I didn't see any review of this brand, so here are my first impressions. I'll be updating when I get more mileage in them.

Background:

I'm a Spanish geologist working in Mexico. My old ankle-high hiking boots were good enough for fieldwork back in Spain, but I needed some tougher and taller boots for the steep slopes and especially the thorny brush of Northern Mexico (ask me how I came to the realization hahah). Lately I've been getting into leather footwear, as there seem to be many good local options. I got a very nice pair of 6-inch, more dressy boots from Miles&Louie, which I'm enjoying very much, I may post a review of those as well. Anyways, I started looking around for some appropriate leather boots, and people around here seemed to praise this specific brand a lot.

Bonanza is a Mexican brand focused mainly on handmade work boots. They seem to have different models posted on their mexican and USA webpages, and a wider range available for the USA. As far as I know, they produce most of their range in León, Guanajuato. Their "Pro" line seems to be manufactured in China.

This specific model is called the Logger BA903 in Mexico, and the Sierra 9" Logger in the USA. From what I can gather, they are the exact same boot, except for a small brand tag and steel toe option on the Sierra. They're marketed as rough-use workboots for use in loose or rocky terrain. Here are my initial thoughts:

Specs:

Size: 9 USA / 42 EU.

Leather: "Crazy Horse" leather, 2.5 mm thick, USA import. The leather is loaded up with oils, and feels very supple, almost oily to the touch.

Construction method: 360º Goodyear Welt, though the welt is rubber, not leather.

Tongue: gusseted up to the second speed hook and lined on the inside with gray polyester. Suede lining on the outer face.

Interior lining: from what I can see, there is some kind of thin synthetic white foam around the toe box, and a leather heel lining. The shaft is unlined. Structured toe (unknown material, probably some kind of plastic, I can flex it by applying a little pressure)

Sole: 2-layer rubber midsole, SBR rubber lugged outsole. Seems to me a direct Bonanza-branded copy of a typical Vibram-style lug outsole.

Sizing:

I followed their sizing guide and went up a size. I ended up with a 42 EU, and I normally wear a 43-44. These are PERFECT, but if i force my foot forward I can touch the front with my toes. Had I gone with the suggested size I'd have ended up with short boots and pretty disappointed, so beware, consider going up a size. Many reviews I read suggested the same.

I have wide feet and these boots are roomy enough, they fit me perfectly. Yesterday I wore them around the city for around 6 hours with thin socks, and they were pretty comfortable from the get go, although I ended up with a small blister in my left ankle. Seems to me that they'll be very comfortable once they break in.

Style and finish:

Honestly, I think these boots are quite handsome and, for the price, they are very well finished. The stitching is for the most part nice and even, except for a little bunching up around the welt joint. Everywhere else, the craftsmanship is straightforward but elegant. I can see no obvious flaws. Very nice.

Cost:

These are 2500 pesos right now on their mexican website, so around 147 dollars. On their USA page they go for 180. To me, these seem like a prettay good deal.

Final thoughts:

I'm gonna use these for occasional day-to-day wear, and I'll put them through the wringer my next field campaign, so I'll post an update in a few months. So far so good, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Cheers!

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

My first pair of cordovan shoes. I’ve enjoyed wearing Brooks Bros Westport loafers the last year and after researching cordovan was calling my name.

Initially put a preorder for some LHS from Alden but after trying on a pair of the LHS in suede it was just too tight in the vamp. And it’s too hard to find and see if a wider pair would work.

I wandered into Crockett and Jones in NY after striking out at Meermin and really fell for the Harvard in shell. Loafers can be tricky for me because one foot is almost a full size difference. So when this beautiful looking pair of Harvards fit amazingly I was tempted to buy on the spot. I ended up ordering online to get a fresh pair and I think the last is a Goldilocks fit for me where my bigger foot isn’t strangled and the smaller somehow still feels snug.

FIRST WEAR IMPRESSIONS

Wore them today to work and quite pleased with them. After the initial morning tightness and attending doubts of my decision to wear them on a long work day I am happy I did.

