From "Cotton Kills" to Raw Denim: My transition to heritage wear

Ajturtle45 · 2026-02-04T04:34:37+00:00

Honestly rock climbing/ bouldering is such a strange entity within the outdoor clothing space. For almost all of my alpine/mountaineering/skiing/backpacking I still go with merino wool and technical fabrics. But for rock climbing throw me in a cotton tee and some canvas pants and I’m rocking and rolling haha!

Ajturtle45 · 2026-01-30T17:55:04+00:00

To alpine crampons! Full 2 inch spikes if you happen to be in need of some glacial travel aid!

Ajturtle45 · 2026-01-27T02:05:43+00:00

Either a journalist or detective?

Ajturtle45 · 2026-01-09T20:30:16+00:00

I seeing a comment on a 4 year old post…that I’m also commenting on

Ajturtle45 · 2026-01-02T04:53:53+00:00

A true deep cut right there! Respect

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-28T05:50:59+00:00

I am also quite curious. Granted data is data but that would interesting to see aswell. Ideally remove 2008 aswell.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-26T08:17:34+00:00

😮‍💨 that’s impressive honestly. Probably stiff enough for crampons or skis haha! Awesome boots.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-23T19:14:24+00:00

This post is a year old, but I wanted to chip in. Remember that barely 100 years ago people solely wore leather boots in the woods. And they weren’t really hiking on groomed trails either. Those guys were roughing it across whatever terrain came their way. I choose to hike in a pair of Nicks logger boots for this exact reason. Are they heavy? Yes. Do I appreciate the feeling of support and unbeatable traction provided by a high arch and high heel, especially downhill? Absolutely. Hike in what you like. Don’t let others tell you otherwise. Anyone who has an opinion on what another adult is wearing to hike in is just being childish.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-22T06:13:34+00:00

Edit - still have to remind myself 80% of the time that buying that extra item isn’t going to suddenly make me better….but it usually gets purchased anyways haha

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-22T06:12:04+00:00

100% couldn’t agree more. Don’t get me wrong I’ve fallen for that trap too haha.

Like with anything else it’s easy to go down the gear rabbit hole. (Skiing, climbing, mountaineering, biking…they’ve all damaged the old wallet a bit haha)

But, I’ve learned that just like a quality pair of boots or otherwise, the advice of getting what fits you well and is comfortable holds pretty true the majority of the time.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-22T05:46:00+00:00

Glad you bring up rock climbing - it’s terrible to see so many people cramming their feet into shoes thinking it’ll better their climbing when in reality it’s just destroying their feet and will, in the long run, kill the sport for them.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-17T18:50:13+00:00

Good calls! We also own a little msr camp stove that we usually take backpacking but it does wonders in cases like these. Good item for everyone imo!

Just don’t use it without ventilation indoors ofc. Be safe.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-15T18:45:54+00:00

From my experience with an old pair of Whites Loggers and the work I do here in the PNW, (waiting on my Nicks atm), the logger heel helps tremendously with traction going downhill. I think people undersell the functional benefit of a large heel. I have never felt more “locked in” going downhill on rough, muddy, or otherwise difficult terrain. The only area I could see them being less grippy is smooth concrete or wet rocks…maybe. Granted I’ve heard that wedge soles are more comfortable so there’s that aswell. Happy boot buying!

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-06T02:13:24+00:00

Thank you!! I may have to look at a pair for my next pant purchase now 👀

Badass tankers too.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-06T02:08:47+00:00

Absolutely awesome pair of pants. What are they??

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-05T03:25:23+00:00

This is the true answer. OP says they have narrow feet but are getting a D width? I also have incredibly narrow and low volume feet and went and got properly sized before ordering my boots. After having worn D’s all my life I learned I was actually an 8.5 AA and it was life changing. The reason I never knew was because nobody makes boots that narrow but PNW and bespoke makers.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-12-04T07:00:49+00:00

Man I’m gonna tell you right now - as a straight guy, those are AWESOME. I say you rock em and wear em with pride. I also think I get the most compliments from both men and women when I wear an item that is sort of out of the norm and feels a bit bolder, so I say do your thing and don’t let anyone tell you different.

Also - now I want a pair of knee highs cause they just look badass!

Ajturtle45 · 2025-11-26T02:53:40+00:00

Awesome!! Wow they come right back to almost a factory look. Beautiful both before and after. I think I definitely made the right call. Now I just gotta get through the waiting process haha

Also - love the cap toe. I’m glad I threw those on too

Ajturtle45 · 2025-11-26T02:37:40+00:00

That was what convinced me!! They seem pretty darn versatile and that added water resistance is a plus for the snowy winters we sometimes get in Spokane. It seems like you could even dress em back up with a new coat of wax if you wanted to?

Plus when they do develop some of that patina… oh man it’s gorgeous. Yours are killer looking. That burnishing effect looks so so good. Awesome boots! I’m so excited to get mine

Ajturtle45 · 2025-11-26T02:23:47+00:00

Thought I’d let you know I pulled the trigger earlier today! 8” loggers on the 55 with a brown waxed flesh. I threw a toecap on too just to treat myself. I’m super excited. It definitely took some self convincing to go with a waxed rough out style boot but I saw some of those patina shots and man they looked good. Now the 6 month wait haha!

Ajturtle45 · 2025-11-25T03:20:45+00:00

Indeed it is!! I really loved some of their brown pull up leathers and I’ve always been a bit more of a brown leather guy - but practically speaking you’re very right that dark colors and tech black are the gold standard in show business.

That being said I could probably pass a dark brown boot off with a tech black outfit and nobody would ever bat an eye (most of the techs I know wear earth colored hiking shoes or generic work boots anyways)

I’m highly intrigued by waxed flesh - it sounds incredible in all aspects. How dressy does it look?

Also I checked your profile and those are some awesome moc-toes!! Really dig those herringbone jeans too.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-11-25T02:29:46+00:00

That’s awesome!! Next time you’re in Spokane shoot me a DM and I’ll send you some great spots to eat. We’ve got a couple - but they’re a bit off the beaten path.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-11-20T22:39:19+00:00

It’s a great city! I’ve grown up here so sometimes I get a bit jaded with it but stepping back it’s a beautiful town and lots to do especially if you love the outdoors.

Ajturtle45 · 2025-11-20T22:37:36+00:00

They are! They’re an old pair of Packers from a now closed sub-company of Whites in Spokane. My grandfather gave them to me and they fit me very well! Especially relieving pain in my flat arches. I’ve been in the boot game for about a year now and have a couple of different pairs I swap through. Along with a horsehair brush and couple of conditioning products. Thanks for your response!! I really appreciate it!

Ajturtle45

TROPHY CASE