Yea, my family is from Spokane so I'm familiar with the background (Whites, Nicks, etc.) and I know a lot of people feel betrayed by these compaines chasing the high dollar boots, but I wish them the best. It's very hard to survive making boots at this price point. They've done what the needed to do to survive. And they responded to the market. Want a $400 boot? They all make one. You aren't going to get fussy leather, but it will be very strong, durable and a great boot all the same. Want a specific kind of leather? It's going to cost you. I love that they're so willing to respond to customer's desires. Whites, in particular, seems to try anything.Viberg is up in my neck of the woods and it is good to see a company that transformed from a logging boot company into an upscale fashion boot and seems to be doing well. Other boot companies from back in the day like Paris Boots did not transition and fell by the wayside. Danner at $600 Canadian are at the upper end of my boot budget unless I am going full custom. We have a great one in the city as well.
It's a pretty depressed economy, PNW logging towns, so I wish them all the best.