Submitted by t3_1116wcy in BuyItForLife

I'm visiting the US, Chicago, from the UK in a few weeks.

I'm not going to buy stuff for the sake of buying stuff - only if relevant and if it will save waste and money in the long term. But I am getting some Thursday boots and Darn Tough socks - which are awkward to get in the UK.

Wondering what other BIFL recommendations there might be?

I get it some of you don't recommend Thursdays.

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t1_j8d34er wrote

Personally, I'd skip the Thursday boots. You have a lot of good boot makers in the UK and there are many better options in the USA if you're willing to expand your budget just a little bit more.

The USA is great for other leather goods too, so if you need a wallet or belt I'd add that to your list. A place like Hanks is great for belts, and they sell wallets too, but I don't have any experience with those. Check out etsy shops with a good reviews for hand made leather goods too. Since you were looking at the Thursday boots, it sounds like you'll have a place that will accept mail.

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t1_j8d8wun wrote

I have a question is there any bootmaker of higer quality but similar aesthetic to the thursday boots in the US, I'm European and I find a lot of the US boots adviced here not to be aesthetically pleasing(for example the red rangers) but thursday boots are stylish enough.

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OP t1_j8dabj2 wrote

Yeah thats me too.

Thursday boots look less rugged, which is what I'm after.

Also great value. Sure not as good as other GYW boots, but they're also not $500...

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t1_j8dtmxo wrote

There are plenty of boot makers in the UK and you should be able to get something in a style you like. Someone like William Lennon is still making boots the same way they always have but you will have to wait for them.

https://williamlennon.co.uk/product-category/boots

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OP t1_j8dupcv wrote

Yeah I looked at WLs before deciding on Thursdays. Look great but not what I'm after this time around.

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t1_j8gtopg wrote

Those are interesting and priced competitively, but I'm not so fond of the rare screw-together type sole construction, I think the goodyear welted thursday boots will be easier to resole...

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t1_j8dkjg1 wrote

Yeah Thursday boots def are not worth it. Check out oakstreetbootmakers.com, I think they are in Chicago but not positive. I have a pair of their kudu leather lakeshore boots and they are just amazing. Not sure if they make that particular boot anymore but they have some amazing stuff.

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OP t1_j8dnala wrote

They look great. It's Chicago that in going to, so will check it out.

No doubt better than Thursdays. But also 2.5x the price. A price I'm sure is justified though.

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t1_j8doeff wrote

Wow, what are the odds you are going to Chicago! How cool 😎 is that!? Took me a while to pull the trigger on buying a pair because of the price but they are completely worth it. I also bought the cedar shoe trees, might be a good idea to get them too if you are going to spend $500+ on boots, that was my thought process when I originally got mine.

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OP t1_j8dor7l wrote

I might go try a pair on. Then I at least a) know for future so I could order from UK and b) have a bar to judge others against.

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t1_j8e1f5c wrote

Wesco and Truman Boot Co. are noteworthy brands that others haven’t mentioned yet.

FYI: there’s a store in Chicago on Milwaukee Ave. called Mildblend that carries footwear from many of the American companies mentioned in this thread. It would be a good place to try some pairs on and compare options. They also have an excellent selection of raw denim.

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t1_j8df4d1 wrote

Wolverine 1000 mile

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OP t1_j8dfr9w wrote

Nice, they look decent. Will investigate.

1000 mile, is that a claim that sounds good but isn't that impressive?

My £40 Clarks have easily lasted 1000 miles...

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t1_j8epetu wrote

you can also get them new on resale like poshmark for excellent prices

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t1_j8d9hyr wrote

Nick's and White's are common recommendations here and I haven't heard a single bad thing about either

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t1_j8gtyp4 wrote

> higer quality but similar aesthetic to the thursday boots

> Nick's and White's

Dude that's like someone asking for cars similar to the El Camino but presenting them with a Peterbilt... :)

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t1_j8f3jqy wrote

Love my Nicks. I think they are the Roberts (the taller heel one). They have a much slimmer profile than Wolverines or Red Wing which looked like clown shoes on me. These boots are far and away my most complemented article of clothing.

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t1_j8dfy3v wrote

Depends on what you want to spend. $300 Redwing Iron Rangers or Blacksmith $450 Whites $600 Alden Indy, best boot in my opinion. I have had mine for nearly 10 years. Honestly though there are much better boot manufacturers in the UK and EU.

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t1_j8dwdq9 wrote

If you’re looking at service boots (i.e. Thursday Captains) you could but White’s MPs, Grant Stone Diesels, etc. The most aesthetic service boots are Viberg’s IMO, also the originals (and quite pricey), but they are a Canadian brand (still probably easier to acquire in the US than the UK).

