Shoes that look better with age...

[mlwdp]

I’m selling my Wesco Boss.  Nothing is wrong with them, I just want them leather lined and these can’t be Rebuilt to do it.  My error.
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-NDS-HORSEHIDE-WESCO-ENGINEER-BOOT-SZ-6D/203043993574?pageci=a90eebc3-8b05-4831-85a4-5cc9bc1af02d

Edited July 10, 2020 by mlwdp

[Dr_Heech]

18 minutes ago, Broark said:

@mlwdp nope, still pretty difficult...part of why I don’t wear them in the summer. They require some work to get on/off.

Cool. I foresee a pair of second hand pair of engineers coming my way one day 

[Least Weasel]

58 minutes ago, Broark said:

Damn, I need some Clinch boots...

They're fantastic. But a tough pill to swallow now that they're pushing $2000 US.  These were about $1200 when I picked them up from Pancho and Lefty.  I would love to have a pair of Clinch lace up or yeager boots in horsebutt, but I couldn't justify the price so I picked up some Wescos in Horween horsehide with naildown construction.  I'm confident they're not nearly as nice as the Clinch would be, but I don't have any regrets. 

[Broark]

31 minutes ago, mlwdp said:

You could either keep them or sell them.  Don’t know if you’d be willing to have them altered as the leather lining plays a role in yours.  They’re not going to get easier to wear if you don’t wear them enough though.

I don't think I'm ready to part with them yet, once they're on they fit like a dream. It's just the process of getting them on and off...that's a different story.
 

19 minutes ago, Dr_Heech said:

Cool. I foresee a pair of second hand pair of engineers coming my way one day 

Are you a size 12 in Lofgren's? If so I'll keep you in mind. 

13 minutes ago, Least Weasel said:

They're fantastic. But a tough pill to swallow now that they're pushing $2000 US.  These were about $1200 when I picked them up from Pancho and Lefty.  I would love to have a pair of Clinch lace up or yeager boots in horsebutt, but I couldn't justify the price so I picked up some Wescos in Horween horsehide with naildown construction.  I'm confident they're not nearly as nice as the Clinch would be, but I don't have any regrets. 

Totally understandable, their new pricing is a little bit insane now. I think if they were $1200 still I probably would've already bought a pair.
I really like the Yeager boots too, I'd be interested in seeing your Wesco's you got in place of them. I haven't seen anything that resemble the Yeager boots from other makers.

[Least Weasel]

12 minutes ago, Broark said:

 

Totally understandable, their new pricing is a little bit insane now. I think if they were $1200 still I probably would've already bought a pair.
I really like the Yeager boots too, I'd be interested in seeing your Wesco's you got in place of them. I haven't seen anything that resemble the Yeager boots from other makers.

The Wesco's I went with don't look much like the Yeager boots, nor was a trying to copy them.  The Wesco's design was largely poached from S&S x Wesco Knuckle Breaker; they're on the Morrison/Western last.  I was happy to be able to get them made up with naildown construction through Baker's; cleaner and sleeker than stitchdown. 

wesco by least weasel, on Flickr

Edited July 10, 2020 by Least Weasel
photo

[Dr_Heech]

@Broark think l remember Hollows selling his size 11's back in the day and l think they seemed perfect measurements-wise. Obviously the whole engineer boot thing is way out of my price range but tbh l want to try on before l buy and even if l did with, say, some lofgrens, l doubt if the soles of my feet would be able to handle them, since said operation 

Edited July 10, 2020 by Dr_Heech

[volvo240thebest]

I think this page needs a level down after those clinch engineers. Just ordered a pair of these:

 

[mlwdp]

I recommend having someone proficient in measuring and tracing such as someone whose in carpentry or electrician etc if not able to make it to an authorized White’s, Wesco, Nick’s etc dealer.  It’s just too much to deal with errors with boots and maybe jackets.  My White’s fitting was done at a White’s dealer in NC, and my Wesco fitting was done by military buddy. 
 

@BroarkSock styles make a difference in fitting, might help with your Lofgrens.  I can tell when I switch from cotton to wool in my Wescos so I wear wool now.  

Edited July 10, 2020 by mlwdp

[Double 0 Soul]

14 minutes ago, mlwdp said:

I recommend having someone proficient in measuring and tracing such as someone whose in carpentry or electrician etc if not able to make it to an authorized White’s, Wesco, Nick’s etc dealer. 

