Aries

Yep personally since feeling great leather over a decade ago visiting Real McCoys I could never go back to "meh" leather.

Meanwhile my FCL Leon 2mm is creasing quite spectacularly in the arms after 2 weeks of wear.

Yep RMC has extreme variability in construction quality. The only products I've never hit issues with are its leather (boots or jackets).

Just received my FCL custom 2mm Leon. I went to Rivet & Hide as always since @Danny @ Rivet & Hide and co. provides amazing service.

I always think Perfectos look worst when new, so hoping to break this in quickly!

Yep, Wesco MP is the perfect engineer fit for my narrow feet too.

10 hours ago, givemefive said:

What does work for you?  I'm an 11b in Alden Barrie

Lofgren will definitely be too wide. I can do an 11D or 12C in Barrie and comparable Lofgren sizes are much wider. The Wescos motor patrol last (1339 from memory?) is very good for narrow feet, so is the Viberg 2030, or the Real McCoys lineup.

I visited the RDT ship last week since I was staying in a hotel round the corner.

 the owner was lovely and very helpful, and the construction quality of their Engineer Boots is amazing; the buckles are incredible.

It took me, by taxi, about 30 mins from lax last time, very doable.

Yep popped into their Tokyo store (lovely folks, were in awe of the state of my, i.e. their, leather jacket after a few months wear). They were talking about next year's production as I really wanted a few shirts that were out in my size, I was a bit taken aback, in a good way! Was great to hear.

Yeah I picked up their melton wool black overshirt. It's stunning and the owner was really great to order from. That said it's mostly too hot for Australia so I never wear it...! Will sell it on at a hefty discount if any of you in the Northern hemisphere are looking for a hefty overshirt as you move into winter!

Awesome thanks @Cold Summer, I’ll pop in sometime then, today hopefully.

I'm travelling down to Kyoto today and, as folk might know, it's a small hop from there to Osaka, so was thinking of visiting Osaka during the week. Google Maps tells me Flathead's store is still open there; anyone know if that's correct or just Google Maps lagging behind?

I’m in the McCoy’s Shinjuku store right now and I shit you not they have a pair of engineer boots made for them by Viberg for 690k Yen....!

Great staff and amazing store but I’ll take a pair of shinki bearhead Boots for 100k or buco engineers for 120k...!

Such good kit @JDelage. I've also blacked out whilst in Tokyo, picked up the MF midnight jeans and PBJ Black/Indigo type 2.

In Tokyo, picked up the Mister Freedom midnight denim, and also the PBJ Black/Indigo Type 2. All blacked out now!
 

Great boots @tod, I had a pair for a short period, but like some others here my slim feet would just slide around in the E width. Still beautiful boots, but I couldn't walk in 'em!

8 hours ago, mpukas said:

@Aries both jackets are gorgeous, but that Rider jacket is really something special. Much appreciate the info on TFH treatment of the leather you've described. Can I ask where you got it from - in Japan directly from TFH, or at a retailer outside of Japan? 

Thanks mate, agree, this is the pick of the bunch. I was searching for half belt "sport jackets" for a long time and considered various, but this just ticked all the boxes, from the minimalist design to the brown stitching and lightweight lining for year-round wear.

Sadly, once I decided on it, it was sold out pretty much everywhere (including Rivet and Hide in my size), but I eventually tracked the last one down at a great German shop, https://japanese-denim.de/new-arrivals.html , and snapped it up!

Forgot about this thread, this is relevant:

My Flathead Rider and Racer jackets have been worn quite a lot these past few months, thought whilst I have a decent camera in my hands I'd snap some pics.

First 3 pics are of the Rider, next 3 are of the racer. Stitching is immaculate throughout, as you might expect.

I have to say, even for Shinki leather, the Rider leather is on some other planet.

The extra "greasing" process Flathead put this one through (if anyone speaks Japanese - https://www.flat-head.com/items/srj-07c/ ) has resulted in just the juiciest leather I've ever handled, and I've been to Tokyo and handled, bought and worn tonnes of Shinki.

The Racer leather is also gorgeous; a much more familiar Shinki kind of leather for those who've owned any.

19 minutes ago, MJF9 said:

@Aries I keep coming back to look at your Rider's leather - great shots - it looks superb.

Ha yeah I understand. I’ve felt all the best shinki, from Freewheelers to RMC and other brands using it, and this particular process Flathead put it through just takes it to another level, the grain and feel in person is insane; one of those where you have slightly strange situations with friends asking to touch you because of your jacket.

I agree, though very late, the 'James' is a much more versatile wear.

Speaking of, my Flathead Rider and Racer jackets have been worn quite a lot these past few months, thought whilst I have a decent camera in my hands I'd snap some pics.

First 3 pics are of the Rider, next 3 are of the racer. Stitching is immaculate throughout, as you might expect.

I have to say, even for Shinki leather, the Rider leather is on some other planet.

The extra "greasing" process Flathead put this one through (if anyone speaks Japanese - https://www.flat-head.com/items/srj-07c/ ) has resulted in just the juiciest leather I've ever handled, and I've been to Tokyo and handled, bought and worn tonnes of Shinki.

The Racer leather is also gorgeous; a much more familiar Shinki kind of leather for those who've owned any.

Just trying out the new camera. Was raining slightly but you can see the left boot grease blot, previously on the side next to the big toe, is now diminished to a little scar.

Sweet Jesus that dude’s IG is an atrocity exhibition... just torturing Engineer Boots...

Thanks for the advice all. I did in fact just leave some baking powder on the stain overnight and it soaked up much of the dark outer ring, just leaving a central scar; I dig it.

1 week of Australia’s sun

also, any tips on lightening stains (just below the side of the big toe on the left boot you can see a slight globular stain)? Not too annoying but wondering if I should try and work on the stain or just embrace the wabi sabi.

@Quoise1203 - really liking them so far. I have narrow feet so got these custom sized (12C left foot / 11D right foot). Walking is immediately comfortable, though the left is still a bit tight on the arch, will loosen up after a week or two though.

 Heel slip will (or should!) always happen a little with Engineer Boots, it’s the nature of the beast. What should never happen is forefoot slipping around, so sounds like you sized correctly. Basically as long as the heel lifts when you walk, but not forefoot, you’re fine.