This is a cheese shoe shop, isn't it?

[awfulhorrid]

Black 8" boots, no zippers. Size 13, possibly 13W. That doesn't sound very difficult, does it? I don't even need them to be oil resistant and steel toed this time, surely that should open the possibilities. K-Mart's bloody useless ... they had maybe three boots and/or shoes that were even my size and they were a hideous color. Sears was a bit better since at least they had some in my size ... ones that I actually liked, but wearing "Harley Davidson" boots in Wisconsin when you don't ride really doesn't seem like a good idea. But hey, Rogan's Shoes ... they make a point of the fact that they have Wolverine and other boots ... surely they'd have something, right?

Yeah, you'd think so, but apparently not. They had exactly two pairs of boots that fit the above description ... one of which is the brand and style where two zippers in a row have broken on me. ("Oh yeah, we've had a lot of returns on those ... lots of zipper problems.") and the other were marked as 13 Regular, but I could barely get my foot into them and couldn't lace them up.

Gah. I'll stop off at one of the other local shoe stores after PT on Tuesday. If that doesn't work, I'll have to see how well I can salvage the pair I have now. They're mostly gouged up a bit for some odd reason. You'd think I wore them to work in or something. (At least they're still comfortable.)

Comments

[jenwolf.livejournal.com]

Have you tried Red Wing shoes? I love mine, they stand up to lots of abuse. It looks like the closest one to you is in Waukegan on Green Bay Rd.

http://www.redwingshoestore.info/dealers/712/

[awfulhorrid.livejournal.com]

If they have in their local inventory what they have online then they've made a sale! (Assuming the boots fit, of course.) I see several pairs that look to be exactly for what I'm looking.

Thanks!

[jenwolf.livejournal.com]

I don't know how much you are willing to spend on these boots, though. Red Wings tend to be more expensive (mine were $125) but they are very durable.

[awfulhorrid.livejournal.com]

For good quality boots that meet my criteria, that's not a bad price! I was considering plunking down $80 on a pair that I really didn't like that much, so thank the Gods they didn't fit.

[petronivs.livejournal.com]

Have you tried Farm and Fleet?

[awfulhorrid.livejournal.com]

Yep. The one in Racine has very little in my size and what they had ... well, I just don't see myself wearing camoflage boots that often. I know the store in Rockford has a bit more variety on ... everything, really ... but that's a bit far to drive since I'm trying to find boots to wear this upcoming weekend. (Good excuse to visit Rockford, though!)

[petronivs.livejournal.com]

As a side bonus, they're also good places to look for, shall we say, 'toys', especially if it's a store with a sizable farm tools section. ^_^

[gsharper13.livejournal.com]

The one in Loves Park near where Roc-con is held usually has a good selection in that size. I know, seeing I'm in there buying about the same size myself. Come on over.

[awfulhorrid.livejournal.com]

We stopped there last year after Rock-Con and found that they have better variety than the one near us. I'd seriously head out there and check their selection of boots (and visit you two) if I didn't need the boots by this weekend. I somehow just don't see fitting that into the schedule before Friday morning!

Combat boots?

[bit-boy.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you're asking for tanker boots (or combat boots if you can't find tanker boots). They've got several good Army surplus stores in the area if you want to take a peek the next time you're down.

Re: Combat boots?

[awfulhorrid.livejournal.com]

Pretty much, yes -- tanker boots or general combat boots. For some odd reason all of my footwear are either boots or dress shoes. I just purchased a pair of "athletic shoes" this weekend so I won't have to wear my dress shoes at physical therapy.

With the Naval base right there in North Chicago you'd think there'd be more surplus stores around here, but they're apparently hidden. I like surplus stores and could probably find a pair of Matterhorns like I had a long time ago, but since I need them by Friday, I don't think it's going to happen! (Luckily I think the Redwing Shoes that Jen suggested will have something suitable.)

[ladythmpr.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. I've been trying to find a pair of hiking boots that fit me for... um...at least 2 years now. I'd prefer them to be water resistant, but at this point, any boot would do. (5 1/2 boys size wide. I gave up on women's boots a long time ago; if they're wide enough, they're way too long.)

[awfulhorrid.livejournal.com]

I finally found a decent pair ... and tried to ignore that "ack!" feeling as I paid for them. Oh well, these are 'dress' boots anyway, I guess. Let's see how long that lasts!

Abandoning women's boots seems like a fine idea. I've never had first hand experience, but from everything I've seen the quality tends to be very sub-par.