Paraboots style in Europe to use every single day

Submitted by Vorblaka t3_1088z6t in BuyItForLife

Hi, I've been wearing and buying Brandit Phantom boots (14 eye model) for over 5 years and I decided I'm tired of having to change them every year. The new pair should:

  • Look like the aforementioned Brandit Phantom 14 eye. So no zip, reinforced toe and reach that length on leg
  • Resist significant stress: I will wear them every day of the week for around 8 hour each day
  • Ideally, cost less 150€
  • No second-hand
  • Available for purchase or shipping in the Netherlands or Italy

The problem I have with the Brandit boots is that they are made of genuine leather so they're easy to break, and the sole is screwed and glued, which (I think) makes it difficult to repair.

I tried to look for German bundeswehr and other military boots, but I cannot seem to find a model that reaches the 14 eye length, except Corcorans, but they aren't easily available.

I'm not sure if all the requirements can be satisfied together, I expect the 150 budget to be a great limitation as well as the everyday wearing, but it's worth a shot. I'm considering buying 2 or 3 pair (maybe slightly different models at this point) and rotate them through the week to limit the wear and tear, but I'm not sure if this will significantly increase the durability.

Any pointer is welcome, and thanks for reading the post in the first place

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DKatri t1_j3r00fs wrote

They're more than the €150 you're looking to spend but look at the Red Wing Iron Rangers. If taken care of they'll last you a long time and can be re-soled by a decent cobbler.

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Vorblaka OP t1_j3r2vu4 wrote

They aren't as tall as I want them (which I believe is 10 inches, or 25 cm, roughly). Their only model that fits the length is the Truwelt, but it doesn't come in black leather, only brown, and is not available in the European shops at the moment.

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77tassells t1_j3r3qk3 wrote

I love my iron rangers but they have a much smaller lug too.

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77tassells t1_j3qz2tl wrote

I would take them to a cobbler and see if you can have them resoled. Screws aren’t an issue for resoling. They may not have a good welt like a doc Martin which can make it harder. They are 100% leather so nice and broken in boots are worth it to resole. If you decide to replace then get something with a Goodyear welt that can be resoled over a lifetime. You might have to pay a little more but think of them as lifetime boots.

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Vorblaka OP t1_j3r1ffc wrote

The problem is that the leather is also to the point of being unusable. Provided, I never took great care of them, but it is crumbling at this point, and has holes on the most stressed off parts. My previous pair is a bit better, doesn't have holes, but it still seems broken beyond repair to me, as the surface is peeling away.

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CommanDant19 t1_j3r3njq wrote

Kinda answered your own question there. Same boots, take care of them. Then they might last longer

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edhitchon1993 t1_j3r9lca wrote

Walkley Clogs do a few options, they are a little but over €150 (but in that ballpark), they do several style of paraboots, from reconditioned ex-army, resoled new army, and new high leg style. The rubber soling option (it's a walking boot sole glued and nailed to the wood) which I have) lasts around 1800km between replacements (depending on your gait and the surfaces you're walking over). The wooden soles are basically indestructable, the leather uppers will last for as long as you look after them, being clogs there's no bending in the sole so you won't get pinch holes in the uppers as you would with rubber soled shoes and boots.

They do exports, but I don't know at what cost, it could push it well over budget.

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