Decided to give my Horsehide Thorogoods a little polish…
They're about three years old and a somewhat mixed package, with some horrible loose grain showing, but also some nice patina slowly developing…
Still my favorite go-to boots mainly due to the excellent fit - it feels like the last was custom made for my feet.
^^ 
Really nice boots! They look well aged and cared for. Are these Farmer-Ranchers or Bounty Hunters (i.e. SJ or SD last)?
Once I have them on my feet the fit is excellent. I wore the boots all day yesterday and also walked a good distance in them. Taking them off after a long hot day was another story 
Turns out they're almost impossible to pull on even WITH a shoehorn…
Temporarily lining the instep region with some thin plastic foil (a trashcan liner, actually) did the trick by reducing the friction between the rough leather and my socks. After my feet had slipped inside, I removed the plastic...
^good to see the Armageddon Boot saga continue
Walked into a Timberland outlet (gasp!) the other day and found these – at about one third of the original price:
Made in USA, Horween Leather, though nothing more specific…
I could make some fit pics as soon as I receive the shoehorn I ordered on Amazon. These are impossible to pull on without a shoehorn;-)
Finally got around to ordering my first pair of White's. Bounty Hunters, black cxl, pretty standard. Loving the look and fit so far. Still getting used to the high arches.
Urbanwoodsman, this is your fault / thanks for the recommendation.
Interesting. What size are these?
The Farmer-Rancher has low-profile soles to avoid carrying too much mud, manure and other stuff into the house. Which makes sense when you look at a Smokejumper after a little tour on slightly wet footpaths…
Extra points for identifying the record cover in the background
Smokejumper last, soft toe, Vibram 700. The only difference to an SJ being the sole…
I used the White's HDLP that came with the boots, but only 2-3 times, just a thin coat and lots of brushing afterwards. Last time was just a few days ago, after I had to wash them as they were completely covered in greenish-brown mud;-)
Just a few pics of my brown smooth Farmer-Ranchers as the leather starts to break in. About one year old now, worn once or twice a week on average.
Hathorn Smokejumpers, cheap via White's ebay alter ego Whitesriver:
I grew so fond of my Farmer/Ranchers that I decided to spare them the real grim conditions and wear these when the weather is really shitty. Interestingly, these must have been sitting in some corner of the factory for five years before they were sold - see date of manufacture:
^12.5D in both pairs. Standard SJ last on the F/R, no idea on the Hathorn - it's a plain Hathorn, type 110V.
@aho:
I seem to recall someone owning a pair of Hathorn's…Can anyone comment on sizing vs. the White's line? Wondering if I can get away with the same size...
I have a pair of Hathorn Smokejumpers and a pair of White's Farmer/Ranchers. I expected the Hathorns (which I bought later) to be identical wrt sizing but that is only half true. My Hathorn SJ are much roomier (wider, but not longer) than the F/R. For me , it's OK because I got the Hathorn as a winter/bad weather boot. The F/Rs fit wonderfully precise with thin wool socks, whereas the Hathorn SJs need thick Smartwool socks and still have more heel slip than the FRs.
Don't know about the other lasts…
^^beautiful! Which leather are they made of?
I have to try the same with my Farmer/Ranchers…
Is that navy CXL? I was quite sure when I saw it on my office monitor. Now on my Sony piece of trash android phone the leather looks greenish…
Drove a W123 230E for a few years, it was actually navy blue:-)
I can see why you're sitting in the passenger seat though. White's are not ideal for driving, unless it's a truck or a tractor. My size 13 Farmer Ranchers are so wide that it's impossible for me to drive with a manual transmission.
Very nice! Good colour, and it goes very well with your…um...dashboard carpet?
btw - is that a W123?
Thank you 4c and Mega, that's very useful info.
In the meantime, after spending a few more hours looking at pictures of boots, I have changed my mind on another important point. Now leaning more towards black dress leather.
Leather 1: Black Dress
Toe Vamp Leather: Black Dress
Toe Cap Leather: Black Dress
Celastic Toe Box: Single
Safety Toe: No Thanks
Upper (Shaft) Leather : Black Dress
Leather Liner: Tan
Back Stay Leather: Black Dress
Pull Loop: No
Eyelet Color: Nickel
Sole Trim: Standard Trim
Eyelet Configuration : Hook and Eyelet
Lace: Leather
Sole: Vib 269
Half Slip: No
Heel Shape: Curve
Heel Height: Standard
Last: Standard
Midsole: Standard
Midsole/Edge Color: Brown
Brown midsole edge looks weird in buildaboot but I've seen a few excellent pics of it on a black boot…
I'm planning to order a pair of brown dress SDs, but there's some details to be decided.
The build so far is brown dress for the entire boot, tan leather lining, medallion toe cap, standard curved heel in standard height, all antique eyelets, single midsole, standard trim, brown edge, no pull loops.
Not entirely sure about the sole. I have a pair of Farmer/Ranchers with the Vibram 700 sole which I really like, but the 700 could be a bit too clunky for the SD. The 269 "western" sole looks a bit thinner in the heel area but seems very similar apart from that. Could anyone who knows both soles tell me if there are differences in comfort or wear?
Also, I wonder if I need a celastic toe. With lining and toe cap, there's already three layers of leather, which I imagine will give the toe box some stiffness. Megatron, are your B/Hs with or without celastic? I really like their toes…
Also, does anyone know what leather was used on the second pair that I posted that I found on instagram?
My guess is the brown smooth, aka brown oil tan. It is usually a bit duller when new (mine was, at least) but can develop that shine with a little wear and care. It's one of the standard leather for Smokejumpers and it's really tough and thick. For comparison, heres a pic of my Farmer/Rancher in brown smooth:
(for some reason the pic appears upside down….)
I'm gonna try to get them. They might be a tad small but the E makes me think I could wear with thin socks.
Good luck! Get those boots before Mr GreatDealThankYou snaps them up. o
Look at Whitesrivers latest feedback:
Eight pairs. Mostly small sizes. Same Buyer. I wonder where those will end up.
