Unknown Maker Unknown Model

These boots were chosen to investigate the longevity of common vintage footwear with an emphasis on affordability and repairability. I hoped that this choice could encourage more reuse, repair, and recycling and motivate some people to find value in what they can get their hands on. In Indonesia right now, imported clothing is illegal and being burned, because the amount of waste that goes around from “developed countries” is overflooding both retail and 2nd hand markets. I have opinions on the ban but I want to also participate in the drop of costly export- “waste” in the first place. These are some common Vintage Canadian Police Boots in corrected grain leather, made possibly by Dack’s or Hartt. These boots are highly accessible in 2nd Hand market platforms and Canadian thrift/vintage shops with average costs on Ebay going for around 30 to 150 bucks USD. These cost me about 52 CAD (April 4, 2023: 576k IDR, 38.60 USD). My thunderdomed model is lined with leather; although, some similar models are available cotton-lined. The boots were worn the most in humid weather at around 70 ~ 90% humidity, around Jogjakarta, Indonesia on rocky, rice-paddy adjacent paths during both Dry and Wet Seasons. I’ve done both mudholes and semi-flooded paths while staying relatively dry. Care routine was an occasional brushing and a wipe-down with water (or black tea), with maybe two events of saddle soap. Zero shoe trees. For the most part, these held up great. The left toe flattened out a bit (maybe due to age). There are scuffs but not anything extreme probably because these were corrected grain. In terms of bigger issues: 1.The lining cracked early on but had no effect on comfort 2.The painted eyelets wore off (In the way I had hoped, honestly) 3.The welt shrank but it became unnoticeable after I burnished the midsole a bit with Gum-Trag (check the last set of pictures). I’ll keep wearing them and then eventually resole them. I don’t see them breaking down any time soon.