Viberg Boot Resole | Train Conductors Boots Get a Makeover 

The last time these boots had soles put on they started separating within a few weeks, this time they aren’t showing so much as a line between the layers. In the past couple of months they’ve been subjected to walking on miles of ballast, wading through flood waters, freezing temps, high heat, diesel and gawd knows what else laying in a rail yard, working cattle with all the substances and forces associated put on them and the soles are still as tight as the day I pulled them out of the box! You gentleman do outstanding work!!

Yes, the steel plate is for puncture resistance. The boots look outstanding!! I can’t wait to put them on and put them through their paces! Thanks!!!

There is something about seeing a master craftsman at work that just makes me glad that artisanship still exists.

In these difficult times, I find that your videos are not only informational, but quite therapeutic--many thanks!

I wish you would do more beaters and work boots. Seeing leather soles and fancy shoes has its charm, but I just love goodyear welted strong and tough boots. It'd be interesting to see old combat boots being redone. Addisons, Corcoran, Steinkogler, etc.

The green triangle means it’s CSA rated, it’s Canadian standard work boots. Green triangle means it’s got a safety toe and a anti penetration sole. It can be made out of composite material, steel or aluminum

Love your work boot restorations! Our country is built and maintained by the hard working folks who wear these things. Having had several jobs where sturdy footwear was required, I know how valuable a great cobbler can be for keeping workers on the job in their favorite boots. I've always purchased high quality footwear because my Dad taught me this saying. "Your feet will take you everywhere you go for the rest of your life, never buy cheap shoes." He will be 100 in October, and his feet have done just that. To this day, he does not have any foot problems.

How the hell do these guys do this work on boots for less than a new pair of boots? These guys are like artists, those are essentially custom boots now. Very impressive.

Always rewarding and satisfying to see a craftsman doing his art.

I been rockin' Vibergs for 25 years ,,caulks ,and work boots, nice job.

A true working mans boot. Steel toe for saving the toe from getting crushed. Steel nail plate to prevent puncture from going all the way thru the sole. Excellent craftsmanship!

Looks like a hell of a boot.

Awesome transformation !

my steel toed boots weighed a ton too, but I lost track on how many times they saved my toes from all the years of being a mechanic....when you work on 100 pound brake drums and 400 pound front axles, the extra weight of a shoe is well worth it....the plate in the bottom is to protect against punctures.and that can be dangerous in this owner's line of work

I'm drooling over this pair, never seen something so well-built. I'm gonna keep Viberg in mind next time I need boots for a lifetime.

Heath, the amount of thought you put into making these boots the same, if not better, in terms of rigidity and use was very honest and insightful. You guys are just incredible dudes. Loved this video a ton!

I own both Viberg work boots and casual service boots. Work boots weigh in at 3.6 pounds, casual boots at 2.1, both were tough to break in due to thick leather. However, the support and comfort these boots offer still blow my mind and have completely changed my expectations for footwear. Even the authoritative clomp of my footstep in these boots lends a strange feeling of power and confidence. Anyways. Thanks for more great content

This is one of the few times that the algorithm puts me onto some seriously quality content! Fantastic video! Subscribed!

Heath, you are 100% correct about the steel plate. The Army green jungle boot had a stainless steel plate in the sole, starting in 1966, to prevent punji stakes from impaling Soldiers' feet. The drawback, at least in my experience, was that you couldn't comfortably wear them in colder weather, because your feet got colder....my theory is that the steel plate conducted the cold, but it could just be that the nylon canvas on the boot just couldn't keep the heat in.

Can’t lie, this video is by far one of my favorites just cause I’ve never seen a boot like this before this channel.. I’ve personally seen this video about 7-10 times and will continue to watch whenever the thought of this boot comes to mind..

I got a pair of " DANNER " " Canadians" 10" same quality . Had em' since 1985 (I think). It's Great to see excellent professional Quality work like this. Not many of you guys left in the world, or at least the USA

I had no idea this could be done and now I am wanting to do over my workboots before going back to work so I dont have to break in a new pair lol

I bought my pair of Vibergs 10 years ago now, as my boot of choice for forest firefighting in British Columbia, where Vibergs are handmade (In Victoria). Steel toe, steel shank, they mean business. They weigh a ton. I've hiked them up mountains, through swamps, through rivers, and through fire. There's a saying when it comes to Vibergs; "You don't break them in, they break your feet in". This held true for me, until one day something clicked, and they became the most comfortable boot I've ever worn. My boots bear the scars of sharp sticks, gnarled rocks, chainsaw teeth, and whatever else I've put them through. And they have never let me down. I wore the soles out after 3 seasons, but new soles and they're good to go. These boots are built to last, and it makes me really happy to see the craftsmanship behind them, but also to see the care and attention to bring them some more life, they really deserve it. Cheers.

