CRUSH ON RETRO REVIEW

[Geff]

Crush on Retro Engineer Boots. Messaged with Bryce a bunch about sizing. Delivered 32 days after ordered. Not bad. The box seemed too light to contain boots. Upon opening the box, the stench of glue was overwhelming. The boots were packed well. Seeing them after unwrapping was disappointing. My girlfriend asked if I got a new pair of rain boots. The material is more like pleather than anything. Very thin. The buckles are cheap. Trying them on was difficult. The size was correct but they were way too difficult to get on. I realized the toe box was way too tight and a severe pinching on the insoles. I got them on and walked 4ft and back. There was a 3-4” heel lift on top of the pain from the pinch points. Unwearable. Yes, I adjusted the straps. I’ve worn engineer boots for 35 years. I emailed to return. Bryce asked for pictures. I sent them. He said they couldn’t resell because of the creases and that I should sell them to someone else. I replied it wasn’t my concern what he did with them but the creases shouldn’t be there after walking indoors for 8ft. He said that was an irresponsible comment and no refund. After researching more I found out the boots were made in China. Drop shipped by COR who are in Indonesia apparently. I know, I know, I gambled and lost. Wish I bought locally or used quality at least. Even my Carolinas lasted me 15 years.

 

[TartuWolf]

Thanks for the review / report. More or less echoes what I've heard from the majority of CoR customers that are not influencers. Sure there are some exception where folks like what they got, but it depends both on luck and on the standards/expectations of the buyer.
Got some photos? I'm waiting for a pair from Willie's leatherworks. If it checks out - I think it's great value in terms of engineer boots. 500$ shipped for a Horween CXL pair with customization.

 

[cbez]

Pics?

 

[Nykwil]

You ordered a size 32 boot? I'm confused.

Yeah, any pics and screenshots to support your review would be helpful, to understand what went wrong here.

Their boot sizing was pretty straight forward for me:

I ordered their 501 in CXL in a size 41. I'm an 8.5D Brannock, 8 in Viberg, 8 in Redwings, 7.5E in Whites MP, 8.5 Sneaker size.
I measured my feet on a piece of paper. The longest measurement I had was 25.5 cm and according to screenshot #2 they say add 1cm to that measurement to get your insole size...ok for me it will be 26.5 and according to their chart it matches my sneaker size as well at 8.5 aka euro 42

I double checked with customer service, they asked what sneaker size I wore and they confirmed 41 would work for me and it did (with an insole).

I know not everyone has the same feet however, I have a pretty normal foot that fits pretty much anything though.

Sorry, your experience wasn't to your liking, but a lot of this stuff comes down to communication.

Progress Pics after 2 weeks received them March 5th 2025:

If you guys are looking for this boot on aliexpress or taobao its the Ray Kwok 34501 model

 

[Geff]

You ordered a size 32 boot? I'm confused.

Yeah, any pics and screenshots to support your review would be helpful, to understand what went wrong here.

Their boot sizing was pretty straight forward for me:

You ordered a size 32 boot? I'm confused.

Yeah, any pics and screenshots to support your review would be helpful, to understand what went wrong here.

Their boot sizing was pretty straight forward for me:

​

I ordered their 501 in CXL in a size 41. I'm an 8.5D Brannock, 8 in Viberg, 8 in Redwings, 7.5E in Whites MP, 8.5 Sneaker size.
I measured my feet on a piece of paper. The longest measurement I had was 25.5 cm and according to screenshot #2 they say add 1cm to that measurement to get your insole size...ok for me it will be 26.5 and according to their chart it matches my sneaker size as well at 8.5 aka euro 42

I double checked with customer service, they asked what sneaker size I wore and they confirmed 41 would work for me and it did (with an insole).

I know not everyone has the same feet however, I have a pretty normal foot that fits pretty much anything though.

Sorry, your experience wasn't to your liking, but a lot of this stuff comes down to communication.

View attachment 689487 View attachment 689488

Progress Pics after 2 weeks received them March 5th 2025:

If you guys are looking for this boot on aliexpress or taobao its the Ray Kwok 34501 model

View attachment 689489 View attachment 689490 View attachment 689491 View attachment 689492 View attachment 689493

I ordered their 501 in CXL in a size 41. I'm an 8.5D Brannock, 8 in Viberg, 8 in Redwings, 7.5E in Whites MP, 8.5 Sneaker size.
I measured my feet on a piece of paper. The longest measurement I had was 25.5 cm and according to screenshot #2 they say add 1cm to that measurement to get your insole size...ok for me it will be 26.5 and according to their chart it matches my sneaker size as well at 8.5 aka euro 42

I double checked with customer service, they asked what sneaker size I wore and they confirmed 41 would work for me and it did (with an insole).

I know not everyone has the same feet however, I have a pretty normal foot that fits pretty much anything though.

Sorry, your experience wasn't to your liking, but a lot of this stuff comes down to communication.

View attachment 689487 View attachment 689488

Progress Pics after 2 weeks received them March 5th 2025:

If you guys are looking for this boot on aliexpress or taobao its the Ray Kwok 34501

You ordered a size 32 boot? I'm confused.

Yeah, any pics and screenshots to support your review would be helpful, to understand what went wrong here.

