Club Obi Wan

J crew has the new fall catalog out and of course they have some fantastic looking boots available-you can even choose from 2 colors. So which is the best? They are Red Wings, but still, a bit pricey. If you're going to spend $200, why not spring for Aldens? I'll be waiting for the end of season sale....sigh.....

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml
id=prod88346301&catId=cat210012

Why is JCrew selling Red Wings? Have they always? To be perfectly honest, I LOVE my Aldens, but I don't know that I love them enough to pay that much for them again. I have to replace the heels on them already, and I haven't even had them a year, nor worn them every day. Whereas I've had my Red Wings for over two years, and I'll need new soles eventually, but not for a while.
Those Red Wings that JCrew is offering look really nice. I don't know that I would pay that much for a "close enough" boot, but I bet they are worth it, quality-wise.

Ron

Beautiful boots! I think I might just order a pair. I wear Red Wing, Danner, Wolverine and Wesco.. gotta say that my Red Wings are right up there with some of the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. Good find, man!

Just a small bit of advice if you'd don't mind taking a chance. Wait till the fall season stuff goes out and you can pick up the boots at a substantially cheaper price-maybe half off. Does Red Wing offer these same boots direct from them?

I've never seen them in the Red Wing store before... I have a similar pair with the same uppers but a white wedge sole bottom (possibly THE most comfortable boot I've ever owned... too bad the white sole doesn't go with too many outfits).

I just got off the phone with a fellow at Red Wing and he said that the style being sold by J Crew would also be offered through Red Wing distributors in the fall. You won't find anything on their site about them yet. He said they would be called "Classic". I wonder if they'll still be on the market when Indy IV rolls around? So which color do you folks prefer?

I'd go dark wood and get some new laces. They look nearly the same as my Red Wing 100 year classics did. I think it's about the same design minus the stamp on the ankle.

I thought the 100 year classics looked much more like the Alden than those on JCrew.

Ron

Did you look at the dark wood color? Granted they are a little different. The sole is one of the bigger difference. Here's some other boots including the Classics. http://home.comcast.net/~jayhuron/bootCompair/

Too bad these links weren't posted before the 25th. J Crew was running a 20% discount coupon and free shipping if I recall.

Just wait till the end of the season and they'll be $50 or something reasonable.

I'll be kicking myself for a long time for not knowing about the 100 year classics until I couldn't get them anymore. I got close on eBay a couple of times, but never was able to snag a pair.

Ron

Those are nice lookin' boots. Kinda pricey, though.

Webhead wrote

Good comparison Doc! I really like the 1908's...I have a friend inside Red Wing trying to find a pair for me as we speak.

Good luck! If he's able to find some, don't rub it in my face.

Ron

webhead73 wrote:Good comparison Doc! I really like the 1908's...I have a friend inside Red Wing trying to find a pair for me as we speak.

Thanks! It looks like you'll be able to get similar from JCrew if you can't find the 1908s, however the sole on the 1908s really makes them look much better than this new offering from JCrew.