John Lofgren Engineer Sizing Issues - Help Needed

[justjogoh]

Thanks a ton for that info. Is the toe box on the A010 last a little more generous in width (since it has a more rounded toe profile), where you don't have the pinkie pinch that you mentioned? I get that on the A008, so I'm assuming it's a no-go on the A010, if they are an even slimmer fit.

In my opinion, the 444s are more narrow, but have more vertical space just at the toe area

This is an example of the lot 300. Roper-esque boots (A010) against my 269s, you can see how narrow it is

 

[justjogoh]

Well I can’t really compare much except the Whites Nomad to the Lofgren Wabash, but they are two engineers on opposite ends of the spectrum: roomy and brutish for the Nomad, sleeker and fitted for the Lofgren.

I'm definitely in the market for a sleeker fitted look because my ankle is so skinny

 

[Bfd70]

After 6 (7…8…?) attempts at finding a pair of engineers to fit my low volume c width feet i finally went mtm. Lost plenty of money in the trial phase. Definitely would have been cheaper to go mtm from the start.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

In my opinion, the 444s are more narrow, but have more vertical space just at the toe area

This is an example of the lot 300. Roper-esque boots (A010) against my 269s, you can see how narrow it is

That is a huge help! I absolutely need to stay away from the 444's then.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Ah I see. Coincidentally I actually have a pair of 269's that I've worn 4 times that I'm trying to sell.

I wanna make room for a pair of 444's that I managed to get my hands on haha.

I actually think the 444's feel super snug and that the site description can be misleading. It says that the freeman last A008 has a sharper toe, longer and flatter too as compared to the A010 last. But in my wearing experience, the A010 specialty last is much more snug both in width and instep despite having a 'bulbous' toe. The Freeman last does taper into a dressier almond shape, but because it's longer, the taper doesn't really result in a feeling of decreased width, or pinky pinch as it happens further down the boot. Whereas the 444s really hug my foot on all side quite tightly

Attached are some pictures of my 269s that I'll probably list on classifieds at some point

What size are those? Those 269's look amazing (but I hope they are not between 11.5 - 12.5 as I might be tempted!)

 

[AeroFan_07]

Figured I might share some of my own Engineer journey here.

A John Lofgren verses Wesco Mr. Lou comparison - the Lofgren's eventually "grew" (really, stretched) to the point that even with double-socks, they were too wide, so I could not wear them. The Wesco Mr. Lou's had a challenging "walk" to them, single-socked on a 12D they fit perfect, but I could barely walk in them on carpet. They were ordered new and so I returned them. I really wish I had stuck with them; they likely would have broken in very well to my feet and the walk would have likely settled down. Read more on this journey here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/comparison-wesco-mr-lou-to-john-lofgren-engineer.102418/



Second phase - the Wesco 7500's - these have been "tricky" for me, Finally wound up with a pair of 13D (Brannock I am a 11.5C) and these fit quite well - the toes on earlier 12D's (7500, not the Mr. Lou) was too narrow and too low, so it actually touched my toes in two different dimensions. These 13D's fit amazingly well if I double sock under them, even just two thin socks, works great and my feel have not overheated at all. Another pair of Cordovan 12D (nearly new) were too short & narrow in the toe area. One update to my post below, these Wesco 7500's are likely their "Black Tie Domain" leather, instead of the "Black Work" leather. See more on this here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/engineer-boots-harness-boots.43530/page-276#post-3226430

 

[justjogoh]

What size are those? Those 269's look amazing (but I hope they are not between 11.5 - 12.5 as I might be tempted!)

Hahaha sadly they are US 9.5. I think the gloss finish makes them look so good (that's what they call it, it's not like patent leather, but the shine makes it look classy and dressy even tho it's tea core)

 

[justjogoh]

Figured I might share some of my own Engineer journey here.

A John Lofgren verses Wesco Mr. Lou comparison - the Lofgren's eventually "grew" (really, stretched) to the point that even with double-socks, they were too wide, so I could not wear them. The Wesco Mr. Lou's had a challenging "walk" to them, single-socked on a 12D they fit perfect, but I could barely walk in them on carpet. They were ordered new and so I returned them. I really wish I had stuck with them; they likely would have broken in very well to my feet and the walk would have likely settled down. Read more on this journey here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/comparison-wesco-mr-lou-to-john-lofgren-engineer.102418/



Second phase - the Wesco 7500's - these have been "tricky" for me, Finally wound up with a pair of 13D (Brannock I am a 11.5C) and these fit quite well - the toes on earlier 12D's (7500, not the Mr. Lou) was too narrow and too low, so it actually touched my toes in two different dimensions. These 13D's fit amazingly well if I double sock under them, even just two thin socks, works great and my feel have not overheated at all. Another pair of Cordovan 12D (nearly new) were too short & narrow in the toe area. One update to my post below, these Wesco 7500's are likely their "Black Tie Domain" leather, instead of the "Black Work" leather. See more on this here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/engineer-boots-harness-boots.43530/page-276#post-3226430

It's so interesting that you size up in your engineer boots from your Brannock.

