Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[Edward]

That's a good looking boot but not for $1000.

Beautiful boots, certainly. Alas, way outside my price range too. I'm currently awaiting a pair of brown Caterpillar-brand engineer boots arriving from eBay. May be great, might not be, but they came at a good price from someone who got them for Christmas and finds them too small - never worn outside. I'm hoping they aren't too wide for me. I've got a pair of Grinders I bought years ago - these:

, except in black. Heavy things. The soles are a bit clunky for my aesthetic tastes now, but that said I really have appreciated them in some of the fouler weather we've had this Winter. Great on the ice / snow. I really want a pair of each of the brown and black Rocket Originals, but hopefully the Cats will be nice for now.

 

[pelican]

Insanely tempted to put a deposit down on these upcoming release Phigvel horsehide engineers (in brown):
http://www.hickorees.com/brand/phigvel/product/horsehide-engineer-boots-brown

Anyone have experience with their older boots that can speak to the quality, comfort etc? Says to be made of lightweight veg tanned horse butt... The brown seems about as close to RCs as I've seen colorwise, which I really like

Wow, those look pretty nice. They will look amazing with some wear too. I'd prob change the sole after it needed a resole, but otherwise those are killer. Price is good too for horsehide with cordovan. I just ordered some wesco boss customs that were the same price $870 in regular leather otherwise I would have picked these up.

 

[kyboots]

Wow, those look pretty nice. They will look amazing with some wear too. I'd prob change the sole after it needed a resole, but otherwise those are killer. Price is good too for horsehide with cordovan. I just ordered some wesco boss customs that were the same price $870 in regular leather otherwise I would have picked these up.

You surely have ordered some extras with your Wescos to get that price. The Phigvel are not even lined! My last 11" Wesco engineers unlined were $429. Why pay $600 more when these will last a lifetime?

 

[Ishmael]

In that case, I don't need to bother since 10 is the only size left. Thank u again for the info.
Paul

Actually, smoothsailor, while Mushmans is down to only one 10, I think John Lofgren still has most sizes in stock......

http://www.speedway-shop.com/product/1834

 

[pelican]

You surely have ordered some extras with your Wescos to get that price. The Phigvel are not even lined! My last 11" Wesco engineers unlined were $429. Why pay $600 more when these will last a lifetime?

Well wesco base price for 10" is $501 lining $99... Couple other little options an there you go.

Most of that 600 extra is base leather price. Horsehide/cordovan is really expensive. It lasts longer and shows less wear.

The thing that made me go with wesco was the cost of a re-sole or to rebuild the whole boot is only around 250

 

[jimmer_5]

Well wesco base price for 10" is $501 lining $99... Couple other little options an there you go.

Most of that 600 extra is base leather price. Horsehide/cordovan is really expensive. It lasts longer and shows less wear.

The thing that made me go with wesco was the cost of a re-sole or to rebuild the whole boot is only around 250

Just an FYI - Wesco boots are always cheaper through a dealer like Bakers or BigBlackBoots. I have worked with both, and I recommend Baker's. their pricing is very competitive, and their customer service people are saints - they have patiently answered all my questions every time I place an order.

 

[smoothsailor]

Actually, smoothsailor, while Mushmans is down to only one 10, I think John Lofgren still has most sizes in stock......

My interest shifted towards the road champs , difficult decision to make. Thank u Ishmael to find that out though!
Paul

 

[fenris]

Here's another pic of my custom harness boots... and other stuff.

 

[kyboots]

I have always purchased through a dealer for less only look for seconds at WCS. Bakers has been very nice to questions. It's just like when I looked at RRL's price, unlined could not do it. I just would not want that kind of money in an unlined boot without some "extras.". Fenris did you find the Lost Ark?

 

[fenris]

No, but I did get the idol...

 

[Lefty]

Himel Bros for Self Edge

 

[pelican]

Going to be 1500-2500 i bet

 

[jimmer_5]

Himel Bros for Self Edge

Just my opinion, but I have never cared for the high instep strap on those Himel Bro's and the Road Champs. I'm sure the Himel Bro's boots will be nice, but I think the Road CHamp is a better looking boot if you want a 40's look.

Going to be 1500-2500 i bet

I also wonder what the Himel's will cost - thus far, most of the ultra high-end boots have been around $800 - $900 (Lofgrens, Road Champ, Becks, Toys McCoy, Phigvel, etc.) Even those prices are out of my comfort zone, but I'm sure somebody (or at lease the Japanese) will buy them.

 

[jimmer_5]

Insanely tempted to put a deposit down on these upcoming release Phigvel horsehide engineers (in brown):
http://www.hickorees.com/brand/phigvel/product/horsehide-engineer-boots-brown

Anyone have experience with their older boots that can speak to the quality, comfort etc? Says to be made of lightweight veg tanned horse butt... The brown seems about as close to RCs as I've seen colorwise, which I really like

Those look nice - I would prefer a taller, cuban heel, but the leather looks thick and high quality, and I like the vintage style Biltrite Heels. Not nuch to dislike there at all. Price is a bit high, but at least you're getting horsehide for your money. American Biltrite currently makes those heels - I think I will try to get some for when my boots need re-heeling.

American Biltrite - look under "Half Heels" http://www.american-biltrite.com/footwear-components

Here's a direct link - http://www2.american-biltrite.com/pub/library.nsf/E37C0BEDB0E7D63E852576F10045D3E0/$FILE/Men%27s%20Heels.pdf

 

[pelican]

Just my opinion, but I have never cared for the high instep strap on those Himel Bro's and the Road Champs. I'm sure the Himel Bro's boots will be nice, but I think the Road CHamp is a better looking boot if you want a 40's look.



I also wonder what the Himel's will cost - thus far, most of the ultra high-end boots have been around $800 - $900 (Lofgrens, Road Champ, Becks, Toys McCoy, Phigvel, etc.) Even those prices are out of my comfort zone, but I'm sure somebody (or at lease the Japanese) will buy them.

The cordovan buco's are $2300. I doubt cordovan himel bros will be any cheaper. Like i said cordovan leather cost from the supplier will be around 8-900 alone.

And while i would love some cordovan engineer boots the himel bros look so generic. Low heel and round toe = generic, plain, and boring to me

 

[bretron]

If they were the Road Champs or Lofgrens in shell I'd say it'd be worth it (tho I'd never buy em!), but otherwise I agree that Himel's engineers look a bit generic, and could use a higher heel (Jimmer, I have to agree with your comments on the Phigvels- you're right).

 

[bretron]

Can anyone explain the difference between the Patrol and Western Toe Wescos?

 

[Ishmael]

MP is a little squareish. Western is a little pointed.

http://www.2han-item.com/wesco/img/wesco-toe.jpg

 

[bretron]

Thx Ishmael, looks like the MP might have a lower profile?

 

[Ishmael]

Not sure about that. My preference is the western toe.

http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.jp/2011/09/custom-wesco-boss-engineer-boots.html

http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.jp/2012/01/wesco-western-boss.html