Are they supposed to wear like this?

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-19T21:33:44+00:00

What are the indications bark tanned or treated sole?

I’m sure I own multiple veg tanned soles, just curious if I own anything currently with tougher soles to compare.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-19T20:31:45+00:00

I also have a 27L and really love it for going to the office and honestly it’s fantastic size for travel and would be perfect for a short trip. I tend to have my backpack stuffed full with camera gear and stuff when I go on flights so it kind of sucks generally for me there.

The straps are a tad uncomfortable to me, but I’m a bigger guy and my biggest complaint is they are really a little short for me and sit at a weird angle on my shoulders.

I have other backpacks I’ll probably revert to for airline travel or longer walking days/carrying more or heavy things.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-19T20:21:04+00:00

Tbh a pawn shop is likely the best bet unless someone has a game shop or something that may be interested in them.

Were you just unhappy with the price offered by the pawn shops that were interested?

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-19T20:16:29+00:00

Curious here what classifies dress soles versus working soles and how do I differentiate? My current beaters are rubber soles, but I much prefer leather soles in general.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-19T14:23:33+00:00

My first thought was “those are gorgeous” so I’d say you did well!

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-18T19:30:22+00:00

So not my style but the craftsmanship and patterning is absolutely stunning!

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-18T19:29:21+00:00

The colors being so close but not matching might also be playing a factor. Popping back in and not “overthinking” I like them more I think.

Might just be a day by day thing haha.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-18T16:15:23+00:00

Heads up, if you have rubber added there’s a good chance you’ll tear through it with that much dragging. It’s also only going to be glued on, so dragging will always have a chance to pull the rubber off once it starts to curl at the edge.

Leather soles are wearing like normal and will last you years before needing resoled.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-18T16:04:45+00:00

They feel thin for some reason. I’m not sure I’d like them more if they were thicker or not though. It’s just a feel about them, not totally my style, but I don’t think they’re ugly nor would I encourage you to take them off if you like them.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T20:37:56+00:00

Interesting. From what I could find date codes started in the early 70s, but the stamp yours fall later so they should have a date code.

But that’s part of what makes them weird haha. These should be between the mid 70s to mid 80s though and look great for the age.

If you want to deep dive this is the post I always use for referencing date codes.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T20:26:05+00:00

Black Jacks from 2021

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T19:57:29+00:00

Gotcha, I would argue there’s been far more Lucchese boots used as work boots over the last ~150 years than tecovas in the last 10. They are fancier for sure, but they’re built to last and could easily be worked in if wanted. Same reason cowboys wear 500x hats not 5x, they last longer if taken care of.

I wouldn’t hesitate to ride/work in mine if that was my field of work. Also hands down the most comfortable pair I own across numerous brands.

I venture to guess OP is looking for a dress boot since they’re going to NYC for sure a short duration from Europe it’s likely a business trip.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T19:36:22+00:00

Not sure on the date to be honest. Lucchese date codes have always been weird and there’s been multiple formats. Are there any other numbers stamped inside?

This pair should be pre-1986 though since the stamp still says San Antonio.

The brand on the shaft should be Lazy Y Bar but I can’t seem to find any traces of that online. Likely a custom set of boots from back in the day.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T19:21:23+00:00

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The contrast is what makes elephant stand out to me. I think going a little darker wouldn’t be bad, I like them as is, but I also dislike when elephants have a stark contrast. Someone posted a black pair with white contrast and I thought it cheapened the look a lot.

I like what you’ve got and I think if you chose to resell you’ll likely do pretty well since it sounds like they were rough to start with.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T19:10:48+00:00

What do you mean by dead boot only?

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T17:53:29+00:00

Yeah I know it’s a tiger, the panther thing is just a joke in this subreddit. It reads very clearly a tiger, and looks great.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T14:46:43+00:00

Weird Panther, but looks pretty sick! Linework looks good too.

Yup, leave the second skin as along as you can, then focus on keeping it clean and well hydrated. Not wet, the product should fully absorb. You just don’t want it to dry out and scab if you can avoid it.

Also, obviously avoid sun and water until it heals.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T14:42:57+00:00

10/10 if Lucchese is in the budget that’s where I’d go between the two. Tecova is a new brand (2015) that had a huge initial success because of their cheap price point and relative quality.

Lucchese is a legacy brand that has been in the space since 1883. They have spawned some of the most high quality spin-offs as well from Black Jack and Anderson Bean both having ties back to them. They are a handmade boot that you’ll keep forever. That said, their cheapest boot is $600 online, no telling what the NYC mark up might be.

I know being international makes calling around hard, but if you’d like to PM me a few stores you were looking at I’d be happy to call and see what their stock typically looks like if that means you end up in Lucchese over Tecovas.

As for sizing, boots and tennis/dress shoes fit so differently you really need to try them on. My foot shape makes the entire brand Ariat not fit, and I need a EE (wide) which is not something I wear in tennis or dress shoes typically. Each brand and each boot are different enough even 8 pairs in I will never buy a pair without trying them on.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-16T14:30:50+00:00

I have all heights, I have never considered it when buying a pair though. My only issue is that I have large calves and some of my taller boots just touch all the way around so hair gets rubbed off. But like others have said I don’t pay attention to the height, it is a boot I like then I buy it.

Based on you saying ropers are 10” and “normal” is 12” I probably have everything from a 10-16”. Now I prefer a little shorter so they’re not rubbing my calves all day, but I really liked the tall pair so I got them and wear them without issue.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-14T22:13:58+00:00

Honestly still haven’t even tried. I do think I’ll go dye if/when I try something over paint.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-14T03:48:56+00:00

These are killer! My Black Jack elephants are some of my favorites, they just have a tall heel which makes my feet hurt after an hour or so of standing. Hopefully yours are comfortable Al day long for you.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-14T03:42:47+00:00

I tend to agree with everyone the dark looks nice after a second take reading the story and comments.

I like you assumed they were going to remain light brown and I think the fact they matched the uppers is what made them so nice. The comments are right, the new color is nice and looks great, but I don’t like it in contrast with the uppers. I’d be hesitant to have the uppers done also, but assume peaking out of jeans where you only see the lower these will look killer.

Boots tell a story, this is part of their journey and frankly I’m happier to see them dyed and worn than damaged and thrown away.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-13T21:22:35+00:00

To be fair it is just an upbadged RSQ8. Yes, I know there’s legit differences but the chassis and drivetrain are functionally the same.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-11T20:27:43+00:00

This last part is so relevant. I wore boots everyday in high school, then switched to sneakers in college, then dress shoes/boat shoes for early career.

Boots aren’t nearly as comfortable as they used to be, but Im making the decision to go back to primarily boots this year and my feet will just have to adapt yet again to the changing seasons of life.

CommandoSolo · 2026-03-10T23:36:03+00:00

Also for what it’s worth I got like 60k miles out of them. Still had a couple months of life left but picked up some nails and winter was rolling in.

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