Hello ladies and Gents,

Long time no type.  I'm looking for some advice, and recommendations.  Who makes the most comfortable Brogan.  For the past 3 years I've been wearing a pair of Blockade Runner brogans.  They are still in good shape.  Very sturdy construction, but lately every time I put them on my lower back starts hurting.  

Now I'm not certain, a new pair of brogans will cure this.  It could happen with any hard sole shoe.  However I'd still like to hear what you all have to say on the subject.

Thanks

Brogans only become comfortable after they're worn for several events. "Broken in," as it were. I have two pair, Mattamore Harness, and Robert Land. Both pairs are well broken in and just like my tennis shoes. Fellers I know swear by Missouri Boot and Shoe. It's been my experience, you get what you pay for. There's a lotta' folks who wouldn't hesitate to spend $100+ on a new pair of sneakers that will last about a year. But, won't spend that kind of money on their re'nacting shoes, which, if thaken care of will last for years and years. BTW, both of my bootees are at least 7 years old. One's pegged, one's sewn.(soles) And have been soaking wet for 36 hours numerous times.

Hallo!

 I have come to the opinion that "comfortable" and "brogan" is an oxymoron that should never be used together.
   

 IMHO...

 On the one hand, an  "issue" shoe was a temporary item not designed with creature comforts in mind- and historically they fit or felt based upon the peculiarities of one's feet and the nature of the issued shoe.

 On the other hand, assuming one makes the conscious choice of skipping the history- the more the shoe is made to the dimensions
and characterisitcs of both of one's feet- the "less bad" it stands to fit and feel in use.

 However, a few measurements may not be of help for high arches, or flat feet, or the way one's weight and pressure come down in the way one walks or marches.

 Several lads claim that they improve the "poor feel" of their shoes by wet-molding them to their feet as a stop-gap measure until the shoe kinda/sorta eventually forms and conforms to one's feet and the way one walks.

 I have, and have worn, Godwin and Jarnagin in the Way Back Daze, as well as Serio, Mattimore, and Land.  The most truly totally comfortable were/are my resoled and reheeled Frye
"brogans" I got in 1977.

 But I have given up, in a what is, is bent- and am now looking for "comfortable"  WWI shoes instead.    

 At any rate, I could tell you what shoes are/were the most comfortable on my feet- and then you order the same and get hobbled.  

 Curt  

--Last edited by Curt Schmidt on 2009-01-28 11:18:44 --

I don't recall who made my Federal brogans, but do recall that I spent well over an hour trying on brogans until I found a pair that were comfortable. This was several years ago, and they are still comfortable; they have been resoled a few times. IMHO, with shoes, there is no real substitute for trying before buying unless the seller has an excellent return policy.
JMHO, YMMV,
Mick Cole

  Hallo!

 True but...      

 So few custom/premium makers have one send them one's multiple measurements to build shoes from, and then...

 Allow one to march 10 miles and ford a creek or stream or two, and then see how they "fit."

     

 Curt

Thanks for the replies.  It's a difficult choice to make, since the brogans I have are still holding up well, and I'm a cheap skate.  They cost me about $75.00 3 years ago.  Robert Land has a nice looking pair for $95.  Someone I know recommended Fugawee, and they are having a sale right now.  The best thing about my Blockade Runner shoes is that they required no breaking in.  But I'm more concerned with my lower back.  I'm kinda sick of having a bad knot for a week after every event.  Maybe I'm getting old!

Like I said, I'm not certain if new brogans will help.  It would be great if someone could produce a shoe that looked period correct on the outside, but had the cushion of a modern sneaker.  

Quote :

TheBaldYankee wrote : Like I said, I'm not certain if new brogans will help.  It would be great if someone could produce a shoe that looked period correct on the outside, but had the cushion of a modern sneaker.

Anthony,

Depending on your own vision of what's authentic enough, you could always put modern insoles in your brogans. You should probably get the insoles and put them in a pair of brogans before you make a purchase. You may need a bigger size shoe.

Maybe a pair of Doctor Scholl's inserts would get you "Jell'in" instead of limping!  

Greetings Bill,
I must wear orthodic inserts in all my shoes.(Flat feet and bad ankles.) At $200.00 a pair, I don't ford many creeks and rivers. Because they are leather.
So, I take them when ever I buy shoes. I even measured around them when I had a pair of brogans custom made for me.Missouri Boot and Shoe did a great job.  

Your Obedient Servant, Sgt. Dan Girton Co. A. 6th Ohio    

--Last edited by Sink Rat on 2009-02-04 17:35:19 --

I would think that flat feet would be nearly a blessing. My pediatrist says that unless you support your arch, you will get some pains.  Most brogans don't have any arch support so some sort of insert would be needed unless you had flat feet.

I ordered a pair of brogans from Missouri Boot & Shoe about 5 years ago and am still wearing them. They are the most comfortable brogans I've had. And I'm as flat-footed as can be.
A.W. Redd
33rd Ala
Montgomery,Al.  

--Last edited by reddcorp on 2009-07-08 17:38:00 --

reddcorp,

We ask that you sign your real name to all of your posts.

Thanks!

I want to echo what Bill said and suggest that you try inserts before you spring for a new pair of brogans.  I have two pairs of MB&S, one of Jarnagin's, and one no-name from way back, plus some MB&S boots.  I'm partial to the MB&S brogans for long walks, but I wouldn't suggest anyone spend that much money without knowing whether it would solve the problem, especially if your current pair's still in basically good shape.

You might look at some other potential culprits, too.  Age is one -- I had a herniated disc some 15 years ago in my late 30's, got better with therapy, but still do my stretches every day.  Sooner or later another disc will go.  

How you carry your gear may be another factor.  If I wear my cartridge box on my waist belt instead of a cartridge box belt, it will start nagging at my lower back.  

You may also want to try another pair of socks.  I know that may sound silly, but socks contribute to the cushioning and like shoes they require both breaking in and, in time, replacement.

Just some thoughts.