Brown or natty cxl enginner boots?

[Bigbenbs]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about getting a pair of White's nomad engineers to complement my jackets. I tried a pair of John Lofgren's and didn't really like the fit or look. A bit too dainty and inconsequential feeling, disconcertingly light in fact, and the toe was rounded in a way that somehow seemed too abstract. I know that's weird to say, but it felt less like a engineer boot toe and more like a kind of perfect renaissance arch at the tip of my foot.

Anyway, I've got a sizing pair of Nomad's coming my way but would plan to do a custom job if I decide to go forward.

The main question I'm asking is whether to do brown or natty cxl leather. I've got a pair of natty cxl Bounty Hunters that I like a lot and a pair of brown/burgendy cxl Alen Indy's that I love too, so I know I would be happy with both. I'm just wondering what leather is better suited for a versatile engineer boot, and this will be my only engineer boot for the foreseeable future.

Another question I'm asking about is heel design. I'm thinking of going with a semi dress heel, but that's not based on too much, except that the packer ranger heel has too much of a bulb shape and the traveller heel is too boxy for me.

One other interesting point is that there is a $50 upcharge for brown cxl and none for natty.

 

[Bfd70]

There is a good engineer boot thread in “general attire”
If you post there more of the target audience may see it. You will have to proceed with caution. If you look at all 160 pages of boots you’ll have 3 pair headed your way by Friday.

 

[Bigbenbs]

Danku

 

[dannyk]

Strange that there is an upcharge for Brown. Natty has recently become very popular but brown is a staple. Everyone who uses CXL has brown. You would assume a common color like brown would be standard and not that natty should have an upcharge but if anything that would be the one that makes sense.

 

[Jejupe]

Strange that there is an upcharge for Brown. Natty has recently become very popular but brown is a staple. Everyone who uses CXL has brown. You would assume a common color like brown would be standard and not that natty should have an upcharge but if anything that would be the one that makes sense.

Maybe the most produced colours are cheaper? Or boot makers buy them in bigger batches to get better prices?

 

[El Marro]

I have a pair of Nomads in natural CXL

I like these boots quite a bit, they have a nice high arch that fits me perfectly. I also really like the way the leather darkens and patinas subtly every time I wear them.
As far as your question goes, I had the same problem and I solved it (the way I solve most problems) by buying a pair of brown Wesco 7400 boots which have become my favorites. I think that the brown leather is a little more versatile and also does not show every scrape and scuff the way natural CXL does.
I don’t think you can go wrong either way.

 

[Bigbenbs]

I have a pair of Nomads in natural CXL
View attachment 147108
I like these boots quite a bit, they have a nice high arch that fits me perfectly. I also really like the way the leather darkens and patinas subtly every time I wear them.
As far as your question goes, I had the same problem and I solved it (the way I solve most problems) by buying a pair of brown Wesco 7400 boots which have become my favorites. I think that the brown leather is a little more versatile and also does not show every scrape and scuff the way natural CXL does.
I don’t think you can go wrong either way.

So you think you would have been just as happy with brown nomads, or do you like the Wesco more regardless? The thing getting me is how much more a custom job costs for them for not such a clear benefit.

 

[sweetfights]

Oh man. I have a pair of brown road champs and black horsehide Role Clubs- both are awesome.
Worth considering too. Wait time was about 6 months for my Role Clubs though. Brian is awesome.

 

[Bigbenbs]

Oh man. I have a pair of brown road champs and black horsehide Role Clubs- both are awesome.
Worth considering too. Wait time was about 6 months for my Role Clubs though. Brian is awesome.

Yeah, definitely worth considering, but maybe in the future for me. I'm at the starter boot stage. Want something top flight but not going all in on the best of the best yet. I got a good deal on a pair of Lofgren's and was able to return them. So I'm a bit skeptical now about shelling out the big bucks and then not being happy with the result. The White's allow me to be more deliberate with a custom design without going much over $400 (I've still got my newsletter10 10% off coupon to use). I figure once I've worn those around for a while I'll have a better idea of what kind of engineer boot I really want.

