Thank goodness there are still cobblers around!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Took my leather ICON jacket in for another zipper repair.
After phoning around found a shop that still can do leather repairs - handbags, jackets and shoes.
The jacket came with a heavy plastic zipper which started acting up after 7 years.
Drove it nearly an hour to a shop which smelled of old leather - and cigars.
He did an excellent job - not cheap - but this jacket isn't going to wear out for a couple of decades if I can keep the zip repaired.
He is the 2nd cobbler who commented on how heavy it is. It is a XXXXXL-Tall

Except for the very rare dawn rides which are warm enough for a mesh jacket - this ICON in always on my hide....and always paired with a hi viz vest or hi viz over-jacket.


and a scootering pic....


Stig

[Neil955i]

If you’ve found a good one keep him sweet.  They’re a dying breed it seems!

[AMAC1680]

If you’ve found a good one keep him sweet.  They’re a dying breed it seems!

Cause people now buy cheap shoes.....

AMAC

[randyo]

Cause people now buy cheap shoes.....

AMAC

My one and only pair of "shoes'  a nice pair of wingtips, is 50 years old, and have seen a cobbler several times to get resoled, but, I really have never worn em much, my work requires boots, and now that I am retired for the most part, I wear my Vibram 5 fingers

[Neil955i]

My one and only pair of "shoes'  a nice pair of wingtips, is 50 years old, and have seen a cobbler several times to get resoled, but, I really have never worn em much, my work requires boots, and now that I am retired for the most part, I wear my Vibram 5 fingers

“Vibram 5 fingers”?  What are these? (Ignorant Limey)

[Iahawk]

I'm guessing these are the type of 5 finger shoes referenced (?)..

[randyo]

I'm guessing these are the type of 5 finger shoes referenced (?)..

yup, it's like being a barefoot kid again, except with sole protection, I have 2 pairs, one light weight hemp slip on, and the other pair lace up wool lined, the wool ones are quite warm, great for cold weather.

they grip ice fairly well, and have lasted 4 times as long as any sneakers I have had (so far, haven't wore out a pair yet, in nearly 5 years, and he hemp pair gets nearly daily use in summer, and great to wear in the water, wading in a mountain stream, etc. I really can't say enuf good about them, I like em

Hemp

Wool

[Stig / Major Tom]

yup, it's like being a barefoot kid again, except with sole protection, I have 2 pairs, one light weight hemp slip on, and the other pair lace up wool lined, the wool ones are quite warm, great for cold weather.

they grip ice fairly well, and have lasted 4 times as long as any sneakers I have had (so far, haven't wore out a pair yet, in nearly 5 years, and he hemp pair gets nearly daily use in summer, and great to wear in the water, wading in a mountain stream, etc. I really can't say enuf good about them, I like em

While taking our early morning walk at the reservoir my pup and I saw "bare foot" prints in the snow..
I picked her up and retreated to the truck. Man or beast - we wanted no part of it!

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
2 years ago we lost 3 good friends in my coffee village.
I cannot think of bare feet without remembering old Terry.
He rode his bicycle barefoot into town every morning for a tea, and to carry home buckets of food scraps for his community free-garden. Only if it was below 40°F would he put on rubber galoshes.
We struck a friendship as > early risers & riders, C.O.'s (me a medic in Vietnam &, Terry - being a Mennonite, did his National Service during the Vietnam era at a troubled youth center in Chicago for 2 yrs. His received room and board & $10 a month.)
Terry and my daughter became close, as well.






Stig

[randyo]

my older brother was a CO, he also did his service at a troubled youth center, in Burlington, VT.  I had a high number after my student deferment expired. Being close to the Canadian border, I know several guys, who just moved 20 miles north, easy to do, with family on both sides.

When I first got the 5 fingers, after fussing 15-20 minutes to get them on, the first time, I thought to myself, "this was a mistake" but the next time, it only took 5 minutes, and by the 4th time, I was in and out of em like any other pair of slippers, or sneakers, for  the lace ups

[Neil955i]

Call me a pedant, but shouldn't they be called 5 Toes?!

[randyo]

Call me a pedant, but shouldn't they be called 5 Toes?!

I never quite figured that one out, a question for the Vibram Company I guess

[Kansas kymco]

Call me a pedant, but shouldn't they be called 5 Toes?!

You make this too easy!

[Neil955i]

While taking our early morning walk at the reservoir my pup and I saw "bare foot" prints in the snow..
I picked her up and retreated to the truck. Man or beast - we wanted no part of it!

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
2 years ago we lost 3 good friends in my coffee village.
I cannot think of bare feet without remembering old Terry.
He rode his bicycle barefoot into town every morning for a tea, and to carry home buckets of food scraps for his community free-garden. Only if it was below 40°F would he put on rubber galoshes.
We struck a friendship as > early risers & riders, C.O.'s (me a medic in Vietnam &, Terry - being a Mennonite, did his National Service during the Vietnam era at a troubled youth center in Chicago for 2 yrs. His received room and board & $10 a month.)
Terry and my daughter became close, as well.






Stig

Even without the write up he looks quite a character Tom.  RIP Terry.

[randyo]

Call me a pedant, but shouldn't they be called 5 Toes?!

I got thinking, Vibram, is an Italian Company, I am not familiar with the language, could it be something in the translation ?

[Neil955i]

"Cinque dita"?  Seems not Randyo.  Good theory though.  Plus Wiki is no help on this one either!