** Quintessential Crockett & Jones Thread ** (reviews, quality, etc...)

[patrick_b]

I'd always recommend buying up for the boot you prefer. ...and then save up for the other one, so you can buy them next winter

<Siderail>

For me, the is something sensible in planning these sort of thing. Make a shoe/boot budget and work within it.
I plan and buy one pair of boots in the fall and one pair of shoes in the spring. The way I see it, is that there is something positive in the love of craft and fine footwear - but also in actually then using that footwear on a day to day basis. Using it and taking care of it, so you have enjoyment of the shoe/boot for many yes to come. Building a natural patina from wear and polish, that only adds to the design and so on. In it's roots, I recon that it's a bit old fashioned to think this way. For me, 1-2 pairs of footwear each season hits that balance.

Do I want more? Absolutely. Do I need more? Nope... Is there something wrong with buying alot of footwear, if you have the means to do so? Not at all!

It's all a question of balancing want's and need's.

</Siderail>

Very well said. I pared down my shoe & boot collection significantly over the last year or two. I've settled on mostly bluchers than can work with business casual and casual as that's what I wear most workdays. As it stands, I rotate about a dozen pair of shoes & boots. I found that having 20 pair wasn't all that practical and several would go months without a wear. Nowadays, boots are worn sparingly in summer but most of my rotation gets worn a couple times a month. Some much more than that, like the Islay in winter.

As a result, I found that I read/post much less often here at sf and that I subsequently covet (and buy) less. The recently posted dark brown Coniston from Frans Boone is breaking down my resolve, however.

 

[CTBrummie]

@patrick_b, I've done pretty much the same. I'm down to about a dozen pairs of boots and a handful of pairs of shoes (was always a boot man anyway) and I'm leaning towards the casual boot type anyway. Some of the collection was making up the numbers and whilst it might sounds impressive saying you have several dozen pairs of top end shoes and boots, it's a little daft to hold onto stuff that only gets worn sparingly.

The only pair that will be added to the mix this year is the Skye 4 in snuff suede. To this end I've just asked the local shop to track one down for me when they come off the production line...

 

[S K M]



The only pair that will be added to the mix this year is the Skye 4 in snuff suede. To this end I've just asked the local shop to track one down for me when they come off the production line...

Uh, I've been eyeing those myself as I think it's a really genious take on both suede and boots - both of which I love, but have never thought of combining this way. However, since I'm taking delivery of another pair of EG boots shortly I'm afraid I'm booted out for this season, so would probably have to wait for next season... And maybe consider doing it as an EG Alderley in suede instead

 

[CTBrummie]

Uh, I've been eyeing those myself as I think it's a really genious take on both suede and boots - both of which I love, but have never thought of combining this way. However, since I'm taking delivery of another pair of EG boots shortly I'm afraid I'm booted out for this season, so would probably have to wait for next season... And maybe consider doing it as an EG Alderley in suede instead

See, at the price difference between the two there is nothing to recommend the Alderley over the Skye to me apart from added internet kudos value and a few hundred quid less in your wallet.

I'd rather get this boot and another C&J model for the same cash - I'd also get more wear from them too, as most EG lasts are pretty unsuitable for more casual wear, in comparison with C&J's 228, 325, 335 and 365. The Alderley to me has been over-refined, more so than the Skye, meaning it's lost a lot of its potential use as a casual suede boot.

 

[aglose]



I have both...and love both.

The snowdon is a much more 'hardcore' winter boot. It has a veldtschoen construction making the welt nearly impermeable to water...along with a waxed calf upper which aids in this also. It has a bellows tongue in case you go through deep water and it has a commando sole. It is this style of boot, made by C&J, the Ernest Shackleton and his crew wore on their arctic expeditions.

The Islay is more of a classic country boot that can be worn more 'fashionably'. The scotch grain calf and wingtip broguing keep it in this country range. It has a dainite rubber sole which is good, but not the same as a commando for ice and snow.

So it really depends - do you want a ****-kicking badass mud and snow winter boot that isn't going to fit so well into a fashionable outfit?...or do you want a country-style brogue boot that can be worn casually or dressed up in country garb and that can be worn in the winter crap, but not as effectively....   ???

Thanks for the help! I'm on a college campus, so I'm not going to be going through the back country. Mostly I just need a pair of boots that will stand up to the few inches of snow that haven't been plowed yet. The Snowdon will probably be overkill, so maybe I'll start with the Islay and think about he Snowdon for next winter.

 

[CTBrummie]

^ The Snowdon is far better suited to snow, though...

 

[dddrees]

Thanks for the help! I'm on a college campus, so I'm not going to be going through the back country. Mostly I just need a pair of boots that will stand up to the few inches of snow that haven't been plowed yet. The Snowdon will probably be overkill, so maybe I'll start with the Islay and think about he Snowdon for next winter.

You may have missed the point however. The Islay is more fashion, and the Snowdon is more function. The Snowdon even in your case would probably serve you better.

 

[aglose]

True, but the price is quiet a bit different if I remember the price from the store in NY. Like $650 for the Islay from pediwear and over $800 for the Snowdon. Maybe the C&J store across the pond would have better pricing than the one here.

 

[dddrees]

True, but the price is quiet a bit different if I remember the price from the store in NY. Like $650 for the Islay from pediwear and over $800 for the Snowdon. Maybe the C&J store across the pond would have better pricing than the one here.

Your almost always going to do better in price by buying from across the pond. However with Crockett and Jones when you buy from across the pond you may have to wait a bit longer as retailers don't always have the shoe or boot in stock and they will have to often order it from the factory. I'm sure however more seasoned veterans of this thread can steer you better on finding the best price for a Snowdon if your truly interested.

 

[MGD83]

The pennies you will save aren't worth it for a 3 month waiting time and probably at least a 50$ delivery fee. Not to mention customs/duties that may need to be paid. If you can purchase locally, I'd go that route. Also, should you wish to make a return or try a different size it's obviously much easier then shipping something and waiting it out.

 

[jssdc]

The last point is definitely correct - if you're not sure on your size you're taking a risk buying from am overseas vendor. Once you know your size however, the savings buying from the uk C&J stores or from uk vendors on sale are way more than pennies.

 

[aglose]



The last point is definitely correct - if you're not sure on your size you're taking a risk buying from am overseas vendor. Once you know your size however, the savings buying from the uk C&J stores or from uk vendors on sale are way more than pennies.

So on the 325 last I'm an 8uk in my RL Linderick boot. I'm assuming id be close to that same size for the Snowdon and the Islay. Haha now, I'm of course, thinking that the Snowdon might be a better idea. I think I'll be super happy with either boot, so I just need to price them out. I think the Snowdon is only available from the C&J stores, I can't seem to find anything online from other retailers.

EDIT:How tall is the shaft on the Snowdon? From the welt to the too of the shaft?

 

[Vanquish]

First post on here. Love some C&J.

 

[BootSpell]

First post on here. Love some C&J.

Welcome to SF. Very nice Islays. I like how they don't look all shiny and new.

 

[MGD83]



The last point is definitely correct - if you're not sure on your size you're taking a risk buying from am overseas vendor. Once you know your size however, the savings buying from the uk C&J stores or from uk vendors on sale are way more than pennies.

I guess I didn't mean pennies literally, but the decision to buy overseas rather then locally is dependent on ones logistics and knowledge of CJ lasts.