Who’d of thought a boot repair could be so interesting! It’s nice to watch a craftsman doing his stuff. In the ‘throw away’ age we all live in, it’s good to see that things can still be repaired and given a new lease of life by those with the skill to do so. Thanks very much for presenting a clear, concise and interesting educational video.

Appreciate the shoutout to the working men and women that get us our goods and commodities

You two always do blow me away with your refurbish videos. Absolutely amazing work, and great video!

What a fantastic job. The boots looked so good after being repaired, I'd probably wear them at my wedding!

Wearing size 14 EE steel to 12 inch boots I realized Heath put an enormous amount of work into these boots. Yeah they're heavy but essential for the work we do. Hopefully 'somebody' at the shop had the decency to buy him a bourbon, maybe a couple, for a job well done. Way to go Heath!

Glad to see you still putting up videos! I find these restoration type videos extremely entertaining

To lighten up the boot you could use kevlar insert in the sole and kevlar+resin laminate for the toe guard

Your videos have inspired me to seek out a cobbler in my area. I found a guy that has been in the heart of my city for decades. I dropped two pairs of boots off today. I'm excited for the new life that they will be given.

Interesting. I have never watched the whole process of doing a custom resole. Great video. Truly nice to see that Good Ole American Craftsmanship is still alive and well. Also great to see someone who is a true craftsman and obviously proud of what they do. Nice that you go the extra mile to make something better than new again and meet the need of a Real True Blue Collar worker who needs a boot that is a tool of his trade. Great job! As Always, May God Bless you and yours!

Great video as per usual. I appreciate your hard work in this times of need. Keep the good content comming!

Aww, I miss the long process, and the sounds of the parts being removed...therapeutic!! great job though.

I have pair of Vibergs that are coming up on 6 years old and finally needing some work. They were brutal to break in but I love them and they were well worth what I spent on them. This was my first time seeing your videos; you do amazing work and I can't wait to watch more of your work. Subscribed!

Therapeutic, highly professional, honest craftsmanship and passion. Those are just a few words that embody your channel, the video's therein and in general just the work you guys do.

Thanks for explaining the way the last ‘bends’ over the heel nails.... another great video ! Stay safe you guys ....best wishes from the uk🙂

Its neat to see what you are getting when you buy really expensive quality workboots. Compared to Timbs or even cheap Red Wings this is a whole other level of quality.

Awesome awesome! This has got to be one of the coolest pair of boots to see pulled apart and then resoled! Of course I’m dreaming of working on the rail as a throwback to childhood fantasies. Great job and amazing thought, care and workmanship!!!

Thank you for posting this, what an outstanding repair job, it takes years to get that good and make it look so easy

Exactly that , to stop nails penetrating through. 👍

Please don't cut from part to part, I really enjoy the long process of taking the shoe apart! Especially in self quarantine times, I really got a lot of time to kill! I wouldn't mind a 30 minute long video at all :D Haha! Stay healthy Trenton and Heath..

Another terrific job Heath...! I know about working on the rails, did it for 42 years but was an engineer.... The trainmen and switchmen really had to have sturdy reliable boots and a defined heel was a rule for boots... Those boots are job ready after you got a hold of them....! Beautiful job as usual...!

I really love the craftsmanship going into every shoe/boot you guys restore. It’s like seing a master restoring an old car to its former glory. Keep up my masters ❤️

Heath, you're killing me. I'm sure all the single ladies would love a 12-month poster of you guys. Just an idea.

The steel plate helps when walking around scrap yards or facilities that cut, bend, or twist metals. Those metal shards can come right through a vibram or leather sole and puncture your foot.

Brings back memories. My old job always put me in contact with railroaders. I knew an old conductor who had a pair of lifetime guaranteed boots. The boot company had to replace the soles once or twice a year. Remember that tracks are made of some of the most abrasive stone imaginable and a train is a mile long. Two miles from the engine and back. The railroads eventually hired taxis to transport the conductor back to the engine. After they did away with the caboose and brakeman.

Love it when you guys work on boots. Especially well used and beaten up work boots. Straight glow up!

Would be great to see some reactions of the customers when they see their beloved boots renewed.

Heath: “the steel plate is to keep nails from coming up through the sole.” Also Heath: [pounds nails into the sole]

I’m rewatching this video for the second time now. Love these boots and how you transformed them back!

You are a true craftsman! This was my first time looking at your site; and only by sheer luck. Today was my lucky day. Great channel.

