Footwear to go with our jackets

[red devil]

Ok, so these are the specs I am looking at for the Benzein order


The Seventh – Chelsea Boots

Last : Kujang

Size : 43

Upper : Burgundy horserump

Lining : probably red

Midsole : Single - any point in doing anything different here?

Outsole : what do you guys recommend for a day to day boot?

Welt Color : Black

Edge Color : Black

Welt Stitch : Black

Construction : Veldtschoen 270°/360° - I have only seen 270, is there any point in having 360?

Toebox : What did you guys choose here, not sure what I should go for

Heels : Regular

Elastic : Black

Let me know your thoughts

 

[ABCD]

Rios of Mercedes Wildebeest Resistol 100 Goodwear

View attachment 302290 View attachment 302291

Plus a beautiful jacket and hat!

 

[Jin431]

Ok, so these are the specs I am looking at for the Benzein order


The Seventh – Chelsea Boots

Last : Kujang

Size : 43

Upper : Burgundy horserump

Lining : probably red

Midsole : Single - any point in doing anything different here?

Outsole : what do you guys recommend for a day to day boot?

Welt Color : Black

Edge Color : Black

Welt Stitch : Black

Construction : Veldtschoen 270°/360° - I have only seen 270, is there any point in having 360?

Toebox : What did you guys choose here, not sure what I should go for

Heels : Regular

Elastic : Black

Let me know your thoughts

Midsole- single, looks better and will not be hard to break in. I don't like the look on a double/triple stacked leather midsole too

Outsole- if you want a sleek easy wearing full sole go with dr sole full sole super grip. If you want a half sole, the vibram black explosion looks good (especially if you want a Cuban shaped heel)

Construction- they say easier resole for a 360? Not sure but i have enough boots for rotation. I don't need a resole anytime soon so I always get a 270 stitchdown

Toe box- I have structured on mine but now I'm digging the whole soft unstructured toe that will also have creases after wear as it looks more casual

 

[jonbuilder]

For insight into this, ask an actual, working cowboy why he never takes off his boots, even sometimes while he sleeps.

I'm a "hybrid" in this area. I grew up on a farm and wore boots a lot, but also wore tennis shoes and correct running shoes given the curcumstances. That is how I still am - I have on my feet now "non-heritage" Keen-branded made in China boots that fit & feel like tennis shoes. In the YMCA I most certainly wear supportive athletic shoes. However I also really enjoy boots, especially leather boots inside & out that have good arch support and mold to your foot. What I have again realized this winter is that the "smooth" Vibram soles that most of my leather boots have on them are not very good at navigating icey sidewalks & streets. A couple times landing on your bottom end (or worse) and you begin to re-think what is good for you and your health.

Plus wearing something like a pair of White's or Wesco's you get a free workout for your 10,000 steps a day. 8 lbs of weight verses 1.5lbs. Makes a pretty big differance...

I have flat feet and a broken left arch and a damaged ankle from a motorcycle accident. I require arch support and ankle support that Whites and well constructed western boots provide. My feet feel much better at the end of the day than if I had been wearing deck shoes or heaven forbid tennies

 

[red devil]

Midsole- single, looks better and will not be hard to break in. I don't like the look on a double/triple stacked leather midsole too

Outsole- if you want a sleek easy wearing full sole go with dr sole full sole super grip. If you want a half sole, the vibram black explosion looks good (especially if you want a Cuban shaped heel)

Construction- they say easier resole for a 360? Not sure but i have enough boots for rotation. I don't need a resole anytime soon so I always get a 270 stitchdown

Toe box- I have structured on mine but now I'm digging the whole soft unstructured toe that will also have creases after wear as it looks more casual

Thanks!
Cuban heels are normally higher than regular. or they come in all sizes?

 

[abone]

Alright TFL brothers there’s been a few Wesco Engineers posted here the last few days. I’m into it. Not sure if I’ll go stock, custom, or used, but I’m in. I have owned exactly one pair of engineers. Red Wing Engineers in Black Klondike. They didn’t fit quite right and they’ve been sold after wearing for only about an hour to test out the fit. I always enjoyed engineers but was scared of them. But that little experience got me roped in. I know there’s Lofgrens or Clinch or Attractions but Wesco make a really solid engineer without breaking the bank. Definitely a step or two above Red Wing so I can get a true engineer experience but not feel completely sick if they don’t work out and have to flip them. So anyone here that owns any Wesco Engineers let me know what they are, why you like them, why you don’t, favorite model etc.. thanks in advance everyone.

