Interesting on the 9060's being a difficult break in. Although I am not surprised, the heel is more designed to heel lock where the ranger is a loose fit in the heel. So it's not just the difference in the leather but the upper itself and especially the heel construction. Most of Red Wing's leathers are Chrome Tanned, then infused with oils. The Klondike your 9060's are made out of is a veg retan. Some batches of it are extremely firm! Others aren't horrible but it really lends itself to a different fit. Conditioning Klondike should be something like Saphir's Medaille 1925 Pommadier Cream Polish when the time comes. Given that it's a smooth grain leather, and it's mineral tanned. It's very much like the old Featherstone leathers that accompanied the Beckman. One thing for sure! It will really clean up well towards the end of the competition! Interesting on the other boots. I'm not a suede guy myself. I always preferred a good Nubuck or Roughout instead. But I appreciate your insight and contrast! Good luck on the Dome! I have some Frank's I submitted dome in. I customed ordered a hide from Wickett & Craig. I ordered 7-8oz and got 7.5-9oz. That and I made the mistake of a 3oz liner! Those boots fit me well but are so stiff! I work a physical job! 2 hours and 3+ miles in and they got to come off. Done some real damage the first day when I went 10+ hours in. I just need to go ahead and tape up my feet and if I can make it through the 100+ hour mark should be home free. I have some 7.5oz Oiled Latigo Nick's from the day. Zero issues all day from day one. But sometimes you just get that boot that is a beast! I can very much relate to your 9060's!
Trickers are different league quality wise to Red Wings, I've got three pairs of Henry, tan old and great patina, blue suede and brown which i bought pre owned from eBay, plus Stow and Burford. My cobbler is constantly repairing Red Wings, he likes them for that reason, i asked him would you buy a pair, he laughed, and replied no way
Interesting on the 9060's being a difficult break in. Although I am not surprised, the heel is more designed to heel lock where the ranger is a loose fit in the heel.
So it's not just the difference in the leather but the upper itself and especially the heel construction.
Most of Red Wing's leathers are Chrome Tanned, then infused with oils. The Klondike your 9060's are made out of is a veg retan. Some batches of it are extremely firm! Others aren't horrible but it really lends itself to a different fit.
Conditioning Klondike should be something like Saphir's Medaille 1925 Pommadier Cream Polish when the time comes. Given that it's a smooth grain leather, and it's mineral tanned. It's very much like the old Featherstone leathers that accompanied the Beckman.
One thing for sure! It will really clean up well towards the end of the competition!
Interesting on the other boots. I'm not a suede guy myself. I always preferred a good Nubuck or Roughout instead. But I appreciate your insight and contrast! Good luck on the Dome!
I have some Frank's I submitted dome in. I customed ordered a hide from Wickett & Craig. I ordered 7-8oz and got 7.5-9oz. That and I made the mistake of a 3oz liner! Those boots fit me well but are so stiff! I work a physical job! 2 hours and 3+ miles in and they got to come off. Done some real damage the first day when I went 10+ hours in.
I just need to go ahead and tape up my feet and if I can make it through the 100+ hour mark should be home free. I have some 7.5oz Oiled Latigo Nick's from the day. Zero issues all day from day one.
But sometimes you just get that boot that is a beast! I can very much relate to your 9060's!
Hey, I appreciate the information!! Very informative I didn't know about heel locking, where can I find about this?. Good luck with your Dome too!
Trickers are different league quality wise to Red Wings, I've got three pairs of Henry, tan old and great patina, blue suede and brown which i bought pre owned from eBay, plus Stow and Burford. My cobbler is constantly repairing Red Wings, he likes them for that reason, i asked him would you buy a pair, he laughed, and replied no way