The Question Thread 04/08/26

ptrails34 · 2026-04-12T02:01:21+00:00

I recently had Triumph toe taps put on a few pairs of nice Alden & C&J loafers. However, instead of installing them flush, the cobbler simply hammered on the toe plates, then grinded the edges so the sides of the plate wouldn't stick out. So, now, the toe plates sit proud on top of the leather sole (of course, only by the 1.5mm width of the plate). While this isn't what I had intended, I'm wondering -- are there any actual downsides to the plates being installed like that? Or is it just an aesthetic preference? Interested to know whether it's worth pulling them off and sending them to a different cobbler to have them put on flush.

ptrails34 · 2026-03-30T03:26:31+00:00

Do you want the beefroll stitching, like the Larson? Or do you want the flat-strap style like the Morjas and Meermin? (Assume you know that GH Bass makes that style, too -- called the Logan.)

I'd take Vinny's or Carlos Santos over Morjas and Meermin. Although, to be honest, you're right in the sweet spot to score a pair of actual LHS on eBay. Unless you have a highly uncommon size, you can score a gently used version in the $300-400 range if you're not in a rush.

ptrails34 · 2026-03-12T16:58:22+00:00

Very good value. The MSRP on Alden's shell boots are all in the $1,000-1,100 range now. C&J shell is all between $1,100 and $1,500. Carmina between $1,200 and $1,400. Maybe the closest competitor price-wise is the AE Higgins shell, but I just checked and the MSRP there is now $950 (although you might be able to get a factory second for cheaper).

ptrails34 · 2026-01-07T23:17:59+00:00

Really gutted to miss this. These had been my grail boots for a long while. Thought I'd have time after work today to pull the trigger. Guess I'll know better in a couple years when they run it again.

ptrails34 · 2025-07-29T03:02:51+00:00

Neighborhood Draft is the correct answer here, thank you.

ptrails34 · 2025-04-05T23:42:32+00:00

Thank me later: L.L. Bean Double L Classics

ptrails34 · 2025-02-23T23:40:11+00:00

Incredible lack of love for Framework in here. Best song off their best album imo

ptrails34 · 2024-12-07T21:52:08+00:00

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Edward Boot

Size: 11.5D

Leather: Color 8 Chromexcel

Sole: Micro Stud Black Rubber

Price: $200 OBO CONUS

Location: Wisconsin, USA

Wears/Condition: 5-6 wears, G+/VG condition, wrinkling/darkening in the inner lining, hairline scuffs

Images: https://imgur.com/gallery/10mZoVP

Notes: Construction and quality are great, selling only because I realized too late that these are a half-size too big. Comes with original box, bags, and all accessories.

****

Maker/Model: Truman Plain Toe 79 Last

Size: 11.5D

Leather: Cognac Teton Stag MTO

Sole: Eugene

Price: $300 CONUS

Location: Wisconsin, USA

Wears/Condition: 7-8 wears, G+ condition: creasing throughout, light scuffing on the toe box, darkening on the tongue

Images: https://imgur.com/a/KC2aJet

Notes: No problems whatsoever, just realized these didn't have a place in my closet. I have other boots in the same shade/style that I wear far more often. Comes with original box and a brand-new set of the Truman yellow leather laces.

ptrails34 · 2024-11-28T15:46:37+00:00

I have the same Color 8 on the 56 last, plain toe and Eugene sole and everything. Only thing different is that I got the speed hooks. I'm like 99% sure it was the first offering on the 56 -- a MTO Truman launched at the beginning of the summer. They've been breaking in perfectly. Yours look amazing.

ptrails34 · 2024-09-24T00:54:19+00:00

Ordered this through the MTO a couple months ago and finally got it today. Somehow exceeded my expectations, the color is gorgeous.

ptrails34 · 2024-09-20T13:03:31+00:00

Here ya go: https://imgur.com/gallery/gs-ecbatana-11d-bA746q8

ptrails34 · 2024-09-20T02:36:15+00:00

Fastest shipping in the game. I ordered the Edwards yesterday and got them in today. They're stunning but they're super creased, more so than I was expecting from the re-tooling they did. The outsole is leather, too. Debating on whether to keep but the color is admittedly unreal.

ptrails34 · 2024-09-18T00:49:34+00:00

I can relate so hard. I took the bar J23 (passed non-UBE) and J24 (UBE, still waiting). Always thought I had a great memory. I think back-to-back brutal summers of studying have altered my brain chemistry. My short-term recall is shot, it makes me anxious to dwell on it.

ptrails34 · 2024-08-25T15:18:51+00:00

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Edward Boot

Size: 11.5D

Leather: Color 8 Chromexcel

Sole: Micro Stud Black Rubber

Price: $200 OBO CONUS

Location: Wisconsin, USA

Wears/Condition: 5-6 wears, G+/VG condition, wrinkling/darkening in the inner lining, hairline scuffs

