Wesco Engineer - Questions

[JacketAddict]

Hi all - I am now the proud owner of a pair of 11" Wesco Engineers. These are "plain jane" no customization but wow what a sturdy and great feeling pair of boots. I can't wait to put some miles on them.

This is my first pair of this style of boot - I am hoping someone can help with a few questions.

My foot is 11.5" x 4.25" - so I bought a pair of 12D (after perusing the Wesco size chart which actually listed 12.5E). They seem to fit well with average thickness socks with some slight heel slippage. Does one want heel slippage? Plenty of toe room and maybe just a big snug on the sides - but I believe after some wear time they will conform okay.

Also, there is a lower and upper strap with buckle. The boot width at the top is quite roomy so I adjusted that to the smallest width. The boots are somewhat difficult to pull on with pressure coming on the top of my foot so I am wondering about the lower strap. Does one set up the straps initially and from then on just pull on the boots or is it necessary to undo the strap each time? That would be somewhat of a hassle.

Curmudgeun complaint: I think one of the most difficult things in apparel is getting the right fit on shoes - and so many companies do not provide enough information - Wesco seems to be an exception. But for example I searched for "Chippewa" size or fitment charts and there is nothing out there except for interchange on the various forums. I wonder why shoe companies don't provide a list of measurements like the nice chart that Wesco does.

Appreciate your iinputs - Cheers!

 

[tropicalbob]

Engineer boots are notoriously hard to find in the right size, and I'd be a little leery about buying them on the internet unless they had a good return policy. Slippage in the hell? Not good and won't get better.

 

[wdw]

I have the 14" version, bought on the Internet without trying on, but they luckily fit fine.

As for straps, I always thought they were for show, with minimal adjustment if any. I don't adjust mine. But if adjustment works for you, then that's good.

Heel lift - I thought that around 0.25" was considered normal with this type of boot. I have that in both my Wesco engineers, but not my lace-up Jobmasters, and put that down to the different styles.

 

[regius]

Slippage, if it's slight, don't worry, Wesco will magically conform and no longer slips. I will do a "scientific review" Youtube video on engineer boots shortly. What you do have to worry about is the width, if it's at near the front of your foot, squeezing in from both sides, this will be a lot harder to stretch out. Engineers are generally not designed for walking, they were meant to stand still and shovel coal into the furnace of the engine, it allows maximal forward bending and no lace that may catch fire.

 

[JacketAddict]

Thanks for your inputs. I put them on again today and actually notice just the slightest bit of heel slip - it seems like some heel lift would occur just based on the stiffness of the sole alone - and overall they feel pretty good. I will mostly be using them to sit in one place - on my motorcycle - no coal shoveling required. ;-) The only long distance walking I plan in these might be into and out of the tavern. I went out and got some "boot socks" also rather than my old athletic type socks.

 

[regius]

some engineer boot makers offer to pre-distress the boots, like those who pre distress leather jackets. They usually start by bending and twisting the sole. So, I'd recommend you bend the sole where they would bend, therefore pre-curve the sole, so the heel lift is lessened.

 

[SkyTurtle]

Congratulations on your boots! I've never owned Wescos but I hear great things about them. My engineer boot experience is limited to Chippewa and Frye but I'll share my sizing tips just in case it helps. As tropicalbob says above, boot sizing is very personal and it's very difficult to land on the right size when you order them, even when you're familiar with the boot's maker. But it can be done if you don't mind returning once in a while. Since I use my boots primarily for riding I generally like them fitting on the snug side. I like the boot to be a little tight at first and then I use Leather CPR or Lexol Conditioner to loosen them up a bit. The heel slippage may be caused by a very sturdy sole. If the sole relaxes a bit with use, you'll notice the slippage less and less every time you wear them. Engineer boots are notoriously "clunky" so they will never fit as close as a pair of Luccheses will but, you don't really want them to. In my opinion, engineers are one of the best styles of boots for riding -- easy on and off and great protection. Spending a few days or weeks getting the right size and breaking them in is worth it; those boots will last you a lifetime!

