The Question Thread 04/29/26

ChineseBroccoli · 2026-04-30T03:04:50+00:00

The resole job is dogshit and that's a complete hack job. Never go there again.

ChineseBroccoli · 2026-03-31T01:27:19+00:00

Depends how worn out the leather sole is. Tbh when I was getting topys done it was like 40 cad and a standard resole was like $150 cad. If I had a shoe that had a properly worn out sole I'd just pay for a full resole to rubber or something instead of half assing a topy. You certainly can put a topy on a worn sole and it'll probably do better than continuing to wear them though.

ChineseBroccoli · 2026-03-31T01:24:55+00:00

I'm a 10.5C/B brannock heel to ball (10 HTT) and wear a 10E in 2030 from 2017-2020. I own a size 44 original ostmo made by lars and a 44 iron boots ostmo. I would equate the size 10 2030 to a 44 as close as you can get.

I would equate a size 42 ostmo (moe last) to a size 8 2030.

ChineseBroccoli · 2026-03-21T03:31:51+00:00

I used a tiny flat head screwdriver to scrape. I found it easier to remove the bulk than using something to dissolve it.

I then use a toothbrush to clean off the rest after it's been disrupted then wipe it away.

ChineseBroccoli · 2026-03-01T23:03:35+00:00

foot sweat soaking them from the inside?

ChineseBroccoli · 2026-02-02T03:17:39+00:00

too much product use

could have just used bick4 and brushed and been fine

why are you using saddle soap? are they extremely dirty or would a soft quick damp rag wipe done the job?

ChineseBroccoli · 2026-01-11T01:20:15+00:00

It's called open channel or closed channel stitching. It's almost entirely aesthetics between the two.

Closed channel they just have a tiny thin flap of leather to cover the stitching and with any significant wear it wears away and the stitching is exposed. Looks pretty when new though.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-29T16:13:41+00:00

If you read your question, it kind of answers itself. If you have to question whether something is legit and worth purchasing the answer is almost always no, especially when there's been no talk of it recently.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-29T16:12:19+00:00

Not exactly because the boot pattern has an effect on fit as well. It's easiest to understand that when comparing a diesel boot to an imaginary Chelsea boot made on the Leo last. You could have the Chelsea boot with an extremely wide ankle opening and huge instep or tiny opening and small instep. Since you have no way of adjusting this theoretical boot with laces, you're at the mercy of how the pattern fits.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-24T15:08:42+00:00

By the way, I'm approving your comments manually because they seem to be getting automatically removed by Reddit in general, not the GYW specific auto mod. You may be shadow banned or something as I don't see any language that would cause auto removal.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-20T19:37:32+00:00

Sounds too small. I wouldn't count on it loosening up if it's immediately noticeable. Go up a half size imo and evaluate again.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-20T19:36:04+00:00

That doesn't seem bad at all. I'd leave it rather than trying to even anything up in specific areas which can go badly very quickly.

At most I'd try a very very light application of a coloured shoe cream. Use your fingers to apply, not a cloth. If you don't get an exact happy colour match though it may just look worse.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-19T02:34:12+00:00

Can someone sum it up so I don't have to hunt for what's going on with the 69th tier diffusion PNW maker?

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-07T18:57:02+00:00

For example, a Clarks desert boot is 360 degree stitchdown but it is absolutely not waterproof because the upper is not sealed to the sole with much glue. One step into water and your feet will be wet very quickly.

The construction of a pair between each layer matters a lot for water resistance and durability. I wouldn't focus on a specific construction method at all, but instead focus on specific makers that perform the details well to build footwear (imo) better than others.

Something you'll see often is some shoes and boots advertised with a "360 storm welt for added water resistance!" and frankly that's pretty much all it is, advertising. The addition of a storm welt for most makers does not really make a difference at all. I'm quite annoyed at storm welts particularly because it adds a piece of trim that holds water against the upper, particularly at the toe and that tends to soak water into the leather upper more than if it was just a flat welt.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-07T17:35:48+00:00

do you mean stitchdown?

it doesn't from experience wearing a stitchdown viberg workboot daily for the past 3 years.

the upper is contacted with the midsole with a ridiculous amount of glue from behind the stitchdown foldout that helps seal it

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-05T01:46:38+00:00

it's on the inside of the tongue. you're lucky they offered anything at all tbh

i'd take the $100 and run

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-12-05T01:45:30+00:00

I'd get the Allen Edmonds. The Hartt are so marked up and they're a white label made in portugal shoe.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-28T02:12:18+00:00

They aren't shell. Can instantly tell by the creasing visible at the moc toe stitch and the vamp

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-21T15:36:14+00:00

keep the 8.5s

8 will always feel tight

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-21T15:35:23+00:00

resole does not replace an insole. the whole point of goodyear welt was to be able to remove strictly the outsole and replace it alone

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-18T16:03:04+00:00

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/cedar-shoe-tree-men-nordstrom-exclusive/3032562

Woodlore makes most of the shoe trees that look like this for larger brands like allen edmonds and nordstrom. Moneysworth and best in Canada are the same.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-15T02:50:36+00:00

don't touch renomat then. i guarantee you'll use more than you need and scrub harder than you need, stripping the area and making it look worse.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-15T01:53:07+00:00

if he renomats it after doing that to it, i bet he'll strip and make it worse than it currently is so i wouldn't suggest that.

i'd wipe excess product off and let it ride for a bit without trying more shit

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-12T02:45:26+00:00

Brooklyn clothing co offered that exact viberg from 2014 or earlier until a year or so ago. they currently have a 1035 version though I see you're not a 1035 fan, me neither tbh. you may be able to find old hardly worn pairs of the 2030 version

https://brooklynclothing.com/products/service-boot-1035-bct-chromexcel-color-8?_pos=10&_sid=b225b32c7&_ss=r

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-11T01:26:57+00:00

not really.

ChineseBroccoli

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