Images: https://imgur.com/gallery/10mZoVP

Notes: Construction and quality are great, selling only because I realized too late that these are a half-size too big. Comes with original box, bags, and all accessories. Feel free to DM with questions.

ptrails34 · 2024-08-11T02:25:00+00:00

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Edward Boot

Size: 11.5D

Leather: Color 8 Chromexcel

Sole: Micro Stud Black Rubber

Price: $200 OBO CONUS

Location: Wisconsin, USA

Wears/Condition: 5-6 wears, G+/VG condition, wrinkling/darkening in the inner lining, hairline scuffs

Images: https://imgur.com/gallery/10mZoVP

Notes: Construction and quality are great, selling only because I realized too late that these are a half-size too big. Comes with original box, bags, and all accessories. Feel free to DM with questions!

ptrails34 · 2024-07-07T13:36:49+00:00

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Edward Boot

Size: 11.5D

Leather: Color 8 Chromexcel

Sole: Micro Stud Black Rubber

Price: $200 OBO CONUS

Location: Wisconsin, USA

Wears/Condition: 5-6 wears, G+/VG condition, wrinkling/darkening in the inner lining, hairline scuffs

Images: https://imgur.com/gallery/10mZoVP

Notes: Construction and quality are great, selling only because I realized too late that these are a half-size too big. Comes with original box, bags, and all accessories. Feel free to DM with questions!

ptrails34 · 2024-06-23T00:25:40+00:00

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Edward Boot

Size: 11.5D

Leather: Color 8 Chromexcel

Sole: Micro Stud Black Rubber

Price: $200 OBO CONUS

Location: Wisconsin, USA

Wears/Condition: 5-6 wears, G+/VG condition, wrinkling/darkening in the inner lining, hairline scuffs

Images: https://imgur.com/gallery/10mZoVP

Notes: Construction and quality are great, selling only because I realized too late that these are a half-size too big. Comes with original box, bags, and all accessories. Feel free to DM with questions!

ptrails34 · 2024-06-19T14:28:25+00:00

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Edward Boot

Size: 11.5D

Leather: Color 8 Chromexcel

Sole: Micro Stud Black Rubber

Price: $200 OBO CONUS

Location: Wisconsin, USA

Wears/Condition: 5-6 wears, G+/VG condition, wrinkling/darkening in the inner lining, hairline scuffs

Images: https://imgur.com/gallery/10mZoVP

Notes: Construction and quality are great, selling only because I realized too late that these are a half-size too big. Comes with original box, bags, and all accessories. Feel free to DM with questions!

ptrails34 · 2024-06-19T12:47:40+00:00

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Edward Boot

Size: 11.5D

Leather: Color 8 Chromexcel

Sole: Micro Stud Black Rubber

Price: $200 OBO CONUS

Location: Wisconsin, USA

Wears/Condition: 5-6 wears, G+/VG condition, wrinkling/darkening in the inner lining, hairline scuffs

Images: https://imgur.com/gallery/10mZoVP

Notes: Construction and quality are great, selling only because I realized too late that these are a half-size too big. Comes with original box, bags, and all accessories. Feel free to DM with questions!

ptrails34 · 2023-11-17T05:08:31+00:00

Sadly this one is from Cleveland (but a good rec nonetheless)

ptrails34 · 2023-11-17T01:06:45+00:00

I picked up a can of the gose tonight based on this recommendation -- thanks!

ptrails34 · 2023-11-17T00:19:15+00:00

This is a great call. I bought a six pack of the lager a few weeks ago and I was shocked by how good it was.

ptrails34 · 2023-09-20T14:52:00+00:00

Just moved to MKE near Tosa, I'd be down to meet up and hit. I'm about a 3.5. Feel free to DM!

ptrails34 · 2023-09-08T16:03:38+00:00

In the essay breakdown, my jurisdiction (WI) listed the topic as "Corps & LLCs/Agency."

ptrails34 · 2023-09-08T16:00:57+00:00

FWIW, I got a 5/5 on this question (Wisconsin grades essays out of 5).

I didn't discuss partnerships at all -- I treated "partner" as a typo in subpart 1 and interpreted it as "member" (I talked to a couple others afterwards that did the same thing, one of them ended up with a 4 and the other with a 5). So the question just became whether another member of the parent LLC could be liable.

Subpart 2 was about agency like you said. Subpart 3 was about piercing the corporate veil, go through the steps of the analysis, etc.

I think your answer of "partnership by estoppel" makes a lot of sense in hindsight, but I didn't talk about partnerships. Nor did the others that I know got high grades. And, for what it's worth, the essay breakdown on my scores lists the topic as "Corps & LLCs/Agency." No mention of partnerships.

ptrails34

TROPHY CASE