I have Wesco engineers, models 7500 in English tan, in 10D and the Mr Lou 7600 in brown horsehide in 9.5E. The 7500 are a full sole boot with very stiff leather therefore take longer to break in but when they do, they're great. I posted a pic in this thread recently. The Mr Lou's have a half sole so break in fairly quickly.
Wesco use a motorcycle patrol toe on both models and its a lower profile so I had to fiddle around with the insoles to give myself some more toe box room. It's all good now.
Wearing impressions - sturdy, substantial, well made, comfortable (once broken in), with minimal heel slip (a common issue with engineers). My 9.5E have none, the 10D's have a minor amount. If you have owned cowboy boots, or ropers, heel slip isn't much different. I don't like a lot of heel slip, and don't even notice it in either boot. I take my dogs for up to a 4km walk most days on trails, and have no problems wearing my Wesco's for that, and often do.
I own motorcycles and they are a good all around boot for that. The 7600 with the half sole has more grip however. I do not find the 7500 tread pattern is particularly good for grip, so if I am hopping on the bike, I pull on the Mr Lou's.
These aren't high arch boots, but once broken in fully, do form to your foot so the arch support is adequate. (Whites makes a solid engineer and they are known for their arch support if thats required.)
I own Viberg service boots and I'd say stitching, fit and finish is a notch above the Wesco's but its close. Viberg's are also more money.
The real bonus to these boots however is to see how they develop patina and wear patterns. The shaft collapses over time, the leather takes on the dye from your jeans and each pair develops unique characteristics based on your wear. The more you wear, the better they look.
I dealt with Chris Warren at Wesco for both purchases. Call him up, he's a great guy, and will walk you through the differences between the various models and also custom fit options.
Hope this helps.

 

[dannyk]

I have Wesco engineers, models 7500 in English tan, in 10D and the Mr Lou 7600 in brown horsehide in 9.5E. The 7500 are a full sole boot with very stiff leather therefore take longer to break in but when they do, they're great. I posted a pic in this thread recently. The Mr Lou's have a half sole so break in fairly quickly.
Wesco use a motorcycle patrol toe on both models and its a lower profile so I had to fiddle around with the insoles to give myself some more toe box room. It's all good now.
Wearing impressions - sturdy, substantial, well made, comfortable (once broken in), with minimal heel slip (a common issue with engineers). My 9.5E have none, the 10D's have a minor amount. If you have owned cowboy boots, or ropers, heel slip isn't much different. I don't like a lot of heel slip, and don't even notice it in either boot. I take my dogs for up to a 4km walk most days on trails, and have no problems wearing my Wesco's for that, and often do.
I own motorcycles and they are a good all around boot for that. The 7600 with the half sole has more grip however. I do not find the 7500 tread pattern is particularly good for grip, so if I am hopping on the bike, I pull on the Mr Lou's.
These aren't high arch boots, but once broken in fully, do form to your foot so the arch support is adequate. (Whites makes a solid engineer and they are known for their arch support if thats required.)
I own Viberg service boots and I'd say stitching, fit and finish is a notch above the Wesco's but its close. Viberg's are also more money.
The real bonus to these boots however is to see how they develop patina and wear patterns. The shaft collapses over time, the leather takes on the dye from your jeans and each pair develops unique characteristics based on your wear. The more you wear, the better they look.
I dealt with Chris Warren at Wesco for both purchases. Call him up, he's a great guy, and will walk you through the differences between the various models and also custom fit options.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for the detailed breakdown. I think I’m sold on Wesco engineers simply because they seem to be best bang for the buck. I don’t expect the absolute cleanest or best designed like Clinch, Lofgren, or even Viberg as you mentioned. They also all cost more and I would expect more out of them. There’s also cheaper like the Red Wings I just sold. Based on all factors from fit, construction, look, and most importantly cost for it all, it’s all pointing at Wesco for me. Just trying to decide which model now. The Mr. Lous are certainly high on the list. The other option was actually the English Tan. There’s a 3rd option creeping up. There’s a great shop called Northern Republic if anyone here doesn’t know them. They are licensed Red Wing and Wesco dealer. They are also insanely skilled cobblers/shoe repairers. They have started doing in store collabs with red wing and wesco. Red wing has only been adding different soles/midsoles and hardware. The Wesco Collab is a full design with them. They are in Minnesota and are calling them Lake Walkers. 5-6oz Wicket and Craig Oil Tan Latigo. For 635. Link here https://www.northernrepublic.net/product-page/nr-x-wesco-lake-walkers

 

[abone]

View attachment 302821
Thanks for the detailed breakdown. I think I’m sold on Wesco engineers simply because they seem to be best bang for the buck. I don’t expect the absolute cleanest or best designed like Clinch, Lofgren, or even Viberg as you mentioned. They also all cost more and I would expect more out of them. There’s also cheaper like the Red Wings I just sold. Based on all factors from fit, construction, look, and most importantly cost for it all, it’s all pointing at Wesco for me. Just trying to decide which model now. The Mr. Lous are certainly high on the list. The other option was actually the English Tan. There’s a 3rd option creeping up. There’s a great shop called Northern Republic if anyone here doesn’t know them. They are licensed Red Wing and Wesco dealer. They are also insanely skilled cobblers/shoe repairers. They have started doing in store collabs with red wing and wesco. Red wing has only been adding different soles/midsoles and hardware. The Wesco Collab is a full design with them. They are in Minnesota and are calling them Lake Walkers. 5-6oz Wicket and Craig Oil Tan Latigo. For 635. Link here https://www.northernrepublic.net/product-page/nr-x-wesco-lake-walkers

That is a very nice looking boot. It appears to be half sole, not full like the 7500 so a bit more comfy initially. That leather will break in and develop nicely. A good price too. Can't go wrong with any of your options.

