D:

[thejunipertree]

...I think I need new boots.

It's not expected that any of you recognize the enormity of this situation. The statement, "I think I need new boots." is basically implying that my current boots are on their way out the door.

And this makes me quite sad.

They're Muro, which is a long defunct brand. And they're patent leather. Steel-toed. With spider webs embroidered all over. Since about 1995 or 96, these boots have literally been all over the world with me and they're probably the most comfortable shoes I own.

They are, however, beginning to shit the bed. And it's not pretty.

The leather has started to split around the top of my foot, on each foot, so I have small holes on the sides of both of them. Not good in today's snow, let me tell you. And the inside sole of the left one has been committing acts of aggression against the sole of my foot (the inside is almost completely worn away). The eyelets are always bending out, causing my boots to become untied. I bend them back, but it's futile.

So, I need new boots. And I need help finding them, which is where all of you come into this. I need help! All of the companies I used to like (Muro, Gripfast, etc.) all seem to be out of business now and I have absolutely no clue where to turn.

I also have very specific desires:

1. They have to be real leather. Circle, slash man-made leather. It's the devil.
2. They have to be steel-toed. This needs no explanation, I reckon.
3. They have to have good tread. I don't like soles that wear smooth after a year.
4. They can not be Doc Martens.

I'll repeat that one for the people in the cheap seats: They can not be Doc Martens.

For about twenty-some years, I've been trying to convince myself that I actually like Docs. It's not working. Some of you may recall that I even bought a pair of 14eyes last year. Want to know how many times I've worn them? Once. They're not even broken in. They just sit in my closet, collecting dust, and cringing away from me when I open the door and glare at them for being so goddamn ugly.

The shape of the toe is all wrong. They're...elongated somehow. I can't stand it. So, the #5 to the list above is: 5. Must have a round toe.

So.
Any ideas?

Comments

[sola.livejournal.com]

You're not the only one to bemoan Muro, and it looks like Bed Stu still has stome good styles, but they're not steel-toed, sadly.


After years of looking to replaced my beloved Wicked Road Warriors, i finally settled for TUK, but haven't even decided if i'm keeping them yet.

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was looking at Angels and Vixens earlier to see if they had anything interesting.

Do you know anything about the company? Are they reputable?

[lachupacabra.livejournal.com]

i dont like docs either.
never have. never will.

how about getting the ones you love repaired?
seriously.
find some little old cobbler dude who can do magic
& for what youd spend on a new pair, maybe you can
have those fixed?

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

The damage to the leather is pretty severe, though. That, coupled with the spiderweb embroidery, makes it impossible to repair them, I think. :/

[wemble.livejournal.com]

I've been looking at Docs on Amazon. I NEED a new pair of 6-eye.

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

Try eBay, too.

And while you're at it, you also may want to try RETURNING MY VOICEMAILS.

>:O

[flemco.livejournal.com]

Carolinas, baby.

[bifemmefatale.livejournal.com]

I love Fluevog boots. However, no steel toes.

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

Fluevog makes me cry and makes my boyfriend forcibly remove me from the computer chair.

I just got my tax return AND TOTALLY HAVE THE CASH to drop. Particularly on these babies.

ugh.

these are not my beautiful shoes

[ninjalicious.livejournal.com]

DAMN YOU WOMAN

[ninjalie.livejournal.com]

:( I'm sorry your boots are dying, I know how easy it can be to get attached to them. I don't have any suggestions for brands but if you need someone to take those docs off of your hands you know who to call ;)

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

What size do you wear?

[ninjalie.livejournal.com]

I can wear anything ranging from 8 1/2- 91/2 :D

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

Hey lady!

You still interested in these boots? I think they're a men's size 7, which is a women's 9. If'n I remember correctly.

[ninjalie.livejournal.com]

Yesssss

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

Hit my email with your mailing address!

[fountaingirl.livejournal.com]

I'm so sad for you honey. Poor favorite boots! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next though.

If you decide to sell the docs that are unloved and above offer does not go through plz to put on flist? Depending on size, Howl may seriously need them.

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

What size does Howl wear?

[aprilrobin.livejournal.com]

Sorry I can't help you with the boots seeing as I only wear shoes for whores.

I just wanted to say that you've had a few doozies lately.

"They are, however, beginning to shit the bed"
"I'd rather eat my own hair"

kudos.

[ninjalicious.livejournal.com]

Seriously!

[paranoimia.livejournal.com]

Ah, Muros. They are fucking awesome.

My Muros are beginning to die too, but I will wear them out until they do finally crumble. (*salutes boots*)

For replacements, allow me to recommend: the almighty Gripfast.
Steel toe and all. They're about $150.00 or so, but from what I understand, still made in England. (unlike DMs now, whose production is now outsourced to China. Pffthhtt. 'Made in England' my ass.)

i link you to Gripfast-ery:
http://www.instepshoestore.com/gripfast/gripboots.htm

I'm in deliberation on boots too, and I'm about to go for Cove/Corcorans/Carolinas. Haven't found any that suit totally yet, though. I might go for Gripfasts, too.

Best of luck in the search, madam.

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

This looks promising, despite the fact they are Gripfasts (which are also out of business, from what I've read).

I had a pair of those, years ago. They did me well, even if I beat them all to shit.

Know anything about that instepshoestore.com place?

[paranoimia.livejournal.com]

damn it. I left you in the lurch. (sorry, i have really not felt like doing the online thing lately)

In answer to your question, nope, I've never dealt with that 'instepshoestore' place (aka 'instepdrmartens', and a few other domain names in the same vein), so I don't know what their customer service is like. They seem friendly enough (and seem to be based out of a real mortar-and-brick shoe store in Chico, CA), and they must pay buckets in advertising to be among the first hits on Google for 'boots Dr. Martens Gripfast steel-toe combat' etc. So, yeah. (*shrugs*) They might be worth a look.

This is a place in the UK I've actually ordered from once, and they're pretty awesome (best/only pixie boots I own). Fairly quick shipping, too (though I heard some horror story from someone who ordered Transmuters and got the wrong ones, etc. I had no problems, though).
And these boots from them are on sale:

http://www.pennangalan.com/boots/FW180.php

I don't know what size you are, but there are a few sizes (UK sizing!) left. Bad news is, they're still pricey as hell, plus shipping. I'm just giving any options that I've seen lately, since I'm on the same search. Maybe you've already decided on some that have four foot spikes and play video of sharks attacking things.

(and fuck yeah, if you see boots like that, absolutely, hats off, get them.)