Heavyweight Boots Championships 2013 - 2015

[JHC76]

It's those leathers you chose from endangered animals and elephant ivory for the eyelets!

[midvalleyfarm]

Today I'll be making the journey south to Baker's in Eugene to order my competition boots in person. Trip pictures will be happening live and can be viewed via instagram here: http://instagram.com/midvalleyfarm

Excited as hell.

[Highvoltage]

I can't wait to get mine, and start breaking in those double midsoles!

[midvalleyfarm]

To recap the day, whilst holding back on the fun specifics:

Today was classic Oregon: overcast, sun peeking through, bright clouds, reasonably warm weather for a Northwest March. My wife (interested to see the physical manifestation of many, many "how does this look" moments with my laptop thrust in her face) at the helm and me dressed in my selvedge and crafted best, we headed south down the Willamette Valley and further on to Eugene.

Baker's is nothing as one would expect. From the massive selection on their website, it would be easy to imagine a sprawling outdoor goods emporium packed to the brim with boots and Filson gear. Rather, Baker's is modest, small, even, and sparsely filled. It is the clean and relaxed little brother to Cabelas and the suave specialist to Orvis' lifestyle brand madness.

For the most part, we were the only customers in the store, and as soon as I mentioned the Heavyweight competition, both the highly-praised Kyle and the astoundingly knowledgable Josh sprang to life and got me sized, measured, sized again, and then dove into leather choices and soles and whatnot. In the end, we settled on Natural Chromexcel for the shaft and a leather called Harvest Roughout for the toe vamp and heel counter, a leather which Kyle said had previously been Japan-only, but that he had struck a deal with Whites to be able to offer it. Its something along the lines of a roughout Red Dog, but a little lighter in color. The conclusion was that it should darken to about the same as smooth Red Dog with some oiling and wear, should I choose to waterproof them like old school boots.

That's all I'm going to say about what I've got planned. Josh, Kyle, and I all decided that they'll certainly be among the most unique boots to come through Baker's, and that they certainly fit the spirit of the competition.

My thanks to Josh and Kyle, and my onlooking, bewildered wife. If, somehow, Oregon crosses your path, and by chance you end up several hours off the beaten path, then by all means, swing into Bakers.

[fre-co]

Sounds intriguing. I'm going to portland in may but only for a day and a half really. How far is Eugene, and how easy is it to get to?

[themexican]

Sounds intriguing. I'm going to portland in may but only for a day and a half really. How far is Eugene, and how easy is it to get to?

about an hour and a half straight down interstate 5. I miss Eugene and I miss baker's.

[JHC76]

Totally useless post, but my boots are out for delivery by end of the day today and I am excited. I'll post pics tonight. Looking forward to my first pair of white's!

[Megatron1505]

You were about a week ahead of me, so I guess I can start getting excited.

[Highvoltage]

When did you place your order?

[Megatron1505]

Me? January 28th.

[garden gnomes in space]

getting your shipping notification from Bakers is euphoric.

[JHC76]

Wow, now I know why people like these boots! These put my Red Wings to shame...Burgundy Chrome excel with black cherry water buffalo upper. Very slight color difference, but just enough to add something. Sorry for the poor pics, but all I could do at the moment.

Edited March 13, 2013 by JHC76

[garden gnomes in space]

look at those greasy things of beauty. Amazing boot build.

[JHC76]

Thank you. I am really looking forward to wearing as much as possible the next 2 years.

For those experienced with White's leather, should I add a waterproofer now? I got the stuff from Baker's and thought I would add a coat before wearing. Usually right out of the box I wear boots until they need a conditioning, and these look greasy enough.

[garden gnomes in space]

chromexcel is oily enough, so unless you plan on wearing in the wet mud and outdoors for extended periods of time immedietly, then no application is really necessary. wont really hurt though. cant speak on buffalo tho, so i dont know its care requirements.

[JHC76]

Thanks for the feedback. I can't get over how awesome these are...I don't know if I'll ever want to wear my Red Wings again. I thought the Red Wings were a huge step up from my Doc Martens (made in UK)...since joining this forum I have learned so much from everyone beyond just the denim, which is all I was ever really into!

[Megatron1505]

Absolutely amazing. and not too dissimilar from mine (apart from colour and leathers). Makes me even more excited to get that notification from Bakers.

[Highvoltage]

Also very similar to my build, except I went all natural CXL, and a half sole. How is the stiffness of the dbl midsoles compared to your Redwings? This will be my first pair of White's as well. I have two pair of RW and one Alden. I also just bought a pair of Danner Mountain LTs in suede, (2nds sale) but those will probably end up as a work only boot.

[JHC76]

I only wore them around the house, but they are much stiffer than the red wings. However, I really like it and also the arch support. I seriously wish I had more of these than the red wings, and I really find RW comfortable. Looks like more white's boots are in my future. Damn you Mega for doing this to me!

[louisbosco]

whatever happened to this?

[Megatron1505]

Absolutely nothing, people are waiting for boots and it starts on May 4th.

[Highvoltage]

Have you heard anything on your order Mega? I ordered shortly after you, and am waiting patiently.

[louisbosco]

thought the thread like totally died down. guess most are waiting on their boots? :/

[Megatron1505]

Have you heard anything on your order Mega? I ordered shortly after you, and am waiting patiently.

Kyle told me a week ago that my boots would be another week and half or two weeks, so getting close.

thought the thread like totally died down. guess most are waiting on their boots? :/

That and the competition hasn't started yet

[Highvoltage]

Kyle told me a week ago that my boots would be another week and half or two weeks, so getting close.

Thanks, mine should follow shortly thereafter!

[zwer]

Mid April will be a full two months for me. Between the boots and the MBBs it's been tough being patient.

Total first world problem.

[Megatron1505]

I ordered mine on January 28th, so that's 9 weeks next Tuesday.

[ThinFinn]

HWBC-12

"more pics and info after receiving the goods"

size: UK9

style: 1950 Service Boot

leather: Brown HorseHide

toe cap: Straight Toe Cap

last: 310 Last

sole: Dainite Sole

midsole: Single Natural

hardware: Brass Eyelets

[Megatron1505]

Oi, Oi, look what I spy.........

http://jimmycrow.com...exx/?page_id=80

Get your comp tee's while they're hot.

Edited April 8, 2013 by Megatron1505

[ToddjColey]

placed my order!