Calling all LLBean Katahdin Iron Works Boots owners

[danxaz]

Check these out...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-LL-...5714262?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item1e6baffbd6

 

[afixedpoint]

Ended up going back to TTS 9.5, a tad long, but the significant extra volume in the toebox makes them more comfortable

 

[rossi]

Are they sold out again? I can't find them on the site.

 

[CPaul]

weird, I don't see them either. Probably a mistake, I just received mine this week. Some were backordered until the 29th or so of this month so it must be an error.

 

[AmericoneDream]

I received a pair last week and they are really dark. I knew that they were going to be much darker than in the pictures, but they are even darker than I imagined. Very much like the color of a hershey's bar. That, plus the orange colored top part of the sole made the boots look too much like a pair of boots that a construction worker would wear for me.

 

[autumndreams]

Just got mine in a few days ago. Bought these during their 15% off sale to complement my black RW iron rangers.

Impressions:

As others have said, the leather is much darker than pictured on the website. This was a good thing in my case, I prefer the darker color in real life. The orange-y bit on the welt is the only thing about them that I don't like, cosmetically speaking. I'm sure it will become a bit darker with use and wear though.

The leather scuffs pretty easily, which isn't a problem for me. I like my casual shoes to be rugged and grungy, and these fit the bill. They would be difficult to pass off as a pair of dress boots, though.

In comparison to the red wings...well...not a lot to be said. The red wings have finer details and materials, but the Katahdin's are still very solid. The Katahdins do require a bit more of a break-in than the RW's did though...they're still a little rough on my ankles.

Overall, I'm happy with them, and I'm going to be giving them a lot of use.

 

[scoobydrew]

Is there a recommended oil/leather treatment for these boots? Like many have said, the leather scuffs rather easily, and I really want a nice amber to it much like the Iron Rangers. However, I've looked around and found that products like Neatsfoot oil darkens the boot quite a bit, making it look almost black.

 

[CPaul]

seems like most of the popular oils will darken the boots. I just went with obenauf's like most of the other people in this thread

 

[scoobydrew]

seems like most of the popular oils will darken the boots. I just went with obenauf's like most of the other people in this thread

I'll try out Obenauf's LP in the tub.

 

[CPaul]

Got mine a couple weeks ago. Wore them around 9 times, then finally got some obenaufs and applied one coat to the boot on the left. Color in the picture is pretty close to what they really are.

 

[ruben]

Are these sold out again?


The sizing is maddening.

 

[scoobydrew]

@CPaul, can you please take some pics of them outdoors in sunlight? They look great! Did you follow any specific process or heat up the leather or anything?

Thanks

 

[scoobydrew]

Are these sold out again?
The sizing is maddening.

It looks like they are. I'm sure they'll be back by mid-April or in May sometime.

Personally, I wear 8.5 in most casual type shoes (Adidas Sambas, Vans Authentics, etc.) and wear an 8 in dress shoes. I went with a 8D in Katahdins and with regular socks, there's a bit of wiggle room. Somewhat loose, but not too loose. I'm sure with some nice thick socks, they'll fit perfectly and snug.

 

[scoobydrew]

I wasn't a big fan of the bulbous toe-box, so I've crushed the toe-box just a little bit since I've gotten it. Still on the fence about applying some oil or Obenauf's LP.

 

[shootist16]

Chippewa advised me to use their Apache cream on these boots.