Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[Killick]

I took this picture yesterday but changed phones and had to get all my pictures transferred, (won't get into that debacle). So here are the Road Champs.

View attachment 71840

View attachment 71843

I thought I'd take a pic of the boots after two years. That is actually about a year's worth of wear as I'm not really a boot wearer in the summer months.
These are the most comfortable boots I think I've ever owned. They broke in beautifully. I was reading my original post about my left shin rubbing and being sore. I didn't have to do anything. The boots just broke in perfectly!

 

[Killick]

My Two year old Mister Freedom EBs...

 

[Bfd70]

Good update. In the original pictures they appear brown and now appear black. Did they darken or is it lighting?

 

[Mich486]

I thought I'd take a pic of the boots after two years. That is actually about a year's worth of wear as I'm not really a boot wearer in the summer months.
These are the most comfortable boots I think I've ever owned. They broke in beautifully. I was reading my original post about my left shin rubbing and being sore. I didn't have to do anything. The boots just broke in perfectly!

View attachment 200688

Nice! How did you go about sizing these?


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[Killick]

Nice! How did you go about sizing these?
I literally called and spoke with a guy. He asked what size sneakers, work boots, and dress shoes I wore. They happened to have an 8 1/2 in brown so I hopped on them. Felt bad guys are walking years and I got mine in two weeks ugh.

Bfd70, thanks. They are still brown and looking very nice. Here is maybe a better pic...

THIS ISN'T TRUE - Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bfd70]

These are not listed as factory seconds
Fair price and good selection of sizes

https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/3049535/red-wing-leather-engineer-boot?color=TAN

 

[kenucklehead]

Question for everyone...

If you were to build your perfect pair of Engineer boots, what are the characteristics you'd want to see? Some things that come to mind for me would be:

1. Japanese roller buckles
2. Longish instep straps (extending an about 2 inches from buckle)
3. unstructured, slightly flatter toe box
4. horsebutt leather with a nice pull-up... brown/tan base vs died right through
5. 1 5/8" - 1 3/4" heel height

How many rows of stitching do you prefer (2 or 3 or other)?
Storm welt or not?
Vibram or Cats Paw soles/heels?
Stitch-down or nailed down?
Shaft height?
Rolled or cut top edge of shaft?

Which of the major vintage-style, hand-made brands is your favourite and why?
Lofgren
Role Club
Attractions
Mr. Freedom
Clinch
Real McCoy
Toys McCoy
Other?

I may have the opportunity to help design something and wanted to know what people like and why. Would be interested in hearing people's thoughts.

 

[Mich486]

1-Attractions
2-Clinch
3- all the others you mentioned.

Phigvel and Old Joe make nice engineers too.

I prefer a structured non bulbous (definitely not steel) toe. It’ll collapse eventually but I don’t like the big toe poking through that you get with an unstructured toe.

Another key feature for me is the width of the shaft where it meets the vamp. I like it narrow.

Stitching I think if you go for three rows it needs to be very tight.

Half-sole construction I also prefer and between 9”-11” shaft height.


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[Bfd70]

1 5/8" - 1 3/4" heel height: agree, 1.5 is fine, taller than 3/4 is no good
How many rows of stitching: 2 is fine but Wesco does some nice vamp/counter triple that looks great.
Storm welt or not: not
Vibram or Cats Paw soles/heels: Cats only because they seem less common in genral
Stitch-down or nailed down: stich
Shaft height: 11
Rolled or cut top edge of shaft:Rolled
In the US there are not a lot of outlets where you can see boots in person. Based off online photos I think Phigvel and Attractions have the nicest silhouette. That said, I’m pretty sure neither would be comfortable for me. My experience is certainly limited, but I’ve recently aquired Lofgrens and really love them. Wide enough at the toes (paramount for me). A great counter that really grabs the heal. Cxl is comfortable out of the box. I think horse typically looks better but I have also heard of cases where it took a year or more to break in. I don’t really want my footwear to feel like a job. Another factor is the Lofgren footbed is a dream from day 1. Possibly the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. Only gripe is that compared to the rest of the boot the buckles are at best mediocre.

 

[leolou]

Lofgren
Comfort,Design,shaft size,sole and stitching
Attractions
Design,comfort,leather,sole
Road Champ
Leather,comfort


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[Blackadder]

Question for everyone...

If you were to build your perfect pair of Engineer boots, what are the characteristics you'd want to see? Some things that come to mind for me would be:

1. Japanese roller buckles
2. Longish instep straps (extending an about 2 inches from buckle)
3. unstructured, slightly flatter toe box
4. horsebutt leather with a nice pull-up... brown/tan base vs died right through
5. 1 5/8" - 1 3/4" heel height

How many rows of stitching do you prefer (2 or 3 or other)?
Storm welt or not?
Vibram or Cats Paw soles/heels?
Stitch-down or nailed down?
Shaft height?
Rolled or cut top edge of shaft?

Which of the major vintage-style, hand-made brands is your favourite and why?
Lofgren
Role Club
Attractions
Mr. Freedom
Clinch
Real McCoy
Toys McCoy
Other?

I may have the opportunity to help design something and wanted to know what people like and why. Would be interested in hearing people's thoughts.

Design wise I like a more authentic vintage style like Role Club, Attractions and RM Buco. Julian, Lofgren and MF is a crossover style with a more contemporary look and easy to wear. I have wide feet and so my most comfortable boots are actually Viberg, Motor and Lone Wolf. I don't own Role Club, Julian, Lofgren or MF but I have tried them on.
Engineer boots I own- Attractions x 2, RM Buco, Clinch, Wesco, Lone Wolf x 2, Motor x 2, Viberg x 2, Chippewa x 2, Red Wing, Old Joe, Boulet and Frye.

 

[Bfd70]

That’s a heck of a collection!

 

[deaner33]

I prefer a block heel and GYW construction so Phigvel makes my dream boot.


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[leolou]

I agree the Phigvel are comfy for wide feet.
Motor are more tide for feet and less confort.


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[Blackadder]

A rather unusual pair of engineer boots. Bought them because they look like Pecos with the shaft covered. By Boulet of Canada. Would say Red Wing quality except the thinner leather used on these.

 

[handymike]

Question for everyone...

If you were to build your perfect pair of Engineer boots, what are the characteristics you'd want to see? Some things that come to mind for me would be:

1. Japanese roller buckles
2. Longish instep straps (extending an about 2 inches from buckle)
3. unstructured, slightly flatter toe box
4. horsebutt leather with a nice pull-up... brown/tan base vs died right through
5. 1 5/8" - 1 3/4" heel height

How many rows of stitching do you prefer (2 or 3 or other)?
Storm welt or not?
Vibram or Cats Paw soles/heels?
Stitch-down or nailed down?
Shaft height?
Rolled or cut top edge of shaft?

Which of the major vintage-style, hand-made brands is your favourite and why?
Lofgren
Role Club
Attractions
Mr. Freedom
Clinch
Real McCoy
Toys McCoy
Other?

I may have the opportunity to help design something and wanted to know what people like and why. Would be interested in hearing people's thoughts.

Some combo of these:

 

[handymike]

I personally like the straps lower, so you can see them without rolling your pant legs ridiculously high.

 

[Bfd70]

From Insta

 

[Mich486]

Another one from Instagram: Ol’Shank (I think it’s a Clinch spin off)

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[Bfd70]

Based on insta it would seem that everyone in Japan wears engineer boots and there are more varieties than cereals at the grocer. I’d love a shot at trying some on. I particularly like most of what Zerros does. I can’t believe there is no market a US importer could capitalize on. I guess everyone who would be interested is on this thread.