I think i might really have to consider mtm

 

[AeroFan_07]

Yeah, not typical, but the Brannock sized - Wesco's would not work at all.

 

[justjogoh]

Does anyone have experience with The Real McCoy's Buco Narrow Engineer Boots

 

[Silverwolf]

Does anyone have experience with The Real McCoy's Buco Narrow Engineer Boots

Do they make dedicated narrow sizes for their boots? This is the first I've heard of it

 

[justjogoh]

Do they make dedicated narrow sizes for their boots? This is the first I've heard of it

I saw this product on standard and strange!

https://standardandstrange.com/prod...kJkcMvZ1xo_-3KuHsG2oRVD5C5H56UhT_7rzYTcyz77dM

 

[JacketAddict]

FYI - You can do a measurement - get a piece of cardboard and stand on it normally - have another person trace the outline of your feet - then measure length and width with a ruler/tape measure. I used this method when I ordered custom boots from Role Club. Find a size chart and determine your width which is associated with the length.

 

[fthompson]

Based on that info, I'd ask S&S to exchange for a pair in 11.5D.

Another thing to bear in mind is that Lofgren has updated their sizing within a few models lines during the last few years. I'm not sure if the Wabash Engineers may have been one of the models with revised sizing. If so, what was once a 11.5D would now be considered a 12D. That may account for the previous pair being a bit large.

Since the boots were used, there's no telling how stretched out that they might have been from their original state. Either from normal CXL stretch/ wear or from using a stretching device.

Thought I'd share an update since starting this thread. I ended up exchanging the size 11 Lofgren's for a size 11.5 and those fit great. As you mentioned, the used pair of size 11.5 I had must have been from an earlier run and would now be considered a size 12. I wish I had known that earlier, as it would have saved a lot of time, frustration, and money.

I also ended up picking up a pair of Mister Freedom Road Champs in size 12 that, while maybe a tad larger than the Lofgren's, still fit well. Going forward, I'm definitely not buying from another brand without being able to try them on first.

Thanks again for everyones help!

 

[coolhandluke_7]

Thought I'd share an update since starting this thread. I ended up exchanging the size 11 Lofgren's for a size 11.5 and those fit great. As you mentioned, the used pair of size 11.5 I had must have been from an earlier run and would now be considered a size 12. I wish I had known that earlier, as it would have saved a lot of time, frustration, and money.

I also ended up picking up a pair of Mister Freedom Road Champs in size 12 that, while maybe a tad larger than the Lofgren's, still fit well. Going forward, I'm definitely not buying from another brand without being able to try them on first.

Thanks again for everyones help!

Glad to hear that you were finally able to nail down your JL sizing.

Also wanted to give a big thank you to @justjogoh for hooking me up with his pair of Attractions 269's in 9.5D. He made purchasing the boots and having them shipped from Singapore to the U.S. incredibly easy. Thanks again Jogoh!

 

[justjogoh]

Glad to hear that you were finally able to nail down your JL sizing.

Also wanted to give a big thank you to @justjogoh for hooking me up with his pair of Attractions 269's in 9.5D. He made purchasing the boots and having them shipped from Singapore to the U.S. incredibly easy. Thanks again Jogoh!

No worries! I'm glad they're going to a good home

Just had to settle tariff and taxes on my end. Although I recently found out if you state the country of manufacture as USA, you can avoid paying tariffs and taxes on it.... but I was honest and stated it as made in Japan

 

[siddhartha]

My experience:

I tried a whole bunch of engineer boots, after a period of time where I thought I'd never take to them. I eventually came around, for a few reasons, but reading that engineer boot blog that's not been updated in a while was illuminating. I actually asked the author to make a medical wallet of sorts for me a while back, but that's another story. Great, knowledgeable gent!

Right now I have more pairs of engineer boots than I'd like to admit, most are used. I have a pair of Mr. Lou's, 2 pairs of Lofgrens (shorty and Devil's Causeway), the Eastman ones (Lone Wolf?), a rebuilt (by Role Club) pair of Red Wings, and a few others.

