Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[Lost Ronin]

Don't get me wrong; I love the last. But after two pairs I have come to accept that I need about 1/4-1/2" more height in the toe box. The engineer build I want is the 7400 on the 9109 last. Basically look like 50s rather than 40s engineers

That does sound rather appealing. I'm already planning my next boot build.

 

[Lost Ronin]

Oh a couple of pics too.

 

[Lost Ronin]

Oh a couple of pics too.

 

[Shelbyone]

ok...chippewa's are broken in and start to look very good...sold the brandnew 2268 in size 10 because they did not really fit...waiting for wesco sizing form to arrive...still debating..MPT or Boss ? which leather? black tie or waxed? want the vibram 403 and natural double mid sole.....

 

[Killick]

My favorite pair. I think my other pairs are jealous.

I think my cowboy boots are also jealous also!

 

[AndyB1970]

Hello everybody, first post here, love the site.

I'm going to be getting both a pair of engineering and harness boots, and my question is maybe an odd one here, but I'm wondering what reactions these boots get, from anybody in general I suppose, but from the ladies in particular. Do your female friends, girlfriends, coworkers, or even strangers in public seem to like or dislike? I'm assuming there's generally some sort of reaction because, though women where I live pull out their boots when it drops a degree, I never, ever, EVER seem to see guys wearing any, other than maybe ankle dress boots (which, to me, are shoes still), so when one does they definitely stand out. I'm glad they stand out, and am going to buy and wear them regardless of any answers here (I fully believe in wear what you want). I'm just curious to know how women view them from the perspectives and experiences of people who, I assume here, wear them often. Thanks all

 

[handymike]

My wife bought me mine.

 

[AndyB1970]

That says it all!

 

[El Marro]

My girlfriend says they look good on me, she just wonders if I really need three pairs...

 

[mendelboaz]

Women often really dig mine, and not in a 'I have the same pair at home' way. So I say go for it. Wear 'em, rock 'em and don't worry about it.

 

[Edward]

My girlfriend says they look good on me, she just wonders if I really need three pairs...

Mine liked one pair of mine so much, she now regularly wears the extra pair I had lying around that were too small for me and hadn't quite made their way to eBay....

We regularly have the same dispute about numbers, though. Well, similar. She has maybe three pairs of shoes she'll wear to destruction, then replace and repeat. I have seventy. We each think the other is mad.

 

[AndyB1970]

Thanks everyone!

 

[kyboots]

Okay well I received my custom Boss engineer boots from Wesco.

I took out the leather insoles. I'm wearing thick boot socks. The same ones I was measured in for the boots to be made. I have a soft toe box with no reinforcements at all. Just leather.

I just got off shift at work. 8 hours give or take and my. Upper foot and big toes on top are screaming. Now I realize that some break in is normal and natural even for custom made and fit boots. But is this normal ?

The last pair of engineer boots I had was 20 years ago and I don't recall this happening but it's been a long time. LOL

Just looking for input. I'm already wanting to build another pair. I love these boots. Wesco does beautiful work.

I made some comments on the MP toe long ago. If you don't have a wide boot you shove your toes down into that toe box depending on the height of the heels. Its really important to have a wide boot if you order the MP toe. I wear a 13D normally but with the MP toe I ordered a E-EE to have the room. Since you have just leather it will work out great, will take some time. Love Wesco's worn them for 25 years can't do better. They will work. Congratulations on great new boots

 

[mendelboaz]

Does anybody know of any great vintage shops in Shanghai, specializing in engineer boots and 1950s workwear and the like?

 

[Sheepdog149]

Horsehide engineer's today!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

 

[01flhr]

Tight enough that you dont have to really fight them on but you dont want them loose amd floppy. There should be a definate "pop" when your foot goes around the corner and your heel seats. I wear redwing slip ons at work. Theyre on my feet typically 16 hrs a day. The make or break for me is the insole. Ive been buying redwings thermo formable insole and i absolutely love it. Heat to 150 or so, throw in your boots and stand until cool. Theyre awesome.

 

[Edward]

Flipping narrow ankles is my cross to bear, need to find something where I don't get heel slippage usually resort to lace up boots to get around this issue. Lately I've got German Para boots for the Bike & Sanders Commando soled Brogue boots for general wear.

I really want a pair of Engineers!!!

