For centuries, when a man needed extra support and protection for his feet, he would lace up a good pair of boots. Your grandpa or great-grandpa probably had a solid pair of leather boots in his shoe collection. During the frontier days, a good leather boot was an essential piece of clothing. Industrial workers did and still do wear boots to protect their dew beaters. Returning soldiers would often continue to wear their military issued boots when they returned from war back to civilian life. Consequently, the leather boot was common among men.
After conquering the frontier and moving from the factory floor to a cubicle, men replaced the boot with sneakers and dress shoes as their go-to footwear. But just because you’re not out chopping wood doesn’t mean you can’t wear boots. A nice leather boot can class up your casual wardrobe and make you look ruggedly handsome. And because of their solid construction and timeless look, a quality leather boot can last a lifetime (and more) instead of the 1-2 years that you may get out of today’s mass produced nylon mesh shoes. In other words, a good boot is a good investment.
If you’ve been wanting to add a nice pair of boots to your wardrobe, you’re in luck. We’re giving away a free pair of the new Wolverine 1,000 Mile boots from Wolverine’s Heritage Collection. The Wolverine 1,000 Mile boot is based on the original design from 1914 and it’s uber-manly. Have I whet your appetite yet? Read on to find out how you can get your hands on a pair.
The Prize
The Wolverine 1,000 Mile Boot
Recognized for its long-standing dedication to comfort, durability, and style, Wolverine is debuting a one-of-a-kind collection of boots and shoes inspired by its own classic designs.
The cornerstone of the new collection, the 1,000 Mile Boot is crafted with the same attention to detail found in the original 1,000 Mile shoe that was first developed in 1914. Wolverine designers worked meticulously to replicate the original aesthetic of that first boot created so many years ago. Made in America, the boot features soft, supple leathers in weathered tones, a
stacked leather midsole and outsole and classic welt construction. The Wolverine 1,000 Mile retails for $325 and you can purchase it online at Amazon.
A pair of the 1,000 Mile Boot is up for grabs in this giveaway. Ready to get your hands on a pair? Then read on.
How to Enter
You have three ways to enter to win a pair of these manly boots.
1) Leave a comment on this post sharing where you would walk in your pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile boots.
2) Join the “A Good Boot” Group in the Art of Manliness Community. You’ll have to sign up for the AoM Community before you can join the boot group.
3) Email your friends about the contest. For each friend you email, you’ll receive 1 entry. Email up to 10 friends. (We won’t share your email with anyone, and we can’t even see theirs)
Deadline to enter is Monday, September 28, 2009 at 11PM EST. We’ll then randomly select one lucky winner. Enter today!
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I’d wear them, after i broke them in of course, to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and to the top of Half Dome. Two hikes I’ve always wanted to do!
I would take these boots on the greatest walk in the southern hemisphere, the Milford Track in New Zealand.
there’s no thinkin about it: a good pair of boots is like skin – you just wear them everywhere. they’ll go where i go.
I would wear a pair of boots like that most everywhere I go during my daily life. My current cheaper boots are getting a bit worn…
A real man would wear these Wolverine boots hunting in the Great White North and wouldn’t take them off until he had wrestled an actual wolverine, putting his manly footwear to the truest test. This is the only way for the boot to fulfill its destiny.
I would wear these everywhere! Well, maybe not everywhere, but these are definitely nice enough to wear to all but business and formal events. They are beautiful boots.
These boots are classy. I’d reserve them for special occasions, like my stumble home from the local watering hole, or kicking my boss in the face.
To bed
I shall either walk aboard a plane to China to teach English or into a recruiter’s office. Restlessness indeed!
I would wear these everywhere.
I’d replace China with Buenos Aires. Recruiter’s office thereafter.
I’m thinking of walking from Barrow to Tierra del Fuego. Thing they’ll last?
“These boots are made for walkin’, and that’s just what they’ll do.
One of these days these boots are gonna’ walk all over you.”– Nancy Sinatra
The boots look as nice as Nancy did, and still does.