2 favorite pairs (well, 3 actually) are the Lofgrens, and the Mr. Lou. For sizing, I purchased the Lofgren shorty engineers (they simply have a short shaft, so are midway in height between typical boots, and engineers) used, and they were already broken in. I was advised to get 1/2 size down from my usual, which I did. These fit like a glove, and are perfect to throw on, and work well under non-bootcut jeans, dress pants, etc. Very, very comfortable, and impeccably made. Once on, the profile is identical to full-height engineers, but they add comfort, but you need to wear long socks or they rub on your calves.
The Devil's Causeway were a special leather edition of the Lofgren engineers offered through S&S. I loved the look of the leather, and was advised that one difference other than the distressed surface appearance would be that they are a lot slower to stretch. I purchased the same size as the shortys, after speaking with John Lofgren himself.
Now, through NO fault of S&S (and I cannot say enough great things about how they handle their business) the Devil's Causeway boots took FOREVER to get to me. Like 2 years, easily. They were a pre-order for about 6 months, so that wait was expected, but the initial batch had some leather issues. Then, when Lofgren was able to source the leather again, the appearance varied a bit in color from the example they showed. Along the way, I was offered a full refund, which I deferred. Once I finally was told these were on the way, I was given a discount refund (actually, my remaining owed balance was lowered). Not asked for, much appreciated, and I was thankful that I wasn't forgotten along the way.
Now, when those arrived, I was disappointed, because I could NOT get them on. The shaft of the boots are narrow, and the one detail that I thought would have made this easier, a boot loop, was missing here. Thankfully, I found a review from someone who went through the same issue. He aimed to wear these exclusively in (I believe) NYC, and struggled with getting them on/off. He advised and used the "plastic bag" method, which I employed here. Boot jacks made getting them off a lot easier. I also used a shoe stretcher to ease some areas, with some water. All because once the boots were on, I could tell that they would eventually fit like a glove , and all the effort would pay off. I will admit-I have to give a bit extra time with these if I want to wear them that day, because I struggle to get them on easily. But, the trade-off is no slippage, an excellent fit, and they have such a perfect profile. I really love that narrow shaft when they are on, and hate it while I'm trying to get them on.
You cannot fault the construction in any way. The stitching is perfect, materials are too, and the way they are put together is top-notch. But you pay for that, and the Devil's Causeway leather added a premium.
The Mr. Lou's are my favorite out of the box fit. These were from S&S too, much easier process. In fact, I purchased these while waiting on the Lofgren's, and this tempered the wait for those somewhat. I got these in their black HH, and also chose my usual Brannock size.
While having a narrower (than most others) shaft, they are a lot easier to pull on/off. The fit is looser inside, but still works. I tighten the arch strap down, as well as the shaft strap at the top, and they fit well. Not that "glove fit" of the Lofgren's, but you pay for that. Construction is between good and great. There are more rough edges, slightly sloppier stitching, and overall, not quite as "high class" in appearance, but to be honest, once they are fully broken-in, none of that will matter. Not criticizing those that would continue to care, but I certainly wouldn't mind any of those minor things over time. That this pair is black (and I am color-blind, so tend to "match" my clothing/footwear based on very limited choices) they go with more things I wear, but I am far from setting any fashion trends. Mostly, I wear boots like this when I go into the office, under "work casual" attire, and tend towards black boots. Most of what I have are black/dark color boots, so I don't have to think much. They feel pretty bomb-proof, maybe a bit more so than the Lofgrens, but I think that is also because they're a bit heavier all around. Feels like each element is a bit more substantial in terms of thickness, but not in strength. Either of these boots will easily outlast a few resoles, if and when needed.
Overall, I'd say if I could have only one pair, it would be the Devil's Causeway, but those were approaching double the cost of the Mr. Lou's. The shorty version of the Lofgrens are the most versatile, and easiest for me to grab and go, but they do seem to lack the overal "soul" of the engineer boot ethos. Once I have them on, the comfort and ease with those make that concern fade, but if there was to be only one choice, it would be the shorty's big brother here.

In closing, I think for many, you will have to put up with what feels like an almost too small/snug fit with many engineer boots, and struggle through the break-in process for a while, but will end up with a better-fitting pair of boots than you would if they were 100% comfortable out of the box. I don't really know a way around that, and understand that you may end up with a non-returnable set that doesn't quite work for you in the end. Hopefully not, but I think that like when I was a kid, I had to grin and bear the break-in process on heavy leather shoes (remember saddle shoes?) before they became comfortable. I hope my feet won't change significantly, and I also hope I am past buying any more engineer boots (actually will offload a few pairs) because I am really happy with the ones I have, and like the Mr. Lou's and the Lofgrens for similar, and differing reasons.
At this level, with a lot of choices out there I cannot imagine that most choices could be a perfect set for you. Hope this little review helps, and I can take pics, or answer specifics if desired