So whose boots are cooler, mine or my wife's?

[billyb]

Ok Folks,

I just received my White's Nomads and I'm a happy camper. However, my wife insist her White's Thoroughbred Packers are the bomb. Who has the cooler Motorcycle boot, me or the wife? Let's hear it.

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[jimmer_5]

This is a tough call - they both look fantastic. I have to admit, the blue stitching is pretty awesome. All I know is when my wife wears her boots (cowboy or engineer style) she looks cooler than me by a long shot....

Congratulations on the Nomads, they look great! I am super happy with mine. If the leather is stiff, give them several coats of boot oil, particularly around the ankle. Mine drank it up and hardly changed color - the oil will help them break in and crease in a more graceful way. The leather is dry enough that mine did not get oily feeling like Wescos do, even after 2-3 coats. Enjoy!

 

[Aerojoe]

Who has the cooler Motorcycle boot, me or the wife? Let's hear it.

What pair is yours?

 

[too much coffee]

Great boots billyb.............I like the Nomads for the bike better. I love Packer boots, just not for the bike because of the laces.
Same for riding horses.

How would you stack the Nomads up against the Wesco Boss? I read jimmer's review, what say you?

Now, walking down the street? You lose billy!

Regards,
coffee

 

[ButteMT61]

Wife, hands down.

 

[billyb]

Coffee,

This is the first pair of pull up boots I have owned since I was a teenager. I went with the Nomad over the Boss because I prefer the way my Semi-Dress boots fit versus my Jobmasters. I'm not crazy about the heel insert in Wesco's, and I really like the high arch and hand lasting of the White's boots. However, Wesco does have more options and more experience with Engineer boots. The Nomads have a wide diameter at the top, way to wide for my skinny ankles and that is a drawback. It's like wearing a bucket on my feet. I also prefer a taller boot for riding, something like 14" to 16". The Nomads are only offered in a 12" height.

If I had to do it over again I would probably go with neither the White's Nomads or Wesco's Boss.

To tell you the truth, I would have gone with a boot maker that does not get much press here on the Lounge --> Viberg. Probably their Sabre (not on their website any more, but a Sabre is just an Engineer with a pull loop on each side at the top instead of a single buckle...Western style)

My previous riding boots were Viberg Hunters (I think they are called a Sierra these days). They are great boots, but I wanted a pull on boot for riding to work. This way I just slip of the Engineer boot and pull out my Semi-Dress boots from my pack to wear for the day in the office.

All in all, I'm happy with my Nomads. Given some time, I think White's will add some options to the Nomad line and start accepting custom fit orders.

 

[ButteMT61]

Your boots look great. I love that your wife rides and the boots rock. Very unique.

 

[too much coffee]

Coffee,

This is the first pair of pull up boots I have owned since I was a teenager. I went with the Nomad over the Boss because I prefer the way my Semi-Dress boots fit versus my Jobmasters. I'm not crazy about the heel insert in Wesco's, and I really like the high arch and hand lasting of the White's boots. However, Wesco does have more options and more experience with Engineer boots. The Nomads have a wide diameter at the top, way to wide for my skinny ankles and that is a drawback. It's like wearing a bucket on my feet. I also prefer a taller boot for riding, something like 14" to 16". The Nomads are only offered in a 12" height.

If I had to do it over again I would probably go with neither the White's Nomads or Wesco's Boss.

To tell you the truth, I would have gone with a boot maker that does not get much press here on the Lounge --> Viberg. Probably their Sabre (not on their website any more, but a Sabre is just an Engineer with a pull loop on each side at the top instead of a single buckle...Western style)

My previous riding boots were Viberg Hunters (I think they are called a Sierra these days). They are great boots, but I wanted a pull on boot for riding to work. This way I just slip of the Engineer boot and pull out my Semi-Dress boots from my pack to wear for the day in the office.

All in all, I'm happy with my Nomads. Given some time, I think White's will add some options to the Nomad line and start accepting custom fit orders.

Great analysis billyb........Thank you.

coffee

 

[trapp]

Viberg has garnered a wider audience in the last few years and will likely catch on some day at the lounge. They are some of the best-made boots around, period.

 

[jimmer_5]

The Nomads have a wide diameter at the top, way to wide for my skinny ankles and that is a drawback. It's like wearing a bucket on my feet.

If I had to do it over again I would probably go with neither the White's Nomads or Wesco's Boss.