I’ve been wanting to walk the New Mexico/Colorado portion of the Continental Divide Trail, just putting it off because my job as a State Trooper keeps me from having the time to dedicate to it. But now I’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, and I’m not waiting any longer. Come spring…. I’m going. With or without these boots, I’m going. No matter how long it takes, I’m going. No matter that some think I’m crazy… I’m going. My wife believes in and supports me…. and I’m going. The future looks exciting…..
I would hike North Manitou island while the weather is still nice.
The real question is, where WOULDN’T I wear them? Those boots look beautiful enough to wear with any of my suits, and rugged enough to wear with my jeans. As far as footwear goes, those things ooze masculinity at its finest. Along with comfy shoes, and dress shoes, these boots would be added as a must-bring to just about any place I will travel to. To the man who wins these, wear them often and wear them with pride.
I’d love to walk to school in the morning, and from class to class learning all sorts of manly things. Then maybe home again.
I will use these boots for all walking in life. From adventure treks to work…….these boots are made to be worn at all times…….
The most beautiful place I’ve visited was Ellesmere Island in the summers of 1985 and 1987 specifically CFS Alert, the most northern permanently inhabited settlement on earth. Much walking to been done up there and I would return in a heart beat. These boots might have been more helpful than my combats when I had to outpace four stalking wolves, alone, over an hour off base.
I’d wear them everywhere. And no matter where I go, I’d make sure they were shined, for 1,000 miles.
on the Appalachian Trail
I’d be so proud to own a pair of these boots, I’d walk around in nothing else.
- Kenny
If I could get the time off work, I would walk from my home in Hartford, CT to Denver, CO to see the girl of my dreams… I might need two pair though since it is about 1854 miles and a 25 day walk!
I would enjoy wearing these boots to the olympics in Vancouver, and chase the zamboni in between the rounds of the curling preliminaries. Then in celebration of the Candians’ inevitable sackful of gold medals, I’d wear them while riding an ostrich in Cape Town at the World Cup!
I would trek them across the Australian outback with nothing other than the boots on.
Allow me to counter the question asked with my own:
Where would I not wear these boots? – I would not wear them in the shower, or in places where men (and boots for that matter) have no business, like at Pier 1 import stores…
Otherwise, I would pretty much keep them on my feet always…
I’d walk from here to L.A. just like that!
id be a human taxi and carry people are around in the city. it would be the best work out ever. after 1000 miles i would have the strongest legs ever. plus would own at rugby
After breaking them in, I’d wear them while teaching my masters degree classes. There’s no harder work than teaching.
They’d be worn as I walk thru life, and then given to my son to continue the journey.
Why, I’d wear them pert near everywheres!
I am quite sure I would wear them everywhere, most notably in my front/back yard doing yard work.
I would wear these boot around campus pretty much every day. To class, to the gym [probably not IN the gym], to the park, to practice. Oh yea. It’ll be fun to walk a mile in those shoes.
I’d wear these handsome boots walking the Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle, Australia, with some mates, always remembering to air, shoe tree, and nourish that expensive leather ;) love good boots.
I would wear these handsome boots just about anywhere and anytime, but would particularly fancy striding down the street with my lovely wife, dressed up to the nines as we often like to be. Whether we have anywhere in particular to go doesn’t really matter, as long as we look and feel fine getting there!
I’d like to add that as a staunch vegan I take my dress and my footwear very seriously. Although it may seem hypocritical, I’d honor the chance to own footwear that could last a lifetime in lieu of adding 10 pairs of synthetic boots to the landfill.
Proudly into the future!
I would walk all around the fine city of Saskatoon.
I would wear them in the rain
Even though that seems insane
But I know care for boots
Soiled in rain or wax or soots
I would wear them in the air
And I’d buy another pair
For these free ones would be blacks
But brown is better with my slacks
I would wear them in the mud
But I’d never be that dud
With the scraped up toe and heel
Even those these are a steal
I wouldn’t wear them IN a river
Water way up to my liver
I would sling them over my shoulder
Like a continental soldier
(Yes… they do.)
I would wear them to the store
I would wear them hunting boar
I would wear them on the bus
I would stomp them if I cuss
I would lace them with rawhide
I would wear them to Pharcyde
I would wear them even to work
But I wouldn’t be a jerk…
BECAUSE
Even though they’d take the wear
I would show them manly care.
