Revisiting Archival posts from the past (published August 10, 2010)
In 2010, the Archival team met with Thorogood in Denver, Colorado, to discuss a project to scan some of their historical catalogs. At the time, we were hoping to collaborating on our own Archival boot model, preferably, a Moc Toe Oxford. Here are some of the scans produced from the project and snaps of Tom wearing a pair of 6″ Moc Toe boots.
A more recent history of the Thorogood company by Heddles
We’ve been working with Weinbrenner, the parent company of Thorogood, to digitize some of their company archives. There’s some tremendous material in there. We’d love to have the power to just point at a few boot examples and have them re-issued (we’re working on it). Click to enlarge these great scans.
Apparently the Roofer boot (above, still available) is very popular over there, and here’s a vintage boot in a recent issue of GO OUT STYLE.
They’re made in Weinbrenner’s factory in Merrill, Wisconsin, from American-tanned leather. The worksmanship is tidy, although the star rivets holding the speed lacing studs on have sharp ends (but that’s only noticeable when you pull the double tongue apart).
They came with decent stock insoles, although I swapped them out for my favorite Filson cork insoles. They broke in within a month and are now very comfortable. I like the Vibram wedge soles better than other wedge soles, they seem to have better traction on wet surfaces. I’m not wild about the blingy MADE IN USA tag on the outside of the boot, but that’s easy to solve with 30 seconds and a knife.
Available in an endless variety of widths and sizes, down to 6 and up to 14. All this is to say – they’re basically Red Wing killers, and for $130, they’re pretty much half the price. Get some for this fall and winter.
A few more catalog scans from Weinbrenner
Man, they need to bring back those moc-toed shoes and boots. really nice looking.
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Duluth Trading Company has something similar in an 8″ boot and Oxfords. I always figured the manufacturer was Sheboygan (they are supposed to be WI-made) — any idea?
the duluths are thorogoods – i’ve got a pair of the lows. I’ve also got the 8″ boot. Love them both but they need to work on their insoles. the ones that come with the boots are awful and the mid sole is fiberglass and can be uncomfortable until you find the right insole. Other than that they are tough stuff.
Another candidate for reissue (Thorogood or not)?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/archivalclothing/4884613150/
what happened the oipolloi post about the thoro’s, like northe korea in here
Anon–
Garbled post. Read like spam. Please repost.
LL
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I have the waterproof 8″ boot toe. Back in December we had about a foot of snow fall one night here in NYC. I was alone on the streets, walking around in those boots. With dry feet.
How do these size up? Like Red-Wings?
I already see the question asked, but no one answered. How are the sizes on these? Do you need to move down a half size like on Redwing boots or are they sized correctly like on the Chippewa Katahdin boots?
These look very nice and are priced well. The contractor’s oxford sold through Duluth is also excellent looking.
Re: Sizing questions:
You do need to size down a half size unless you’re wearing two pairs of socks. I typically wear an 11.5D (and a 12D in some cases), and in these boots I wear an 11D.
what colour are these, also i can’t seem to find them..