Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[rev_rend]

I was eyeing Frye Artisanal Engineers but the photos of these boots are very inconsistent (see below).

I have a pair in black. The picture on the right is far more accurate.

Here is an album of pics I took after receiving them.

You can see that the shaft of one of these was really beat up. Because I got these for just over $200 (MyHabit has since raised the price...), I kept them. The shafts can be replaced in the future if it really bothers me. In the meantime, they don't show, and that one is pretty comfortable.

This pair has grown on me quite a bit. I've never owned any other Frye boots before, but my wife has a pair. These are far better made and the leather is much better. The leather sole seems pretty solid. I've been wearing these on wet days and it really seems to suffer less for it than other leather soled shoes I own.

Here are some more recent on foot pics. I hit them with some VSC (I think... could have been Blackrock) to give them a little more shine:

 

[kenucklehead]

Thanks rev_rend. This helps.

Yeah, I saw them on MyHabit and my size is back in stock but, as you said, they jacked the price up again. If the boots were like the ones shown on the left, I'd definitely buy them. As it is, I think I'll pass. What I really want are the Lofgrens so it makes more sense to save up towards a better pair of boots. The "actual" artisans boots (vs the nice photos) really aren't doing it for me and the boots are still pricey. I appreciate your feedback though.

Any thoughts of other brands worth considering?

I have a pair in black. The picture on the right is far more accurate.

Here is an album of pics I took after receiving them.

You can see that the shaft of one of these was really beat up. Because I got these for just over $200 (MyHabit has since raised the price...), I kept them. The shafts can be replaced in the future if it really bothers me. In the meantime, they don't show, and that one is pretty comfortable.

This pair has grown on me quite a bit. I've never owned any other Frye boots before, but my wife has a pair. These are far better made and the leather is much better. The leather sole seems pretty solid. I've been wearing these on wet days and it really seems to suffer less for it than other leather soled shoes I own.

Here are some more recent on foot pics. I hit them with some VSC (I think... could have been Blackrock) to give them a little more shine:

 

[rev_rend]

Any thoughts of other brands worth considering?

I like Role Club and Mr. Freedom quite a bit. But I'm really jonesing for the Santa Rosa either regular or flat toe. I talked to Zip a week ago about them. He wasn't sure that they'd fit right with my large calves. I was going to touch base with him again with some measurements to see if the standard pairs would actually work. He offered to make something a couple sizes big and last it down to my size to get the fit right.

Between that and how all of the design choices are well-thought-out callbacks to peculiarities of vintage brands, I'm all but certain I'll be getting a pair.

 

[kenucklehead]

Hmmm. That's a new option. You're referring to the Hollywood Trading Company Santa Rosa engineer boots, correct? What do you know about them? I had a vintage pair of Santa Rosa Engineer boots and loved the styling. Are these designed to look like vintage SR boots? Also, what do you know about the quality? Looks good from their web site.

I don't think I've come across anyone mentioning these boots. All the vintage styled boots I see are Role Club, Mr. Freedom, Lofgrens, and Bucos. Is there a reason you are leaning towards HTC Santa Rosa boots?

Just curious on your thoughts.

Thanks

I like Role Club and Mr. Freedom quite a bit. But I'm really jonesing for the Santa Rosa either regular or flat toe. I talked to Zip a week ago about them. He wasn't sure that they'd fit right with my large calves. I was going to touch base with him again with some measurements to see if the standard pairs would actually work. He offered to make something a couple sizes big and last it down to my size to get the fit right.

Between that and how all of the design choices are well-thought-out callbacks to peculiarities of vintage brands, I'm all but certain I'll be getting a pair.

 

[handymike]

Don't discount Attractions & Co.
Beautiful looking boots for around $600.

 

[Blackadder]

Thanks rev_rend. This helps.

Yeah, I saw them on MyHabit and my size is back in stock but, as you said, they jacked the price up again. If the boots were like the ones shown on the left, I'd definitely buy them. As it is, I think I'll pass. What I really want are the Lofgrens so it makes more sense to save up towards a better pair of boots. The "actual" artisans boots (vs the nice photos) really aren't doing it for me and the boots are still pricey. I appreciate your feedback though.

Any thoughts of other brands worth considering?

There are tons. If you are looking at Lofgren, I'd suggest you also take a look at Beck by Toys McCoy. Their current model is I think the 3nd Gen. The 2nd Gen looks quite similar to Lofgren with storm welt. The Beck is slightly cheaper than Lofgren. There are the Motor, Phigvel, Old Joe, Lone Wolf, Cushman, Clinch, Slow Wear Lion, Viberg, Dayton.