Did I just get poetic about boots? Yes, yes I did! I’d be the best spokesperson for a good pair of boots. I’m pretty happy with what I have, but they could be better. So, you’re just gonna have to pick me. People buy the boots I wear. It’s that simple.
I’d wear these boots into a burning house to save a kitten. I’d notice that I was unkempt which is very ungentlemanly so I’d make a quick detour for a nice relaxing shave with a double edge safety razor. I would get lost but luckily I’d improvise a compass with my mechanical talent and I’ll navigate through the burning house while using the meows as a beacon. By the time I’d get there the cat would be charred and I would shed a tear (it’s acceptable under manly standards to cry for a burned kitten) and drink scotch. Then I would use my stationery to write my neighbors a letter of sympathy. I’ll inform them that on the bright side, my new wolverine boots still look great! And I’d offer to rebuild their home. I’d repeat this routine the next day for my other neighbors until all my neighbors knew about the manliest boots ever made.
What a fine pair of boots! Rugged, yet classy – wear anywhere!
Just getting to that time of year too – when the boots go on and don’t come off…well, maybe at night when the feet are enjoying the warmth of the fire (wouldn’t want to dry out the fine leather).
I’d wear these to work, going out, travelling…any time I’m off the bicycle or out of bed.
I would wear this to the beautiful national parks of Cataluna, on a walking tour from Barcelona to Madrid, across to Gibraltar to the beautiful North Africa, cross back to Sicily, and take my girl across south and central Italy. We would than turn and go to France, we would walk all along the coast, along the Spanish – French border and into Portugal.
Man, I would just go to work like I do everyday. I run my own hands on remodeling business. So it gets tough to keep the lights on sometimes much less keep a good pair of boots from wearing out !
As a field archeologist, these boots would go all over the eastern seaboard with me, traveling to different areas to determine the historical significance of those places.
Who knows, maybe the boots would be present when a previously unknown colonial town or fort was discovered and excavated.
I would wear them everytime I go out, every place which has more than 2 people gathering. As a man, I would never cease to show-off my manly boots, just to see them gawking at my feet.
The Chilkoot Trail. Nuff said ! If that boot can handle that, then it’s a boot worth having.
Caving is the biggest use for our boots, and man does it dish out the punishment! A good pair of boots is essential, and although the Art of Manliness is essentially an AD for this boot, I do not think any $300 boot made of ‘soft, supple leather’ is going to take a 3-mile hike, 4 hours of rock climbing, 2 hours of rock walking, and a night of camping.
I would wear these boots hiking through the Tatra Mountains in Poland.
I’d walk around my families old farm. 1000+ acres to explore.
I would wear these marvelous boots hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Maine’s North Woods, and Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park… as well as at work, which in my case is Cunningham Falls State Park, in Maryland. And if they’re as comfortable as they look, I’d also wear them grocery shopping, going to the bank and post office, or anywhere else I needed to go!
Please tell me these are still made in the U.S.A.
I’d wear these on my trip to Oshkosh Wisconson, where I’ll be doing plenty of hiking about.
I have recently gotten into hiking pretty heavily with my fiancee and one of our goals is to hike the Appalachian Trail. I would wear these boots all along that trail just so I could say they were 2000 mile boots.
Then, if they still had hide on them, I would take them to Banff National Park in Canada to hike the backcountry trails around Lake Morain. Awesome!
The true beauty of any really good footwear, boots included, is their longevity. The longer you own and wear them, the more closely they mold to your foot and lifestyle. There is nothing like the physical and mental comfort afforded by well worn and comfortable footwear. Ever notice who the feel good/look good mantra actually supports your personal vision of manliness?
I miss my FRYs.
I still love my LL Bean Gumshoes.
Nice boots! As a rucker, I appreciate a good boot.
I would plan a trip just to be able to walk in those boots. Probably someplace like Vegas. Lots and lots of walking to do there.
I would walk around as a spectator at various events.
These boots remind me of my brother who passed away in april of this year. He was a an incredible man. He was an Engineer, Real Estate Agent and avid outdoorsman. He had an incredible work ethic and a great attitude. In his life he had traveled all over the world and the US. His travels included hunting trips to Africa, Alaska, Canada and throughout the midwestern states. When going through his things that he left behind I found Boots (a few dozen at least) everywhere on his property. I kept two pair of his well worn work boots as a reminder of who he was and where he had been.