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t1_j8gemi7 wrote

Sorel, LL Bean both make nice boots not sure if Sorel is available in the UK

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t1_j8dfgfo wrote

Can confirm Hanks belts. Bought my first - Old World Harness about 3 months ago - and since have purchased 2 more. Won’t buy any others.

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t1_j8gstoc wrote

> The USA is great for other leather goods too, so if you need a wallet or belt I'd add that to your list.

I'd sooner say the leather goods are one of the most overpriced stuff you can get in the US. Requires lots of labour for something relatively simple... Like those saddleback bags which cost 100-200$ more than something similar in Europe (and the saddleback stuff isn't even made in the US at all).

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t1_j8d506x wrote

Lodge Cast iron products but weight can be an issue. You can find them almost anywhere (Target, Walmart, local supermarkets, etc).

Leather products - https://www.bullhidebelts.com Hanks Belts

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OP t1_j8d5wfs wrote

Will have a look. Got some good cast iron already, but will see what there is at least.

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t1_j8dnwh3 wrote

If you have cast iron, skip lodge. It's not that good. Wagner is better, but old.

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OP t1_j8domd0 wrote

Yeah thanks. Might hit a goodwill actually, we have charity shops in the UK, but very different to what you have!

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t1_j8dqxwv wrote

Goodwill, local thrift shops are fun. You never know what your going to find.

Also, you should ask about local food. Food here is regional dependant. For example: Texas has great beef bbq, NJ has pork roll egg and cheese on a bagel. Etc.

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OP t1_j8dtfhr wrote

Yeye keen to have some genuine Chicago deep dish! Definitely asking around for suggestions, especially if there's an old family business.

Not sure what else Chicago is famed for though, food wise.

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t1_j8e8we6 wrote

Chicago has great steakhouses, and I've got to assume a lot of good Polish food options (sausages, pierogies...)

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t1_j8e5caz wrote

I'd recommend Johnnie's Beef where I'd get a beef and sausage combo with hot giardiniera and a lemon ice. One of the locations in really close to O'hare airport.

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t1_j8ewsnu wrote

You have tons of good French cast iron cookware your way already imo

Not worth the weight

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OP t1_j8exsbf wrote

Yeah got a full Le Creuset set + a 12" US cast iron, should be fine, you're right.

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t1_j8ft8r5 wrote

Don’t get cast iron get Emile Henry fired clay stoneware. They’re the best of all worlds.

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t1_j8dgq0i wrote

If you’re going near the Museum of Useful Things or the MOMA museum shop, it’s well worth looking at their sites, both love to exhibit and sell great designs that age beautifully.

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t1_j8djuau wrote

I’m a big fan of Redwing boots reasonably priced good quality

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t1_j8eb140 wrote

Can be found easily in Europe though. Perhaps they cost slightly less in the US?

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t1_j8f05m5 wrote

The US made ones specifically use their highest quality leather, and are manufactured at higher standards.

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t1_j8e13oa wrote

Duluth Trading Company makes some damn fine stuff

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t1_j8ei9yr wrote

*Used to make damn fine stuff. IMO since they've gained popularity they've clearly switched up to quantity over quality production. I have old pants and flannels from them that have lasted 6+ years. I have new pants and flannels that are less than 3 years old and look worse than my older items already.

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t1_j8fv1s0 wrote

I will definitely agree on that. Fire hose and the dry on the fly pants are still my favorites. Especially the lined ones. The fleece went way down hill. It’s really nice to have an actual store to walk around and check the quality. Back in my day u just rolled the dice and ordered on line 😆

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t1_j8gsbiw wrote

Definitely (and sadly agree) here. They caught some marketing traction and became a bigger brand than they could keep up with. They still have good stuff, but they certainly have a lot of crap that’s just dad-fashion and not actually BIFL

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t1_j8dtz4f wrote

Depends on what you need and are looking for. If you like the outdoors, it might be worth hitting up a REI store if it’s convenient.

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t1_j8e2v4w wrote

Leatherman Wave+, although not sure if you guys can even carry them

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OP t1_j8e4pju wrote

With good reason - yes.

Without reason, yes if below a specific length and non-locking.

Think we have leatherman here, though unsure if same range and price.

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t1_j8eenw6 wrote

Go on a riverboat tour while you're in Chicago. You will not regret it.

