Footwear to go with our jackets

[El Marro]

My new Wesco 7400 engineer boots in brown domain leather arrived today.

These boots turned out beautifully and they were definitely worth the 3 month wait. The 7400 model has a higher arch than the standard Wesco Boss and it fits my foot perfectly. Big thanks to Wesco and Baker's Boots for another great pair of boots.

 

[Grayland]

Those look great, El Marro! Post some more pics when you get a chance or give us the specs.

 

[El Marro]

Grayland, thanks for the kind words! I have attached a link to the order page for the standard Wesco 7400 engineer boot at Bakers. The only difference with my boots is that I opted for the brown domain leather.

http://www.bakershoe.com/product/stock-boss-7400-wesco

I will post more pictures when I get a chance as well.

 

[Edward]

Btw, what do you guys think of harness boots?

Not a fan, myself: too cowboy-ish for my tastes, but if you want something that fits snugger than the average engineer and you like the look, worth considering.

I see engineer style boots getting a lot of love here. Several beautiful examples have been posted lately. I have never owned a pair, but read that they are not great for walking all day and are not designed with that as a priority. Anyone care to comment?

Depends on the boot. I've had sone that killed me to walk miles in (at least until I found the right insole), others that are like slippers. Avoiding a steel toecap is a good idea.

I must say that I’m fully supportive of Radz. I think nobody here is buying high end work boot to wear them like a builder would do, let’s not kid ourselves. For sure not everyone can afford to do that. The comment about Timberland being a piece of thrash I found it quite arrogant and out of touch. They do their job quite well and although there is no hype around them doesn’t mean they are a piece of thrash.

Anyway, back to the boots... here is my pair of Trickers monkey boots I just received today! Looking forward to wearing these :

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like these. Also been looking at the similar ModShoes version of the monkey boot. I much prefer these leather soles over the traditional ones; the changes in stitching decor make them look more like American roofer boots. These Tricker ones look higher than usual, which will help keep the cold out! Would love to see a pair in one of their grained leathers.

After the reaction to Radz's Timberlands, I ought to feel huge trepidation at posting my own cheapo boots. But I'm going ahead anyway because I reckon I can take it.

In a world where Iron Rangers or Wolverine 1000 Milers are near £300, I'm happy to wear these Caterpillar Sequoias that cost me only £60

I know a lot of people diss Caterpillar massively, but I like them and they've always served me well. I wore an older pair of Sequoias for the best part of a decade before flipping them on eBay, but I missed them so much I've bought another pair.

I think they're honest, well put-together and tough like a tank. In the pics I'm wearing them with my Unbranded 21oz.

Do your worst!

I've had a few pairs of CAT boots I picked up from their lesser seen vintage style ranges, and loved them all, especially a roofer boot style. Not as good as Trickers, but much closer my Redwings than expected. Much as I love my Iron Rangers, I have no doubt we pay a serious "Made in US exotica" tax in the UK. Tho I was lucky, mine were on sale at GBP150. At regular prices, I prefer William Lennon or Aero.

Well, definitely to each his/her own on this one. But to go to the extreme on the last few comments, I'd never wear sneakers with a Tux, and I won't do that often with a $1k+ leather jacket either.
I'd wager that 99% of the people I pass on the street have no clue what my outfit cost me, and therefore, worrying about over-doing is pretty much not a concern.

I can see that for things like watches and jewelry, etc. but not what I consider to be casual, albeit expensive gear. YMMV!!!

Quite. I don't think I've owned any sneakers in over a decade now, far more comfortable in a quality leather brogue. Used to wear a lot of Converse years ago (pre- Nike). Not really my style now. Every so often I am tempted by a pair of PF Flyers, but never enough to be motivated to go out looking! Spent the last couple of Summers on spectator penny loafers.

Footwear?
I’m partial to Aussie, hand-made RMW product.
Extremely comfortable, well made & will take a beating as easy as run the boardroom.

View attachment 94109

Those are nice. I've only seen the chunky Chelsea boots from them before which aren't my bag. Love those navy suede boots, look almost spade soled.

Polished up the Thorogood Portage Roofer "Monkey Boots" while watching some football.

It's like I'm going to the prom - very fancy, and I don't know what laces to choose.

And BTW, @Kasper brings up a good point - I have "Pre TSA" to run through the checkin process. If I have some boots like certain Red Wings with a steel shank, I get the shank and have to strip down and all benefits of the Pre TSA are shot. So keep that in mind!

Manual labor is fun, and I just don't see these types of boots as showing off - I save that for my more fancy Western boots.

View attachment 94165 View attachment 94166 View attachment 94167 View attachment 94168

Love these! If the pound ever recovers....

Anyone wears Dr.Marten's boots? I wasn't a fan before I tried one on, but BOY are they comfortable! It's like walking on a bed of roses, and there are plain brown leather ones too. Not necessary to wear one of the crazy purple/ green ones.

Had a few pairs as an undergrad in the nineties. Went off the style in the end, bit too sixties for me, but nice boots.

