High dollar Brogans

[Cannon Fodder]

Are the high dollar Brogans really worth their cost? Who makes the best brogan?

[chase196126]

Mr. Crone,

I would say definitely so. Not only are the higher priced brogans more historically accurate but are usually more comfortable and will last longer. I have a pair I purchased from the Skillet Licker in December of 2004 and those bootees have seen some tough service in the time i have had them, but they have never given me any foot problems whatsoever (I didn’t even have to break them in!) and are still going very strong today. In just over the year and 4 months I have had them I know of 2 people who purchased sutler row brogans and wore them out during that time.

As for who makes the best shoe, there are a variety of good makers. I have been very pleased with my pair from Mr. Hofmann, but I have heard from many people that Mr. Serio of Missouri Boot and shoe makes a very comfortable and accurate bootee as well. Another maker I have heard very highly rated is Mattimore Harness. I believe those makers should be able to take care of your brogan needs.

Chase Pinkham

[HighPrvt]

I started with cheap brogans.. Now I have two pair from Missouri Boot & Shoe, and a pair of Civie shoes from Tom Mattimore. You only have one pair of feet, and they have to last you forever. Don't buy cheap shoes!!!!!!

[huntdaw]

Do yourself a favor - buy good shoes. They don't cost that much more that sutler row shoes and your feet will thank you. Don't cheat your feet - they'll make you pay and you'll be sorry you blew your money on inadequate footwear.

[cblodg]

As already mentioned, a good brogan will take you a long way!

I own a new pair of Robery Land brogans, and am very happy with them. Extemely comfortable, and I too did not really have to break them in.

Your ordinary sutler row brogans won't do you much good when you have to purchase new ones 6 months to a year down the road. I know what they say in ecomnomics, sunk costs shouldn't be figured in, but in this hobby spending $75 on a cheaper pair now, and then going off and buying the higher quality will end up being around $200 in the end.

Save yourself the troubl, go with the more expensive brogan.

Chris

[Cannon Fodder]

Thanks for the info.

[toptimlrd]

If I may also add that many of the better makers will take a measurement of your foot and design the boot for a very good fit. I went through a pair of better quality sutler row shoes in about two years. I now wear Missouri Boot and Shoe and wish I had started there even though my earlier ones were OK. It is really worth the difference.

[Michael Pierpoint]

No matter who you buy from, keep your brogans well greased that really helps with them lasting a long time. In 1993 I bought a pair from f/c at the time I was a new guy on the block. However I kept them clean up and greased. and have set them a side this year for a pair of MBS wich are very comfortable first time out.

Michael Pierpoint

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Just an aside...
The better makers make their shoes from a series of measurements from EACH foot (both lefts and rights) as it is rare folks have exactlyl symmetrical feet.

Of course each lad knows his needs, wants, and circumstances best...

But I would again reemphasize the False Economy of buying "cheap." If a "cheap" pair of X (shoes in this case) are say $85 and a "premium" pair $150- for many lads their shoes end up costing them $235 instead of $150.
Because the "cheaper" shoes do not hold up, tear one's feet apart, or soon fall victim to better "authenticity standards," etc. and have to be replaced in a short while.
IMHO, it can be hard to march and play in ill-fitting and "uncomfortable" shoes...
In my own experience (which may be unique to me and not apply to others), I wish I had known about the "better stuff" earlier and I would not have thrown so much money out the window.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Wish I Did't Know Now What I Didn't Know Then Mess

[cblodg]

I could have sworn I said that Curt

But again, its always worth repeating good advice. But also there is a caveat emptor here as well. Just because something is pricey, doesn't make it a good product. You can still buy a pair of $100 brogans, and they'll be crap.