How to modify boots?..

[rengal]

   I have somewhat difficult to fit feet (very narrow, everywhere especially int he heel, and a larger size), but I recently found a pair that fit me beautifully!  However, they are very masculine looking, and not artful.  Here they are:  http://www.redwingshoes.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1130
   Do you folks have any thoughts on how to mod them so that they would look more feminine and attractive?  I am open to considering anything, abd link or pictures would be very much appreciated.
   The only things I can think of right off the bat are to get new, thinner street soles, take off the RedWing name plate on the heel, make the zipper pull like hanging jewelry, and get the lacing grommets painted black or switched out with smaller black ones.

Many thanks!

[electroginge]

i can't find a photo to illustrate my idea, but a thin metal band could be added between the leather and the sole on the toe, maybe brass or copper. it's quite often seen on cowboy boots as an extra bit of reinforcement

[Sean Patrick O-Byrne]

Its for the wear that the arch of your boot recieves from the stirrups.

[clockwork creation]

i should mod my new rocks !

[HAC]

i can't find a photo to illustrate my idea, but a thin metal band could be added between the leather and the sole on the toe, maybe brass or copper. it's quite often seen on cowboy boots as an extra bit of reinforcement

Actually, its not usually seen, but is pegged into the sole layers, and is not visible from the outside, and it runs from just in front of the heel to mid foot, basically where your foot arch. It does not extend to the toe, that would limit flexibilty.  Its called a shank, old time boots would use a flattened 40d nail, modern ones use a steel preform. A steel shank, and a riding heel make all the differnce when riding.

Cheers
Harold

[electroginge]

i can't find a photo to illustrate my idea, but a thin metal band could be added between the leather and the sole on the toe, maybe brass or copper. it's quite often seen on cowboy boots as an extra bit of reinforcement

Actually, its not usually seen, but is pegged into the sole layers, and is not visible from the outside, and it runs from just in front of the heel to mid foot, basically where your foot arch. It does not extend to the toe, that would limit flexibilty.  Its called a shank, old time boots would use a flattened 40d nail, modern ones use a steel preform. A steel shank, and a riding heel make all the differnce when riding.

Cheers
Harold

Sorry Harold, my previous post was terribly worded

I was thinking more like the toe re-enforcement on these boots (My girlfriend bought some 2 weeks ago)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

it's hard to see, but there's a narrow band of brass running around the end of the toe

[dman762000]

That isn't really between anything. That bit of metal is just a small piece of brass put there for decoration. it just tacks in with two tiny little tacks and can be found in most boot shops for cowboy boots and the like but I don't believe they make them for work boots.

[HAC]

Ah, I see what you mean, yep, decorative toe and heel caps, most western-wear shops carry them, usually in a silver..

Cheers
Harold

[lilibat]

You could get or some spats or gaiters to dress those up nicely.

[HolyRoller]

Redwings, EXCELLENT boots. Got a pair over the summer for work(on the company's dime... )
They will serve you well, though my first suggestion is to get a quality gel-insole. My personal preference is for the Dr.Scholl's athletic gel insole. It has a flexible, plastic strip at the arch which secure my foot nicely. You're preferences will probably differ, of course.
The sole is thick, but it's non-marking and actually pretty good on average surfaces.

The boots will DEFINITELY need a period of breaking in. I actually took a dead-blow hammer to mine for half an hour and they felt much better afterward. (For those who don't know, a dead-blow hammer has a plastic, rubber, or I believe sometimes rolled-leather head. Also known as a non-marring hammer.)

Let's see... modifications....

If you can, when you remove the nameplate on the heal, drill two more holes on the opposite side, and install a simple brass heal-plate that wraps around the perimeter of the heal. Even better, you could forge/machine something with like a built-in nubby spur. Not much for functionality, but would look pretty good.
A brass toe-strip would match it up nice.

For a more feminine look, you could acid-etch the plates in a design of your choosing.

I can't imagine what else could be done to the boots. Redwings are rock solid.

[R J Gibson]

The boots will DEFINITELY need a period of breaking in. I actually took a dead-blow hammer to mine for half an hour and they felt much better afterward. (For those who don't know, a dead-blow hammer has a plastic, rubber, or I believe sometimes rolled-leather head. Also known as a non-marring hammer.)

I hope you did this withe the shoes off your feet.

[Otto Von Pifka]

I think its the splayed size of the edge lugs that make it ungainly.

If you have access to a belt sander, you can simply feather the edges of the soles so they don't stick out from under the shoe sides. don't take it back any further than the welting.

the heels could be slightly tapered this way, but stability will be lost somewhat.

decorating the zipper pull and maybe a bit of color for the laces would help.

you could hit the local fabric shop and get a strip of sturdy cloth from the remnant bin and decorate the tongue of the shoe.

changing the way its laced could help. try a ladder style where the lace crosses both directions through the same eyelets, level to each other, then hops up both sides to the next set of eyelets. It will need longer laces unless you find you have plenty left to tie at the top normally.

[HolyRoller]

The boots will DEFINITELY need a period of breaking in. I actually took a dead-blow hammer to mine for half an hour and they felt much better afterward. (For those who don't know, a dead-blow hammer has a plastic, rubber, or I believe sometimes rolled-leather head. Also known as a non-marring hammer.)

I hope you did this withe the shoes off your feet.

::Smacks head::
OFF the feet! Brilliant!