I started wearing dr. Martens in the early 90's. Somewhere around early 00's they moved the production overseas and the quality declined a lot. The current products are vastly inferior. Try Solovair's. They are equal quality as the original dr. Martens - and cheaper.

Problem was they tried to retain a price point at the expense of quality materials for too long... The Made in England ones are good now, as are the 'for life' ones. Solovair are, of course, the original factory. Cheaper than MIE DMs.

 

[ButteMT61]

I know lots of older guys wear sneakers but I always feel like I'm looking at that old rocker that can't give it up.
Not to mention that boots on me are way more comfortable.
Just not my bag. Aside from exercising, no sneaks. I've bought a few pairs over the last 15 years and never worn them. Good Will usually gets em.

 

[Bfd70]

Agree. I lament the trend that has it ok to dress as if you were going to the gym....when you're not.

 

[Mich486]

I believe a good pair of sneakers has its place in the right outfit which may well include a leather jacket.

Of course a pair of technical runner shoes throws off every outfit that is not runner gear or unless you want to look like the stereotypical nerd. Nonetheless i see many white collar people using them to go to work paired with trousers suit and shirts + cuff links. That’s outrageous!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Superfluous]

Not to mention that boots on me are way more comfortable. Just not my bag. Aside from exercising, no sneaks. I've bought a few pairs over the last 15 years and never worn them. Good Will usually gets em.

For me, sneakers are infinitely more comfortable than boots and I refuse to sacrifice comfort in order to sport work boots. Moreover, sneakers are suitable for all of my daily activities and climate. In other words, I am not performing any tasks for which boots are required or more appropriate. To the contrary, sneakers are much more appropriate for my tranquil and casual lifestyle.

Notwithstanding my strong personal preference for sneakers, I get the attraction of laced work boots for those who perform daily activities and/or live in a climate where boots are more functional. Moreover, laced boots can be relatively comfortable (not as comfortable as sneakers) and work well aesthetically with a broad array of clothing, including jeans, t-shirts, flannels and/or sweatshirts.

I am completely perplexed by engineer boots. They are less comfortable and less functional than laced work boots. Moreover, IMHO, engineer boots only look good with a full workwear ensemble (e.g., 1930s locomotive operator/fireman) or moto gear. Conversely, IMHO, engineer boots look incongruent when worn with jeans and a t-shirt, flannel or sweatshirt.

I have tried boots, but I always go back to sneakers.

To be clear, I am not knocking boots or those who wear them, and the foregoing is simply my personal opinion.

Agree. I lament the trend that has it ok to dress as if you were going to the gym....when you're not.

While I personally do not like the “gym look” outside of the gym, I understand why people do it and it doesn’t bother me. For some, gym cloths are particularly comfortable. I personally find jeans and a t-shirt more comfortable, but I am not off-put by those who wear what is most comfortable for them (although many should not be wearing tight fitting gym clothes in public).

I personally eschew dress codes and antiquated notions of “appropriate” dress during daily activities. With few exceptions, I wear jeans and a t-shirt everywhere – collared shirts and jeans if I am going to a nice restaurant or some other activity necessitating something a tick dressier than a t-shirt. That does not mean that I wear shorts to court or a formal social gathering. When duty calls, I dress the part. Ironically, I am as compulsive about my suits, ties and dress shirts as I am about my leather jackets, jeans, t-shirts and sneakers. That said, I prefer jeans and a t-shirt over a suit and tie, and only dress-up when absolutely necessary.

Of course a pair of technical runner shoes throws off every outfit that is not runner gear or unless you want to look like the stereotypical nerd. Nonetheless i see many white collar people using them to go to work paired with trousers suit and shirts + cuff links. That’s outrageous!!!

Lol. I agree that one should not mix and match. When I wear a suit and tie, I wear dress shoes – definitely not sneakers.

 

[Bfd70]

I wasn't knocking athletic shoes. I have flat feet and arthritis on top. For footwear i'm in the do what works best for you camp. I was more referring to track pants to dinner

 

[ButteMT61]

Yeah. Mostly I grew up in boots.
They're my comfort and I dig the look of many sans engineers for me.
Sneakers won't work in my brain is all.

 

[navetsea]

grew up in the 80-90's I used to wear basketball ankle boots everywhere, even when I don't play any sport, just wore what my parent bought me, including batman forever oversize t-shirt, and "I lost in Hongkong" tourist t-shirt to school, was too busy practicing Mortal Kombat dial combos on Snes to notice what I wore...
sad sad time.

 

[Fonzie]

Anyone's got a spare $7K for some engineer boots to go with the jacket?

http://www.rmwilliams.com.au/scrambler-boot/B215Z_06EGWL06.html?lang=en_AU

 

[red devil]

Anyone's got a spare $7K for some engineer boots to go with the jacket?

http://www.rmwilliams.com.au/scrambler-boot/B215Z_06EGWL06.html?lang=en_AU

Well the jacket in the same skin would cost more... makes for an expensive outfit!

 

[Edward]

I don't think you'd get seven ks for my entire wardrobe!