If I had a pair of these Wolverines I would wear them as a reminder of my brother.
I would where them everywhere.
Leather craftsmanship at its finest. They can be worn anywhere, including where the streets have no name.
T-shirt, old jeans, good boots and a walk with my kids.
I would put 1000 miles in on the AT in a year. And blog it all up.
I don’t have a pair of nice leather boots. These look awesome!
I’d walk everywhere required by participating as a crew member for the Baja 500/1000, and would at least kick down one or two doors with these boots on.
1000 miles up the Appalachian Trail would do just nicely for me!
I’m moving to the Rockies in a month. I hear there are many a solid trail to walk and hike on over there.
I’ve worn my current pair of boots for 10 years now. They are a solid boot from a popular manufacturer and have done me well. Only the cheap construction of the sole and several repairs to it have been the only drawback. I’ve considered retiring these boots recently. They didn’t fare well on a recent dove hunt and i’m afraid the time is near. During the past 10 years the manufacturer decided to send all production to Asia and i’m afraid I just can’t purchase another pair and expect the same results. It’s time to buy a solid American-made boot to continue traversing the land for work, sport and leisure. If I were gifted a pair, well, life rewards us all from time to time.
…most definitely try them out on some un-infrastructured terrain like middle of nowhere Russia….or urban camping in Central Park NY.
I would walk these boots through the rough and tough wilderness and plains of Oklahoma. If boots like these can’t take the rocks, burs, and briars, nothing can.
I would wear these boots for work when I have to embark on a Navy Vessel.
I’d take these boots on a walk through the woods with my kids.
Them some pretty boots. Mine, I’ve had them for 29 years and they are still faithful, but pretty ugly lookin’. They have lived in five differents states, traveled to six different countries, been down valleys, up mountians, waded in streams & pilfered in ankle-deep mud, built a few houses and traversed the Grand Canyon. Why the hell would I want a new pair of boots? Ok, I’ll bite…
I would wear them to church, in the dead of winter of course! They are swank enough…
Like most men I think, I would wear these boots everyday and everywhere with pride.
I would walk to church in my kickin new boots!
I just moved to Denver from Columbia, South Carolina, so obviously I’m in need of a good pair of everything. I’ve tentatively headed into Boulder for some light hiking and I did a bike ride down Pikes Peak (van ride up) but I’m ready to get into some serious walking before it gets too cold out here. All I need are some serious boots!
Where would I walk in a pair of boots like that? Where wouldn’t I walk? That’s a pair of boots to take on the road.
Oh, boots where art thou. I fondly remember having a really nice pair of work boots I would don, that belonged to my Father. Anytime we went out into the woods to cut some trees down and chop wood to heat our house. Yes, our feet were the same size when I was a teen.
A good pair of boots like that is hard to find. I would hope that I could walk 1000 miles more making back woods memories with my Father as I did as a youth. And doing such a manly thing as cutting and chopping up trees.
RWB
Since the front of the outsole isn’t a rubberized traction grip, I’d stick with wearing them at the office or occasional site visit.
I would walk in my grandfather’s footsteps if I were lucky enough to win these boots. My grandfather was the epitome of a great man, and could have been the poster boy for the ideal AoM man. He is a man that blogs would have been written about on your website.
A WWII veteran and consumate gentleman, my grandfather tought me alot about the way to live as an honorable man just by watching him. He always had a good, worn-in pair of leather boots similar to these “new”-old Wolverines, and he maintained them (and his other leather shoes) with the shoe shine box he used as a young man working as a shoe shine boy. He taught me the true value of having and maintaining a good shoe shine box, and how to properly use the contents. “You can tell alot about a man by the way he takes care of his shoes”, he would say, and his were always clean and polished.
I miss him alot, but I am grateful of what he passed on to me about being a good man. I have my own wooden shoe shine box now, and care for my shoes and boots with the same pride as my grandfather (his was lost in a house fire when I was in my teens). I’m now passing on the tradition to my 6 year-old son, who already helps me when I’m polishing my shoes.
