Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[bn1966]

That would be the Covent Garden store next weekend.

Back in the day I was a scooter riding quiffed Psychobilly & thought nothing of riding from Swindon to London (G-1 on my back) & back on my Vespa PX 150 to the Kings Rd for my Mohair jumpers and Bowling shirts. stopping off at Carnaby St to smile at the Mods.

Remember partying in that part of London & strolling down the Kings Rd past the Punks. One night I spent at the Klubfoot (Clarendon Hotel) Psychobilly Heaven & slept in a local park (Ravenscourt).

These days I need a Stetson Cap for my bald head, I still ride a Vespa PX (and a Yamaha). More 30's & 40's in my clothing choices

 

[58panheadfan]

do you have a link to craftrite japan website?

http://craftrite.fashionstore.jp/

 

[58panheadfan]

And irregular website

Not sure if they have a website... from time to time they pop up on some resellers... got both of mine local

 

[rocketeer]

That would be the Covent Garden store next weekend.

Back in the day I was a scooter riding quiffed Psychobilly & thought nothing of riding from Swindon to London (G-1 on my back) & back on my Vespa PX 150 to the Kings Rd for my Mohair jumpers and Bowling shirts. stopping off at Carnaby St to smile at the Mods.

Remember partying in that part of London & strolling down the Kings Rd past the Punks. One night I spent at the Klubfoot (Clarendon Hotel) Psychobilly Heaven & slept in a local park (Ravenscourt).

These days I need a Stetson Cap for my bald head, I still ride a Vespa PX (and a Yamaha). More 30's & 40's in my clothing choices

I never really classed Psycobilly as part of the Rock n Roll/ Rockabilly scene, related it more to punk which had really died out before the 80s started. Those like Matt Belgrano(spelling?) known for his tourist punk photo to most was just a poser.
Did you ever see Rochee and the Sarno's by any chance?
J

 

[El Marro]

I don't know which one... Japanese look just as uncomfortable and they're too pricey. I've stopped paying huge amounts of money for boots or shoes because I destroy them. I walk a lot. Miles every day. I try to do everything on foot, I love walking and these boots seem to be just for the show. I mean, what's the point of that white thread at the sole if it disappears after five miles?

Monitor, If you walk miles every day then Engineer boots probably aren't the best choice for you. I love my Wescos, but at work I wear a steel toe lace-up Red Wing model 2414 with an arch support insole. Engineers look great but they don't provide the support or the cushion of a more modern lace-up boot.

 

[navetsea]

maybe a tanker boot is good compromise for you Monitor, they have laces so much firmer for walking yet they have a flap of leather with buckles to cover the laces like moto boots

 

[Monitor]

@El Marro - That's the conclusion I've reached as well but then again I keep thinking, why would they be making boots that aren't good for walking? What possible use would they have otherwise? No engineers still wear 'em that's for sure, they're useless on most motorcycles (seriously, sneakers are better on any sportrider) so what is it? They're making $1000 footwear you can't wear. Wonderful. Road Champs... More like Mister Poser: Mall Champs.

@navetsea - Those are extreme cool but I never even saw anything like that IRL. You have a pair, right? I'd love to try them out but no clue where to even start...

Best pair of boots I've ever owned, like boots that you actually could wear and walk at the same time without feeling like you've got torture devices on your feet were the standard Danner black leather boots. Recon I think they were? I was issued a pair and nothing I've tried since compared. The only trouble is they were dirt ugly. That, and I had to give them back. Rain, snow, cold, summer heats, hiking, mountaineering, long distance, worst terrain imaginable; you don't even know they're there. But they are just soooo ugly...

 

[bn1966]

Going to try a pair of these Chippewa's at American classics, will probably have usual heel slippage problems.

 

[Carlos840]

@El Marro - That's the conclusion I've reached as well but then again I keep thinking, why would they be making boots that aren't good for walking? What possible use would they have otherwise? No engineers still wear 'em that's for sure, they're useless on most motorcycles (seriously, sneakers are better on any sportrider) so what is it? They're making $1000 footwear you can't wear. Wonderful. Road Champs... More like Mister Poser: Mall Champs.

@navetsea - Those are extreme cool but I never even saw anything like that IRL. You have a pair, right? I'd love to try them out but no clue where to even start...

Best pair of boots I've ever owned, like boots that you actually could wear and walk at the same time without feeling like you've got torture devices on your feet were the standard Danner black leather boots. Recon I think they were? I was issued a pair and nothing I've tried since compared. The only trouble is they were dirt ugly. That, and I had to give them back. Rain, snow, cold, summer heats, hiking, mountaineering, long distance, worst terrain imaginable; you don't even know they're there. But they are just soooo ugly...

