If you had to wear just 1 pair of boots for the rest of your life, what would they be?

[r.biker]

Pity. I picked up a black cherry pair of these just before lockdown, and love them. They were quite the challenge to get on and off to begin with (as compared to my regular Chips, which weren't so challenging), but I think that's the nature of the shorter boot need to be cut a bit neater to fit and stay on right. Very fond of mine, shame they've ended that line but I guess there just wasn't the market for them.

Yeah its a shame as I really liked them but they just felt too loose around the ankle so I couldn't get on with them.

Maybe full height ones might slip less...

 

[Edward]

Yeah its a shame as I really liked them but they just felt too loose around the ankle so I couldn't get on with them.

Maybe full height ones might slip less...

I think the trick with engineer boots is finding "your" brand... (or brands). Inevitably without laces to dial in the fit, you're a lot more at the mercy of whether the particular pattern fits well or not. My first EBs were a pair of Grinders (still got them somewhere) that for a long time felt too big, until I slipped in a thick pair of foam insoles that transformed the wearing experience. I imagine that's the attraction of having a pair custom made, though not something I'd risk unless or until I could actually try them on in person. Would love a pair of Wescos, but that's just way more than I'd want to go in for until I could try before buying.

 

[Trouser Bark]

Would love a pair of Wescos, but that's just way more than I'd want to go in for until I could try before buying.

I'm wearing a pair of Wesco's right now and definitely understand the hesitation. I see a lot of info online about "oh yeah... they fit true to size" and more that states the opposite. My impression is that they're a tiny bit generously proportioned but nothing a thicker sock or a cushioned insole wouldn't make up for. I'm still growing the courage to pony up for a new pair and have only wagered on the FleaBay 2nd hand but nearly new so far. A trip to a dealer or to FL for me would be a huge deal.

(edit: OR, not FL)

 

[charlieknie]

For me it would most likely be the Clinch Yaeger boot - most comfortable boot ever, feels like wearing a sneaker.

 

[r.biker]

Im currently torn between redwing blacksmith, iron ranger and beckman. The new beckmans dont look as nice to me as the old ones did, and kind of unsure if the blacksmiths are the same shape as the old beckmans...

The attractions engineers are very nice imo too. But I feel some lace up boots in the meantime would be suitable for most scenarios.

 

[TartuWolf]

Im currently torn between redwing blacksmith, iron ranger and beckman. The new beckmans dont look as nice to me as the old ones did, and kind of unsure if the blacksmiths are the same shape as the old beckmans...

The attractions engineers are very nice imo too. But I feel some lace up boots in the meantime would be suitable for most scenarios.

For me personally 8061 Merchant > Blacksmiths (I'd go for 3340) > Older Beckmans (especially 9060) > Iron Rangers > New Beckmans. As far as "service boots" from RW go. Overall I'd skip RW and go for something from PNW, especially if you're located in the US. Either way (RW or PNW) try to get a slightly used pair instead of buying new.

 

[Edward]

Im currently torn between redwing blacksmith, iron ranger and beckman. The new beckmans dont look as nice to me as the old ones did, and kind of unsure if the blacksmiths are the same shape as the old beckmans...

The attractions engineers are very nice imo too. But I feel some lace up boots in the meantime would be suitable for most scenarios.

Shape-wise, the IRs are my favourite. The Blacksmiths are certainly more minimalist. On balance I somewhat prefer the toecap style of the OR, but the briar slick colour of the Blacksmith does appeal. There's also the notion of getting a pair of Blacksmiths as an alternative to my IRs just to have something that's a little different in another way than 'only' the colour. What makes the Beckmans a big winner for me, aside from the availability of the black cherry colour, is that they can take a shine. An oiled-finish boot is great casually, but something that can take a shine is a lot more wearable with a lot more of my wardrobe. I could well see wearing a Beckman in situations where I want my boots to be a little dressier than the IR, without necessarily being formal.

The killer RW boot for me would be an Iron ranger with a sole more like the Beckman, smooth, shiny backstrap and toecap, and grained leather that can take a shine elsewhere. That not being available OTR, my next big boot move when I have the scratch will likely be a custom pair of William Lennon Derby boots.

 

[TartuWolf]

Shape-wise, the IRs are my favourite. The Blacksmiths are certainly more minimalist. On balance I somewhat prefer the toecap style of the OR, but the briar slick colour of the Blacksmith does appeal. There's also the notion of getting a pair of Blacksmiths as an alternative to my IRs just to have something that's a little different in another way than 'only' the colour. What makes the Beckmans a big winner for me, aside from the availability of the black cherry colour, is that they can take a shine. An oiled-finish boot is great casually, but something that can take a shine is a lot more wearable with a lot more of my wardrobe. I could well see wearing a Beckman in situations where I want my boots to be a little dressier than the IR, without necessarily being formal.