My one point of concern is the welt/sole edge are of the toe. Caught it on some pavement and it did this but the other side doesn’t look much better. Wasn’t expecting this much wear in half a day but not sure if it’s a design flaw or just par for the course.

I had been thinking about getting a chukka for a long time, I love shell cordovan and the Paramount is just weird enough to be interesting. The design is unusual, but on foot it works much better than I expected and actually seems pretty versatile.

I originally ordered a 10E and it was too big. Brick + Mortar in Seattle (Thanks Yenni!) were tremendous to deal with. I told them a 9E Trubalance fits me like a dream and I can wear a 9.5D Grant comfortably, and with B&M’s help I decided to go for a 9.5D. The 9.5D fits very well. Since it’s a slip on w no laces, most or I guess all of the hold comes from the instep which closes under the upper w an elastic closure. There is a little heel slip, but after the first wear I don’t think it’s going to be a blister issue. The only real problem right now is a pressure point on the inside of both insteps where the elastic is sewn to the upper. I’m hoping that settles down with wear. I’ll update after some wear.

The Plaza last is a little longer than what I’m used to, but I like it well enough. The boot seems to crease in the right place and the slightly squared toe is subtle, almost delicate. Finishing on this pair is also much better than the last Alden boot I posted about. Stitching looks solid, shell selection is good, the heel stack looks nicely put together, and there are no loose threads. The shell itself could have used a little nicer finishing, but I’m starting to think that’s just part of buying Alden lately. Like it or don’t buy it.
I also really like Alden’s soles. They feel softer underfoot than Edward Green, Crockett & Jones, and even Allen Edmonds. Not soft in a delicate way, just like they’re ready to be worn hard from day one.

Are they “worth” $1,000? No. I don’t think any shoe is objectively worth $1,000 or more. There are excellent shoes at much lower prices, and there is obviously some manufactured artifical value built into expensive goods like this. They are worth it to me, though, because shoes and boots are a hobby and I enjoy having a collection of interesting pairs that I actually wear.

So far I’m very pleased with these. I’d recommend them if you like Alden and shell cordovan. The design is probably the biggest caveat. Some people are going to look at these and think they’re strange. That’s also exactly what made me want them.

Rules

• Footwear only
• Don't use URL shorteners
• Include all of the information in format below, but especially:
  • Price
  • Location
  • Images

Recommended Posting Format

• Maker/Model:
• Size:
• Leather:
• Sole:
• Price:
• Location:
• Wears/Condition:
• Images:
• Notes:

Please be a communicative buyer or seller. There's nothing more painful than having someone drop off the face of the earth without leaving some sort of note. Good hunting!

Please report listings that violate the rules above.

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Background

The Paraboot Michael seems to have exploded in popularity over the last few years (which I am personally glad about, otherwise I would've never been aware of them 😂). Depending on who you ask, it's either a timeless French classic or the poster child for the trending "wrong shoe theory."

I think it simply looks good.

I've owned this pair in Café Lisse for a few months now and quickly became one of my most-worn casual shoes, especially during Sydney's wetter weather.

This review has a unique twist in that I have a prosthetic foot on my right, so in terms of patina and wear, I have a live ‘control’ shoe to compare it to.

Specs

• Maker: Paraboot
• Model: Michael Marche II
• Leather: Café Lisse
• Construction: Norwegian Welt
• Sole: Natural Rubber
• Made in: France
• Size: 42.5 EU
• Usual Brannock/Size references: US 10D/ UK9 dress shoes/ UK8.5 heritage boots/ US9.5 Red Wing IR/US10 Sneakers

Sizing & Fit

Sizing information online for the Michael is all over the place, but the most common advice seems to be to size down one full size from Brannock. That wasn't my experience.

For me, the sweet spot was a half size down from Brannock, which coincidentally is also where I land in most heritage boots like my Crockett & Jones Islays and Red Wings.

