Viberg or Whites Service Boots

[feltfan]

When I bought my Viberg boots they were the least expensive option by far. The exchange rate was quite favorable. No longer. Mine are stitched well. But they just aren't as nice to wear or look at than my Wesco boots.

 

[Edward]

Handled some Whites Semi Dress at Clutch Cafe here in London a couple of months ago. They made my RW Iron Rangers look like toys! Beautiful boots. Crazy money here in the UK, but definitely on my 'to buy' list if the pound ever recovers and I take that dream shopping trip to the US....

 

[lina]

Handled some Whites Semi Dress at Clutch Cafe here in London a couple of months ago. They made my RW Iron Rangers look like toys! Beautiful boots. Crazy money here in the UK, but definitely on my 'to buy' list if the pound ever recovers and I take that dream shopping trip to the US....

Do you know Eastwestapparel in the UK? They always have a few nice Whites builds available. Might save some shipping costs etc..

 

[Edward]

Do you know Eastwestapparel in the UK? They always have a few nice Whites builds available. Might save some shipping costs etc..

Yes, keeping an eye on their sales too. Thanks!

 

[lina]

I'll post a link here to a comparison I did a few years ago of a pair of Whites and a pair of Vibergs. (Post #2593 in this thread: https://www.styleforum.net/threads/custom-whites-boots-thoughts.219173/page-173)

I have owned and/or tried on several pairs of each (but never Wesco). My impression over the years is that Viberg is consistently better in terms of quality control, though of course there are exceptions here and there. But White's seems to make quite a few "mistakes" and be just a bit sloppier overall (stitching, dyeing, sizing inconsistencies, etc). As lots of folks will say, they are work boots so no problem; but that's only partly true. White's are clearly being marketed now as casual work"ish" boots. Vibergs are no doubt too expensive, but in fact their lower end basic boots are now not that much more than White's. It's when you get into shell etc that they get out of hand price-wise.

Anyway, I like both, and am now wearing White's regularly but have no Vibergs. To me, you can't beat a Viberg 310 as basically the platonic ideal of "boot." And I love their heel counters, cap toes (compared to the overly long White's), and stitch down look (White's is not true stitchdown and you can see the difference). But I find Vibergs harder to fit, and of course they do not have the sort of arch support that you get with White's.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

My recent Viberg review: https://almostvintagestyle.com/2019/02/02/viberg-stitchdown-horsehide-service-boot-review/

 

[regius]

left shoe

right shoe. Just noticed the sole edges are not trimmed the same way!!! Super pissed, will send them
Back to redo the sole


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bluesmandan]

What boots are those regius?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[northcoast]

My thoughts on the question. First to what I own, 2 pairs of Whites Semi-Dress, 1 pair of Viberg Service boots on the 2030 last, 1 pair of Trickers boots and 1 pair of Nicks boots.

The Whites are my favorites as they fit the best and are a pleasure to wear. Also, both my pairs are customized via. Bakers per my requests. Whites can be customized with reasonable upcharges. The arch ease fit is fantastic, like wearing slippers and at the end of the day your feet feel great. Best QPR out there IMO.

The Vibergs I own retailed for 720 and I paid half that to acquire on sale new. They are nice to wear and I like how the heel locks in. When wearing with pants that are not rolled up they really sort of look like a not so nice looking shoe IMO. I lusted after Vibergs when I first saw them and there are some makeups that I really like but I'm def not in a rush to go buy another pair. I would like to own a pair on that clown shoe last, the 310 I think.

At the end of the day I think Vibergs are overpriced and the owner can be a bit much at times.

Basically a pair of Whites in regular leather with some minor customization will still run you a shade over 200 dollars less than stock Vibergs and that runs true for Whites shell as well.

OP, hope that helps.

 

[apba1166]

Have'em all. Wesco and lone wolf feel the best. And most wearable for fit. I also have an IH Wesco foot patrol I like best of all. White's second. I have two Vibergs, broken in-- took awhile and wasn't worth it. I almost never wear them. For same price you can get Alden horse, which is far and away more comfy and look better. And will last forever.

