Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[Bfd70]

9 in redwing IR.
9.5 in Wesco

 

[Rigs]

Navetsea, your designs are always superb and you have such a cool, imaginative style.

Regarding sizing, I am a 8.5 in a Redwing, 9 in a Lofgren and 9.5 in a Wesco Boss. The Lofgrens are superb and their attention to detail seems second to none, particularly when you look at the Donkey Puncher boots, but the Wesco boots are built like tanks and look good. While I find the Lofgren do run narrower, the softer leather means they seem to soften up and shape to the foot more quickly. I am now eyeing a black pair of Lofgren engineers - it really is a slippery slope.

 

[Edward]

Donkey Puncher??? Does that have another meaning? Slight tasteless otherwise. Nice boots I'm sure, though.

 

[Dav]

I wondered that as well
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_puncher

 

[Edward]

I wondered that as well
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_puncher

Ha! I did wonder! Clearly a Donkey Puncher is very different than a Donkey Punch!

In my defence,I am currently in Beijing where the only search engine available is Bing (i.e. might as well not be any), but I should have thought of wikipedia! The things one learns!

Some day I really must treat myself to some nice, high-end engineers.

 

[Insomnia]

Thanks @handymike, @El Marro, @Dav, @Bfd70, @Rigs. I ordered my first Engineer Boots: John Lofgren.

 

[Blackadder]

Ha! I did wonder! Clearly a Donkey Puncher is very different than a Donkey Punch!

In my defence,I am currently in Beijing where the only search engine available is Bing (i.e. might as well not be any), but I should have thought of wikipedia! The things one learns!

Some day I really must treat myself to some nice, high-end engineers.

I guess this reseller read the wiki too.
https://standardandstrange.com/products/donkey-puncher-boots-burgundy-cxl

 

[Edward]

Those are lovely. Funny, I never liked the kiltie trim on boots til I learned of its practical purpose, now I appreciate it a lot more. Bit like ghillie brogues in that respect.

 

[Goel]

Entering a for me new rabbit hole. Can you give me some advice about the fit of Wesco boots and John Lofgren engineer boots. I am a 7,5 in Viberg 2030, 1035, 310 (only in 310 with an insole), 7,5 in Red Wings IR, 8 in Truman Boots and a 7 in Trickers Stow Boots, 8 in Converse. For what size should i look. How are the fit of Wesco and John Lofgren Boots in comparison? Which one would you prefer? I don't ride a bike.
Thanks for any help.

I'm actually the same size as you and thinking of getting an engineer as well, however I'll probably be doing a Wesco on the MP95 last since it's my favorite last in terms of aesthetics.

I'm not sure what size to go for though. I actually sent them my fit chart and they gave me a 7.5C (MP95 is the opposite of the MP1339, runs wide) but said I could do an 8, which is my regular size, since I'm right between sizes. So I'm not sure if I should go with my regular size or half size down as I do for Alden/RW/Viberg/etc... Seems people here are pretty split too.

 

[Rigs]

Excellent choice Insomnia, I love mine. Interestingly though, and I think it has been mentioned on here before, the boot shaft width was quite different between the left and right boots which meant getting the left one on for me was quite a work-out initially (although it could be that my left foot bridge is higher but not noticed it on other boots). They do soften up beautifully though.

 

[rosscoinc1]

The boots look awesome, but what jeans are they????? You can PM me the answer if you want, or answer here. Doesn't matter to me.

Both are Bad A$$!

 

[technovox]

Dipping my toes in the whole engineer boot thing (pun intended) and I just took delivery of these this morning. I was actually looking for a pair of Chippewas without steel toes, when I stumbled upon these RWs on ebay. I made what I thought was a ridiculously low offer and to my surprise they accepted. So far they seem to fit perfectly, although they are a little heavy with the steel toes and all. But I figure they’ll be fine for short runs around the city on the moto…
Any info on this RW model from you knowledgeable Engineer Boot aficionados would be greatly appreciated!

 

[handymike]

Nice pt83's!

 

[Edward]

Good score. I still have my first engineers - a pair of Grinders with heavy commando soles and steel toecaps. They were hard to walk far in when loose, but one I put some insoles in that snugged them up, they were great. I find I don't notice the extra weight of the toecap any longer. Not as nice as the Redwings, though.

 

[Carlos840]

Dipping my toes in the whole engineer boot thing (pun intended) and I just took delivery of these this morning. I was actually looking for a pair of Chippewas without steel toes, when I stumbled upon these RWs on ebay. I made what I thought was a ridiculously low offer and to my surprise they accepted. So far they seem to fit perfectly, although they are a little heavy with the steel toes and all. But I figure they’ll be fine for short runs around the city on the moto…
Any info on this RW model from you knowledgeable Engineer Boot aficionados would be greatly appreciated!
View attachment 121052
View attachment 121053

These were my first pair of red wings, although around here they are called 2268. They are really nice for the money.
You are right, they weight a ton, and are super rigid because of the steel shank. I mostly wear mine on the bike too, or if i know i won't be walking all day.
According to google the PT83 model was made from 1983 through 1991. They then changed to the 2268 which is only available in europe or asia for some weird reason.

 

[technovox]

These were my first pair of red wings, although around here they are called 2268. They are really nice for the money.
You are right, they weight a ton, and are super rigid because of the steel shank. I mostly wear mine on the bike too, or if i know i won't be walking all day.
According to google the PT83 model was made from 1983 through 1991. They then changed to the 2268 which is only available in europe or asia for some weird reason.

Thanks for the info! I was riding around with them (Red Wing 2268 PT83 Engineer Boots) on my Moto-guzzi today- they are definitely heavy, but I really liked the feeling of added protection. Definitely going to keep them!

 

[Blackadder]

My understanding is 2268 is the Red Wing model number. PT83 is the industry standard code and you can find it on other brand's engineer boots. The newer ones are PT91 and PT99. The last/shape of 2268 has changed over time and some of the PT83 and PT91 are tea core. Red Wing switched to a different standard after 2005 so the current models no longer have PT.

 

[Townes1974]

That is my understanding as well. I have a pair of PT91's. I like the boots, but am not a fan of the steel toe so I am going to send them to Dr. Soles for a resole and relast.

http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.com/2011/05/do-you-know-how-old-your-red-wing-2268.html

 

[deaner33]

Hi gang, I’ve been lurking for a while and thought I’d post my collection:

There are even a couple of harnesss boots in the back.

 

[Bfd70]

Ummmm wow!