 

[Edward]

Looking for some suggestions on some new Engineer boots.

Assuming prices in outlets available to you are similar to UK prices.... at that sort of money you're looking at RedWing, Frye, and such. Those Fryes you posted look really nice to me. Redwings or Chippewas are also a nice choice - depends on what you're after, really. Of the three, the Fryes somehow look more 'vintage' to me, but that's to personal taste. Another option would be the SJCs that are referenced above - http://www.simonjamescathcart.com/footwear/ - currently sitting at about CND360, plus shipping.

 

[belopsky]

Regarding the SJC - they are almost sold out at that price.

THe HTC boots look VERY appealing to me. Zip has been very good at answering my questions, I just do not have $800 for ANOTHER engineer right now.

 

[kenucklehead]

Wow, what an awesome list. There are a bunch I'd heard of but a bunch I'd never heard of too. Both Viberg and Dayton are relatively local and I have experience with both. Viberg quality is great but I find them way too wide around the instep. Dayton quality is lower but fit is better... except for their actual engineer boots. I also find them not as good in terms of attention to detail. However, they've always been willing to work with me to get what I ask for, which Viberg has taken a steep decline in. Interesting that many of the makes you've mentioned are based in Japan.

Appearance wise, I think I still like the profile of the Lofgrens the best. I'm seriously considering those and Attractions at this point but will need to save up. Probably smart as I've gotten different boots that just aren't what I want and end up selling them at a loss. I probably could have purchased a few pairs of Lofgrens by now if I had just gotten them in the first place. LOL!!

Again, thanks for the great list. Lots to explore. Here's the list in bullet form with links and a few more (for future reference). I can't seem to find the manufacturer's web site for some of these so if anyone had better links, please share.

How do I get one of each? haha

• John Lofgren (http://www.selfedge.com/shoes?filter=45)
• Toys McCoys (http://toys-mccoy.shop-pro.jp/?pid=90956001)
• Attractions (http://attractionscoltd.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1142.html)
• HTC Santa Rosa (http://htccalifornia.com/collections/frontpage)
• Role Club (http://www.roleclub.com)
• Rolling Dub Trio (http://item.rakuten.co.jp/minimonkey/c/0000000220/?s=4#risFil)
• Motor (http://store-motostyle.jp/?pid=97961522)
• Phigvel (http://www.hickorees.com/brand/phigvel/product/horsehide-engineer-boots-black-w-brown-core , http://www.phigvelers.com)
• Old Joe (http://oldjoe.jp/#15-16fw)
• Lone Wolf (http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/hinoya/item/lw00300n/)
• Cushman (http://item.rakuten.co.jp/route66amboy/11014)
• Clinch (http://brass-tokyo.shop-pro.jp/?pid=96794614)
• Slow Wear Lion (http://online.slowwear.co.jp/shopbrand/PRODUCTS)
• Viberg (http://viberg.com/collections/footwear/engineer)
• Dayton (http://www.daytonboots.com/collections/men/biker-boots?gender=men)

There are tons. If you are looking at Lofgren, I'd suggest you also take a look at Beck by Toys McCoy. Their current model is I think the 3nd Gen. The 2nd Gen looks quite similar to Lofgren with storm welt. The Beck is slightly cheaper than Lofgren. There are the Motor, Phigvel, Old Joe, Lone Wolf, Cushman, Clinch, Slow Wear Lion, Viberg, Dayton.

 

[belopsky]

There are also Craft Rite! http://craftrite.fashionstore.jp/items/953762

 

[Blackadder]

Wow, what an awesome list. There are a bunch I'd heard of but a bunch I'd never heard of too. Both Viberg and Dayton are relatively local and I have experience with both. Viberg quality is great but I find them way too wide around the instep. Dayton quality is lower but fit is better... except for their actual engineer boots. I also find them not as good in terms of attention to detail. However, they've always been willing to work with me to get what I ask for, which Viberg has taken a steep decline in. Interesting that many of the makes you've mentioned are based in Japan.

Appearance wise, I think I still like the profile of the Lofgrens the best. I'm seriously considering those and Attractions at this point but will need to save up. Probably smart as I've gotten different boots that just aren't what I want and end up selling them at a loss. I probably could have purchased a few pairs of Lofgrens by now if I had just gotten them in the first place. LOL!!