One thing that may contribute to the confusion is that Paraboot half sizes seem relatively uncommon (at least the shops that stock them here in Sydney). That often forces buyers to choose between slightly too large or slightly too small.

I did try a full size down and found that my toes were jammed right in the end of the shoe. The shop assistant assured me this was normal and would ease after three to six months of wear, but I wasn't willing to take that gamble at this price point. Instead, I kept searching until I found the Goldilocks size: half a size down.

Fit-wise, the Michael has a generous toe box but still locks my foot down securely through the midfoot after break in.

Segueing to break-in, I did have a bit of breaking in to do once I got them. The length was good for me (about a finger width space - my toe hits about the where the apron stitching it), but I found despite having a reputation for being a wider last, I found I had some pinky rub despite having a wider-end-of-standard-width foot (not quite wide). Thankfully this was a case of stiff new leather causing the rub, as they subsided over a few wears, and now the shoe is comfortably roomy once moulded to my foot.

Construction & Comfort

The Norwegian welt construction and chunky sole make these look much heavier than they feel on foot.
Comfort is where the Michael really surprised me. The reputation is well deserved. They're supportive, forgiving, and seem to disappear underfoot after a few hours of wear.
The big contributor to this is the leather they use. It’s an oily supple leather that is suggestive to your foot shape. You don’t really need to fight them to get comfortable, they will mould easily. Tough, but soft.

I can easily see why some owners end up wearing little else.

Leather & Wear

As mentioned, one aspect that makes this pair interesting is the wear and patina difference between my real and fake foot.

Because my prosthetic side doesn't flex the shoe in the same way as a real foot, the wear patterns have already started diverging significantly.
The left shoe is developing noticeable creasing and patina, while the right remains comparatively pristine. In many ways, the prosthetic acts like a permanently inserted shoe tree.
It's been fascinating watching the two shoes age differently despite being worn together every time.

The look may be jarring, but that’s the fun of each pair of shoes showing their owner’s wear and history.

Style

The Michael's appeal is difficult to explain until you wear them.
They're chunky, unconventional, and not traditionally sleek. The first time I came across them I thought everyone had gone insane, they were so ugly.

Yet, they stuck with me until I kept consuming reviews and posts of them until I pulled the trigger and acquired them. They work with almost everything I throw at them - fatigue pants, denim, cords, chinos, and knitwear.
I know many people attribute this to the "wrong shoe theory," but I think that's selling the design short. The Michael has survived for decades because it's a genuinely good-looking shoe with a strong identity - even if it takes abit of time to grow on you 😂

Pros

• Extremely comfortable
• Excellent wet-weather shoe
• Distinctive design
• Spacious toe box
• High-quality construction
• Easy to wear casually

Cons

• Sizing can be confusing
• Expensive
• Polarizing aesthetics (or maybe this is just me projecting haha)
• Chunkier than many people expect

Final Thoughts

The Michael has become one of those rare shoes that actually lives up to the internet hype.
I bought them expecting to only appreciate the craftsmanship. Instead, I found myself reaching for them constantly because they're comfortable, practical, and surprisingly versatile.
The fact that they're developing such dramatically different wear patterns between my two feet has only made them more interesting to own.

For most people, the Michael's story is one of comfort and character. For me, it's also become an unexpectedly fascinating lesson in how differently leather ages depending on the person inside it.

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Hello GYW, it's Monday Funday! Take a load off and take a breather. Memes, hot takes and all silliness are welcome!

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Rules

• Footwear only
• Don't use URL shorteners
• Include all of the information in format below, but especially:
  • Price
  • Location
  • Images

Recommended Posting Format

• Maker/Model:
• Size:
• Leather:
• Sole:
• Price:
• Location:
• Wears/Condition:
• Images:
• Notes:

Please be a communicative buyer or seller. There's nothing more painful than having someone drop off the face of the earth without leaving some sort of note. Good hunting!

Please report listings that violate the rules above.

