I have been wearing the Allen Edmonds Higgins Mill boot for a little over 4 years. I've took it through its paces, and have experienced what I like and dislike about it. We discuss this in great detail in this video.
Thank you so much for your long-term review I hope you can keep us updated with how the boot is fairing. I got this boot because of your review! have a great day
Thank you for your four-year review of the Higgins Mills boot. I am in the market for a boot like this, and I appreciated your comparison among AE, Red Wing and Alden. I want to use this as a winter boot and for yard work, etc.. On their website, I noticed that AE offers this with a Dainite rubber sole for an extra $40, because I don't believe it comes with a Dainite sole. That's kind of a bummer, but, I do agree with you that it's probably a boot you can wear for the better part of 20 years, and that would it make it a great value, regardless.
Thank you! For the Higgins mill, it comes with the dainite sole. There is a weatherproof version that you may be looking at that is a bit more expensive. Those would be good for winter rain and snow, as long as you clean the salt off of them in the snow. I wouldn’t wear them for take work. They are too nice for that, and I find them too warm to wear from April through September.
For those new to these service boot reviews...they are not the heavy work boot you may be imagining. They really are a casual everyday footwear akin to maybe a hiking/trail sneaker feel. Just got my first pair of AE Higgins Mill and I love them! Also have the Red Wing Beckmans for the dressier casual days or evening out.
I am surprised you say that you can't wear it in spring or fall because the boot is too warm above the 60's. I live in California and am wearing it in the 70's without a problem. Good video.
I bought a pair a week ago. I know I'm not supposed to wear them every day, but they were comfortable from the moment I put them on, and they just get better. I've had two previous Allen Edmonds that I sent for recrafting, and the service was top notch, well priced, fast and convenient.
Nice review. I have had this boot for four years as well and I live in NYC too. They have held up very well (although I only wear them maybe a dozen times each fall/winter when I go on long walks or go on day trips out of the city. My only complaint is this runs pretty wide. I have a D with (my usual width) and I think they could easily fit someone who is an E width even when wearing thick socks. They're very comfortable so maybe the extra width contributes to that, but it does make the boot look clumsy and less sleek. If I ever got another pair I might try a C to see how that fits.
Thank you. Yes, they are wide, but I like that it gives it a more casual look. Plain toe boots can sometime look a bit dainty for me, so these have a more muscular look.
Nice video. I have Higgins Mill in black and brown. Love ‘‘em both. Also like my brown Daltons. Have had good luck with Allen Edmonds. Keep up the good work.
Nice review! I have a few pairs of Red Wings but have the Higgins Mill in brown waxed suede coming. I would love the brown CXL version, but found a great deal that I couldn’t pass up on the suede. I can’t wait to try them out and begin wearing them!
hello, did you get the suede version with the lug sole or danite? also, curious if you are having issues with the tongue slipping (as others have experienced?). thanks !
Got the Dainite sole but haven’t received due to the pandemic, snowmageddon 2021 and the resulting shipping delays. Give me some time and I’ll report back!
A few words. I’ve sent 2 pairs of shoes to Allen Edmonds for Recrafting. One pair was destroyed and they ended up letting me pick out a brand new shoe. The second pair the heels were uneven and had to be sent back again. So you are better off finding a good cobbler. Wolverine while nice looking and comfortable, have serious quality control issues. I own 3 pairs and 2 of them have problems. One (Evans model) the rubber sole keeps delaminating from leather sole. The other (1000 Mile original) had a catastrophic failure of the sole separating from the boot. Seems they didn’t nail the sole to the insole properly. I had to have them repaired by a Cobbler. So I would never recommend Wolverine to anyone.
I’ve had my Higgins Mill CXL boots for a few months now , love em . But I’m afraid to wear them like everyday boots , and beat them up . They cost too much for that . So I keep them clean / buffed . Not really what they’re meant for , but I’d hate trash em for that kinda money .