Again, thanks for the great list. Lots to explore. Here's the list in bullet form with links and a few more (for future reference). I can't seem to find the manufacturer's web site for some of these so if anyone had better links, please share.

How do I get one of each? haha

• John Lofgren (http://www.selfedge.com/shoes?filter=45)
• Toys McCoys (http://toys-mccoy.shop-pro.jp/?pid=90956001)
• Attractions (http://attractionscoltd.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1142.html)
• Role Club (http://www.roleclub.com)
• Rolling Dub Trio (http://item.rakuten.co.jp/minimonkey/c/0000000220/?s=4#risFil)
• Motor (http://store-motostyle.jp/?pid=97961522)
• Phigvel (http://www.hickorees.com/brand/phigvel/product/horsehide-engineer-boots-black-w-brown-core , http://www.phigvelers.com)
• Old Joe (http://oldjoe.jp/#15-16fw)
• Lone Wolf (http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/hinoya/item/lw00300n/)
• Cushman (http://item.rakuten.co.jp/route66amboy/11014)
• Clinch (http://brass-tokyo.shop-pro.jp/?pid=96794614)
• Slow Wear Lion (http://online.slowwear.co.jp/shopbrand/PRODUCTS)
• Viberg (http://viberg.com/collections/footwear/engineer)
• Dayton (http://www.daytonboots.com/collections/men/biker-boots?gender=men)

I doubt Old Joe has any online retailer. I got mine on Yahoo Auction Japan second hand unused.

John Lofgren can also be ordered through the Speedway store on Rakuten.
http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/speedway-shop/

The list is actually much much longer as I left out the custom makers except Clinch because although they mainly do custom job, there still are a few shops that carry their stock and some others for various reasons, e.g.
1) question of whether Ace Boots Co (http://aceboot.com/) and The Steam Locomotive (http://www.the-steam-locomotive.jp/main/PRESSRELEASE/img/engineer.pdf) are still trading
2)Trohpy Clothing (http://trophy.shop-pro.jp/?pid=97426627) which is essentially the same as Attractions with different leather,
3) sharp colour and SML sizing- Made In GM (http://madeingmjapan.com/)
4) also SML sizing only- Rude Gallery (http://www.theroadieshop.com/product.php?products_id=9932&sid=bea515aee0e6430377f24e1b876b4a42)
5) don't know if they still make engineer boots- Far East Enthusiast (http://snugsnug.exblog.jp/17088630/) (http://www.losthills.jp/works/far-eastern-enthusiast/)

This one I simply forgot
Makers
http://www.nut59.com/products/detail.php?product_id=233

There are so many Japanese makers because engineer boots are crazily popular in Japan.

Below are some custom makers in addition to Craft Rite, White's, Wesco etc.

Zerrows
http://no-brand2002.co.jp/
Julian
http://julianboots.net/
Horseman Joe
http://horseman-joe.com/
Mattirmore
http://www.civilwarboots.com/store_swing.asp

 

[belopsky]

wow what a list!

 

[belopsky]

I've seen the made in GM ones on instagram a few weeks ago. They look great, an interesting take..I dig the green ones. Way more than I want to spend however.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Thanks. This pair of Lonewolf is sort of a bargain whilst your Clinch and Lofgren are two of the highest quality engineer boots I have ever seen in person but also very pricey. I often wonder if I should be glad that neither Clinch nor Lofgren fits me, LOL.

Haha well I think the Lone Wolfs are super nice. If they were available in that color, I would probably jump on them!

 

[Blackadder]

Haha well I think the Lone Wolfs are super nice. If they were available in that color, I would probably jump on them!

My understanding is that the brown Lonewolfs were special editions for a shop in Yokohama. http://classics.junky.co.jp/

 

[Blackadder]

Getting back to the list.
Rolling Dub Trio (https://www.facebook.com/Rollingdubtrio/timeline)
Phigvel (http://www.phigvelers.com/) I think the boots are no longer available as regular item and can only be ordered through Hickorees.
Lonewolf (Toyo Enterprise) (http://www.toyo-enterprise.co.jp/)
Cushman (http://www.cushman.jp/new-cart/search/search.php?dk=0&page=1&seek=true&bunrui=1&syobunrui=ブーツ・グッズ)

 

[handymike]

Does anyone do a boot based on the 1940s Chippewa?
That's what I'm after.

 

[belopsky]

mister freedom, lofgren too?

 

[handymike]

Nope. Those are both a different shape.

 

[Blackadder]

Nope. Those are both a different shape.
View attachment 44687

Closest I can think of are the Attractions which you are quite familiar with.