Viberg or Whites Service Boots

[bobm]

Curious about anyone owning both or considering one and choosing the other? Quality differences?

 

[dannyk]

I was literally just looking at Vibergs for the millionth time considering if they are with the money. I also love the look of Whites semi-dress boots. Would love to hear feedback on this well.

 

[bluesmandan]

I own a pair of White’s semi dress. They are the most comfortable boot/shoe I’ve ever owned. The way the leather shank breaks in and molds to your foot is great. I’ve never owned a pair of viberg, though. But I’ve owned a lot of good boots and shoes... Alden, Raichle, ecco, mephisto, allen edmonds, tony lama, justin, nocona, johnston&murphy, red wing, dexter, and more. The white’s are the most comfortable. First few days are tough breaking them in, but then they are the best.


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[dannyk]

I own a pair of White’s semi dress. They are the most comfortable boot/shoe I’ve ever owned. The way the leather shank breaks in and molds to your foot is great. I’ve never owned a pair of viberg, though. But I’ve owned a lot of good boots and shoes... Alden, Raichle, ecco, mephisto, allen edmonds, tony lama, justin, nocona, johnston&murphy, red wing, dexter, and more. The white’s are the most comfortable. First few days are tough breaking them in, but then they are the best.


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Great to hear. Semi-Dress or the Service Cap Toe from whites look great. And they use similar leathers from the likes Stead and Horween. Viberg just has soooooo many options and more expensive. I think the Whites would probably be more comfortable, and a bit more rugged. I’m not leaning team Whites, over Viberg. Not to disparage them they are classics and those options are incredible.

 

[regius]

Would not recommend Viberg. The beefiness is an appeal but the footbed is too slippery and will give you blisters. Whites military police is the way to go, just call Bakers and make specifications however you want over the phone.


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[Nykwil]

I own a pair of 3sixteen x viberg harness leather service boots.

After 6 months the footbed will become comfortable.

but that's when they start looking REALLY good too.


Yes breaking them in and wearing em was hell for half a year, but damn if they don't look and feel amazing after that battle.

 

[feltfan]

I have a pair of Vibergs I bought many years ago (here they are, when new: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/viberg-boots.42226/page-3#post-974307). They're super heavy (mind you, even compared to the Wesco Black Tie, double-thick sole boots I'm wearing as I write this), but top notch construction. I have a couple of pairs of White's which I like a lot (though some stitching is getting loose). None are "service boots", so I can't speak to that. After decades wearing boots, I'd say my overall favorite maker is Wesco. And the Factory Seconds page has had unbeatable deals for me.

 

[srahimian24]

I have heard Whites are good but don't have a pair. I do have a pair of Vibergs in dublin leather and I love them. Great boots all around and very comfortable

 

[wild_balls]

Hi,

Have a pair of Whites semidress in Horween leather. They are the most comfortable boot I have ever own. Like one said before they are a little tough when new, but after a while they mould to your feet and fits like a glove.

Cheers Joakim

 

[dudewuttheheck]

They're both pretty good, but Viberg especially are quite expensive for the quality you get. I would say that Wesco make better boots right now than both by a little bit. There are also some Japanese brands that make better boots in that price range, though your feet can't be too big

 

[bobm]

They're both pretty good, but Viberg especially are quite expensive for the quality you get. I would say that Wesco make better boots right now than both by a little bit. There are also some Japanese brands that make better boots in that price range, though your feet can't be too big

In what way would you say the Wesco's are better?

 

[dannyk]

They're both pretty good, but Viberg especially are quite expensive for the quality you get. I would say that Wesco make better boots right now than both by a little bit. There are also some Japanese brands that make better boots in that price range, though your feet can't be too big

That’s kind of my thinking. Whites v Viberg. Both are exceptional boots. But typically Whites run 100-200 dollars less than comparable Vibergs. If they are both around the same quality and baselines why not save the extra 100-200 and go with Whites. I’ve been creeping the Wesco seconds page. I’ve never owned Whites or Vibergs but I’ve seen plenty of photos and been able to handle plenty over the years. Wesco for as big and traditional as they are for people like us I have not owned nor handled. The seconds page I have a feeling will be a relatively inexpensive way for me to figure out my sizing and style preferences for them. Definitely a nice feature they have.

 

[feltfan]

Wesco's Factory Seconds page has been good to me. If you're looking for the equivalent for White's, check this out: https://www.ebay.com/sch/whitesriver/m.html

 

[dannyk]

Wesco's Factory Seconds page has been good to me. If you're looking for the equivalent for White's, check this out: https://www.ebay.com/sch/whitesriver/m.html

I was curious if they had one. Thanks for the tip! Also does this seller list what “defect” or “flaw” each pair has making them a second? I’m out and about haven’t had time to look, just a quick glance and didn’t anything.

 

[bluesmandan]

I was curious if they had one. Thanks for the tip! Also does this seller list what “defect” or “flaw” each pair has making them a second? I’m out and about haven’t had time to look, just a quick glance and didn’t anything.

This is where I bought my SD from. I could not find any defects in mine. There must be one, I suppose, but I don’t know what it was. Unlike my Allen Edmonds seconds—a pair of shoes that had the outside of the right ankle cut too high, making it cut into my ankle bone! $300 for the SD I bought. Great deal. Drew’s has some returned items on sale.


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[feltfan]

I was curious if they had one. Thanks for the tip! Also does this seller list what “defect” or “flaw” each pair has making them a second? I’m out and about haven’t had time to look, just a quick glance and didn’t anything.

I don't know that they are defective. One boot I got that way seemed to be a run of leather that they were discontinuing (very nice leather!) and the other didn't seem to have defects either. Maybe a custom order that wasn't picked up? A lot of the boots on the Wesco "seconds" list aren't defective, either. Just look carefully before you buy.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

That’s kind of my thinking. Whites v Viberg. Both are exceptional boots. But typically Whites run 100-200 dollars less than comparable Vibergs. If they are both around the same quality and baselines why not save the extra 100-200 and go with Whites. I’ve been creeping the Wesco seconds page. I’ve never owned Whites or Vibergs but I’ve seen plenty of photos and been able to handle plenty over the years. Wesco for as big and traditional as they are for people like us I have not owned nor handled. The seconds page I have a feeling will be a relatively inexpensive way for me to figure out my sizing and style preferences for them. Definitely a nice feature they have.

I have handled Whites and own both Wesco and Viberg. My Wesco boots are unquestionably better than the Vibergs. I would say my Wescos are better than the Whites I have handled as well. That said, I have plenty of boots that are better than all of them, but the only ones clearly better in that price range are from a Japanese brand called Motor.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

In what way would you say the Wesco's are better?

In terms of construction quality. My Vibergs have a ton of flaws. My Wescos have far less. They both use the same construction method (stitchdown) and both use very high quality materials. Therefore, the Wesco boots are better. Viberg quite overrated to the point that I wrote an article about it. Thankfully, the boot loving world is slowly catching on. Viberg boots are nice, but they should not cost what they do.

 

[Colin G]

[QUOTE="dudewuttheheck] Viberg boots are nice, but they should not cost what they do.[/QUOTE]

I live in Canada and it is cheaper for me to buy White's out of the USA, even after shipping and taxes than Viberg. Viberg is too pricey, even for a Canadian.

 

[Goel]

Whites allows some customization while Viberg releases whatever makeups they want. Viberg's lasts are nice but they've inflated the price way too much