 

[lina]

Have'em all. Wesco and lone wolf feel the best. And most wearable for fit. I also have an IH Wesco foot patrol I like best of all. White's second. I have two Vibergs, broken in-- took awhile and wasn't worth it. I almost never wear them. For same price you can get Alden horse, which is far and away more comfy and look better. And will last forever.

Alden horse..?

 

[northcoast]

Have'em all. Wesco and lone wolf feel the best. And most wearable for fit. I also have an IH Wesco foot patrol I like best of all. White's second. I have two Vibergs, broken in-- took awhile and wasn't worth it. I almost never wear them. For same price you can get Alden horse, which is far and away more comfy and look better. And will last forever.

I've been eyeing the various Wesco Pack Riders that show up on Division Road. I think that is my favorite Wesco make up. The only thing that has kept me from buying a pair is that I"m a C and I never tried on that makeup.

 

[lina]

I've been eyeing the various Wesco Pack Riders that show up on Division Road. I think that is my favorite Wesco make up. The only thing that has kept me from buying a pair is that I"m a C and I never tried on that makeup.

By all accounts Wesco runs narrow, so they may be just the thing for you.

 

[lina]

The Viberg vs Whites (or Wesco or Nicks, etc) question is, of course, unsolvable. Too much depends on taste.
It's true that Viberg's are too expensive, but for me they have a few builds that are just unbeatable
with regard to classic boot aesthetics. A look you cannot get elsewhere. As below:

 

[northcoast]

The Viberg vs Whites (or Wesco or Nicks, etc) question is, of course, unsolvable. Too much depends on taste.
It's true that Viberg's are too expensive, but for me they have a few builds that are just unbeatable
with regard to classic boot aesthetics. A look you cannot get elsewhere. As below:

Ahh yeah, the 310. How is breaking those in and walking in them?

Thanks for the Wesco tip. I'm sure eventually I'll end up with a pair.

 

[lina]

Ahh yeah, the 310. How is breaking those in and walking in them?

Not bad at all! The sole does not flex much, but it's designed that way, for a "rock as you walk" effect. But then I've worn boots all my life and have never really had much of the "breaking in" problems that others talk about sometimes.

 

[lina]

Hmm, speaking of price, I just went on the Wesco site and did a "boot build" run through for a not over customized Hendrik boot, which seems to me to be comparable to White's SD or a Viberg service boot. Base price for the boot with no extra features is $599. With horsehide and leather lining, it comes to a whopping $837... Oof. More than a comparable Viberg, and definitely more than White's. Surprised me, I have to say.

 

[bobm]

Lots to consider here. Do White's SD run large?

 

[northcoast]

Lots to consider here. Do White's SD run large?

Both my pairs of SD's are lined, and imo no.

I think the best approach to buying SD's is to customize them and buy them through Kyle @ Bakers. Customizing is half the fun and there is a thread on Style Forum dedicated to White's boots that will go a long way to answering your questions.

On sizing, Kyle will work with you on getting a tracing of your feet then make a sizing recommendation based on that.

The blues ones are Vaquero bullhide.

The red ones details listed below.

Floor is unstained white oak for reference.

• Toe Vamp Leather: Burgundy Chrome Excel by Horween
• Celastic Toe Box: Single
• Upper (Shaft) Leather : Black Cherry Water Buffalo
• Leather Liner: Cream
• Back Stay Leather: Burgundy Chrome Excel by Horween
• Eyelet Color: Antique
• Sole Trim: Close Trim
• Toe Cap: Medallion Leather Toe Cap - Black Cherry WB
• Eyelet Configuration : Eyelet
• Lace: Leather
• Sole: Vib 430
• Heel Shape: Curve
• Heel Height: Standard
• Last: Standard
• Midsole: Standard
• Midsole/Edge Color: Natural
• Size - 12 C
• Black upper stitching