Greatest boots I’ve ever owned. I’ve had mine for 30 years

It’s good to see the original plan change as new things come up and work your way through new ideas as to how to do it best as possible. Great work

I've been waiting on a genuine work boot resole! Thank you! Well done

Brilliant job on those boots. Was nice to watch something a bit more technically challenging.

I wore Red Wing logger boots my whole railroad career. Not the most comfortable but worn like iron and protected my feet

I love, love, love watching you restore shoes/boots! Such an art! Keep up the good work! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤩

Amazing I used to love the smell of the boot shop when I was a kid glad to see this 👍🏻

Back many years ago the green and black jungle boots worn by the Army had metal plate on the sole. After a while the metal would crack and you could hear a click as you walked.

Looks like I'm into boot restoration now, who knew?!

I’ve been watching 2 weeks and if ever I know or even see anyone that needs boot work you’ll are the guys recommend

This was awesome to watch. I love watching shoe cobblers work. The ability to fix footwear instead of tossing it is great. So much nostalgia and tradition in it. I'm lucky to have a cobbler close to me. Unfortunately when he retires that's it. Three generations of shoe repair gone.

Thanks for explaining the tacks not coming through. I was just going to ask if that's what the metal foot shape did. Great video!

Older military boots had a steel plate inside the sole. They called them spike or pungee resistant.

Awesome job! Not only is your profession a skill, but it truly is a talent you behold. I can tell you take pride in your work. Keep it up.

Thank you guys for taking pride in your job. Is very inspiring watching real Craftsmen at work

I work on the railroad and the ballast (rocks) the rails and ties sit on, are super jagged and are brutal to our boots.

I'm so happy you explained why the nails don't go right through! It's really been playing on my mind!! LOL Yet another amazing restoration; I'm quite hooked on your videos now and am trying to locate such a craftsmen as you guys, here in the UK.

Watching you is a true pleasure . You are a craftsman .God bless

Semi retired furniture maker +s restoration. I suppose have to be one of the group but enjoy watching skilled hands at work. Have to know to appreciate, thanks.

I wish you reweighed it again, show the newest weight AFTER changing it.

Metal plate is a rquired safety feature. However they're being replaced by the much lighter composite plates now.

Love your videos. Always a pleasure seeing real artists at their craft.

you all make this look fascinating. I really appreciate your channel. Keep up the good work!

**standing ovation**

It's kind of a misnomer but we always called the metal plate a "steel shank." But you were right, it supplements the steel toe to protect your feet in an industrial setting.

Once again I'm blown away. Great job, madd skills. Very nice

You guys came up in my recommend a few weeks ago, spent the night binging and subscribed. Now your videos are some of my first clicks in my sub feed

I was curious how much weight you were able to take off these boots

Sounds like Peyton Manning has turned into a Cobbler in retirement. Just waiting for him to scream OMAHA!

As a first responder, I look to your videos to distract me from every day chaos. Aside the importance of prayer & keeping calm during what appears to be more panic then what it is. I enjoy your videos, it is very therapeutic. My wife seems puzzled, but only I know why. Thank you and GODSPEED brother!!!

In line with Najeeb's comment - I'm envious of your skills and talent and it is great to see something being done manually and with a quality result.

Can you guys do a review on the Red Wing 877, I'm a big fan of Red Wings.

Without seeing his face, i swear its Peyton Manning giving these boots a makeover...lol.

You are to your trade, what a surgeon is to his. Bravo!

rst time i have seen one of your vids...nice to know there are still some true craftsmen out there...much enjoyed thanks

What happened to the intro music? My brain was kind of already playing the melody and was confused when it didn’t play 😂

The metal plate is to stop dirty syringes piercing the boot !

Excellent post!! Love Viberg boot construction

All I can say is Wow! And I hope you find some young people who have the same passion for this beautiful trade. It should never die.

My dad always said “There are two things in life you should never skimp on...shoes and toilet paper”

Anyone ever told you that your voice sounds like Peyton Manning's?

You guys do beautiful work . Very proud of you guys

Nothing like seeing an old pair of boots being restored. Priceless!

Bought a pair of some Chippewa apache loggers... Glad to have watched on how some serious work boots can be over hauled like you did. Awesome to see the inner sanctum of our work boots! You are a great informer, instructor. I'm not near that point to have mine redone, but I'm glad I can have my loggers re done and polished up... Great job sir. Blue Skeleton

I don't own a pair of shoes or boots that are worth resoling but I enjoy these videos anyway. I never realized how many steps there are to a resole. I like how you deconstruct the boot and then rebuild it.You guys do great work.

Viberg makes awesome quality boots. Glad to see they made it to your channel.

That is a heavy duty pair of boots! Enjoyed seeing what goes into a boot like that.

It's just nice to watch an American craftsman do his work. Thank you