 

[Blackadder]

View attachment 302821
Thanks for the detailed breakdown. I think I’m sold on Wesco engineers simply because they seem to be best bang for the buck. I don’t expect the absolute cleanest or best designed like Clinch, Lofgren, or even Viberg as you mentioned. They also all cost more and I would expect more out of them. There’s also cheaper like the Red Wings I just sold. Based on all factors from fit, construction, look, and most importantly cost for it all, it’s all pointing at Wesco for me. Just trying to decide which model now. The Mr. Lous are certainly high on the list. The other option was actually the English Tan. There’s a 3rd option creeping up. There’s a great shop called Northern Republic if anyone here doesn’t know them. They are licensed Red Wing and Wesco dealer. They are also insanely skilled cobblers/shoe repairers. They have started doing in store collabs with red wing and wesco. Red wing has only been adding different soles/midsoles and hardware. The Wesco Collab is a full design with them. They are in Minnesota and are calling them Lake Walkers. 5-6oz Wicket and Craig Oil Tan Latigo. For 635. Link here https://www.northernrepublic.net/product-page/nr-x-wesco-lake-walkers

Wesco engineer are great but if you are looking for "cleaner" workmanship at Wesco's price, there are other alternatives too. There is the Motor
http://store-motostyle.jp/?mode=cate&cbid=1349944&csid=1&page=1&sort=n
and the Keystone
http://keystone-shoe-co.com/

 

[dannyk]

Wesco engineer are great but if you are looking for "cleaner" workmanship at Wesco's price, there are other alternatives too. There is the Motor
http://store-motostyle.jp/?mode=cate&cbid=1349944&csid=1&page=1&sort=n
and the Keystone
http://keystone-shoe-co.com/

Thanks for these. The Moto is Wesco price and do look cleaner but the only hold back on that would be shipping, probably making them more expensive in the end. They Keystone on the other hand are cheaper so with shipping would probably be the same price. Those could work well. Going to poke around the site a little. Never heard of them before. Heard of Moto though never really looked, keystone not so much.

 

[Blackadder]

Thanks for these. The Moto is Wesco price and do look cleaner but the only hold back on that would be shipping, probably making them more expensive in the end. They Keystone on the other hand are cheaper so with shipping would probably be the same price. Those could work well. Going to poke around the site a little. Never heard of them before. Heard of Moto though never really looked, keystone not so much.

Keystone is made to order by Hukurokuju, a pretty well known cobbler in Tokyo specialising in repairing and refurbishing western boots.
https://mydenimlife.com/fukurokuju/
http://hukurokuju.com/blog/
I was told to contact mydenimlife by hukurokuju but never received any reply to my email to mydenimlife. I was going to visit the shop in Tokyo so have not sent a chaser. Hope you have better luck.
https://mydenimlife.com/key-stone-shoe-co/

 

[andyone]

Some days ago I ordered an Engineer boot from keystone... Lead time is 6-12 month. I look forward to its delivery. Sizing seems especial, so get in touch with the owner so he can lead you to the right size.

 

[Blackadder]

Some days ago I ordered an Engineer boot from keystone... Lead time is 6-12 month. I look forward to its delivery. Sizing seems especial, so get in touch with the owner so he can lead you to the right size.

Now that is weird as they refer me to mydenimlife after I wrote directly to hukurokuju. Well, I told myself never mind as I have way too many pairs of engineer boots already.

 

[dannyk]

Now that is weird as they refer me to mydenimlife after I wrote directly to hukurokuju.

I just sent an email I’ll see if they answer. Definitely like to know how @andyone did it ha.

 

[andyone]

I just sent an email I’ll see if they answer. Definitely like to know how @andyone did it ha.

I wrote to Mr. Takeshi Okuyama (I think he's the owner)
scip-evo(at)hukurokuju.com

 

[dannyk]

I wrote to Mr. Takeshi Okuyama (I think he's the owner)
scip-evo(at)hukurokuju.com

Alright that’s where I sent the email. Good to know, thanks.

 

[andyone]

Alright that’s where I sent the email. Good to know, thanks.

A reply could take some days, but after the first contact he wrote back fast.

 

[Jin431]

Thanks!
Cuban heels are normally higher than regular. or they come in all sizes?

It will look higher if you use a full sole because it will need more leather stacking but if you use a half sole it will look sleeker and will have less leather heel stacking

 

[Blackadder]

I wrote to Mr. Takeshi Okuyama (I think he's the owner)
scip-evo(at)hukurokuju.com

Yes that is the owner and the head craftsman.

 

[red devil]

It will look higher if you use a full sole because it will need more leather stacking but if you use a half sole it will look sleeker and will have less leather heel stacking

Thanks, I went decided to go regular for the first pair - I can see how I could end up wth more orders lol - to see how everything feels.

Specs are finalised, just waiting for the invoice. Lead time is 4 - 5 months