Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[tropicalbob]

I should add that Frey recently did away with the Rands and Jacksons (although Zappo's still has them), but very recently they came out with the Artisinal and the Stone Engineers, both of which are very interesting. Frye's customer service is also first rate, very helpful and efficient.

 

[whiteystuff]

Well I just received them today and I would say they are true to size. They do have the typical wider shaft of the engineer boot but has a very robust instep strap which makes them easy to fit to your foot. I have seen wescos and I would put these up against them anytime and I have a pair of Daytons and these are the same quality. I got these from Nordstroms Rack for 483.72 including shipping and tax. Fryes did have these on sale for about the same price but i just checked and they are off sale. You might want to keep an eye on that if you want a pair. I think these are keepers

 

[Grayland]

I have the Frye Arkansas engineer boot and it runs 1/2 size big. It's made in America and is made of Horween leather.

 

[tropicalbob]

They really are keepers. My wife has had a pair of lace-ups she got twenty years ago, and when she took them to the cobbler last year they came back looking like new. Just curious, WS, did you get the brown or black? The brown's a very beautiful color.

 

[whiteystuff]

They really are keepers. My wife has had a pair of lace-ups she got twenty years ago, and when she took them to the cobbler last year they came back looking like new. Just curious, WS, did you get the brown or black? The brown's a very beautiful color.

I got the brown. Yes they are beautiful. If I might add i think the width is closer to an E but again that is pretty typical of engineer boots. I just put on a pair of filson medium weight wool socks and wala, perfect fit. I do not think you will be disappointed if you were to get a pair.

 

[tropicalbob]

I grew up wearing Carolinas. We used to call walking in them "the Frankenstein Shuffle." Congrats on the boots.

 

[dh66]

I grew up wearing Carolinas. We used to call walking in them "the Frankenstein Shuffle." Congrats on the boots.

First ones I ever had were Carolinas, too, and some of my schoolmates used to call them "Frankenstein boots." I noticed that recently they started back domestic production of their engineer and logger style boots.

 

[navetsea]

I really want to have a decent boots, but since I live in another part of the world and our $ exchange rate is horrible, I guess.. I'll try my luck with local bootmaker, still weighing my options here.
However I have drawn the design I want to make my idea clearer when communicating with them.
- low shaft, since I'm only 175cm
- I also want rather slimmer shaft too, something that would fit underneath slim cut jeans, so I need zipper and place it on the back
- I do ride bike and my shifter is a sport model, I need stronger toes so I choose for more square-ish shape and added those details
- I need some heels I guess 4cm is a nice number

anyway this is what I have in mind, something like harness boots..but I guess I messed it up with my own stuff... I hope it still makes sense


update:
I have contacted and commissioned one of local bootmaker, crossing my fingers hopefully it goes well, will update how it turns out.

 

[kyboots]

Good luck on the boots. Its really that bad to order from Wesco or Frey ? What size will these be?

 

[navetsea]

thanks,
our current exchange rate really is plummeted under $, I rather go with local option first, the size is European 42 (27cm)

I added more details and reference, and they promised me 1 month give or take, and quoted me $140, we'll see how it turns out

this is their facebook gallery, I don't see enginer & harness boots there, but they can make full custom spec, and from the photos, they look quite consistent and well made.
https://www.facebook.com/ishkzia/photos_stream

 

[Bunyip]

I'm really excited to see what you come up with. Great price. I will watch this with great interest.

 

[navetsea]

thanks mate. this August would be the longest month in my life ..well at least I'm not dealing with custom office.

 

[mendelboaz]

Awesome boots design brutha! Make sure they go for full-leather midsole, leather stacked heels, rubber soles & heels (and all properly attached as well, stitched-on sole and no glued-on), full-leather vamp and proper metal hardware.

 

[navetsea]

thanks Mendelboaz, yes full leather and stitched through this time, and I asked for antiqued brass hardware. :essen:

 

[regius]

I really want to have a decent boots, but since I live in another part of the world and our $ exchange rate is horrible, I guess.. I'll try my luck with local bootmaker, still weighing my options here.
However I have drawn the design I want to make my idea clearer when communicating with them.
- low shaft, since I'm only 175cm
- I also want rather slimmer shaft too, something that would fit underneath slim cut jeans, so I need zipper and place it on the back
- I do ride bike and my shifter is a sport model, I need stronger toes so I choose for more square-ish shape and added those details
- I need some heels I guess 4cm is a nice number

anyway this is what I have in mind, something like harness boots..but I guess I messed it up with my own stuff... I hope it still makes sense
View attachment 33111

update:
I have contacted and commissioned one of local bootmaker, crossing my fingers hopefully it goes well, will update how it turns out.

Navetsea, a friendly word of warning, the D rings on each side of the shaft will likely scrape your leg when you walk or move, especially if you like slim shaft. The inside where the extra strip of leather touch your skin need to be carefully smooth and stitched. Otherwise it'll become serious shackles.

 

[chponglasia]

Selling a brand new pair of Attractions here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?82995-Attractions-Horse-Butt-Engineer-Boots

 

[navetsea]

Navetsea, a friendly word of warning, the D rings on each side of the shaft will likely scrape your leg when you walk or move, especially if you like slim shaft. The inside where the extra strip of leather touch your skin need to be carefully smooth and stitched. Otherwise it'll become serious shackles.

Thank you for the heads-up Regius, I will contact the maker, as it is still in the making

 

[regius]

Just a quick initial impression on a pair of Red Wing 9268, the Japanese version of 2268. Very nice boots, love the non-dyed through leather vs. the US version. However, the surface texture and hand actually feel the same. The Japanese leather may even be a bit thinner, although the same stiffness.

Fit. The slight plight with the 2268 is the angle of the instep leading up to the vertical shaft is somewhat at a wrong place, it's a bit forward on my instep, therefore whereas I'd expect the corner to fold into the anterior of my ankle, the 2268 folds about 0.5" before my ankle. This should improve with time as I keep kneel down and bend my foot up. The 9268 corners at the perfect spot, therefore securing my instep and hold down my ankle resulting in ZERO slip, fits like a lace up boots!

At the same time, the super stiff leather kinda hurts my ankle because the instep grabs the instep quite tight (thus no slipping or lifting). This will loosen over time obviously.

Overall, an improved 2268.

 

[mendelboaz]

Are there per chance any owners of the new MF Black Road Champs spotting this thread? If so, please share the joy!

 

[Blackadder]

Just a quick initial impression on a pair of Red Wing 9268, the Japanese version of 2268. Very nice boots, love the non-dyed through leather vs. the US version. However, the surface texture and hand actually feel the same. The Japanese leather may even be a bit thinner, although the same stiffness.

Fit. The slight plight with the 2268 is the angle of the instep leading up to the vertical shaft is somewhat at a wrong place, it's a bit forward on my instep, therefore whereas I'd expect the corner to fold into the anterior of my ankle, the 2268 folds about 0.5" before my ankle. This should improve with time as I keep kneel down and bend my foot up. The 9268 corners at the perfect spot, therefore securing my instep and hold down my ankle resulting in ZERO slip, fits like a lace up boots!

At the same time, the super stiff leather kinda hurts my ankle because the instep grabs the instep quite tight (thus no slipping or lifting). This will loosen over time obviously.

Overall, an improved 2268.

Thanks for the comparison. I have not bothered to try the 9268 because the D-width 2268 is too slim for me. I think I will give them a try during my next trip to Japan in Nov.