Footwear to go with our jackets

[Tom71]

I took delivery of my much researched John Lofgren Engineers in natural CXL earlier today. Very nicely presented and packaged, smelt lovely, and constructed to an extremely high standard - but I couldn't get them on for the first 5 minutes of trying.

Thus ensued a potential nightmare scenario, where I couldn't get them on try on properly without some firm gripping and pulling, but I couldn't crease or otherwise mark them in case I wanted to send them back. I dug deep, and with my father's oft-repeated phrase that 'nothing good comes without hard work' at the forefront of my mind, I persevered and managed to get them both on.

As soon as they were on I immediately knew I was going to keep them, they were supremely comfortable, they fit exactly how I wanted them to (a little heel slip but nothing too much) and looked extremely cool - if, at this early stage, a little (well, a lot actually)anaemic what with them being brand new natural CXL. Fingers crossed they will darken up a bit in the sun and with just general wear.

I went with as US 11.5, so one half size down from my brannock measurement and, despite the initial issue with getting the ******s on, the feel really really great. They're pretty spendy, and Ive certainly never considered laying out so much on footwear before, but I'm really happy. Thanks for the sizing tips from earlier in this thread, here's a few first 30 minutes pics for anyone interested.

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Congrats on a pair of supernice boots! IMO the nicest pair of Engineers around.

This is exactly the style that I tried on in a variety of sizes but couldn´t make to fit. The ones that would have fit, I couldn´t slip on, the ones I managed to get on were too large. Glad you made it work!

 

[lina]

I took delivery of my much researched John Lofgren Engineers in natural CXL earlier today. Very nicely presented and packaged, smelt lovely, and constructed to an extremely high standard - but I couldn't get them on for the first 5 minutes of trying.

Thus ensued a potential nightmare scenario, where I couldn't get them on try on properly without some firm gripping and pulling, but I couldn't crease or otherwise mark them in case I wanted to send them back. I dug deep, and with my father's oft-repeated phrase that 'nothing good comes without hard work' at the forefront of my mind, I persevered and managed to get them both on.

As soon as they were on I immediately knew I was going to keep them, they were supremely comfortable, they fit exactly how I wanted them to (a little heel slip but nothing too much) and looked extremely cool - if, at this early stage, a little (well, a lot actually)anaemic what with them being brand new natural CXL. Fingers crossed they will darken up a bit in the sun and with just general wear.

I went with as US 11.5, so one half size down from my brannock measurement and, despite the initial issue with getting the ******s on, the feel really really great. They're pretty spendy, and Ive certainly never considered laying out so much on footwear before, but I'm really happy. Thanks for the sizing tips from earlier in this thread, here's a few first 30 minutes pics for anyone interested.

View attachment 624511

They look great… And in a year will look even greater! Very cool.

 

[Harris HTM]

Sons of Henrey boots in Haas Utah.

 

[Kfz]

Pre ordered the Rancourt Moc. Currently on sale till end of July $199(30% off)

 

[BloodEagle]

John Lofgren Engineers 1 week update. Have been wearing these pretty solidly all week - putting them on has got easier, and the natural CXL has all over got a lot more pliable, with some nice patina in the works. The picture doesnt really show it too well but hey've darkened I would say a fair amount perhaps because I have been wearing them a lot. Currently trying to resist the urge to buy some black engineers of some description

 

[Harris HTM]

Carlos Santos Suede Chelsea's

 

[Harris HTM]

Alden plain toe blucher

 

[Tom71]

Quick question for those in the know:

I there a noticeable difference in quality for „Dr. Martens Made in England“ as opposed to their regular/„icons“ line?

 

[BloodEagle]

Quick question for those in the know:

I there a noticeable difference in quality for „Dr. Martens Made in England“ as opposed to their regular/„icons“ line?

Yes, quite a difference - I wouldnt buy the regular line as they are very much a low quality cosplay of what a Dr Marten boot used to be these days. By way of contrast the Made in England line use better materials, have a better sole, and just feel altogether much better constructed than the cheaper version. I would take a pair of Solovair over either though realistically - made in the sanme factory using the same processes and materials that Dr Martens used to be before they were sold, production was shipped to the far east, and quality dipped.

