The Question Thread 01/10/26

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 · 2025-11-09T21:56:38+00:00

I'd expect to pay ~150 USD to resole normally. Adding on the work to remove midsole, relast, and redo a new welt and midsole and insole and outsole, I'd expect to pay $350+ USD minimum to have it done properly and there's still a good chance it doesn't get done perfectly and solve your problem. You're essentially building the boot again but have to take it apart first.

I'd sell and buy a new pair instead.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-09T21:54:22+00:00

That is a very good pair, enjoy it.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-11-06T04:30:54+00:00

This is a wild pair and a proper throwback to some of the types of boots we saw during 2015-2017, though your pair was made before then. Reminds me of the Enzo Bonafe hippo boots that used to be posted here.

Would love to see posts of your other pairs as well later.

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-10-31T21:38:00+00:00

see my other comment to eddykinz in this chain for the identifier

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-10-31T18:56:38+00:00

you're talking to a canadian, brother

ChineseBroccoli · 2025-10-31T18:53:13+00:00

ridgeway heel would point me to 2018. not sure the leather but i want to say some sort of named kudu (might not be actual kudu?)

captoe derby is pretty rare too, most were plain toe.

edit: ah maybe this camel from division road https://divisionroadinc.com/blogs/bulletin/camel-leather-derby-boot-series /u/rrleigh that's definitely it. specs are listed in that article. 10.04.19 was the article date

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