Gokey Botte Sauvage Snake Proof Hunting Boots

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage Gokey Botte Sauvage Snake Proof Hunting boots

Looking at a vintage pair of Gokey Botte Sauvage Snake Proof Hunting boots. These boots probably date from the 50s or 60s and are based (as the name suggests) on a style of French Trapper boot popular in the north-east and great lakes area. The Gokey company produced this same boot for outfitter’s Abercrombie & Fitch in the early mid-1900s. Their boots and bags of legendary quality and the standard for the worldly adventurer of the day.

The boots are of relatively simple construction of high quality materials. In the realm of boots crafted in Minnesota they’re somewhere between Red Wings and Minnetonka’s. The 15″ tall boots are constructed of thick, quality leather. Anchor brand brass buckles at the top and ankle give them an almost engineer feel, but with the moccasin style toe.

This bot features Queen B soles by Gro-Cord, but from looking at other such boots it appears the choice of sole changed throughout the years. The black fore soles are ingrained with pieces of rope or hemp for additional traction.

I have been researching the markings inside the boots but an unable to make definite sense of them at this time. My best judgement, these are size 7.5 men’s 9 women’s? I should also note the shaft on these boots is long and narrow, not for the person with a big calf and would require some ankle flexibility to get in to. Newer models offer a side zip after many requests I’m sure.

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Resoled Redwing 875 6″ Moc Toe Boots.

Posted on by Rob Drews

A while back I came across a used pair of Redwing 875.  The original soles had been worn to down to nothing but the uppers were in good shape. Knowing that they could be resoled I snatched them up for future use. They hung around in my garage for six months until this fall. I took them to my local Redwing retailer to have them sent back to the factory to be resoled. I was as little disappointed to find out they sent their boots to a local cobbler and not the place of origin, but agreed to send them out anyway. The local guy did a great job using Vibram soles instead of the Redwing stamped version.  When the boots landed back in the shop the associate oiled them and threw in some new laces before I picked them up.

If you are looking to get into a pair of Redwing having an old boot is a great way to go. Cost of the resole in this instance was $80 + tax.

Wood N Stream by Weinbrenner

Posted on by Rob Drews

You are looking at a like new pair of Wood N Stream 7 inch moc toe, crepe sole hunting/work boots. These boots are very similar in construction and quality to those of the famed Red Wing boots. These boots were found unlaced and seemingly unused.

All stitching on the uppers and welt is completely intact and brilliant white. The BILTRITE NURON-CREPE soles show little to no use of actual wear. The boots were laced to give a better sense of of how they would look. Laced via the included leather lace through grommets at the bottom and around 9 hooks. The two flaps behind the loops overlap each other over the tongues to seal out weather.

The only flaws are minor scuffing on the left toe, a mild crack to the lower left toe sole, discoloration to the bottom of the right sole (perhaps the boot sat in or on something) and tarnish on the middle four inner left boot lace loops.

Weinbrenner Boots of Milwaukee Wisconsin have been making quality boots since 1892 and carries on today. Check out their Thorogood Work collection for a moc toe boot similar to these.

Marked inside:
J57
8 1/2 D 92091
477

Sole Measures:
11.75″ heel to toe
4.5″ across at widest