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

[Technica]

I have a Coniston in tan grain, Snowdon in zug grain and a Meindl Norwegian welt hiking boot.

The Coniston never get worn for anything heavy duty but I’m happy wearing them on country tracks and in foul weather. I’m sure they could hold up to more abuse if needed though. The Dainite sole doesn’t particularly lend itself to hiking though.

The Snowdon are a lot tougher feeling than the Coniston and more supportive due to the higher shaft. These are zug though so I can’t personally comment on the oak waxed leather, although it seems to be plenty durable. The commando sole on the Snowdon also lends itself to more serious outdoors useage. I use mine for fairly rough off road use and they can handle wet conditions no problem at all.

The Meindl are always my 1st choice for more serious walking and are more supportive, more flexible, lighter (although not light by modern standards). They are leather lined rather than gore tex as it keeps them cooler and I hear a lot about gore tex being the 1st point of failure. I have never had wet feet in these and that includes submerging them above ankle height. I do think the Snowdon’s may be equally water resistant.

So all in all the C&J options are up to the job, especially the Snowdon, although the purpose built hiking boot is probably better. Also I tend not to care about scraping the Meindl on rocks etc whereas it would bother me more with the C&J as they’re a lot nicer.

The newer Ross boot might be an option as it has a Vibram lug sole and a padded collar for comfort. I have that Vibram sole on a Red Wing boots and it is impressive in most conditions and has more shock absorbency than a itshide commando.

Thanks for the input! I think the Snowdons are a good options as you say, rather than Coniston.
Did you get the Snowdon via a GMTO? What do you think about the Zug leather? Much hardier and waterproof than normal?

Which Meindl is it that you have that you can recommend? Are they also repairable goodyear welted? Thanks!

 

[Reiver]

Thanks for the input! I think the Snowdons are a good options as you say, rather than Coniston.
Did you get the Snowdon via a GMTO? What do you think about the Zug leather? Much hardier and waterproof than normal?

Which Meindl is it that you have that you can recommend? Are they also repairable goodyear welted? Thanks!

I didn’t join MTO for the Snowdon’s, just happened to find an new in box pair on eBay. The zug leather is quite stiff and takes a bit of break in but is very water resistant and durable. The oak waxed leather will be more supple.

The Meindl are called sonnblick and are Norwegian welted which is a stitchdown construction and more water resistant than Goodyear welted construction I think. They are repairable.

Other similar brands are Zamberlan, Hanwag, Alico

 

[Pedlar]

I didn’t join MTO for the Snowdon’s, just happened to find an new in box pair on eBay. The zug leather is quite stiff and takes a bit of break in but is very water resistant and durable. The oak waxed leather will be more supple.

The Meindl are called sonnblick and are Norwegian welted which is a stitchdown construction and more water resistant than Goodyear welted construction I think. They are repairable.

Other similar brands are Zamberlan, Hanwag, Alico

And don’t forget Limmer, who have a line of boots made by Meindl, I think, and their customs made in Limmer’s shop.

 

[CWL317]

I just found out that Finsbury has been discontinued. Why did they do that and what’s replaced it or what’s the nearest to it?

 

[plato]

Whisky shell View attachment 1445204 View attachment 1445203 View attachment 1445202

These are great. May I ask at what shop you purchased them?

 

[Berto1]

Seymour 3 Hand Grade

 

[hkoldguy]

These are great. May I ask at what shop you purchased them?

Tassels in Hong Kong, they had introduced a range of whisky shell

 

[Edmund K]

Tassels in Hong Kong, they had introduced a range of whisky shell

View attachment 1446025

How do you like the split-toe? Is it on 375 last and it looks very good in photo.

 

[hkoldguy]

How do you like the split-toe? Is it on 375 last and it looks very good in photo.

I didn’t get the split toe in the end so I didn’t pay attention to the last number. I don’t like those upper stitching on CJ after having EG Dover, those stitching just don’t look as nice imho

 

[jischwar]

Okay, so I'm thinking about getting my Marlow full strap loafers refurbished at the factory in Northhampton. Seems like the sky is really the limit based on the conversations I've had with their CS department, so I'm thinking about going from the double leather sole to a city sole. Anyone care to share their experience with the factory refurb process?

 

[Edmund K]

I didn’t get the split toe in the end so I didn’t pay attention to the last number. I don’t like those upper stitching on CJ after having EG Dover, those stitching just don’t look as nice imho

That's very true. EG has better stitching for sure.

 

[conak]

Dear all, I am looking for recommendations for some good hiking boots - general recommendation seems to be to stick to specialist hiking brands like Lowa or Meindl.

However, I wouldn't be on styleforum if I didnt care about style! Can traditional country boots work for full on proper hiking/backpacking?