To tell you the truth, I would have gone with a boot maker that does not get much press here on the Lounge --> Viberg. Probably their Sabre (not on their website any more, but a Sabre is just an Engineer with a pull loop on each side at the top instead of a single buckle...Western style)

Billy - My White's Nomad's are a tad big around the top of the shaft as well. My Wesco's are just a bit smaller, and it looks and feels different under my jeans. For me it's not a dealbreaker, but I did notice it.

I have been very intrigued by Viberg's Engineer boots for some time now. I have seen some great looking custom builds, but I assumed they were too expensive.

Viberg has garnered a wider audience in the last few years and will likely catch on some day at the lounge. They are some of the best-made boots around, period.

Trapp - Do you know if Vibergs get a lot more expensive as you make changes? I generally end up making simple changes like double midsoles, Vibram 705's, different leather color, but not a lot else. I would eventually like to check them out myself, I have just never bothered.

 

[trapp]

Viberg is a Canadien company with a fairly storied history. They essentially made their reputation building incredible, if not very stylish, work boots. I don't know for certain how they price simple modifications but you can customize out the wahzoo on their basic patterns (leather options, soles, toe shapes, etc). Many, including many in Japan, have tweaked and customized their standard boots with amazing results. From what I hear, sizing can be a bit tricky.

I looked into Viberg quite a bit a year ago-though I wasn't looking at engineer boots at the time. I know they answer the phone. I called them right up at one point, asked several questions, and had them send me a catalogue. The woman I spoke with was very friendly and helpful. There is also at least one US retailer of Vibergs called Bakers Shoes. They offer several Viberg configurations of their own and I believe you can place custom orders through them. As their reputation has spread (I believe Brett Viberg has a boot blog now), they've done several collabs in Japan and elsewhere (a service boot with Four Horsemen and a kind of roughout boot with Nigel Cabourn, for example).

In terms of engineers, I think Marineabilly has some experience with viberg as he was in on the group engineer boot order (that ended up falling through).

When you get around to checking them out, I would start on the phone with Baker Shoes--or just call Viberg directly.

 

[trapp]

double-post!

 

[billyb]

Jimmer,

Viberg's prices get really crazy, quick, once you start changing things. Viberg has a very hot market in Asia (Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc.) and their mark up in high, and we Americans are going to have to pay the same high mark up on their made-to-order boots. For example when I first priced boots with them a couple of years ago, their premium leather upcharge was something like $30 - $50. Now the premium leather upcharge can be up around $200 for ChromExcel.

I mentioned Viberg only as a Motorcycle boot and would have stayed with the stock configuration. That's about a $450 boot + exchange rate fees and shipping. Your looking at about $500 total landed cost. Fair price for a superb boot. One thing about Viberg, they are a English type of sizing since they are Canadian. I wear a 10 1/2 in White's, Wescos, and Red Wings, but I wear a 10 in Vibergs.

Viberg is all about trying new things, but you will pay for it. Check out their blog.

http://vibergboot.wordpress.com/

Brett Viberg has been pretty responsive to my questions over the years, considering he seems to always be on the road. Another thing about Viberg, they are different to deal with...very Mom and Pop...so don't expect customer service levels like Wesco and White's. You have to have more patience with Viberg. Viberg also does not seem to be as accommodating to custom fit orders, but they are very, very capable of custom fitting. I can personally vouch for that...custom fitting just seems to turn them off a little, but if you are persistent then you will get a top notch product.

Seems to me Viberg was just way too busy for a time, but they have recently expanded into a new factory so it should help.

 

[billyb]

Here's a pic of my Viberg Hunters. I requested 8 oz. leather, very heavy. Not sure I would do that again. Forgot to mention...these Hunter's are lasted to their not so talked about Square-toe Hiker last.

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I also ordered a stock pair of Ravens. My wife loved these boots on me, but they were too tight in the toe box. I returned them for a refund.

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Top notch boots to say the least.

 

[ButteMT61]

Wow, some nice boots! I cringe at the price, but then, I could still get two pair for one jacket. Maybe not so bad...look like very great and safe moto boots. 8oz would take some time to break-in though...

 

[too much coffee]

I like those Ravens billyb........nice heel. Yeah the 8oz. must have felt like lugging around the Queen Mary!

coffee

 

[Miss Stella]

Spotted those as Whites right off the git go! Only packers worn by my husband for 30 years! They have great customer service and have rebuilt my husbands boots a few times...well worth the money.
Guess that means I think the Packers are cooler

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Wife, hands down.

Ditto.

 

[billyb]

The 8 oz Hunters were a bear to break-in. Now I feel like Godzilla when I'm wearing them...my wife hates them.

 

[trapp]

I like the look of the Ravens but the narrow toe would never accomodate my duck feet.