Hope my rambling helps some. Congratulations on a great pair of boots.

 

[SkyTurtle]

Sorry, just saw your question about the lower buckles. And that, I think, depends on personal taste. I have tanker boots that I set snug every time (yes, it's a hassle, but those snugged up boots give me a lot of confidence on the bike). With the engineers, it will take some time to get the leather to relax. I find that setting the lower buckle to a "snug" position and then working my foot into it the first several wearings begins to fit the boot to my foot. By the second or third week I don't even think about it anymore. With cheaper boots I'd worry more about break in. But with Wescos, I say snug 'em, condition 'em, and wear 'em every day. By the time you start worrying about other things you'll notice you have a damn good pair of boots on.

 

[JacketAddict]

SkyTurtle - thanks for the great info. I have been eyeing a pair of Chippewa Engineer - seems there are several flavors. Do you run the "motorcycle"? I also see a good deal on "Bomber Motorcycle" - brown color. What is your preferred leather type? Do you run steel toe or not. I think the "Oxblood Horween Service" boots look awfully nice also - but that is an entirely different boot. Thanks to all for the great inputs and for sharing your knowledge.

 

[SkyTurtle]

I do not have the Chippewa Motorcycle boots but I have been eyeing them for quite some time! I've not been able to determine if they are one of the styles made in the USA. And I understand that Chips made in the US are of better quality. There is a brand of boot called Gasolina that I've been wanting to explore as well. Great designs with multiple buckles. They're quite popular with the Triumph/Rocker riders. Though they're not US made, they come from Mexico where I know they make some fantastic baseball gloves so the leather may be top notch.

Yes, I've been looking at the Chippewa Bomber as well. I have so many black boots I've decided my next purchase should be a nice brown or oxblood. And, no, I don't like steel toe boots on the bike; makes it difficult for me to get under the shifter. If you have floorboards I don't guess that would be an issue. But I always prefer pegs.

 

[Gav]

I use the straps on my engineers to tighten up the instep to a snug fit and undoing them when I take them off.
Heel slippage is absolutely normal on a brand new pair. I'd be more worried if there were none.
If they feel tight across the instep, I would think about sizing up in the width but you may want to try breaking them in. I had wesco boss that were tight across the top of my foot, they never got more comfortable and after 6 months or so I was defeated and sold them on.
But I do have a pretty high instep.

 

[JacketAddict]

Thanks for your inputs Gav. I now have a couple pairs of engineer boots both in size 12D. One of them fits well with average type boot socks - with just enough slip in the heel which I understand will "conform" over time, and as you point out, is necessary. The other pair is "leather lined" so although they are the same size the lining takes up just enough room to make them too snug with boot socks and very tight instep. For those I am going to wear athletic socks (or maybe even dress socks for awhile) and from what I've read that area will stretch over time (although not in you experience it seems) OR they can be stretched with the ol' boot stretcher.
Check out this website (I also posted this on the Engineer Boots thread) for tons of info and has been really helpful for a newbie boot guy like me:
https://www.boot.com/index.html - check out their FAQ - really great website.
Cheers!

 

[Mark Action]

Hello everyone. I wanted to upload a pic of my new pair of custom made Wesco Engineer Boots. After having waited far too long to receive a pair of MF Road Champs, I decided to have a custom made pair created

by a different resource. After doing some homework, it was apparent to me that Wesco makes a very good quality boot......so, why not get a pair that fits like a glove and one that I can have a bit of fun with regarding mixing up the leather.

I decided to go with Brown Domain for the upper tube and Black Tie for the balance of the boot. I also went with their new copper buckles which I really like. I have included a pic so that you may get an idea as to how well they start to break in. I have been wearing them for roughly 2 months straight and they are beginning to take on a completely different look from when they arrived.

If anyone has considered ordering a pair of these in the past, but was sort of on the fence about it.....all I can tell you is that the workmanship is off the hook and the best fit I have ever had.....well worth the $1,100.00 I had to fork out for them. Thanks for viewing!!

