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Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,081
Location
London, UK
I find a padded insole quite effective at snugging-up loose engineer boots.

I actually have to eat a bit of crow lol. For the first time ever from my personal experience water affected my new boots.

The leather heel insole started to peel up when taking off my new Lofgren boots. I pulled them off and just applied some leather cement to glue them back down (cost $6).

So that happened, for the first time lol. I guess that's the worst that could happen?

I've had that happen on ecvery pair of boots I've ever had that has one of those stuck-down, half-insoles just on the heel - Red Wing, William Lennon, SJC, all of them. I assume that the heat and movement of my heel just makes the glue let go over time. Once it happens, I just throw out the half-insoles and set in (no glue, just cut to size and slip them in) a pair of regular, full-sole leather insoles. Never a probem after that.
 

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,299
Location
New York
had to return and exchange the Sabre, the inside layers are too stacked up around the strap and heel counter, it sticks into the bone of my feet.
 

BowsTrading

Familiar Face
Messages
70
Location
Omaha
Does anyone in the nyc area have recommendations for a good cobbler, specifically working with engineer boots? I have a pair that fit perfectly but have awful heel slippage due to the smooth leather lining. a roughout leather heel insert seems like it would be the perfect solution but i don't really trust cobblers in the area to work with boots
 

Americanaaa Mark

A-List Customer
Messages
443
Does anyone in the nyc area have recommendations for a good cobbler, specifically working with engineer boots? I have a pair that fit perfectly but have awful heel slippage due to the smooth leather lining. a roughout leather heel insert seems like it would be the perfect solution but i don't really trust cobblers in the area to work with boots

Seems like an easy DIY fix. Just sand the area yourself or glue a piece of suede over tge spot
 

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,299
Location
New York
Does anyone in the nyc area have recommendations for a good cobbler, specifically working with engineer boots? I have a pair that fit perfectly but have awful heel slippage due to the smooth leather lining. a roughout leather heel insert seems like it would be the perfect solution but i don't really trust cobblers in the area to work with boots
Bows, for the same reason you wouldn't mangle a pair of $800 boots, I wouldn't trust any cobber in the EAST COAST on ENGINEERS, period. The east coast, especially tri state area, New England region, is a death zone for this type of things. The "cobbler" market has been cornered by Koreans, and the few Italian shops left really never dealt with good old American engineer boots (they don't even know what it is!). I have two traditional Italian shoe makers right here in my town, both are over decades old, but one of them literally commented on my enthusiasm in boots and thought I'm crazy to have so many pair of boots to fix up and do this and do that, the other one completely ruined my 50s Sears horsehide jacket for a simple pocket job. They are dead to me, no offense. Send it to Brian the bootmaker.
 

BowsTrading

Familiar Face
Messages
70
Location
Omaha
Bows, for the same reason you wouldn't mangle a pair of $800 boots, I wouldn't trust any cobber in the EAST COAST on ENGINEERS, period. The east coast, especially tri state area, New England region, is a death zone for this type of things. The "cobbler" market has been cornered by Koreans, and the few Italian shops left really never dealt with good old American engineer boots (they don't even know what it is!). I have two traditional Italian shoe makers right here in my town, both are over decades old, but one of them literally commented on my enthusiasm in boots and thought I'm crazy to have so many pair of boots to fix up and do this and do that, the other one completely ruined my 50s Sears horsehide jacket for a simple pocket job. They are dead to me, no offense. Send it to Brian the bootmaker.
I figured as much :( considering not one cobbler in Manhattan even has the word "engineer" on their websites was the first red flag.
 

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,299
Location
New York
Bows, for the same reason you wouldn't mangle a pair of $800 boots, I wouldn't trust any cobber in the EAST COAST on ENGINEERS, period. The east coast, especially tri state area, New England region, is a death zone for this type of things. The "cobbler" market has been cornered by Koreans, and the few Italian shops left really never dealt with good old American engineer boots (they don't even know what it is!). I have two traditional Italian shoe makers right here in my town, both are over decades old, but one of them literally commented on my enthusiasm in boots and thought I'm crazy to have so many pair of boots to fix up and do this and do that, the other one completely ruined my 50s Sears horsehide jacket for a simple pocket job. They are dead to me, no offense. Send it to Brian the bootmaker.
what's the make of your boots? sounds like either iron heart or Viberg or Lofgren. Anyhow, one of the reasons heel may lift is the insert/insole overall is slippery. If there's space, try a pair of Filson cork insert, or any CORK insert from Amazon. Cork is high friction, the best in my opinon.
 

jimmer_5

Practically Family
Messages
668
Location
Oregon
Hey all!

Back on page 136, I made a post about my new Two-Tone White's Nomad Engineer boots (Burgundy CXL and British Tan). At the time, I noted that the colors weren't really contrasting as well as I'd like them to. They're still beautiful boots, but with Baker's having a "Black Friday" sale, I decided to give it one more shot. This time around, I opted for Brown Chromexcel and Natural Chromexcel, and I think they turned out fantastic! I'm not sure I needed two pairs like this, but they both look great, and I think I am set for a while.

The specs are identical to the last pair, with the only difference being the leather choices.
  • Brown Chromexcel with Natural Chromexcel on Shaft ONLY
  • Vibram Composition Half Soles with Quabaug heels
  • "Close Trim" single stitched welts to make them seem a bit smaller (standard welts are double stitched)
  • Double leather midsoles
  • "Natural" stain on the heels and sides of the midsole
  • Standard curved heel and heel height








EDITED TO ADD: Here's a side-by-side comparison to show the color difference:


Whites%20Nomad%20Engineer%20-%20Burgundy%20CXL-British%20Tan%20-%2001_zpsgwjg8iis.jpg

Whites%20Nomad%20-%20Brown%20CXL%20and%20Natural%20CXL%20-%2001_zpsdnos5pbt.jpg
 
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Messages
17,213
Location
New York City
Does anyone in the nyc area have recommendations for a good cobbler, specifically working with engineer boots? I have a pair that fit perfectly but have awful heel slippage due to the smooth leather lining. a roughout leather heel insert seems like it would be the perfect solution but i don't really trust cobblers in the area to work with boots

I've used Empire Shoe Repair on Lexington Avenue btw 71/72 and have had good experiences with their repairs. But that is for shoes and some boots, but not engineer boots specifically. If you do go there, 99% of the time, a stocky man, late 50s with white hair is behind the counter - if he isn't there, I'd wait for him to explain your situation. Good luck.
 
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