Regardless, I feel like I'm leaning toward brown cxl. That said, my natty bounty hunters were sure looking good today.

 

[sweetfights]

Cannot go wrong with brown or black. Classic, bad ass and safe style wise.

 

[Colin G]

Yeah, definitely worth considering, but maybe in the future for me. I'm at the starter boot stage. Want something top flight but not going all in on the best of the best yet. I got a good deal on a pair of Lofgren's and was able to return them. So I'm a bit skeptical now about shelling out the big bucks and then not being happy with the result. The White's allow me to be more deliberate with a custom design without going much over $400 (I've still got my newsletter10 10% off coupon to use). I figure once I've worn those around for a while I'll have a better idea of what kind of engineer boot I really want.

Regardless, I feel like I'm leaning toward brown cxl. That said, my natty bounty hunters were sure looking good today.

View attachment 147138

On your Bounty Hunters there, did you go 1/4" less on the heel stack? I am on mine.

 

[Bigbenbs]

On your Bounty Hunters there, did you go 1/4" less on the heel stack? I am on mine.

I didn't place the custom order - bought them second hand, but from what I understand, 1/4 heel was taken off.

 

[Colin G]

I didn't place the custom order - bought them second hand, but from what I understand, 1/4 heel was taken off.

Thanks for the reply.

Kind of what I thought. Looks like a 1/4" has been removed. I am not a big guy so a 1/4" lower is good for me. People won't think I am trying to add height with boots. LoL.

 

[Bigbenbs]

Thanks for the reply.

Kind of what I thought. Looks like a 1/4" has been removed. I am not a big guy so a 1/4" lower is good for me. People won't think I am trying to add height with boots. LoL.

Yeah, and they are still not small heels.

 

[dannyk]

I found Nicks and Whites have a decent amount of factory seconds and returned custom jobs for decent prices. I haven’t gone down that road yet. But you may want to check in on those. If you want top flight without the agonizing over every detail for full custom and you can save a good chunk of change while figuring out what you like.

 

[Bigbenbs]

I found Nicks and Whited have a decent amount of factory seconds and returned custom jobs for decent prices. I haven’t gone down that road yet. But you may want to check in on those. If you want top flight without the agonizing over every detail for full custom and you can save a good chunk of change while figuring out what you like.

My thought exactly. But the only thing is that through Baker's boots, the whites customs aren't actually that expensive, relatively speaking that is. $400 custom natty cxl nomad engineer's from bakers boots with newsletter10 coupon, and $450 with brown cxl. Add another $15 for 1/4 lowered heel. So it's not nothing, but not so much different than factory seconds from Wesco.

 

[El Marro]

So you think you would have been just as happy with brown nomads, or do you like the Wesco more regardless? The thing getting me is how much more a custom job costs for them for not such a clear benefit.

Bigbenbs,
Actually I am very happy that I got the White’s in natural CXL. I think it gives them a really unique look. My brown Wesco’s are definitely more understated which is probably why I wear them more often As I said in my first post I strongly recommend getting a pair of each

 

[Gav]

I had natural cxl nomads for a while. Honestly, I would not recommend white’s for engineers - the shaft is too wide and the fit is not great. The buckles are not the most attractive either. Unless they have updated things in the past few years.

Wesco seem to fit what you are after but look at the vintage engineer boots blog for all the info you will ever need.

As for colour, if I were only having one pair... Black!

 

[Bigbenbs]

I had natural cxl nomads for a while. Honestly, I would not recommend white’s for engineers - the shaft is too wide and the fit is not great. The buckles are not the most attractive either.

This is what I have been worrying about with the White's, which is why I'm glad I've got a fitting pair coming my way upon which I can get a full refund if need be. I may also ask Baker's to send along a pair of Wesco's so that I can compare.

 

[Dav]

I've half a dozen pairs of engineers, the White's are my least favorite, Wesco's are much better imo. I'd definitely get some to compare if you have the chance.