I definitely understand that. If its your best boot, it makes perfect sense. For me, since I have the Daltons as my "nice" dress boots, I don't feel bad beating up the Higgins Mills. However, I do find that the Higgins can take a beating and still look really good. They are really well made, and I've had mine for almost 5 years now! I'd urge you to wear them and enjoy them. Don't go out of your way to beat them up, but a scuff here and there will give them character!
I would definitely buy those Mills Higgins from you if I could! I think they're much nicer that the wingtips and cap-toe boots. They have a beautiful patina that you can only get by breaking then in! Awesome video and awesome boots!!!
Generally, I dont like dark brown footwear. I would just as soon wear black. But these boots are just right. I've looked at other styles but I keep coming back to this one. There's just something magnificent about them! Maybe it's the combination of the simplicity of the style with the color and leather quality that does it. Thanks for showing so many details about them! You must have gotten a lot of compliments walking around in them!
Nice review however, if you’re not mitusa fan then you should research grant stone. I just got a pair of Grant Stone Ottawa’s. They are a nst like the Alden Tankers. The Diesels are like the HM and imo better made than the HM’s. I would take a look at GS because they do have excellent boots for a lot less than brands like AE as Md Alden but their quality is top notch. Even their qc is awesome. You would be happy.
Sizing question: I've heard these run a bit large. I can buy a floor model for $225, but it's an E width and I'm an EEE. Seller doesn't do returns. Is it worth the risk?
They do run a little bit wide, but not crazy wide. I’m an E width in Allen Edmonds Dress shoes, and the D width in these fits me well. If you are an EEE in dress shoes, they may work. It is still a gamble though if you can’t try them on. I would have a backup plan if you buy them and they don’t fit, like selling them on eBay to recover some of the cost.
Goofy question, but I have a nice pair of Chelsea boots and have these Higgins that I’ve had for a few years. Is it crazy to want to utilize this as an actual hiking/work boot? I know it’s not the original intent in some ways, but do you think it’d function that way ok?
The dainite sole won’t be as good on rougher terrain as a true hiking boot. The waterproof version will be better than the standard version. You could do it, it just won’t have the best grip all of the time, and it will be 2 to 3 times more expensive to use as a regular hiking boot.
👞I've had mine 1 year now(10.5 D). They started out a little loose and have stretched over time. In retrospect I should have bought 10 D or 10 C. I put in some insoles and now they fit snug. Chromexcel stretches.👞
Try’s size 7.5. There are a lot of factors, and it’s hard for me to say that this will fit. I am up 1 half size from my IRs to my Higgins Mills. Always try before you buy, or make sure you have the option of returning them.
@@tommilano5431 I'm a 7 in IRs as well (well, technically a 6.5 would be a better fit but those size are rare). I wear my IRs with thicker winter socks and it fits really well. Should I buy 7 in Higgins mill or 7.5?
Iron Rangers are about the same price. Iron Ranger is around $300.00 and does not go on sale,maybe a 20 dollar coupon. The $445.00 for the higgins mill is a fools price. Got mine in December at $150.00 off,so same price as IR Yes,love my HM s Also, the Alden is a fake mock toe. Just stiching,not holding diffirent the pieces of leather together.
But the stitches are very exposed on the bottom of the rubber sole… you can see that the stitches on the sole are already broken… the stitches there should’ve been recessed in a groove in the rubber sole.. poor design there.
While the iron rangers are a good boot, the Higgins Mill is both more comfortably and more versatile. The shape of the shoe makes it sleek enough to be dressed up, and muscular enough to pass as a work boot. AE is having a sale until tomorrow, you can get waterproof Higgins mills for around $320.
Everyone feet are different, and I’ve had a handful of times when my feet were hurting after wearing these boots. The dainite sole is pretty heavy, and can be hard on the heels.
@@tommilano5431 yea, they are a bit heavy, but as expected for boots. For me, the toe box was a bit cramped. I should have probably sized it up a half size, but the salesman assured me the tightness would be fine after the cork molded and the leather stretched a bit. Didn’t work out unfortunately for me.