I’m not sure if a posting or article has ever been done on AoM about shoe shine kits and good old-fashioned shoe maintenance techniques, but that would be a great idea. Essential contents and techniques would be a cool posting.
I could use a good replacement for my cowboy boots that have begun their slow death.
To the moon Alice!
Appalachian Trail with my Argentine Lover
Very nice looking boots. I’d wear them while walking through the woods with my kids.
I’d wear my Wolverines to hike on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin. I would also use them when I take summer hikes through Big Sur to the south.
I’d walk up to the guy who made these boots and shake his hand.
It’s where I’ll walk when I’m not wearing them: nowhere.
I have been looking for shoes and clothing that are made with the attention to quality that was seen before. Thanks for highlighting this company.
I’d walk and walk and walk. Test out the 1000 miles. And then replace the soles when needed.
I have a pair of feet that would like to be introduced to the 1000-mile boots, I think they would be fast friends and have many stories that they could relay to others about their travels together.
Given the smooth sole, I’d say these are not “Hike the Andes” boots. These are “wear them into the conference room and watch the other guys wilt and the ladies swoon because you have such kick-@ss boots” boots.
I’d strap on a pedometer and just start walking till I found what I was looking for.
Where would I walk while wearing these boots?
I know that the minute my feet slip into these boots that I’ll be rewarded with a one piece leather toe, quality gussets, heavy laces and a fully stitched sole. I’ll wear them for years as I trek from the deserts of the Middle East, to the European countryside, and throughout the United States on business and pleasure. I’ll enjoy each and every crease that I put into the leather with each step. All those miles, continuing to soften the leather until it is as soft as canvass. The creases will tell a vivid story, like a Hemingway photo, where you believe you smell the waft of fresh cigar smoke. When these boots get covered in dirt, dust and are scuffed. I’ll break out the paste wax, polishing brush, a good pair of cedar shoe trees and sit down to show my son the finer points of maintaining a quality product. With a few generous coats of the wax, and some elbow grease put into them, they’ll look better than new. Aged, elegant, and shining as though they were oil slicked. As they years go on, and the soles wear thin, I’ll take them to be resoled, these aren’t the disposable shoes of today….This is a product for a lifetime…..besides, after all these years these boots will fit my feet as though they were custom made and I know that nothing else out there will quite feel the same.
With boots like these I’d hike through the mountains along the Czech-German border and visit as many of the old WWII era bunkers there as I could.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czechoslovak_border_fortifications
Boots that good would see more use then just camping. They would be great for all day casual wear around town.
Well the first place I would take them would be to Southern Africa this Winter. I’d peruse the streets of Maputo, then hike around Victoria falls and finish up with a 3-4 day walking safari in one of South Africa’s nature reserves. In any case I’ll do it, the question is just whether my feet will be in glorious wolverines or very beaten up North Face boots.
Plan to walk across Ohio someday with my kids. If they can go a 1,000 miles it really shouldn’t be a problem.
Yeah, I’d probably just use these to walk out to the mail box… then I’d take them off once I got back inside the house.
Where would i go? everywhere. I think the story of my last pair is indicative of where i would go. I’ve been missing my boots for almost a year now. I got them almost 12 years ago probably 2 sizes too big because as an teenager i would usually out grow shoes in the course of a month. Used for Shoveling driveways in the winter, Yard work the rest of the year, Camping, hiking, or just around town. Last Fall i was hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the peak of foliage my friends and i were descending the mountain on the 2nd day of our trip when i noticed a that my feet were uncharacteristically wet. I looked down to find that i had finally blown out not one but both shoes. So that the uppers were almost entirely removed from the soles. That night while sipping whiskey by the fire we built a pire and sent them off with a hero’s funeral. I will email photos.
I’d wear them over to the barn to saddle up my mule. Then I’d ride the mule.
Those look pretty much like city boots to me. You’d bust your ass on wet grass or red clay mud with those slick leather soles. I went through a similar sole in a couple of months walking on concrete sidewalks. The heels are too narrow to hold up a pair of spurs.
If they’re built like most Wolverines, they’ll last a good long time, but I don’t see anybody mucking out stalls or doing any real work in them. They look real pretty, though.
I’d wear them around campus on my bike
I would wear these in the various warehouses I give site tours in. And all over the fields I hunt in.
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