Will i do?

.

Heel against the wall

Get yourself some vintage Made in Sheffield Moore & Wright sprung outside calipers and compare to boots you already own.

Yes they do have to be Moore & Wright!

[mlwdp]

 

[Double 0 Soul]

Rancourt used to do a downloadable pdf which you would print out with numerous foot measuring guides/templates, don't know if they still do but it was very accurate, there used to be an outline to fit your credit card to make sure your printer had the correct scale, i still have one on my bench at work.

...i also remember years ago, there was a boots company, might have been Wesco, you would send off for 2 cardboard boxes which were filled with a compactable foam, a bit like that Oasis stuff you use for flower arranging... you would open each box (marked left foot/right foot) and stand in them one foot at a time, compressing the foam, making 2x perfect foot tracings, close the boxes and post them back to be used as templates..anyone remember this? was it Wesco?

[Broark]

1 hour ago, mlwdp said:

@BroarkSock styles make a difference in fitting, might help with your Lofgrens.  I can tell when I switch from cotton to wool in my Wescos so I wear wool now.  

Definitely does impact it, I think part of the issue is that when I was in high school I had reconstructive ankle surgery on my right ankle.
I suspect that my range of motion isn't as good as my left foot, so when I straighten my foot out to put it in the boot I can't quite get the right angle.
I have no issues with my Viberg engineers, as the shaft is a bit wider. Easy on and off.

[Capsicum Fried Meat]

 

[shredwin_206]

Roughout boondocker recommendation? 
the Lofgren m43 are my dream boots but can’t justify the price. 
 

[mlwdp]

You can can rough out  boondockers from Buzz for less than $500.

 

Edited July 11, 2020 by mlwdp

[mpukas]

I stumbled across this company a while ago and was going to post it just for info, and now I have reason!  

Made by HH Brown. I did a little digging, and they might be made in the Corcoran factory. Their boots look decent. They don't offer the Reverse Upper in wide, otherwise I'd seriously consider a pair. The Rubber Taps are offered in wide, but I'm not into the toe bump. 

At The Front Service Shoe Reverse Upper 

 

Service Shoe Rubber Taps 

[mpukas]

WWII Impressions makes 2 versions. They're footwear is made by Corcoran, to their specs. 

Army Service Shoe, Reverse Upper 

Marines Service Shoe Boondocker 

 

[mpukas]

SM Wholesale USA - US Army Roughout Boots

[mpukas]

None of those options are going to be as good as JP brands. You get what you pay for. 

[Duke Mantee]

4 hours ago, mpukas said:

None of those options are going to be as good as JP brands. You get what you pay for. 

I’ll bet they all last as long as the Lofgren boots - and I’m saying that as an owner

[fre-co]

I’ve got the buzz ricksons ones. They are great. Comfortable on the Munson last and feel pretty tough but light(ish) weight. I think mine were about £350 from Eastman pop up store

[mpukas]

1 hour ago, Duke Mantee said:

I’ll bet they all last as long as the Lofgren boots - and I’m saying that as an owner

Agree, generally. I was thinking in terms of quality of construction & materials, QC, etc. Especially the mid-sole and out-sole. And can't not mention design and details. JL is among the best of the best. Good design comes with it's own price tag. 

[unders]

+rep for balancing on the swings, with your feet cocked up, and managing to take a decent photo. 

[fre-co]

I did have my kids with me. Promise

[erk]

I had a pair of the wwii impressions. I really liked them. Wore the hell out of them. Had a resole done locally and they botched it. They were never the same again. I threw them out last year. They’re definitely good for the money. They seem to be perpetually out of stock tho. 

[mlwdp]

[Double 0 Soul]

9 hours ago, unders said:

+rep for balancing on the swings, with your feet cocked up, and managing to take a decent photo. 

I though he'd fallen on his arse

[eeejayaich]

@MJF9, here are some before and after cleaning pics. 

[MJF9]

@eeejayaich thanks for the pics - the boots are spot on, look great... are they the underdogs? How are they for comfort?

[eeejayaich]

47 minutes ago, MJF9 said:

@eeejayaich thanks for the pics - the boots are spot on, look great... are they the underdogs? How are they for comfort?

They are the underdogs with a low woodsman heel. They were comfortable from the beginning. And got more so with wear.