 

[Tom71]

Yes, quite a difference - I wouldnt buy the regular line as they are very much a low quality cosplay of what a Dr Marten boot used to be these days. By way of contrast the Made in England line use better materials, have a better sole, and just feel altogether much better constructed than the cheaper version. I would take a pair of Solovair over either though realistically - made in the sanme factory using the same processes and materials that Dr Martens used to be before they were sold, production was shipped to the far east, and quality dipped.

Thanks a lot! That’s exactly the kind of intel I had been looking for.

After my most recent trip to London, I have found a new desire to dress more „British“ once in a while. I don’t really mind the quality of the current boots for very occasional wear, but higher sense of quality always translates into more fun for me personally.
I quite like the looks of the red „made in England“ 1460 boots, so I guess I will give them a try now…

 

[barnabus]

John Lofgren Engineers 1 week update. Have been wearing these pretty solidly all week - putting them on has got easier, and the natural CXL has all over got a lot more pliable, with some nice patina in the works. The picture doesnt really show it too well but hey've darkened I would say a fair amount perhaps because I have been wearing them a lot. Currently trying to resist the urge to buy some black engineers of some description
View attachment 625860

I'm curious, presumably you're wearing these with your jeans not tucked in? Is there any noticeable difference between the darkening on the leather of the foot compared to the shaft of the boot where they're hidden?

It doesn't look from your photo like there's any difference, but I suppose I would expect there to be.

 

[MickeyPunch]

Solovair is worth looking into probably, even though I’ve never handled them I’ve heard good things.

 

[BloodEagle]

I'm curious, presumably you're wearing these with your jeans not tucked in? Is there any noticeable difference between the darkening on the leather of the foot compared to the shaft of the boot where they're hidden?

It doesn't look from your photo like there's any difference, but I suppose I would expect there to be.

Yes, these are worn with jeans not tucked in. No noticeable difference in the leather darkening between the two areas that I can tell - I dont think its necessarily the exposure to sunlight which has had any effect - just wearing them around the house for a day I suppose made the oils move around in them a bit and darken them.

 

[Monitor]

Serenity now, insanity later.

 

[IrishStu]

New Red Wing Blacksmiths.

 

[Bfd70]

Boots look great and the jacket looks perfect.

 

[IrishStu]

Boots look great and the jacket looks perfect.

Thank you

 

[Harris HTM]

Old Barker's made for Herring

 

[Robbie79]

After making a big mistake a couple of years ago selling my grail horsebutt Clinch Jodhpur boots (I still don't know why I made this...) I always thought that I will never be able to get these in my size again and decided to buy the black Engineer boots. As I finally found the Jodhpur in a shop in my size I decided to sell my black Engineer boots (and Motor Japan Engineer boots) and buy the Jodhpurs which I will receive latest next Tuesday I can't be happier than now to get my real grail boot!

 

[Tom71]

Thanks a lot! That’s exactly the kind of intel I had been looking for.

After my most recent trip to London, I have found a new desire to dress more „British“ once in a while. I don’t really mind the quality of the current boots for very occasional wear, but higher sense of quality always translates into more fun for me personally.
I quite like the looks of the red „made in England“ 1460 boots, so I guess I will give them a try now…

So here they are.

In terms of Dr. Martens I do like them. They seem reasonably well made, and the leather is noticeably thicker and more „spongy“ than the standard boots.
The whole packaging including a little booklet about how they are handmade in Northamptonshire is nice and emphasises the notion of „something special“.

The boots seem to run ca. half a number smaller than the standard line, which is potentially due to using thicker leather on the standard last. The standard boots fit me a hair big, so I am ok with this, but a hint to this in the online size calculator would sure be helpful.

Have only tried them, not worn them, so judgement is reserved. The boots go for EUR 270 vs. EUR 200 for the standard models which seem appropriate in terms of cost of labour in the UK alone.