 

[navetsea]

with such pricetag, it better nullifies nuclear radiation, cures cancer and obviously stops bullet

 

[Fonzie]

The funny thing is the pricing, $7,095.
How on earth did they came up with that figure? Seven thousand AND 95 dollars.
Clearly just $7k wasn’t enough...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dudewuttheheck]

For me, sneakers are infinitely more comfortable than boots and I refuse to sacrifice comfort in order to sport work boots. Moreover, sneakers are suitable for all of my daily activities and climate. In other words, I am not performing any tasks for which boots are required or more appropriate. To the contrary, sneakers are much more appropriate for my tranquil and casual lifestyle.

Notwithstanding my strong personal preference for sneakers, I get the attraction of laced work boots for those who perform daily activities and/or live in a climate where boots are more functional. Moreover, laced boots can be relatively comfortable (not as comfortable as sneakers) and work well aesthetically with a broad array of clothing, including jeans, t-shirts, flannels and/or sweatshirts.

I am completely perplexed by engineer boots. They are less comfortable and less functional than laced work boots. Moreover, IMHO, engineer boots only look good with a full workwear ensemble (e.g., 1930s locomotive operator/fireman) or moto gear. Conversely, IMHO, engineer boots look incongruent when worn with jeans and a t-shirt, flannel or sweatshirt.

I have tried boots, but I always go back to sneakers.

To be clear, I am not knocking boots or those who wear them, and the foregoing is simply my personal opinion.



While I personally do not like the “gym look” outside of the gym, I understand why people do it and it doesn’t bother me. For some, gym cloths are particularly comfortable. I personally find jeans and a t-shirt more comfortable, but I am not off-put by those who wear what is most comfortable for them (although many should not be wearing tight fitting gym clothes in public).

I personally eschew dress codes and antiquated notions of “appropriate” dress during daily activities. With few exceptions, I wear jeans and a t-shirt everywhere – collared shirts and jeans if I am going to a nice restaurant or some other activity necessitating something a tick dressier than a t-shirt. That does not mean that I wear shorts to court or a formal social gathering. When duty calls, I dress the part. Ironically, I am as compulsive about my suits, ties and dress shirts as I am about my leather jackets, jeans, t-shirts and sneakers. That said, I prefer jeans and a t-shirt over a suit and tie, and only dress-up when absolutely necessary.



Lol. I agree that one should not mix and match. When I wear a suit and tie, I wear dress shoes – definitely not sneakers.

I'm very curious as to what you think makes engineer boots look wrong with just jeans and a t shirt or flannel. Personally, I think this looks perfect. Then again, you may know that I am a MASSIVE engineer boot fan. No hate intended at all, I am very curious to hear what you think

Just to add more to the thread, here are a couple of recent boot pics:
Wesco X Standard and Strange:

Clinch:

 

[El Marro]

Dude,
Those Clinch boots are amazing!!!! I too wear my engineers with jeans, t-shirts, polo shirts, and flannels as well. I think it really just comes down to what you're comfortable wearing.

 

[Superfluous]

I'm very curious as to what you think makes engineer boots look wrong with just jeans and a t shirt or flannel.

To my subjective eye, engineer boots look too purpose built for mainstream wear. They look like they were built exclusively for a locomotive engineer / fireman (coal shovel man) or a motorcycle rider. A polypropylene wet-suit might be fantastically functional in a rain storm, but I nevertheless would not wear it around town because it is purpose-built for ocean activities. Yes, this is an extreme example, but it nevertheless illustrates my subjective perception of engineer boots. When I see engineer boots, I think locomotive engineer / fireman or motorcycle rider, and I perceive a disconnect when the boots are paired with something other than a locomotive or motorcycle ensemble. I cannot emphasize enough that this is simply my own subjective perception, and nothing more.

The other significant obstacle for engineer boots is their generally lack of comfort and functionality. The typical response: "You get used to them." I don't want to wear something that is fundamentally uncomfortable and non-functional, but I will hopefully get used to over time. Sneakers are inherently comfortable and functional, and need no "getting used to." Ditto lace-up work boots. Moreover, many never "get used to" engineer boots and abandon them precisely because they are uncomfortable and non-functional.

Lace-up work boots are more comfortable than engineer boots. Likewise, with one possible exception -- riding a motorcycle -- lace-up work boots are equally, if not more, functional than engineer boots. Therefore, putting aside motorcycle riding, there is only one reason that I can surmise for wearing engineer boots over lace-up boots: a desire to emulate the locomotive engineer/fireman style. This brings me full-circle to my initial point.

All of us have inherent subjective perceptions . . . . we look at the same things through different glasses, and the overlay of our unique glasses impacts our overall perception. There is no denying the talent and craftsmanship evoked by a stellar pair of engineer boots. That said, they will never broach my wall of sneakers.

I think it really just comes down to what you're comfortable wearing.

^ This

 

[zebedee]

I'm happy enough in a pair of blunnies or Fly London Watt boots. Fave boots are Loakes. I have some burgundy Converse-type things which I sometimes reckon I can get away with, but sneakers have been off the menu since 20. If I need them, I get the cheapest ones possible and sling them out quite quickly. Merrills (sp?) are usually ok, too.