I am considering some options incl. the C&J consitons or the Snowdon - anyone have any experience actually going on outdoor hiking expeditions (over rocky trails, muddy bogs etc) with these and can they be recommended to keep me safe and dry? Or better stick to specialist brands for that?

Short answer is yes. Keeping in mind that the more rugged classic boots started their lives primarily as military designs, you will be able to use them for hiking as long as you accept certain preconditions:

• The 'technology' is older. It will be like driving a classic car: gets the job done but you will notice certain things are less comfortable
• You need to be willing to beat them up. If you aren't, don't bother, as you wont enjoy either the hike or the boots
• On that, you will need to put additional care into them: cleaning, waxing, touching up scratches and nicks.
• waterproofing is not at the same level as synthetic liners
• you need to allow room for proper boot socks
• Lug sole is usually better unless its very soft, grassy ground or pure rock

I have used my Trickers Stows for moderate hikes (5 miles) when intending to go out in town afterwards and they have done the job quite well and cleanup nicely. I coat them in Obenauf's LP wax before heading out and this does a good job of keeping them dry, relatively clean (unless you're in a dusty environment, which will have the opposite effect), and protecting from minor scrapes.

For more intense hiking I have comfortably hiked 15 miles in Fife's Veldschoen boots, including through rivers while keeping dry. A similarly constructed, higher end CJ boot would definitely be able to handle the same treatment

 

[Pedlar]

Short answer is yes. Keeping in mind that the more rugged classic boots started their lives primarily as military designs, you will be able to use them for hiking as long as you accept certain preconditions:

• The 'technology' is older. It will be like driving a classic car: gets the job done but you will notice certain things are less comfortable
• You need to be willing to beat them up. If you aren't, don't bother, as you wont enjoy either the hike or the boots
• On that, you will need to put additional care into them: cleaning, waxing, touching up scratches and nicks.
• waterproofing is not at the same level as synthetic liners
• you need to allow room for proper boot socks
• Lug sole is usually better unless its very soft, grassy ground or pure rock

I have used my Trickers Stows for moderate hikes (5 miles) when intending to go out in town afterwards and they have done the job quite well and cleanup nicely. I coat them in Obenauf's LP wax before heading out and this does a good job of keeping them dry, relatively clean (unless you're in a dusty environment, which will have the opposite effect), and protecting from minor scrapes.

For more intense hiking I have comfortably hiked 15 miles in Fife's Veldschoen boots, including through rivers while keeping dry. A similarly constructed, higher end CJ boot would definitely be able to handle the same treatment

^^^ All of this, yes.

+1 for Obenauf’s LP (and it’s dust-collecting as well as water-proofing properties) for boots you intend to use this way.

 

[hkoldguy]

That's very true. EG has better stitching for sure.

you were right though, it’s on the 375 lasts

 

[Technica]

Short answer is yes. Keeping in mind that the more rugged classic boots started their lives primarily as military designs, you will be able to use them for hiking as long as you accept certain preconditions:

• The 'technology' is older. It will be like driving a classic car: gets the job done but you will notice certain things are less comfortable
• You need to be willing to beat them up. If you aren't, don't bother, as you wont enjoy either the hike or the boots
• On that, you will need to put additional care into them: cleaning, waxing, touching up scratches and nicks.
• waterproofing is not at the same level as synthetic liners
• you need to allow room for proper boot socks
• Lug sole is usually better unless its very soft, grassy ground or pure rock

I have used my Trickers Stows for moderate hikes (5 miles) when intending to go out in town afterwards and they have done the job quite well and cleanup nicely. I coat them in Obenauf's LP wax before heading out and this does a good job of keeping them dry, relatively clean (unless you're in a dusty environment, which will have the opposite effect), and protecting from minor scrapes.

For more intense hiking I have comfortably hiked 15 miles in Fife's Veldschoen boots, including through rivers while keeping dry. A similarly constructed, higher end CJ boot would definitely be able to handle the same treatment

Thanks for that!! Great insight.

Are you talking about the "Rannoch" boots from Hoggs of Fife? I was looking at that as well actually only problem being they dont make one in my size especially considering they're a G fit! (6.5F)

Are there any other such Veldtschoen constructed boots with full bellows tongues around? (to maximise water resistance). I can only seem to come around either no bellows at all (which I think is necessary) or at most half bellows (such as in the C&J Snowdon).

I believe the Zug Snowdon is full bellows but nobody seems interested in a GMTO currently so I'm a little stuck as to what to get : /

I was just going to get a Lowa or Meindl maybe (see to get raving reviews from hiking enthusiasts), but they're cemented soles rather than properly welted so not sure about their longevity...

Limmer, White's and Nick's seem to be other big brands in outdoor boots but not available to try in the UK, anyone know of any Veldt boots with full bellows?