Are you sure you are fitting your boots right? I have been wearing Engineer boots for the past 10 years and walk a lot and never had a problem!
My first pair was a pure torture, because i followed a salesman advice and bought boots that fitted like shoes, ie nice and tight all around.
I then learnt about heel slip and proper boot fit, and never had that problem again.
On the other hand, when i last year bought my first pair of laced shoes (the 3150) after wearing boots for a decade, i was constantly in pain, and really had to get used to laced shoes again.

Right now my favourites are the red wings 2989, the mix of the crepe sole and the engineer top is the best of both world! Looks like a boot, feel like sneakers! Which is why i also got some 2970 to match my brown CXL.
I also have a pair of 2268 that are great, and 3 pairs of Frye that i would happily walk miles into.

 

[bn1966]

Are you sure you are fitting your boots right? I have been wearing Engineer boots for the past 10 years and walk a lot and never had a problem!
My first pair was a pure torture, because i followed a salesman advice and bought boots that fitted like shoes, ie nice and tight all around.
I then learnt about heel slip and proper boot fit, and never had that problem again.
On the other hand, when i last year bought my first pair of laced shoes (the 3150) after wearing boots for a decade, i was constantly in pain, and really had to get used to laced shoes again.

Right now my favourites are the red wings 2989, the mix of the crepe sole and the engineer top is the best of both world! Looks like a boot, feel like sneakers! Which is why i also got some 2970 to match my brown CXL.
I also have a pair of 2268 that are great, and 3 pairs of Frye that i would happily walk miles into.

I would appreciate your advice Carlos regarding proper boot fit & heel slippage with regard to engineer boots, what should I be looking for? Due to try some on next week.

 

[OneEyeMan]

I have two pairs of Wesco Boss boots; an off the shelf black pair, and a custom brown pair. I disliked both intensely, until they broke in. Now they're great to walk in, up to a point. 5 Miles is probably tolerable. But I won't do a 10 mile day like I'd do in my Salomon hiking boots. Both pair fit snug, but not tight, and both have a bit of heel slip, which is necessary for proper boot fit and comfort.

 

[ton312]

I've tried to get into boots. I love the way they look but hate the weight on my feet. Even the red wing IR's which really weren't very heavy....I Like those desert boots Carlos has pictured. Might try some of those next.

 

[ton312]

Are you sure you are fitting your boots right? I have been wearing Engineer boots for the past 10 years and walk a lot and never had a problem!
My first pair was a pure torture, because i followed a salesman advice and bought boots that fitted like shoes, ie nice and tight all around.
I then learnt about heel slip and proper boot fit, and never had that problem again.
On the other hand, when i last year bought my first pair of laced shoes (the 3150) after wearing boots for a decade, i was constantly in pain, and really had to get used to laced shoes again.

Right now my favourites are the red wings 2989, the mix of the crepe sole and the engineer top is the best of both world! Looks like a boot, feel like sneakers! Which is why i also got some 2970 to match my brown CXL.
I also have a pair of 2268 that are great, and 3 pairs of Frye that i would happily walk miles into.

Who makes the desert boots Carlos? Those are really cool.

 

[SkyTurtle]

I'm sick of these boots. I absolutely love them but for years I've trying to find a pair that wouldn't be an utter pain to wear and I've just recently finally accepted the fact that such a thing doesn't exist and I'm giving up. Been wearing then on and off for 20 years I think. The most beautiful footwear that ever existed but I'm done with 'em.

Flipping narrow ankles is my cross to bear, need to find something where I don't get heel slippage usually resort to lace up boots to get around this issue. Lately I've got German Para boots for the Bike & Sanders Commando soled Brogue boots for general wear.

I really want a pair of Engineers!!!

Have you guys tried Tanker boots? I love engineers too but it's often hard for me to find a pair that are comfortable. But tankers are hands down my all time favorite riding boot. Can't really tuck jeans in them, but when I'm wearing them people always assume they are engineers because of the lower buckle. They're built on the "Munson last" which is really comfortable to begin with. The upper strap allows you to "customize" the fit around your ankle and, once broken in, they're as comfortable as sneakers. They're the only boots that I find myself wearing around the house because I simply forgot to take them off! Pretty inexpensive too at around $150USD. I go through about a pair every three years or so.

There's a guy in the US called Mattimore boots (www.civilwarboots.com) and he custom makes Munson boots. Has several great looking styles on his site and I've been trying to decide for months which style to order, but I'm thinking of seeing if he could copy a tanker boot on that Munson last.

Here are my recently retired Corcoran tankers:

Old.corcorans

• SkyTurtle
• Feb 19, 2017

 

[Carlos840]

I would appreciate your advice Carlos regarding proper boot fit & heel slippage with regard to engineer boots, what should I be looking for? Due to try some on next week.

Basically just forget the whole "my heel shouldn't move" that you would want in laced shoes! If your heel wasn't able to move in slip on boots, you would not be able to slip them on.
On a new pair of boots, I want to be able to move my foot back and forth a little bit, maybe a bit less than 1/2" (if i push my foot forward as far as it goes i want around a finger between heel and heel cup), and i want to be able to lift my heel 1" inside the boot when holding the back of the sole to the ground with the arch of my other foot.

