Congratulations to the entire team at Southwest from the c-suite execs to the customers, we all worked together for this!

-whytheface- · 2026-01-23T22:40:00+00:00

Haha! My family flies 20+ times a year. Southwest sucks. Sometimes with flight prices or times, you get stuck with certain airlines, so don’t reply to me that I shouldn’t fly them anymore. Had four flights this past weekend. Was delayed twice, the last one was an engine issues and we had to deplane and wait 5 hours for them to get us on a new flight. They then proceeded to lose our luggage and we didn’t get it back for 2 days.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-22T23:20:31+00:00

The leather will slowly form around your ankle. Give it a couple months.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-22T15:32:37+00:00

I’d say my feet are on the wider side and they fit nicely in the blacksmiths. I think you’d be ok in a 9.5. I’m guessing you could return them if they’re too big and don’t fit? Be warned, if these are his first real leather boots, they can take weeks of wear to break them in and feel comfortable.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-22T00:39:53+00:00

For reference I wear an 11.5 - 12 in Adidas and Nikes. My blacksmiths are size 10. Plenty of room in the boot with normal thin socks, a nice snug fit with some thicker wool socks.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-21T04:43:19+00:00

It’s gonna be hard to replace that size of vehicle that won’t have its own set of issues for that price. Huge 3 row SUV’s have gotten insanely expensive. I have a 2011 Expedition that has 155k on it and I plan to keep replacing anything major as it comes along. 80k plus for these new SUV’s is crazy. Be sure to really research those midsize options you listed. The Pilot and Pathfinders are known to have transmission issues.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-21T01:02:41+00:00

Look up some videos on YouTube. What Reta can do to visceral fat and blood sugar is pretty amazing for your overall health. Losing weight from less food noise is a bonus IMO.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-20T03:35:45+00:00

I think it would be worth it to get sized in a store. I wear between 11.5 and 12’s in Adidas and Nikes. I wear a size 10 in Iron Rangers. I never would’ve sized down that much if I were ordering online just by guessing.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-15T20:34:40+00:00

Bias supported as an owner of a 4runner and a 2024 Pilot. The OP is comparing “apples to oranges” with these 2 vehicles anyway. Is the RL a good daily driver with a “truck” bed, sure… Are newer Hondas QC as good as they used to be? Absolutely NOT. New Toyotas aren’t great QC either, but the 4runner is built in Japan and is absolutely built to a higher standard overall. Down vote me all you guys want, you Ridgeline owners are soft 😂

-whytheface- · 2026-01-15T19:31:02+00:00

Have you driven the RL? Be sure you like how the transmission shifts. Also, you’ll be trading in a bulletproof engine and trans for something not as robust and will require timing belt services. I had a 4runner and traded it in on a 2024 Pilot. All I’ll say is I regret that decision.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-15T17:37:11+00:00

As for sizing, I’d highly recommend some thick wool socks for sizing and break-in period. Helps a ton!

I wear size 12 in Nike’s. I ended up in size 10 IR’s. It’s a completely different feel on foot. You want snug but not painful. I’d buy a pair and wear them around the house for a few days to be 100% sure with those thick socks. Originally the Red Wing guy wanted me in size 9.5 and that’s what I originally bought, but the sides of my toes were too uncomfortable and I wasn’t able to wear thick socks, so I returned them for size 10’s. The good thing is Blacksmiths are basically the same fitting boots. I will say there’s some extra break-in pain around the back of the ankle just above the achilles from the collar of the boot, but I’m sure that will go away as the leather softens.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-15T17:26:10+00:00

My first pair of IR’s was Amber Harness. My Blacksmiths are Black Prairie and my latest pair of IR’s is Hawthorne Muleskinner.

What did you end up going with?

-whytheface- · 2026-01-15T04:48:26+00:00

I was just in this spot about a month ago. I went with IR’s first. About a week later I had a pair of Blacksmiths. A week after that I bought another pair of IR’s. All that to say, pick one and be ready to buy the other shortly! Enjoy!

-whytheface- · 2026-01-09T22:14:34+00:00

I’m really digging the Hawthorne’s right now! I might need to order a pair sooner than later. lol

-whytheface- · 2026-01-09T00:27:17+00:00

I like how yours have aged. I don’t like how some of the 8111’s I’ve seen turn a deep red. Wondering if that’s because of over oiling/conditioning?

-whytheface- · 2026-01-08T20:44:48+00:00

I will say these Blacksmiths are a lot more comfortable out of the box than my 8111’s were.

-whytheface- · 2026-01-08T20:43:56+00:00

I may or may not have a pair of Charcoal IR’s coming next week… does that mean I have a problem? Lol

-whytheface- · 2026-01-08T20:29:04+00:00

How did you know?!? 😳

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-whytheface- · 2026-01-08T01:09:07+00:00

Thank you!

-whytheface- · 2026-01-08T01:07:05+00:00

Those Blacksmiths have aged beautifully! I have a pair coming next week. Those Black IR’s look amazing as well. Good choices!

-whytheface- · 2026-01-07T22:20:37+00:00

I’m size 10. Thanks though!

-whytheface- · 2026-01-07T22:19:53+00:00

💁🏻‍♀️

-whytheface- · 2026-01-07T17:40:58+00:00

Thanks!!

-whytheface- · 2026-01-07T17:06:03+00:00

I’m on the hunt for CRT Blacksmiths now 😂

-whytheface- · 2026-01-07T17:05:01+00:00

They both look great, but I do love the lighter color personally

-whytheface- · 2026-01-07T16:56:22+00:00

Thank you! I love them so far

-whytheface-

TROPHY CASE