The Bloggomist: The Local Boy
Spotlight Addictions

I’m a shoe guy.  And a coat guy.  But even before I was a coat guy, I was a shoe guy.  All of us who shop have one or two things that we always end up buying no matter how stuffed our closet is.  It’s shoes and coats for me–actually, for most guys I talk to, it is.  “What do you look at when you first meet another person?”  You’ve seen the online quiz before.  If you’re one of those weirdos who sheepishly answer ” shoes” you know what I’m talking about.  My parents never let me own a pair of name-brand shoes until my junior year in high school, so let’s just say I’m making up for lost time.

I spent most of high school with a bunch of wannabe gangsters so I come from a generation of Air Force 1’s, Cortes, and K-Swiss, all so icy-white they hurt your eyes in the sun.  You kept them that way as long as you could, and once they got scuffed or creased to the point they looked embarrassing with a new pair of pants, they were in the trash. And back to the mall for a new pair.

As with everything, tastes change as you grow older and these days I’m in the market for shoes with a “higher calling” if you will.  I need them to be wearable, not just good with one or two outfits.  With a job that keeps me on my feet most of the day I need them to be comfortable enough to sport all day and durable enough to take the constant abuse.  I’ve realized shoes are meant to be worn and used, so ideally I’m looking for something that will look even better the more I wear it.  I want something that grows in character with every mark, crease, and imperfection.  It should feel more incredible instead of deteriorating as time goes by.  I need something that looks stylish with a crisp button-down, but just as swanky with a crumpled tee.  Let’s be real.  I need to get my grown man on.

Say hello to Wolverine’s relaunch of the 1000 Mile Boot.  Revisiting the tried and true design that first put the distinguished American boot company on the map nearly a century ago, Wolverine offers a boot that is both beautiful and dependable with all the heritage and value that should back a true American company that has been doing their job for the past 125 years.

The silhouette of the 6-inch boot is based on the same design crafted by founder G.A. Krause.  The upper features soft, supple leather sourced from the famous Horween Leather Co.–basically some of the best cowhide you can find in North America, valued for its beauty and long-lasting support.

The 1000 Mile is constructed with a genuine hand-stitched Goodyear Welt.  If you’re not familiar with the term, a welt is how the upper and insole is stitched together to be attached to the sole.  Goodyear Welt construction is considered by most as the best welt you can use.  Many hunt specifically for shoes made with Goodyear Welt construction because of its strength for shoes that will last a very long time.  The bottom features a classy stacked leather heel and outersole which is a bit of a nice change from nearly every emerging work boot using Vibram outersoles.

Durability?  Let’s just say there’s a reason why the US Military has been one of Wolverine’s key clients since World War I.

In short, a shoe that looks chic, wears gracefully, is designed for comfort and functionality–and most importantly will last for a very long time.  If you’re in LA you can find them at Douglas Fir, Revolve, or The Stronghold.  In New York check out Scoop NYC, Smith + Butler, Cockpit, or Leffot.

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Photos via Wolverine.com
To see more from Caleb Lin, visit http://evilmonito.com/author/caleb/

Published on 23 November 2009 | 1 |