I have examined various knock-offs, and I can tell you the look can be similar, but there are many differences, e.g. thickness of leather, quality of stitching, and quality of the leather (tanning process)... so for $350, it's a better investment than a $100 knock-off if you want to wear these boots for many years.

@@zHumanfactor thus far the comparison to the RWs is that the Chinese shoes are the same, with the exception of the leather insert. The one's I ordered are a homage to the 8109 Oxfords and the RW leather inserts from my 1907s fits very well in them, so I've already addressed the only real issue. My bigger point is that while some products are clearly knock offs with poor quality materials and workmanship, that's not always the case. People hear "Chinese made" and immediately assume inferior product, then go out and buy boots from some place like Academy and overpay for the very stuff they take an issue with, just sold under some name that's familiar to them, like Justin boots. I definitely love my RWs (I have a RW issue of sorts...🤣) but it's tough overlooking what you can get for $100, especially with a new pair of 8090s running $300. Or worse, in that the discontinued Oxfords, like the 8109 sell for more.

Thanks, Ben. Our feet' size can be problematic, and it's always a challenge to get the right fit. Keep walking!

No estoy seguro. Ella es muy talentosa.

Hi Duke, the guy who did them is Aaron Garcia out of L.A.

@@zHumanfactor I know Aaron at Revive. Brian is Roleclub. The other guy you were talking about out of LA

@@Dukeofmamucas Oh, right... thanks for the name recall. :)

Thanks for your comment. I actually found the black wedge sole quite light. Though I'm not sure about the softness vs the white wedge.

Hi Jo, I'm sorry to say I can't remember the cost. I tried searching for the details but couldn't find them. I'll take a guess of around three hundred. But he is really rebuilding the whole boot and also adding a leather midsole. I might be a little high (or low) in the quote. But Aaron Garcia of Revive Shoe Repair in LA does excellent work and is an excellent communicator. Yes, some people will experience a harder break-in period. Did you size a half or whole size down from your normal foot size? You can also buy inserts to make them more comfortable, and/or where thinner or thicker socks. I would wear them until I broke them in and wore down that mini-lug sole, then do the conversion to the wedge sole.

@@zHumanfactor I live in Los Angeles so I’ll look them up! Thanks so much. As for the sizing, yes I sized down a whole size actually. I tried the shoes with inserts and it was too tight. Was wondering if this sole made the shoe more comfortable?

Yeah, just hang in there, and break them in slowly. I do think the wedge sole makes for a better "ride" and is nice and quiet. :)@@jostalking

@@zHumanfactor okay I’ll break in first then make a decision

I actually just reached out to Revive Shoe Repair and was wondering if I could do a video shooting him re-soling my boots and I would share the footage, we'll see what he says. Thanks for the recommendation!!@@zHumanfactor

They have held up great. Though, I tend to wear them only in the Fall, Winter and early Spring. The wear is in the typical place, the outside heel areas, but I still see the sole tread throughout the sole, which is pretty darn good. And the whole wedge sole is all firmly attached to the leather mid-sole.

I definitely hear you on this preference. The nice thing about good quality Goodyear Welted soles is it offers the flexibility in what outer sole one wants to use. For me, having used the mini-lug sole that initially came with the boots and now the wedge sole, I find more advantages (for me) in using the wedge sole.

@@zHumanfactor I think if I had a job in a warehouse where I worked on concrete all day, I think I would want the wedge. I’m climbing in and out of trucks all day and climbing ladders I think it’s better to have a heel. But I think if my situation was different I think I would prefer the other

He told me the welt was in such good condition that he reused it. I would have preferred a new welt.

@@zHumanfactor you should have told him that!

I know, I just figured that would always be done... @@58harwood

Hey Dog, I actually considered that. In fact, there are some companies that will provide you with a different size for each foot for the same price as one pair, e.g. Crown Northampton (leather sneakers). But I am so used (my whole life) to wearing the same size that my brain would not like the difference (I know, that doesn't sound logical :) .

You'll love the Iron Ranger on a wedge sole.

Thanks T.H. !

Hi Alex, I honestly can't remember. You can watch the video of my guy Aaron putting on the wedge soles and see if he keeps it on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3Ovh5yVeKd4mpI

I was curious, so I watched it again. Yes, he places back the steel shank. :)

Thanks for the tip Keith.

Thanks 👍

Yes, I think I heard that, which is too bad; it's such a great color.

I agree, as my mini-lugs were wearing out, I started thinking about a different sole, and researched a bunch, finally deciding on these vibrams and also added a veg-tan layer of leather in the midsole. Love them. More comfortable, quieter, and cleaner coming into the house.

Hi Tony, they are comfortable. But once I wore out the mini-lug sole I decided to have a boot "make-over". I had a leather midsole added (which the stock boot doesn't have), and then I placed a Vibram wedge sole on them. So now they are even more comfortable (I can even run in them because they have a more sneaker sole feel) and they are quiet compared to the noisy sound of the min-lugs on the floor. Here is my video on the upgrade. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6ClpX-DidGLiMU

Great comments L.S. Thx.

Yeah, both my sons have the same water distiller and live in different parts of the country. I sometimes notice a slight difference in the flavor of the water. Water distillation removes a vast array of contaminants, but perhaps "flavor" is something not "filtered" out? www.waterwise.com/nothing-compares-to-waterwise-purity/

@@zHumanfactor how does one prevent mold in the carbon filter ? also, what is the carbon filter material made of ? it is 100% chemical free? not sure about that... each drop of water will go through that sachet

​@@incorectulpoliticàq

Yes sir, it's a big improvement relative to the noise. Definitely go for it.

Hi, if your feet are normal width (D) and you have normally sized toes (i.e. the middle toes are not longer than the big toe), you could probably have a good fit going down a full size. However, if you have a wider toe area, and longer middle toes, and a more than normal width feet... and you plan on walking in these boots a lot, only go 1/2 down. That should cover it. :)

@@zHumanfactor thanks, much appreciated 🙏🏼

Hi, no, they don't leave marks on any floor surface. Very comfortable and a nice change to the mini-lug sole.

@@zHumanfactor i put black vibram 2120 wedge soles on my moc toes and it reduced the weight by 1/2 lb each. much more comfortable

That's awesome, Ed... good move sir.@@edrader

She is brilliant in this series.

She also pops up in Human Giant and WKUK sketches.

He is impressive.

Hi Dusan, thanks for reaching out from Serbia. If you had the same size for both feet and had narrow feet, I might suggest sizing down a full size. Because you have slightly wider than normal feet, I think your best bet is 1/2 size down. These would be more comfortable for you.

Aaron is a great cobbler.

Thx Pete!

@@zHumanfactor I think I just watched His Video on your Boots.

@@petersilecchio4417 Aaron is a great cobbler... and an excellent communicator.