It dawned on me recently, that at age 28, my collection of footwear was seriously lacking in…well…seriousness.  While I’ve always had at least two pairs of dress shoes, the majority of my footwear was made up of sneakers.  I had several pairs of skate shoes: some for actual skateboarding, some for broadcasting that I (used to) skate but who’s soles never once touched grip-tape, and some in a transitional stage.  I had canvas sneakers: a low-top pair of black Chucks, hi-top white Chucks, and a hi-top pair of black PF Flyers.  They’re timeless and look good with jeans, but after a certain age you start to look like Jon Gosselin.  I also had a pair of “trendy” sneakers by Rocket Dog, a purchase encouraged by my wife but, ulitmately, a mistake.

  The rest of my footwear consisted of “boots.”  I say “boots” because my boot collection to date was kind of “costumey.”  I had brown harness boots for going country line dancing (translation: drinking at the bar and riding the mechanical bull while the ladies line danced), I had Frye engineer boots for when I wanted to broadcast that I was a biker and I had Altama Desert boots for general mucking around and while on the occasional construction site.  However, I didn’t have any regular, no-need-to-make-a-statement, casual boots and decided that I needed something to fill that void.

  As I pondered my choices, I realized that all of my previous foot wear choices were based on my own juvenile interpretations of how I wanted to be seen.  However, as I near the big three-oh, I’ve come to realize it’s time to be taken seriously, and serious men don’t rely on fashion to speak for them.  I needed a boot that was manly without being overbearing and stylish without being trendy.  Something who’s looks and construction would stand the test of time.  Enter the Moc Toe Workboot:

  I chose this style because it reminded me of the manliest man I know - my Dad.  He had a pair just like these 25 years ago, when he was my age and I remember clomping around in them. This particular example is made by Wolverine and features a very tough, triple-stiched, un-lined, full-grain leather upper in a classic maple color as well as a comfy blown crepe sole that’s Goodyear welted for easy sole replacement.  The best part?  They set me back about $37 brand new from the Sportsman’s Guide.  Granted, you’ll have to sign up for their discount club and apply a $10 coupon code but it’s well worth it.

  My boots came in the other day and I got right to the task of breaking them in (a ritual in itself).  I scrubbed them with saddle soap, soaked them in the tub with warm water, strapped them on tight and took the dogs for a long walk.  I wore the boots ’til they were dry, let them rest overnight and applied some Lexol for a deeper color and buttery smoothness.  Right now, they’re the most comfortable shoes I own.  I look forward to a long partnership with these boots.  Maybe my future son will clomp around in them someday.