Feet Up! The Work Boot Thread

[nick123]

Yes whites are considerably higher

Thanks. The podiatrist cringed when he saw my feet. So did the dentist with my teeth. I'm naturally beautiful.

 

[bretron]

Lol! In that case do yourself a favor and buy two pairs- one in brown dress and one in British Tan

 

[nick123]

Lol! In that case do yourself a favor and buy two pairs- one in brown dress and one in British Tan

They will match the color of my teeth! Perfect!

 

[casechopper]

Another pair of White's smoke jumpers that I picked up from a fellow lounger

 

[Renault]

My Iron Rangers in bad need of some boot polish! Oh and the camera hound Spot, too!

 

[BobHufford]

Late 1980's Browning kangaroo leather boots. I typically get 10+ years out of these (this is the third pair) and I still have two dead-stock pairs in reserve. The first two pairs are still around and get used for brush-fire, roofing, concrete work, etc. I usually only wear these on the weekends as my day-time job doesn't require them. I wore them deer hunting this fall as they went with the '40s era outfit I wore better than the camo muck boots.

Bob

 

[Renault]

Bob!
Bully hunting outfit! We used to sell those Browning boots at the shop back in the day! They were awesome boots!!!

Renault

 

[gaseousclay]

Another pair of White's smoke jumpers that I picked up from a fellow lounger

The thing I dislike about White's is the stacked heel I see on a lot of their boots. Makes it look like you're wearing high heels. Just my observation on their aesthetics. Do they not sell a traditional cap toe boot without a stacked heel?


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[casechopper]

You can get White's with a block heel or a lower heel. The cuban heel that they use is sort of their trademark and also is part of their Arch-Ease arch support. I can see where this can look odd to some. If you were to get a pair without the thick lug sole/heel then the boot would sit quite a bit lower.

 

[gaseousclay]

You can get White's with a block heel or a lower heel. The cuban heel that they use is sort of their trademark and also is part of their Arch-Ease arch support. I can see where this can look odd to some. If you were to get a pair without the thick lug sole/heel then the boot would sit quite a bit lower.

Thanks. I'll have to browse their site and see what they have. How would you rate the comfort of their boots?


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[casechopper]

They are very comfortable when broken in. They're pure torture while breaking them in. Unless you really need it I wouldn't go for high boots or the thicker stiffer leathers as they're much heavier and stiffer.

 

[pak]

In my experience, correctly fitted boots and shoes when new should not hurt your feet. This means harm your feet with blisters, hotspots etc. Boots and shoes can be stiff and it will take time for the leathers to take the creases. To describe the break in as torture indicates, to me, you do not have a correct fit. Also, the thickness and material of the sole makes quite a difference to break in time. The big lug vibram type sole being the longest.

 

[casechopper]

I have 4 different pairs of smoke jumpers right now. All are 10d size. Only one pair (the smooth standard black ones) hurt. The leather is rougher on the inside and it's much stiffer than that of the other pairs that I have.

 

[pak]

Have you ever had your feet measured and fitted to any of these boots? If not, I highly recommend you do so by a White's approved rep or at White's. Here is why, having the boots custom fitted will take in consideration the differences between your left and right feet, which can be quite substantial. If you have bunions, spurs or other conditions the maker can fit for that also. These boots ain't cheap and they should fit accordingly. If you are buying off e-bay then your are taking a risk. Even at a lower price, expensive ill fitting White's ain't cheap.

 

[pak]

I would like to add my comments can be applied to many of the quality bootmakers e.g. Nicks, Wesco's, Hoffman etc.

 

[Sheepdog149]

I just ordered my 1st pair of Red Wing Iron Ranger boots, getting the "Hawthorne Muleskinners."

 

[wdw]

Sheepdog, I have the Muleskinners and really like them. Only one thing, dont wear them with raw selvedge if the dye is likely to run.

I made that mistake and now I have big stains on the boots I can't get rid of. The rough out leather just soaks the dye in.

 

[Sheepdog149]

wdw -- thanks for the tip

 

[LouisBailie]

I got a real good price on a pair of Wesco Job masters in 10E from a member here. The are fully lined and stitched with kevlar, had kevlar laces, and made in late 2005-6 so the thicker leather. The soles and heels are the now discontinued softer red cross lug sloes, the most comfortable Vibram have ever offered.

Once out of the box and cleaned up, I immediately put them on the ultra cam and moved them to 10.75D, then placed Superfeet copper liners inside. When they were on the Cametti I sanded the vamps with 2000 grit paper to remove the slight scraps and let them dry over night. I have to soak the leather real well to stretch them.

When I removed them from the stretcher I began treating the leather, knowing Wescos like to have lots of Huberds, I treated them until they were wet looking and then let that last coat absorb and seal. It took almost 1/2 pint of Huberds to treat the the leather because is very thick and was very dry. I used a heat gun and the leather soaked the treatments up like a thirsty dog. Once dry I laced them up with new 3/16 leather laces.

I wore them all day and they are stretching and contouring to my feet very nicely, I figure it will take 4-5 wearings then recoating with Huberds to get the leather fully flexible and form fitting. Then they will be just like there 30 year cousin engineer boots, I wear.

 

[Sheepdog149]

Hit the switch on a pair of cognac colored Frye Tyler Engineer Boots