Bender
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 143
I posted this a year ago, and I have learned a LOT in that time… I have three pairs of Whites, three pairs of Wesco, a Lofgren, a pair of Mr. Freedom Road Champs, and some vintage 1950’s horsehide Santa Rosa engineers.
So… Quality of construction I think is a toss-up between Wesco and White’s. Both are vintage-oriented makers, and all that implies. So they are fairly bullet-proof, but don’t expect absolute perfection. Lofgren and the MF Road Champs (actually Julian Boots) are similarly equal in quality construction, and a step up from either Wesco or White’s… With the edge going to Julian, insomuch as while the build quality is finer than White’s or Wesco, the boots are also as durable, whereas the Lofgren perhaps not quite. Not to say the Lofgren isn’t super durable, I just don’t know if I’d put it in the “bullet-proof” category alongside White’s, Wesco, and Julian. I don’t own any Vibergs… They seem a half-step below Lofgren/Julian in terms of fineness of construction, but about as durable as Lofgrens. For the minor difference in price, I think Lofgren is the better deal. That being said, both Lofgren and Viberg are more difficult to completely rebuild than White’s, Wesco, or Julian, due to the Goodyear welts.
The Santa Rosas obviously are a different thing altogether, being vintage… but wow, are they beautiful. And they still have plenty of life in them. Construction is masterful. And clearly, they are very definitely bullet-proof.
For the record, I still haven’t changed my mind with regards to what constitutes a modern work boot. There is no question that these various boots are durable enough to get the job done, just as they did a century ago. But there are far lighter, better performing, and cheaper alternatives out there. These are boots for guys who want to look great on their motorcycle or kicking around town. I just can’t see, say, an actual roughneck out on the rigs dropping $900 for a pair of vintage-inspired boots, durable as they may be. These are all “fashion” work boots, not 21st century “work boot” work boots.
I guess with the exception of the Santa Rosas, insomuch as they were actually the best available technology for a motorcycle boot back when they were built in the 1950’s, ha ha.
I’ll probably get flamed again for that opinion, but I have no interest in another debate… I’ll just say that everybody has a different idea about this, and I am a big fan of your work:
So… Quality of construction I think is a toss-up between Wesco and White’s. Both are vintage-oriented makers, and all that implies. So they are fairly bullet-proof, but don’t expect absolute perfection. Lofgren and the MF Road Champs (actually Julian Boots) are similarly equal in quality construction, and a step up from either Wesco or White’s… With the edge going to Julian, insomuch as while the build quality is finer than White’s or Wesco, the boots are also as durable, whereas the Lofgren perhaps not quite. Not to say the Lofgren isn’t super durable, I just don’t know if I’d put it in the “bullet-proof” category alongside White’s, Wesco, and Julian. I don’t own any Vibergs… They seem a half-step below Lofgren/Julian in terms of fineness of construction, but about as durable as Lofgrens. For the minor difference in price, I think Lofgren is the better deal. That being said, both Lofgren and Viberg are more difficult to completely rebuild than White’s, Wesco, or Julian, due to the Goodyear welts.
The Santa Rosas obviously are a different thing altogether, being vintage… but wow, are they beautiful. And they still have plenty of life in them. Construction is masterful. And clearly, they are very definitely bullet-proof.
For the record, I still haven’t changed my mind with regards to what constitutes a modern work boot. There is no question that these various boots are durable enough to get the job done, just as they did a century ago. But there are far lighter, better performing, and cheaper alternatives out there. These are boots for guys who want to look great on their motorcycle or kicking around town. I just can’t see, say, an actual roughneck out on the rigs dropping $900 for a pair of vintage-inspired boots, durable as they may be. These are all “fashion” work boots, not 21st century “work boot” work boots.
I guess with the exception of the Santa Rosas, insomuch as they were actually the best available technology for a motorcycle boot back when they were built in the 1950’s, ha ha.
I’ll probably get flamed again for that opinion, but I have no interest in another debate… I’ll just say that everybody has a different idea about this, and I am a big fan of your work: