Footwear to go with our jackets

[Robbie79]

If you like those then check out the Wesco version offered by Standard & Strange:

https://standardandstrange.com/products/pre-order-s-s-x-wesco-van-cleef-iii-veg-tan-engineer-boot

It appears to be a very similar boot for a lot less money.

@El Marro Many thanks for your advice. I just wanted to share this information. I'm considering "all black" Engineer boots or Service boots (not yet decided) like the ones from Attractions or the black handmade dressier service boots from Addict Clothes Japan which I also really like and which are both half the price of Clinch boots. The Addict Clothes boots are made in the same workshop as the John Lofgrens are made according to the shop.

 

[Mich486]

Attractions are my first choice when it comes to engineers. For me they strike the perfect balance of quality (leather/construction) and aesthetics.

Clinch are of course very nice but that price imho is just over the top. Plus I just really prefer Attractions last which cost less than half Clinch.

There is also an Attractions stockist in Europe (east west apparel) since recently.

 

[navetsea]

Do you guys have any opinion on ankle boots? Like ankle Harness boots?

Imma tryna kick out sneakers completely out of my wardrobe. Wanna wear what I truly want to wear, sick with compromising with something that I find least offensive just so I'd look "normal" and boots are as good of a start as any. But it gets truly too hot for full on Harness boots so was thinking about these...

Just wanna hear some opinions & experience, if you got any.

I like harness boots, but if the toes is a bit modified not as "chopped off" as original harness boots, not super pointy either. I have one with permanent and one with removable harness, I say the removable one is like having 2 shoes in one, can transform into a more dressy without harness if required. not sure if I like the elasticized shaft part, perhaps zipper is a better solution for slimmer shaft. I dislike the ribbons on the end of that chelseas, I cut off on 2 of mine, they always grab the back of the pants when I stand up from sitting or squatting. I also find chelsea boots to be too warm for me since the shaft is sealing off air circulation, and visually I like it more if the shaft is a bit sagging and resting over the harness overtime.

I also like the pinched "piping" detail on the harness, that's is as far as decoration I want on my shoes though it already have rings and rivets perhaps buckle if removable so it is enough eyecandies, no need for coins, no platings, no flames for me

 

[Robbie79]

Attractions are my first choice when it comes to engineers. For me they strike the perfect balance of quality (leather/construction) and aesthetics.

Clinch are of course very nice but that price imho is just over the top. Plus I just really prefer Attractions last which cost less than half Clinch.

There is also an Attractions stockist in Europe (east west apparel) since recently.

@Mich486 Thanks. I've already talked to Jamie (East West Apparell) whom I've known for about six years as I bought White's boots through East West Apparell in the past. Good to know that the Engineers from Attractions are good in terms of quality. I also hope that they look dressier than standard Engineer boots - that's why I also consider the Addict Clothes black Service Boots which are slighthly modified to look dressier. Also @dudewuttheheck confirmed the high quality standard of Attractions even if there may be some differences such as hand-sewn vs goodyear welt construction. I guess and hope that the horsebutt leather quality is comparable. The leather of the Attractions Engineers is quite thick according to Jamie.

 

[Mich486]

I’ve owned both Clinch and Attractions in Horsebutt. They are both outstanding leathers and I wouldn’t know which one to pick. They both age beautifully. I’d stay clear of Clinch Latigo leather. It’s nice but imho unnecessarily thick.

Clinch have a more artisanal feeling to them. They are hand sewn as you say etc. Of course this all blows up the production cost and hence the price. I’m not sure I care enough to pay several hundreds $$ extra for these things though. Plus as I said I think Attractions last is nicer, but that’s of course just my personal preference.

 

[Edward]

Handled Clinch in Clutch Cafe in London last year. Very nice boots indeed - made my Red Wings feel like a toy by comparison, but yeah, scary money. I think my reluctance to spend big on most of the Japanese stuf is knowing that I could go custom for far less from very reputable makers for what most of the nice Japanese stuff goes for off the rack. That said, were I to be in the postion where money was truly no object I'd be straight into CC with a "two of everything, please!" order.

The harness boots with removable harness are interesting. Not normally a fan - too "cowboy" for me - but I rather like the look of them without it. I've always wodnered why an Engineer / Harness hybrids might look like - i.e. the harness boot with an engineer buckle...

 

[Monitor]

The harness boots with removable harness are interesting. Not normally a fan - too "cowboy" for me - but I rather like the look of them without it. I've always wodnered why an Engineer / Harness hybrids might look like - i.e. the harness boot with an engineer buckle...

Engineer / Harness hybrid was super popular with women a year or so ago. Even last winter, every girl on the street seem to have been wearing either the Engineer boots or the hybrid.
Interestingly enough, the type of straps doesn't change much for the boot. It took me a while to realize that the Engineer boot had any extra straps when I was looking at these at the store, or that the Harness boot just had a single belt.