Have you tried looking at Lewis boots? They sure ain't cheap (I'm sure there's an element of brand-tax), BUT they are great quality and they do now do a traditional American-style engineer boot. Their engineer looks somehow narrower to my eye than the average. Alternatively, of course, you could also try a back-zip boot. The Lewis Westway is a 10" boot, like a traditional engineer, but snugger fit with that back zip. Lovely chunky look to them, but feel like wearing Chuck Taylors when they're on, they feel so light. Gasolina are an American-Mexican company making very Lewis style boots; I'd love to try them (they are, by all accounts, fantastic, and they are coming in cheaper than the Lewises), but with the dollar riding high, import tax, and what to do if they don't fit right, I'm wary for now. We'll see in time.

Another option might be a motorcycle-specific boot in the engineer style. I bought a pair of TCXs a while back. They will have the flatter, British-type heel as a rule (not the more Cuban shape some favour in the American boots), but the overall look is good, and (especially if, like my TCXs, they're designed to be CE armour rated) they tend to be just a little snugger. Bike specific ones also tend to avoid a steel toe, which is good for weight reduction (and arguably safer if you did go out on a bike in them). Only thing you have to watch for is ugly branding. My TCX have an embossed logo on the front of the shaft that I'd prefer wasn't there, but I got a great deal and the logo can't be seen when they're on as I wear my jeans out over them (I paid around £80 - basically Grinders money). I turned down a pair of 'Oxfords' because they had an embossed logo across the ankle strap.

I never really classed Psycobilly as part of the Rock n Roll/ Rockabilly scene, related it more to punk which had really died out before the 80s started. Those like Matt Belgrano(spelling?) known for his tourist punk photo to most was just a poser.

Psychobilly was/is an interesting beast. For an awful lot of old punks it was very much a gateway to full on rockabilly. In all honesty, I'd say 99% of the present rockabillies I know came to it either directly from punk rock, as I did, or via psychobilly. It's a logical link, of course, when you think of what they represented in their particular time periods.

Best pair of boots I've ever owned, like boots that you actually could wear and walk at the same time without feeling like you've got torture devices on your feet were the standard Danner black leather boots. Recon I think they were? I was issued a pair and nothing I've tried since compared. The only trouble is they were dirt ugly. That, and I had to give them back. Rain, snow, cold, summer heats, hiking, mountaineering, long distance, worst terrain imaginable; you don't even know they're there. But they are just soooo ugly...

I gather Aero are working on some bike boots, taking a pair of post-war German military bike boots (which differed from those worn during the war in part by the addition of a buckle at the top. The buckle became known as the "democracy buckle", which I think is cute) and developing them. Fleece lined. Could be interesting for the Winter if they cam civilianise them successfully: the originals are certainly very effective (I've considered a surplus pair for snow before now), but they're a bit..... Tonka Toy, if you follow me.

View attachment 67949 Going to try a pair of these Chippewa's at American classics, will probably have usual heel slippage problems.

Be interested to hear what you make of them. I've transitioned to wearing Penny loafers when I fly for convenience (removing shoes at security, kicking them off on the plane, the rest). Thinking of a Winter / cold weather alternative, a lower-quarter engineer holds some appeal as much more easily kicked on and off than a full 10" boot.

I've tried to get into boots. I love the way they look but hate the weight on my feet. Even the red wing IR's which really weren't very heavy....I Like those desert boots Carlos has pictured. Might try some of those next.

Things I find make for lighter boots:

1] ditch the steel toe caps
2] snug fit - a boot that doesn't rattle around on your foot always feels lighter
3] Rubber soles, not multiple layers of leather
4] purpose-designed motorcycle boots - harder to find really nice classic ones these days, but not impossible, especially if you have money to spend.

 

[rocketeer]

Psychobilly was/is an interesting beast. For an awful lot of old punks it was very much a gateway to full on rockabilly. In all honesty, I'd say 99% of the present rockabillies I know came to it either directly from punk rock, as I did, or via psychobilly. It's a logical link, of course, when you think of what they represented in their particular time periods.

Did you ever come across Rochee & the Sarnos by any chance? Very early 1980s to mid 80s, they were a sort of comedy psychobilly band. Guitarist Rob Glazebrook was/is quite an accomplished musician in this and general RnR genre.

 

[El Marro]

Ive been buying redwings thermo formable insole and i absolutely love it. Heat to 150 or so, throw in your boots and stand until cool. Theyre awesome.

I also wear these insoles in my Red Wing lace up boots and I absolutely love them! They are far and away the best insole I have found.

 

[Edward]

Did you ever come across Rochee & the Sarnos by any chance? Very early 1980s to mid 80s, they were a sort of comedy psychobilly band. Guitarist Rob Glazebrook was/is quite an accomplished musician in this and general RnR genre.

No, before my time, I'm afraid..... I didn't discover punk rock itself until I was fifteen..... in 1989.