The real break in for a boot is IMO the sole. New boots have rigid flat soles, which will cause your heel to move all over the place.
As the boots break in the sole will round and soften and the boot will start to follow your foot and stay on your heel. Heel lift will mostly disappear with wear.


If you go too small, and try to have no heel movement from the start you are setting yourself up for blisters and pain.

Who makes the desert boots Carlos? Those are really cool.

Those are the RedWing Chukka boots, they come in many combination of leathers and soles. Just FYI from experience Red Wing shoes size 1/2 smaller than red wing boots.

 

[ton312]

Basically just forget the whole "my heel shouldn't move" that you would want in laced shoes! If your heel wasn't able to move in slip on boots, you would not be able to slip them on.
On a new pair of boots, I want to be able to move my foot back and forth a little bit, maybe a bit less than 1/2" (if i push my foot forward as far as it goes i want around a finger between heel and heel cup), and i want to be able to lift my heel 1" inside the boot when holding the back of the sole to the ground with the arch of my other foot.

The real break in for a boot is IMO the sole. New boots have rigid flat soles, which will cause your heel to move all over the place.
As the boots break in the sole will round and soften and the boot will start to follow your foot and stay on your heel. Heel lift will mostly disappear with wear.


If you go too small, and try to have no heel movement from the start you are setting yourself up for blisters and pain.




Those are the RedWing Chukka boots, they come in many combination of leathers and soles. Just FYI from experience Red Wing shoes size 1/2 smaller than red wing boots.

Thanks Carlos. Are yours the full wedge sole? I love the Cordo colored ones.

 

[Carlos840]

Thanks Carlos. Are yours the full wedge sole? I love the Cordo colored ones.

Not sure what you mean by full wedge soles... They don't have a heel if that's what you are asking, they are flat.
From left to right the boots are 2989 and 2970 (not available anymore, actually had to import the brown ones from Japan as i could not find them anywhere!) and the Chukkas are 3150 and 9215.
The crepe sole of the 3150 is much more comfortable than the neoprene sole of the 9215, and much lighter too.

Leather wise, the charcoal rough and tough is awesome, it looks grey in stock pictures, but it goes black when greased.
The Briar oil slick isn't really cordovan, that picture makes it look very purple (didn't white balance that one), but in real life its colour matches brown CXL almost perfectly, but with a grain more reminiscent of Vincenza.

 

[Blackadder]

@El Marro - That's the conclusion I've reached as well but then again I keep thinking, why would they be making boots that aren't good for walking? What possible use would they have otherwise? No engineers still wear 'em that's for sure, they're useless on most motorcycles (seriously, sneakers are better on any sportrider) so what is it? They're making $1000 footwear you can't wear.

I am not sure about that. My friends and I went shopping in Tokyo last month. Our second such trip in the past year. I of course opted for a pair of sneakers as I have always done on my previous Tokyo shopping trips. One of my friends however has been wearing his Buco during both of those trips. Another fd wore his Viberg Engineer this time. And we were constantly on the move walking miles each day. You can even notice how rapidly their Cat's Paw heels were wearing down granted those are the least durable heels on the market but still. Neither of them complained about sores or pain save for muscle pain owing to our lack of exercise. So I am pretty sure some people can walk long distance in engineer boots at least in urban environment.

 

[ton312]

Not sure what you mean by full wedge soles... They don't have a heel if that's what you are asking, they are flat.
From left to right the boots are 2989 and 2970 (not available anymore, actually had to import the brown ones from Japan as i could not find them anywhere!) and the Chukkas are 3150 and 9215.
The crepe sole of the 3150 is much more comfortable than the neoprene sole of the 9215, and much lighter too.

Leather wise, the charcoal rough and tough is awesome, it looks grey in stock pictures, but it goes black when greased.
The Briar oil slick isn't really cordovan, that picture makes it look very purple (didn't white balance that one), but in real life its colour matches brown CXL almost perfectly, but with a grain more reminiscent of Vincenza.

Yes the no heel is exactly what I meant. Thanks for the info. I'm going to track some of these down. I think this type will work for me.

 

[Carlos840]

Yes the no heel is exactly what I meant. Thanks for the info. I'm going to track some of these down. I think this type will work for me.

Go for it, you won't regret it! I was dubious about the whole crepe soles thing, they are amazing, most comfortable thing ever.
Just a warning, if you have a weird walk, or drag your feet, you will chew through the soles in no time., especially if you live in the city. They are very soft.
My oldest pair is 4 years old and still has a lot of life in them, but i never wear them two days in a row, and i have a "clean" walk.

A friend bought a pair of Red Wing moc toes with crepe soles, he managed to wear them down in 9 months. But i think he walks on the outside of his feet a lot, with an aggressive heel strike.