Proper Harness boot is very cowboy like so it completely steals the look from the straps. Same as Engineer is very specific in it's own thing and the extra hardware don't make it look much different at all.

Wesco did plenty of Harness / Engineer hybrids and their Harness boots barely have that Cowboy boot shape to it. Here's a pair of Engineers with Harness belts.

 

[red devil]

My brass Tokyo ones are a hybrid

 

[El Marro]

There are quite a lot of differences between these boots (I own engineers from both brands) so if you really love the Clinch, nothing else is quite like them.

However, the Wescos are a solid boot and good value IMO.

Dude,
I do not own any boots from Clinch but I did get the opportunity to handle a pair in person during a trip to Standard & Strange. I will agree with you that they are quite special and display an amazing attention to detail and craft.
I do own seven pairs of Wesco Engineers (what the hell is wrong with me???) and I am quite happy with style and construction of them as well.
I certainly appreciate the difference between the two makers and I did not intend to imply that the Wesco's were exactly like the Clinch boots. For my money the Wesco’s are more than good enough and I will choose them every time but I appreciate that we all have our own criteria and desires to fulfill when we go shopping.

 

[Whitters]

GGDB 2.12 today...

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ In the spirit of shoes like this, I present the single most "un-Fedora-Lounge" post I have probably made since joining.

These are my original, 2012 model Under Armour running shoes. They have paint on them as of the past year or so. They likely have ~3000 + miles of walking on them. They are still quite supportive and comfortable. They just won't "die." And I have had them much longer than any of my current jackets, and longer than all the other boots except the Red Wing IR's They have seen many times the use of any of my boots. Go ahead, laugh as much as you desire, these are go-to shoes for me. Orignal laces even. Best $80 shoes I have ever bought.

 

[Robbie79]

I’ve owned both Clinch and Attractions in Horsebutt. They are both outstanding leathers and I wouldn’t know which one to pick. They both age beautifully. I’d stay clear of Clinch Latigo leather. It’s nice but imho unnecessarily thick.

Clinch have a more artisanal feeling to them. They are hand sewn as you say etc. Of course this all blows up the production cost and hence the price. I’m not sure I care enough to pay several hundreds $$ extra for these things though. Plus as I said I think Attractions last is nicer, but that’s of course just my personal preference.

@Mich486 Do you mean that you can hardly see a difference with bare eyes between Clinch and Attractions and that the horsehide used is similar/almost equal (also black overdyed, leather thickness, no flaws, etc.)? If so, I think I made my decision because I don't want to pay 1000€ more for the fact that they are welting the sole by hand whereas the others are doing goodyear welting by machine. When looking at the pictures I can't really see big differences between both

 

[Bfd70]

Those attractions might be the best looking boots I’ve seen.

 

[Psant25]

Wow what a score on these honcho ropers turns out black shoulder not shark

 

[Psant25]

Anotha

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Dude,
I do not own any boots from Clinch but I did get the opportunity to handle a pair in person during a trip to Standard & Strange. I will agree with you that they are quite special and display an amazing attention to detail and craft.
I do own seven pairs of Wesco Engineers (what the hell is wrong with me???) and I am quite happy with style and construction of them as well.
I certainly appreciate the difference between the two makers and I did not intend to imply that the Wesco's were exactly like the Clinch boots. For my money the Wesco’s are more than good enough and I will choose them every time but I appreciate that we all have our own criteria and desires to fulfill when we go shopping.

Oh yeah, the Wescos are great for sure. You can definitely just go with the Wescos and never need the Clinch boots. Especially with how the prices are now, Wesco is easily a better value for money.

I just wanted to clarify not only the difference in finishing, but more importantly in terms of style. I personally think that they both look quite different, though both are beautifully designed boots.

The Clinch are quite expensive, though. I sometimes forget just how pricey they are because I personally paid a lot less money for custom Clinch boots a few years ago, so that makes me forget just how much more than the Wescos they are.

 

[Psant25]

Last one with the jacket

 

[Monitor]

I haven't handled many of these high end Engineers but while doing my research which pair to get, I realized that I love the look of Clinch the most and by far. Enough that if I was getting a pair right now, I'd seriously invest into them, rather than for any other cheaper option. And I've never even seen them IRL but just on the photos, they seem perfect.

Attractions would be my second choice and after that, I didn't really find anything I preferred that much more than something else...

I can say tho that the CXL Vibergs I got are really nice, if maybe a bit too heavy and sturdy. This has been a fifth day I've been wearing them non stop and while they're getting more and more comfortable, the boots are still very, very heavy. Not stiff or painful to wear, just pure heavy.

Problem with using CXL for engineer boots is you can't rest one boot over the other because the strap buckle will leave permanent impressions in the hide. Happened on mine and wish I could fix it somehow because the boots still look new...

 

[jonesy86]

I can't remember the last time I even so much as wore sneakers.

 

[Downunder G Man]

Lucchese Classic Buffalo roper boots today for the 4C start 16 C on the way home Harley run.
This pair over 20 years old now.