Moto boot has a bellows tongue?

Half bellows (stops between 3rd and 4th lace eyelets.

Thanks Razor. Are they nice and wide?

There is plenty of room in them for my average proportioned feet.  They’re built to last too!

Well thanks to this thread I now have a pair of Lanx Tasker boots on their way.

I've been after some decent semi dress boots for ages and this thread was well timed so bit the bullet.

I like my blundstones but theyre unlined  with a cheap, non replaceable, sole

There are some specialists who will resole Blundstone boots : https://bootrepaircompany.co.uk/collections/blundstone

I've had several pairs, but the quality has gone down over the years. The soles on one pair split completely through with no little warning in multiple places across both shoes which left me in the lurch somewhat - I had to buy some emergency replacement footwear halfway through a workday!

Seems it's a fairly common problem : https://www.reddit.com/r/BlundstoneBoots/comments/1b9uan3/sole_split_in_two_one_year_old_boots/

Great thread - I'm eyeing up some Lanx boots off the back of it.  Heads up for anyone with access to one, a Defence Discount Card (and presumably Blue Light Card) gives you 15% off Lanx.

@Jon_n

I’ve had several pairs, but the quality has gone down over the years. The soles on one pair split completely through

indeed. The pair I've got now (which I've had since 2016 and are still going strong) were a warranty replacement for a pair where the sole disintegrated after very little wear.

There are some specialists who will resole Blundstone boots

An expensive option. £70-95 plus shipping there and back.  I always wonder about the life of the elastic sides on Chelsea boots - I've got some suede timberland 'earthkeepers' I'd like to have resoled but the elastic looks like it's on the way out.

that Defense discount code works in the outlet bit too!

Could you ford a stream in those redwings and have dry feet?

Wasn't the ask for "casual" boots?

Since I'm no longer a holder of a defence discount card..... topcashback will give you 10.5% back on lanx

My 10 year old Timberland boots are still in use. They've gone a bit saggy at the back but are very comfy.

Having had some cheap imitations I've just bought some Red Wing 875s.  Got fitted at their store on a trip down in that there London which was necessary due to my square feet.

My Red Wing chukka's are bomb proof - very hard wearing and easy to clean. 15 years in and barely a scuff on them.

No one has mentioned Trickers yet.   Probably because they are beyond the price range.. .. but aren't redwing?  I've no idea if they are 2 or 3x better and justify the price,  or just veblem for feet.   They look nice..... but I suspect I'll stick to my loakes

Cheaney for me. Never cheap, but once you know your last size, hunting for bargains on EBay is always fun. I’m a 125F in a 81/2 and the fit is perfect. Most shoes and boots are too wide for me.

Last three years: two pairs Dr Martens and one pair Red Wing Moc Toe. Dr's both lasted a year before the soles gave out - split along their length. Then thought Go Big! and went for the Red Wing as "they last a lifetime!" Mine (£330) lasted four months before the soles had worn down - average steps per day around 4,000. Now being resoled for a price similar to what the Dr's cost as actual boots. I do have a pair of Clarks Norton that I bought 15 years ago, and they still look new. I'd avoid the Red Wings.

That Rose Anvil bloke has cut up loads of Red Wings in the past and he always praises the material and build quality. He usually concludes that they're still worth the money.

I like the Blacksmith boot which doesn't have the extra toe stitching of the Iron Ranger but is essentially the same in every other way.

I already wanted Lanx though and I think I know someone who can get the discount so that might swing it for me.

Re redwing soles, the white 'christy' soles are very comfy but they do wear quickly. I think I've read that they are designed for grip rather than longevity.

If you search eBay you'll see lots of redwing boots with white soles worn down to weird smooth shapes even though the upper is still in serviceable condition.

Have you looked at Panama Jack? Quite a few styles are similar to Timberland, but the pair I have are much better constructed. Available from a few places in the UK inc Amazon.

Off the back of this thread, I’m going with a custom pair of chukka boots from William Lennon. Never done custom shoes before, should be interesting.

William Lennon are a great company. I’ve a pair of 178’s - bomb proof in their latigo “whip” leather. The worn leather sole was replaced with some commando units some years back. Quite a rugged boot, completely unlined they ended up out in the shed covered in mud. I prefer Trickers as a casual boot.

I brushed off the Lennon’s when we moved last year and were not at all fazed by the mistreatment ! So solidly built toe box and vamp have held shape fine too - no need for shoe trees for these for sure.

There’s a bit of a walking boot roll to the sole shape and I prefer my trickers again for everyday wear.

Ive a few pairs of Trickers Stow in calf and softer aniline leathers. One pair has had a much harder life than the others- long muddy walks - super comfy, non fatiguing. it’s got a few wrinkles and scars but will still polish up nicely if I want.
I’ve got a custom build Eaton in Horween Chromexcel and they are just sublime. It’s built on the Ridgeway sole which I much prefer to the Dainite ones Trickers build most of their stuff with.

I love my Trickers boots (and shoes) and most are cared for and stored with shoe trees.
they are super quality, yes 600 ish can seem a lot but I see no reason why these won’t last a lifetime so works out pretty good value with that viewpoint.

If you're gonna do it, you gotta go all in

Well despite all recommendations I've still had very little luck in finding something that fits, and my budget does not stretch beyond £200 (much as I would like it too). Tried some Timberlands but they were massive across my forefoot, Clarks were the same, a couple of others from stores local to me went the same way. I have small feet - it's a problem. Thought about trying Lanx but I wasn't totally sold on any of their styles, and I almost went Solovair but I've never really liked that look either. Yes, I'm being picky.

Anyway, in the interests of trying something else, I've now ordered some vivo barefoot boots. Not what I originally intended, in fact, totally different, but hoping the soft and suppleness will help with fit at the expense of support etc. They're only for knocking around anyway. If I'm walking far it'll be proper walking boots or trainers.

I'm now ready for a barrage of polite comments informing me I've made a significant error and need to change my ways before it's too late.

I have small feet – it’s a problem.

Same issue here, my feet aren't particularly narrow but seem low volume in some way which means boots can be loose when walking. I solve this with extra insoles which has the side benefit of keeping the inside of the boot in much better condition. Green Sorbothane are decent, the right thickness and not mad expensive.

I was going to recommend Vivo Gobi boots. Had to put a thick insole in them.
Didn’t buy them because they were barefoot but because I needed an unlined pair of leather boots with a bellows tongue and wide. These tick all the boxes.

Also got the Gobi mid but for some inexplicable reason they didn’t fit a bellows tongue. So if it rains you get wet feet.

How any boot company can omit a bellows tongue is just boggling.

Me too,  my feet aren't big and are as much 'low' as 'narrow'.  Extra insoles help a lot.  Also the loakes, some of their boots come in a narrower fit.

With the chat about redwing I googled yesterday and found a cobblers on line replacing vibram christy soles for £55 (plus the postage.... so about £75 with 2x postage I guess).  I was going to post a link but Google search isn't finding it now!

Edit:

Ah!  It's returned! It's £50, speedy, based in Rotherham.

https://www.speedyshoeservice.co.uk/products/red-wing-repair?variant=42487536648379&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm5e5BhCWARIsANwm06iRlrfZaXxizEcbx1flrlj1aF2QNJhp-ESxsY9NeSP3riUWPS0-sAIaAu8cEALw_wcB

Depending on how casual, I can recommend Goral. Got a pair of trainers & high tops and they are exceptionally well constructed.

They do smarter styles now & have a collaboration with Rose & Anvil.

Up there with Barker, Church's, Grenson & Loake from my experience.