1st Lead Telluride, Colorado – Parka

Posted on by Rob Drews

This is a great parka from a rare Colorado company. First Lead exists today as an outdoor preparedness and training organization based out of Norwood Colorado, about 30 miles from Telluride. In talking with a spokesperson for First Lead I leaned the training outfit shares no direct relation to the outdoor gear company, but is cut from the same stock of friends and outdoor enthusiasts that started 1st Lead back in the 70s.   

This  piece is  typical in many ways of other parka from this era by other Colorado companies like Holubar and Frostline.  A shell constructed from a cotton blend (most likely 65/35 cotton/poly). Added weight and warmth from an inner layer of the same material. Standard parka trimmings like the yoked shoulder panel and multiple large pockets for storage. Beyond that, this parka has some major difference from its competitors. Maybe the most noticeable is the lack of a hood. It’s not that it got lost, there’s not even snaps or a zipper half to attach one too. The cut of this parka is lot shorter too, ending just below the waist as opposed to mid-thigh length. Another difference is the leather backed snaps. Not exactly sure of the purposes here, I am sure it added durability to the snaps, but it also adds weight. Peaks on the front of part of the shoulder yoke point a little more than others, and there is an absence of chest pockets. Maintains traditional accouterments like the back pocket (closed by a small talon zipper), waist cinch, and Velcro cuffs. 
Can’t wait to find more gear from 1st Lead to see what other kind of things they were doing different so many years ago!

Vintage Levi’s 501 Big E Selvedge Jeans

Posted on by Rob Drews

Levi’s Big E sevledge 501s, no patch. Double sided LEVI’S red tag. Single stitched back pocket, double coin. Top button marked with an 8.

Not exactly sure the year of manufacture on these jeans, but the lack of rivets on the back pocket and double stitched coin pocket suggests these came towards the end of the big E run. These jeans also have a pretty high-rise from the crotch to top of the jean.

These jeans have that great look only obtained with age.  Major holes on the right leg with the knee hole spanning almost seam to seam. Left leg is worn heavily from the bottom of the pocket to the knee. Great denim patches of varying sizes on each leg. Another small hole on the back of left leg an upper right side hip.  Crotch wear is not too bad, though there is a small hole. Stitching is complete still.  Great whiskering around the crotch.  Some stains and some dirt that would probably clean off.

Actual measurements:
Inseam 29″
Waist 35.5″
Rise from crotch to top of waist 11.75″ front 15″ back
Top of waist to leg hem 38.25″

Truckin’ Rucksack Co. Seattle Washington U.S.A.

Posted on by Rob Drews

Unique small rucksack by Truckin’ Rucksack Co of Seattle Washington USA.  Wish I had more details on the company and the origin of this bag, but I don’t and have not found anything out there. I’ve seen similar packs from unknown companies made in Japan but they always seem to be of a little inferior quality to this bag. This ruck sack is very small, almost child size, but such as the label depiction suggests, my guess is that it’s just intended to be used as a small day pack on  backpacking trips.

The nylon bag is coated on the inside with a poly urethane or similar rubberized substance for waterproofing.  The main compartment of the bag is made from a single piece of material with two wedges inserted on the side. One decent sized zip closed canister pocket lives on the outside.  Top draw string and flap closure. 7/8 inch wide nylon straps are gusseted with a piece of brown vinyl.

The label is screened on a cotton blend patch. This one bears the previous owners info.

Deadstock 1960s Chippewa Steel Toe Engineer Boots

Posted on by Rob Drews

This is a pair of deadstock Chippewa Steel Toe Engineer Boots. Black Label includes Chippewa Falls Wis. These boots can also be dated by the ANSI ( American National Standards Institute) 1967/75 marking. Sturdy split leather uppers with nickel hardware, steel toe, stitched leather mid-sole.

These boots are unworn as evident in the pristine Vulcan Neoprene Heel and Nitrene Sole. Uppers do have some light scuffing and wear from sitting around for 40 years but are otherwise in great shape. These boots could be polished to a shine if desired.

Inside markings:
ANSI
Z4L1-1967/75
9EE 3045
7863

Measurements:
heel height 1.75″
shaft height 11″
Heel to Toe (sole) 11.75″
width at ball of foot (sole) 4.25″

Kelty Soft Pack Day Pack Backpack – Sun Valley CA

Posted on by Rob Drews

Original Kelty Soft Pack day pack in rust orange. This top-loading pack features one main compartment closeable via a nylon cord through metal grommets with a large Progresco cord lock. The top flap features a second, rather large rectangular compartment that zips half the way around using C&C zippers. Top flap secures to the main compartment via two 1″ plastic clips.  6 leather lashing squares down the front and larger lashing panels per side add character and functionality.

Back panel measures:
16″ tall
10″ across at bottom
9″ across at top

Sierra Designs single Man Backpacking Tent – Oakland CA

Posted on by Rob Drews

Classic Oakland California era Sierra Designs single person backpacking tent.  This tent looks as if it borrows structural engineering from Spanish architect Félix Candela using arches to make a simple yet durable structure.

Includes all original pieces:
Tent
Rain Fly
Plastic composite and aluminum poles (8 pieces)
5 stakes
1 Sierra Designs Oakland CA tent bag
Small Sierra Designs Berkeley CA stuff sack (added bonus)

Condition wise this tent is in great shape for its age. No holes or rips in the tent body or fly, all seams are complete and the zippers work great. Some blue has transferred to the white of the tent top after being stored rolled up for years. Floor of the tent is remarkably clean, indicating the tent was used very little.  Has a little of that old nylon tent smell but has been airing out for the last two weeks and will continue to until point of sale.

Approximate Measurements:
Packed weight: 4.5 lbs
Packed size: 28″ x 6″ x 3.5

Set up:
44″ tall at front
15″ at feet
95″ head to toe
44″ across

Red Wing’s Irish Setter Hunting/Work Boots – Made in the USA

Posted on by Rob Drews

Nice older pair of Red Wing Irish Setter hunting/work boots. These boots have been cared for as evident in the leather, not dried and cracking around the toe creases as you so often see. Feel and look like a nice old ball glove, great patina with lots of character.

These boots are NOT steel toe. They have a storm welt still in good condition, all stitching is intact and the boots is not pulling up at all.  The Vibram Soles are in  good shape. Some wear around the heels with still plenty of life left in the lugs

Double and triple stitched uppers in places all intact through out booth boots. Normal scuffing and scrapes on the heels and toes. A scratch on the left boot’s toe and heel but nothing that permeates the leather. 5 lower lace holes followed by 4 loops and a grommet at the top. Single Red Wing’s Irish Setter Sport Boot Made in the USA  tag in the right boot tongue.  Faintly stamped 14 D in the right boot.

Measures:
8″ shaft height
1.5″ heel
14.5″ heel to toe (sole)
4 7/8″ across at widest (sole)

Chippewa USA Crepe Sole Chukka Boots

Posted on by Rob Drews

Vintage Chippewa USA 3-hole chukka boots.  These boots consist of a basic two-piece split leather upper welted to a neoprene oil resistant sole. The tongue is gusseted to the boot sides making  the boot more weather resistant.

Older black label containing Chippewa Falls, Wis sewn to right tongue. Other markings inside include the following:

8D 9944
4025