The killer RW boot for me would be an Iron ranger with a sole more like the Beckman, smooth, shiny backstrap and toecap, and grained leather that can take a shine elsewhere. That not being available OTR, my next big boot move when I have the scratch will likely be a custom pair of William Lennon Derby boots.

William Lennon boots are a much better option than any RW boots in my opinion, so you're on the right track

 

[Fiedi]

Hi all,

I'm on the hunt for my next pair of boots. Currently have some cool chippewa monkey style boots that I've had for a long time with a nice wedge sole (will post some pics if anyones interested in seeing how they're aging..) I have had redwing in the past which I rate highly.

But I thought it would be interesting to hear thoughts on, if you could pick just one boot to wear for the rest of your life, what would it be?

(Apologies if this has already been asked elsewhere, couldn't find a thread)

 

[Fiedi]

Hi,
because it's only one pair I would choose my unspectacular but universal to combine Redwing Bekmans, which are from the 100th anniversary collection I bought in 2005. As the original sole was inconvenient and not really stabil I had changed it against a Itshide commando sole, one of the most convenient and undestructable soles I know.

 

[TartuWolf]

Hi,
because it's only one pair I would choose my unspectacular but universal to combine Redwing Bekmans, which are from the 100th anniversary collection I bought in 2005. As the original sole was inconvenient and not really stabil I had changed it against a Itshide commando sole, one of the most convenient and undestructable soles I know.

I had one of those (a size too small unfortunately) pairs for a short while. Lovely boots!

 

[Fiedi]

I had one of those (a size too small unfortunately) pairs for a short while. Lovely boots!

Yes they are really wellballanced in aesthetic ways - but if there was a second pair allowed it was for sure my pair of Clinch black horsebutt jodhpurboots, which are somehow like the opposite to the Beckmans in my opinion. As it's really hard to choose I took the Beckman as a real "universal" model for all opportunities and as I am often outdoors, the jodhpurs are not my first choice...

 

[Edward]

William Lennon boots are a much better option than any RW boots in my opinion, so you're on the right track

I've enjoyed both very much, though for the custom options WL has the edge. RW are comparatively expensive here compared to in the US, alas, with the pound being on s decade-long streak of being historically weak against the dollar.

 

[mrpekmen69]

Definitely Clinch Cowboy Boots

 

[wmarinez]

View attachment 745281 View attachment 745280 Definitely Clinch Cowboy Boots

That's a grail pair for me. Cowboy boots are my favorite and I'm waiting for Clinch to drop these again.

 

[Schambach]

I'm wearing a pair of Wesco's right now and definitely understand the hesitation. I see a lot of info online about "oh yeah... they fit true to size" and more that states the opposite. My impression is that they're a tiny bit generously proportioned but nothing a thicker sock or a cushioned insole wouldn't make up for. I'm still growing the courage to pony up for a new pair and have only wagered on the FleaBay 2nd hand but nearly new so far. A trip to a dealer or to FL for me would be a huge deal.

(edit: OR, not FL)

Wesco fit is all over the place, and different between models & lasts.

 

[Trouser Bark]

Wesco fit is all over the place, and different between models & lasts.

More than can be adjusted for with an insole or socks? I thought that was the realm of Chippewa. I've got three pair of Chips in the same size... one's too tight, another my foot slops around in and the third is absolutely dreamy. Can't wait to see what the fourth pair will be like

 

[Schambach]

More than can be adjusted for with an insole or socks? I thought that was the realm of Chippewa. I've got three pair of Chips in the same size... one's too tight, another my foot slops around in and the third is absolutely dreamy. Can't wait to see what the fourth pair will be like

Depends upon the socks and insoles I guess? My boss boots with mp toes are all 10.5E, my chukkas are 10.5D, my romeos are 10D with the standard toe, and 10E with the MP toe, and my semi LTT jobmasters are 10.5D, but I probably should have gone 11D, but my non ltt jobmasters are good in 10.5D. All consistent with Wesco sizing advice, and all pretty good fits, except the semi LTT jobmasters. And after writing that out I realize I have too many pairs of Wescos.

 

[Shawnziee]

Last month, I got the new Motor New Vintage Sidegore Boots, and they are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn. From the moment I put them on, I knew they’d grow old with me. I highly recommend them.


The only downside is that you have to order them about a year in advance. I placed my order last year, and I’m glad I did. Check them out, guys.
https://www.motostyle.jp/products/2...ntage-horsebutt-sidegore-boots-ホースバットサイドゴアブーツ

​