 

[Aaronlowe]

Hello everyone. I wanted to upload a pic of my new pair of custom made Wesco Engineer Boots. After having waited far too long to receive a pair of MF Road Champs, I decided to have a custom made pair created View attachment 74580 View attachment 74581 by a different resource. After doing some homework, it was apparent to me that Wesco makes a very good quality boot......so, why not get a pair that fits like a glove and one that I can have a bit of fun with regarding mixing up the leather.

I decided to go with Brown Domain for the upper tube and Black Tie for the balance of the boot. I also went with their new copper buckles which I really like. I have included a pic so that you may get an idea as to how well they start to break in. I have been wearing them for roughly 2 months straight and they are beginning to take on a completely different look from when they arrived.

If anyone has considered ordering a pair of these in the past, but was sort of on the fence about it.....all I can tell you is that the workmanship is off the hook and the best fit I have ever had.....well worth the $1,100.00 I had to fork out for them. Thanks for viewing!!

Boot Porn!!!!!

 

[Shelbyone]

Hello everyone. I wanted to upload a pic of my new pair of custom made Wesco Engineer Boots. After having waited far too long to receive a pair of MF Road Champs, I decided to have a custom made pair created View attachment 74580 View attachment 74581 by a different resource. After doing some homework, it was apparent to me that Wesco makes a very good quality boot......so, why not get a pair that fits like a glove and one that I can have a bit of fun with regarding mixing up the leather.

I decided to go with Brown Domain for the upper tube and Black Tie for the balance of the boot. I also went with their new copper buckles which I really like. I have included a pic so that you may get an idea as to how well they start to break in. I have been wearing them for roughly 2 months straight and they are beginning to take on a completely different look from when they arrived.

If anyone has considered ordering a pair of these in the past, but was sort of on the fence about it.....all I can tell you is that the workmanship is off the hook and the best fit I have ever had.....well worth the $1,100.00 I had to fork out for them. Thanks for viewing!!

Love em!
is that a MP Toe? double sole? what kind of heel?

 

[The dogs bollocks]

Boot Porn!!!!!

Don't know why but the leg reflection in the window just made me barf out my coffee in laughter...I think it's the 'action photography stance'...seriously though...love the boots and keep the pics coming as they age.
Question, why did you order a pair when you only have the one leg!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Mark Action]

Love em!
is that a MP Toe? double sole? what kind of heel?

Hi and thanks for your interest. It has an MP Toe along with double mid soles and standard "Boss" heel height. Let me know if you have any other questions regarding the specs. Because I have a wide foot they had to build up the sides of the last to accommodate. All I can tell you at this point is that they are the best fitting pair of engineer boots I have ever owned. Of course, the custom fitting makes all of the difference. The quality of workmanship and materials are off the hook. You can feel the quality in the sheer weight of the boot itself. My only wish was that they would offer horsehide leather. I have a very old pair of circa 1950's engineer boots made for Gokey that are horsehide and the patina is awesome....as is the pliable comfort of the leather itself. At any rate, you really can't go wrong with Wesco's. All the best!

 

[Mark Action]

Thought I would upload a few pics of my Gokey's.......enjoy!

 

[Mark Action]

Don't know why but the leg reflection in the window just made me barf out my coffee in laughter...I think it's the 'action photography stance'...seriously though...love the boots and keep the pics coming as they age.
Question, why did you order a pair when you only have the one leg!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Dude....you are too funny. Thanks for pointing out the leg reflection.....Ansel Adams I am not. It's a good thing for everyone on the site that's all they saw of me.....needed the second boot for my prosthesis.

 

[photo2u]

I got some boss from wesco. They are ok. Customer service to me was way, below par. My favorite engineer type boot is from a very experienced boot maker in Guanajuato. He made me the best horsehide shoes for about 100 dollars. Only Brian the boot maker can address that way of boot making here in the US. I bet there are many old school boot makers who would make you a good boot. The trick is to find them. I will post some images of the Wesco in reference when I get a chance