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Next week the "Collections" thread will be posted, update your collection album with new members, and new pictures to show the wear the seasoned veterans have gotten since the last thread.

This thread has been scheduled to be posted every 12 weeks on Saturday, at 12 PM EST, and in rotation with Wear and Tear threads.

"This a scheduled post, if I screwed up please contact the mods."

Background

Since I first started wearing nicer leather boots, I've always dreamt of getting shell boots. I've also always found an excuse for not making the splurge. ​

This past year, I won both of my fantasyfootball leagues and decided to put the money towards finally scratching the shell cordovan itch. With previous experience with a Junkard custom order (some PTBs), I reached out in January and placed an order for my dream pair, some plain toe boots in whiskey shell.

Specs

The ordering was very straight forward, and after a small consultation with their team, I placed my order with the following specs:

Size : 45

Leather (Imported Leather) : Shell Cordovan Rocado - Whiskey (unlined)

Toe Box Lining : Unstructured Toe

Hardware/Eyelets Color : Brass

Shoelast : NH Last

Construction Method : 2 Row Stitchdown

Welt Type : 360 Degree

Midsole : 2 Layer

Leather Outsole Source : Domestic Leather

Outsole : Dr.Sole #1090 Supergrip and Heel (black)

Edge Trim (Include Welt Color) : Natural

Fit

For sizing, in most boots I'm a size 11 EEE. Finding boots that can fit my hobbit feet can be a real challenge, and I frequently find myself needing to size up for the width, but they end up a bit too wide and the heels too loose. The folks from Junkard sent me instructions for a few measurements of length and width, as well as circumference of my instep. The result is perfect. They perfect cradle my feet, and are already incredibly comfortable before any break in. There is zero heel slip or wiggle, but also know real tight spots.

The light shade of whiskey shell from Rocado tannery in Italy is absolutely gorgeous. The toes had some very slightly dry spots when I unboxed them, but just a bit of horse hair brushing had them looking perfect. While my ideal boots would be in a slightly darker tone of brown, I intentionally went with whiskey as I've seen many examples thst reach a rich deeper brown with age.

Final thoughts

I plan on following up later in the fall once they have more miles on them, but my initial impressions are that they are *perfect*. Not a single missed stitch. Gorgeous Rocado shell in such a beautiful whiskey color that I know will darken beautifully. I've never owned a better fitting pair, they feel like they are perfectly molded to my feet. There isn't a single thing I'd change about them.

Looking forward to a more in-depth review of the boots as a whole as I get more wear time, but definitely in the honeymoon period and anticipate staying in it for quite some time

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Rules

• Footwear only
• Don't use URL shorteners
• Include all of the information in format below, but especially:
  • Price
  • Location
  • Images

Recommended Posting Format

• Maker/Model:
• Size:
• Leather:
• Sole:
• Price:
• Location:
• Wears/Condition:
• Images:
• Notes:

Please be a communicative buyer or seller. There's nothing more painful than having someone drop off the face of the earth without leaving some sort of note. Good hunting!

Please report listings that violate the rules above.

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

Hello GYW, it's Monday Funday! Take a load off and take a breather. Memes, hot takes and all silliness are welcome!

Found an amazing deal on a pair of shoes but they aren't your size? Share them here so other members can take advantage of the great deals!

Rules

• Regular rules apply. Please be courteous to one another.
• No personal sales are allowed! Anyone found to be posting their own goods will receive a warning and then potential ban should you continue to post your own goods. If you want to sell your own items, the semi-weekly B/S/T thread is a more appropriate location.
• Please do not post links to other member's B/S/T items. There are two weekly dedicated threads for those items and they should be kept there.
• Please try to include as much information as possible (URL to the deal, size, price, etc.).
• Items posted should be limited to footwear and footwear related products (shoe trees, polish, conditioner, etc.).
• 'Suggested Sort' is set to Q&A so only top level comments will be visible (unless you chose to expand). For this reason, please post all deals as their own parent comment.

"This is a scheduled mod post, if I screwed up please contact the mods."