Love the see the pix you tried to attach....if you have a momentAFFINITY FOR ENGINEER BOOTS
I guess you can say I have a thing for engineer boots. Over the past 17 years, I've owned 20 pairs of engineer boots (give or take).
My newest pair with only about a week of wear are a pair of Japanese reprodction horsehide Buco boots. With shipping, service fee's, ect., I paid just shy of a $1,000 for them. My next pair in the shoot are going to be a pair of custom-made Wesco Boss' that will cost around $800.00. My contact at West Coast Shoes said he could link me up with their Japanese company to have horsehide WESCO's made - that's definitely an option and I'd love to try and have them reproduce the look of my old 1940's horsehide Engineers (below)
My most comfortable pair of Engineer boots are my current day Chippewa's. They break in really well and become soft over the years. I have this kind with the natural brown welt:
One of my favorites (that I hardly ever wear) are the burgandy shorties pictured on the shoe rack. They are Japanese 1940's reproductions by an old company called Jubilee. They are rare, indeed.
My newest pair of horsehide Buco's fresh from the Post Man
My loss - I sold these on ebay for 699.99 (Buy it Now) about 1.5-2 years ago an and regret it every waking day. These are vintage 1940's horsehide Chippewa's
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Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...
- Thread starter Creeping Past
- Start date
mlwdp
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 55
- Location
- United States
Depends on what you have done on your Wescos when they’re being built. Mine ran in the $1k plus range when all was said and done (Chromexcel leather, resizing, resole, leather lining, Japanese buckles, Dr. Sole sole).
Black Bear Brand is selling shell cordovan Wesco Boss in the $1k range right now.
You get what you pay for.
I agree that you get what you pay for, and I am pretty accustomed to paying $700-$1200 for a great pair of new boots. I know a lot of people think this is nuts, and I'm not thrilled about it, but I like high quality boots that are made by craftsmen who are rewarded for their craft, so when you have more than 40 hours into a pair of booth, then that's going to be add up pretty fast. I'm proud to support american and japanese and canadian bootmakers and I hope that this support will allow them to continue making great boots. I see what Red Wing lets out of the factory for $300-$500 and it's pretty bad in terms of attention to detail and quality control. Crooked welts, glue on the vamp, poor leather selection and placement. If that's what you get for $400, then $800 for a viberg seems about right.
Finally, I keep these boots forever. I've been wearing a pair of Alden Indy's in shell for 20 years. Despite three resoles, I'd spend less per year than your average person, if I didn't have too many boots that is, lol. But those boots I bought young and couldn't afford a lot of others, so they got worn four times a week for 15 years.
PS those Wesco X Black Bear's are pretty insane, and closer to 2K. thx for the tip
Tyler Durden
Familiar Face
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- 65
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- Queens, NY
Blackadder
My Mail is Forwarded Here
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- 3,825
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- China
The pioneer by Attractions in cxl. Too big though.
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Himel Bros. - The Ross Mk. 1 Leather Jacket Classic D-pocket motorcycle/aviator style jacket.
Tyler Durden
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 65
- Location
- Queens, NY
Curious about the sizing ? What did you reference when buying these?
Blackadder
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,825
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- China
I have other attraction boots. A lot 268 in size 9.5 and a size 9 444. I took a chance with the size 9 with these. These are made longer so the flat toe would be completely flattened after wear. Personally, i dont like them cos they are too long by design.
Drzdave58
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 291
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Try not to laugh. Frye Duck Engineer boots.These aren’t your typical engineer boots. Ive always had a soft spot for Frye boots as my 1st pair of engineers back in the 70s were Frye. A local guy had these for sale. Brand new for $75 So I couldn’t resist. At first glance I thought they looked weird but once I took a closer look at them I realized they are quite a unique and well made boot. I thought they were rubber but it turns out they are all leather of a substantial thickness too. They will be great for the winter here. They retailed for around $400 I believe.
Jiaward
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 330
- Location
- Riverside, Ca.
I'd be all over those even in California. I remember cold wet feet from back home. Great find.
Edward
Bartender
- Messages
- 25,081
- Location
- London, UK
You know what, reading your description I expected to hate these, but as I scrolled down I was pleasantly surprised. They look just like a regular engineer boot with an interesting design on the toe (would pair nicely with an Aero Sunburst!). I like the idea of a duckboot from pov of warm and dry feet, though have always shyed away from them on the twin basis of not wanting something that would be expensive to buy and import (I've never seen them in the UK), and where the soles were glued in / not replaceable. These look like a Goodyear welt arrangement, though - and a good compromise between style and the utility of a duckboot. The fleecy lining also appeals. I've had half an eye out for a cheap pair of old Bundesmarine boots this Winter - did find some NOS at an excellent price in a UK surplus place, but hesitated too long and they sold out of my size.....
Drzdave58
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 291
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
it’s funny how sometimes we dismiss something at first glance, but if we stop and take a closer look, our opinion can change. I am looking forward to wearing these next winter. They are very comfortable. Full grain leather and Goodyear welted.
Edward
Bartender
- Messages
- 25,081
- Location
- London, UK
Definitely. There's a lot of stuff I once would not have worn that has really grown on me over time.
Tyler Durden
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 65
- Location
- Queens, NY
Sad man... Those things look amazing !
Edward
Bartender
- Messages
- 25,081
- Location
- London, UK
Wesco do - the MP shape, I think they call it. It seems to be a common option in the more expensive stuff (and espcially across a lot of the Japanese brands) as well. I still live in hope Aero eventually do their own take on an EB. If they did something akin to that shape around the price of their fleece-lined NVG style boots, that would be something. Maybe to be hoped for when they find a new boot supplier (the one they've been using for some years now gone owing to retirement).
58panheadfan
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,662
- Location
- Switzerland
Still my fav pair of Engineer Boots 
RMC HH Buco, Teacore at its finest
RMC HH Buco, Teacore at its finest
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58panheadfan
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,662
- Location
- Switzerland
My older pair of RMC HH Buco Engineers
58panheadfan
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,662
- Location
- Switzerland
Older vs. Newer
Anyone here own a pair of Clinch Engineers? I have a (secondhand) pair of Clinch Yeagers and I'm kind of surprised that I don't like them more. They sort of feel like they don't have a shank. They are very flexible side to side. The only other boots I have that are like that are like mall brand type stuff like Bostonian, etc.