Their boot sizing was pretty straight forward for me:

I ordered their 501 in CXL in a size 41. I'm an 8.5D Brannock, 8 in Viberg, 8 in Redwings, 7.5E in Whites MP, 8.5 Sneaker size.
I measured my feet on a piece of paper. The longest measurement I had was 25.5 cm and according to screenshot #2 they say add 1cm to that measurement to get your insole size...ok for me it will be 26.5 and according to their chart it matches my sneaker size as well at 8.5 aka euro 42

I double checked with customer service, they asked what sneaker size I wore and they confirmed 41 would work for me and it did (with an insole).

I know not everyone has the same feet however, I have a pretty normal foot that fits pretty much anything though.

Sorry, your experience wasn't to your liking, but a lot of this stuff comes down to communication.

View attachment 689487 View attachment 689488

Progress Pics after 2 weeks received them March 5th 2025:

If you guys are looking for this boot on aliexpress or taobao its the Ray Kwok 34501 model

View attachment 689489 View attachment 689490 View attachment 689491 View attachment 689492 View attachment 689493

I’m familiar with sizing and actually wanted to get a 42. I’m a brannock 9 and in Nike. They recommended a 41. Even if they are sized incorrectly they are still horrible quality. Attached a screenshot of the messages. The 32 is 32 days. Pictures added above as well.

 

[Nykwil]

I’m familiar with sizing and actually wanted to get a 42. I’m a brannock 9 and in Nike. They recommended a 41. Even if they are sized incorrectly they are still horrible quality. Attached a screenshot of the messages. The 32 is 32 days. Pictures added above as well. View attachment 689547

Again, it sucks with what you had to go through and that you had to deal with that. Sizing is always a gamble in anything bought online these days.

Edit: saw your update with pics…are these $1000 dollar boots? (What were you expecting in terms of qc and stitching quality for $300?) Did you get the default local leather or a custom? Also did you personally trace and measure your own foot or just trust their suggestion blindly?

Also I fail to see what Indonesia has to do with the equation. Lots of great Indonesian bootmakers. Briselblack and Jakkrabbits I have personal experience with and enjoy the leathers and their handcrafted builds.

My rule of thumb with YouTube influencer reviews: if they don’t put it on and show what the boot looks like on their feet; then it’s not worth the view.

 

[Nykwil]

Also, a rule of thumb when dealing with anyone when dealing with customer service no matter how you feel about the retailer?

Be nice.

You’re more likely to get your problem resolved being nice and trying to find a common ground in resolving the issue rather than throw around threats of chargebacks or whatever.

You can be heated but take a moment to compose calm criticism and come from a place of good intentions.

You’re more likely to be treated better.

 

[Faux59]

I'm a firm believe that you get what you pay for and expecting perfect engineers for $400 isn't realistic. The return policy on their website is very clear.

Return Conditions​

Items must be:

• Unused and unworn
• In original condition
• Complete with all parts
• Free from dirt, creases, or marks
• In saleable condition

 

[cbez]

Crush on Retro Engineer Boots. Messaged with Bryce a bunch about sizing. Delivered 32 days after ordered. Not bad. The box seemed too light to contain boots. Upon opening the box, the stench of glue was overwhelming. The boots were packed well. Seeing them after unwrapping was disappointing. My girlfriend asked if I got a new pair of rain boots. The material is more like pleather than anything. Very thin. The buckles are cheap. Trying them on was difficult. The size was correct but they were way too difficult to get on. I realized the toe box was way too tight and a severe pinching on the insoles. I got them on and walked 4ft and back. There was a 3-4” heel lift on top of the pain from the pinch points. Unwearable. Yes, I adjusted the straps. I’ve worn engineer boots for 35 years. I emailed to return. Bryce asked for pictures. I sent them. He said they couldn’t resell because of the creases and that I should sell them to someone else. I replied it wasn’t my concern what he did with them but the creases shouldn’t be there after walking indoors for 8ft. He said that was an irresponsible comment and no refund. After researching more I found out the boots were made in China. Drop shipped by COR who are in Indonesia apparently. I know, I know, I gambled and lost. Wish I bought locally or used quality at least. Even my Carolinas lasted me 15 years.

ok, well your pics don't add a lot to your case.

Pic 1) wear thicker socks. dont see anything unusual there. maybe you just have a sizing issue, which is a risk buying a last you've never tried before online

Pic 2) completely normal, this is part of the goodyear welt. they take a strip of leather and wrap it around the base of the boot, it will always have a split where it meets. I have seen many US or japan made boots with much sloppier welt joints. I would expect someone who wore engineer boots for 35 years to know this...

Pic 3) the stitches overall look very nice for the price point

Pic 4) the upper leather looks reasonably thick, hardly pleather...the buckles also look fine to my eye

You are paying $300 for boots that will cost anywhere from 600-900-1200+ in the west. You need to have reasonable expectations.

 

[DamonCyclee]

cut it open, apparently back in the day wan er, do fake GYW. Not sure if these are fake or real.

 

[TartuWolf]

Yeah the welt splits are fine unless there are multiple per boot. Stitching looks fine for that price point. Hard to say much about the pinch points but the finish on the inside does look rather rough and sharp edgy in those spots. Leather looks like all other CoR pairs that I've seen.

expecting perfect engineers for $400 isn't realistic

Check Willie's leathers, 400 for CXL engineers. My pair should arrive this week, then I can evaluate personally.