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t1_j8e83jb wrote

You should edit to add where in the US in your post, that will impact what we suggest since you can't find everything everywhere! If there is a Patagonia store where you are going, for sure visit that. If you are outdoorsy at all in fact, there are a ton of things much easier to get in the States.

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t1_j8g76e0 wrote

Go to Filson in Naperville, a suburb of Chicago

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t1_j8d5537 wrote

Brasher boots are some of the finest boots made, and they’re in the UK.

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t1_j8d9pih wrote

Skip Thursday boots - go with Redwing IMO. Or if you want other recs, ask the fine folks at r/goodyearwelt.

Enjoy your trip!

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t1_j8ddwpb wrote

Where are you going? I'd suggest actually visiting the places you want to buy from and then you're actually not buying stuff for the sake of buying stuff.

If you're going to be in the Pacific northwest, I'd make a point of trying to find whites or nicks boots and trying them on. If you're in the northeast and around cities like New York, Boston, or Washington DC then I'd suggest visiting an Alden shoes store and trying those on. Thursdays are not bifl.

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t1_j8fmllg wrote

Pendleton, Faribault, or 8th Generation blankets. They probably have a Pendleton outlet store near Chicago.

Outerwear will be on sale too.

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t1_j8g70ts wrote

I vouch for Pendleton wool shirts on sale of course

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t1_j8g8rug wrote

You can usually find extra discount codes or specials online. If you sign up for text messages they give a 10-15% discount. It's worth it.

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t1_j8hisdj wrote

You could get some decent Channel Lock pliers from a homedepot.

Jansport backpacks are inexpensive and extremely durable, which is why it's one of the default bookbags in the US. The iconic leather bottom bags are also relatively affordable and easy to find (get the one with actual leather, not pleather). You can likely find one in a mall or a store like tilly's

My last suggestion is to go to a US army surplus store. Most surplus gear is made in the US and well made. Dont expect to find M65 jackets those are long gone. And a lot of stores will sell "recreations" or reproductions, which should be avoided since that defeats the purpose of buying surplus if it's not really surplus.

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t1_j8db0qa wrote

You live in likely the most target rich BIFL footwear country in the world and want to get the bottom tier boots in America? Unless they have a specific type that really speaks to you, pass on them.

And there are 10,000 BIFL things in America and we can't list them. And they'd likely save you $0 vs. buying online. Having traveled the world, I can think of very few things that are cheaper in their home country. Hell....Yankee Candles are cheaper at Target than the factory store attached to the plant where they are made. Shit's maddening.

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t1_j8dikjx wrote

Depends on what you’ll use of course but I buy these for UK family - Hamilton shirts made in USA western style (Lyle Lovett collection). Hamilton shirts

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t1_j8eelzn wrote

Levi’s - not BIFL (no jeans are), but good quality. You can get Levi’s in Europe as well, but I understand that the prices are much much higher than buying them in the States. Hit up a department store like Macy’s and you should be able to get a pair on sale for $30 or less.

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OP t1_j8ejjn5 wrote

Nice. I normally pay around £40-50 for my 512s so might be worth seeing if I can get some cheaper ones. I'll be near Macy's as well!

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t1_j8ggkzz wrote

Wrangler 13mwz or 47mwz > anything Levi’s

Thicker tougher denim. Jeans you actually have to break in yourself

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t1_j8ekexc wrote

You can get the some of the popular Thursday boots (Captain etc) on Amazon UK now FWIW. I’m no big boot wearer but had my Captains for a while and I think they’re great value for the price.

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OP t1_j8ekp1q wrote

Yeah, I saw. A few factors lead to me not:

  1. Increased price.
  2. No Vanguard model.
  3. No seconds.

I've spent $200 on factory seconds Vanguards ($250 new). I figured, whilst I'm over there might as well!

Glad you like them!

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t1_j8el02c wrote

They were actually cheaper off Amazon for me. On the Thursday website you have to pay import tax which bumped the price up quite a bit. Also meant returns would be a nightmare, but thankfully I ordered the right size :)

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t1_j8fkvqn wrote

If they’re is somewhere you can have stuff shipped that will really help.

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t1_j8g7bs2 wrote

Go to the made in Chicago museum.

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t1_j8g7v60 wrote

Eyewear glasses and or sunglasses I would seriously look into State Optical or American Optical both made in Illinois, very very nice eyewear that you would not see a lot of back home and you may cop a deal

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t1_j8hhcvv wrote

American Giant hoodie. Google it. A really good simple hoodie. Not sure if there is an outlet in Chicago. But maybe someone resells or can get local shipping free…

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t1_j8e14fi wrote

Duluth Trading Company makes some damn fine stuff

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