Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[mendelboaz]

I have fallen head over heels in love with the brown Clinch Narrow engineer boots...

Does anybody have any well worn-in pics of them? And is there any cheaper way to get them (for European customers, that is) than through Pancho and Lefty? 1300 euros is muyo expensivo...

 

[cellini]

There are still a few sizes left on Sturdy
http://sturdy-web.com/?pid=76715294

 

[bretron]

They're insanely cool boots. I had a pair for a short while. Too damn narrow to be comfy for me. The Pancho and Lefty price jack is pretty nuts, but what are ya gonna do. Maybe wish I'd held onto mine a little longer lol

 

[mendelboaz]

Oomph..very tempting. I think my next pair of engineers is going to be a custom pair of Wesco's, not too different from these:

Either those, are those plus a good-as-new pair of Red Wing 2268's in my size, being sold for 180 dollars only an hour from where I live. I'm still in doubt because I also got a pair of Work America engineer boots that is very similar in appearance to the RW 2268's. Thoughts?

 

[casechopper]

The stitching on the left boot in that photo is pretty bad. I'm usually not too picky about minor non-structural issues but that looks very noticeable to me.

 

[mendelboaz]

I agree with you but I believe that to be a custom request-- not the wonky stitch, but the double stitched sole. Wesco doesn't do that standard, so I'm not worried about that happening to my pair.

 

[RMF308]

Can someone please advise with sizing of Lofgren Engineer boots? I wear a 8D in Alden's Barre and Tru-balance lasts. I measure out an 8.5 D on a Brannock device. I just want to make sure before I order a pair from Japan.
Thanks

 

[SoCalSoftailSlim]

I agree with you but I believe that to be a custom request-- not the wonky stitch, but the double stitched sole. Wesco doesn't do that standard, so I'm not worried about that happening to my pair.

Hmm. If it's a custom request, shouldn't that be all the more reason for Wesco to get it right?

Just playing Devil's Advocate. That stitch is pretty bad and there's really not much excuse for it, IMHO.

Though if the owner digs the boots, that's all that matters.

 

[mendelboaz]

Can someone please advise with sizing of Lofgren Engineer boots? I wear a 8D in Alden's Barre and Tru-balance lasts. I measure out an 8.5 D on a Brannock device. I just want to make sure before I order a pair from Japan.
Thanks

Best to e-mail Kiya at Self Edge or John Lofgren himself. I went with their advise and it worked out perfectly.

 

[Blackadder]

I agree with you but I believe that to be a custom request-- not the wonky stitch, but the double stitched sole. Wesco doesn't do that standard, so I'm not worried about that happening to my pair.

My view is that whether custom or stock and how much one pays, White's and Wesco are made to work boot standard by the same people. I normally stick with their base RTW model with the regular leather in stead of paying a premium for the "custom" work or fancy leather and save up for a pair of the Japanese made ones like Clinch which are made in my view to dress shoes standard.
If you have been to Pancho and Lefty's website to look at the custom Wesco RTW they had a few months ago, you will see the kind of QC they have in relation to the stitching. The photos have been taken off since those were sold out. I bought one of those during the final sale and am happy with the price I paid but as said I would not pay the premium for the custom work and leather. They are excellent quality work boots sturdier than the Japanese made ones but as work boots, there is IMO little need to use premium leather.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I have fallen head over heels in love with the brown Clinch Narrow engineer boots...

Does anybody have any well worn-in pics of them? And is there any cheaper way to get them (for European customers, that is) than through Pancho and Lefty? 1300 euros is muyo expensivo...

I have a pair that I have worn for a few months I could show. They are easily the best engineers in the world.

 

[mendelboaz]

I have a pair that I have worn for a few months I could show. They are easily the best engineers in the world.

Best in the world? Which do you have experience with?

 

[bretron]

That price hike tho

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Best in the world? Which do you have experience with?

Lofgren, Wesco, Role Club, Craft Rite, Viberg.
I mean, they are perfectly constructed and they are one of only two with hand stitched soles.
I love my Lofgrens as well, but I think Clinch is just a bit better.

@bretron I'll probably order my next pair directly from Clinch which I know you can do. That may save some money.

 

[bretron]

I've owned Attractions, WESCO, Road Champs, Role Club, RW, Toys McCoy, and Clinch. I would have a very tough time saying any were better made than the Clinch. If that CN last wasn't so damn flat and narrow, I'd still have a pair.

 

[bretron]

@bretron I'll probably order my next pair directly from Clinch which I know you can do. That may save some money.

Let me know how that works out for you; that new last their offering on engineers looks really nice

 

[mendelboaz]

Stop trying to pull me over guys! I need a pair of Role Clubs... I have great respect for Brian, his boots are out of this world and I really want to support him.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Stop trying to pull me over guys! I need a pair of Role Clubs... I have great respect for Brian, his boots are out of this world and I really want to support him.

I think Brian's boots are great too, but I think Clinch are just a bit better personally, but part of it is that I don't love the look of the Role Clubs and I am very, VERY biased toward Japanese craftsmanship because I believe it is the best in the world. Literally everything I buy is Japanese as far as clothing. The only item in the past 2 years I have bought that isn't from Japan is my Himel jacket I have on order. So there's the grain of salt haha.

 

[mendelboaz]

I was rewatching one of my all time favorite Jim Carrey flicks (Ace Ventura) this morning, and I noticed that the Pet Detective himself is wearing engineer boots!








I'd say they're Chippewa 27863's or 97863's. But it would seem Jim Carrey wore 2 pairs of engineer boots throughout the movie.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

haha that's awesome! I never noticed that before. Although I have not seen the film in a while.