White's Semi-dress Boots..

[4spurs]

I have no way of knowing as I have never picked up a pair of Smokejumpers that only had a leather midsole and were 6".

 

[Harry Morgan]

I would not advise wearing White's Smokejumpers or the Ranchers for hiking; way too heavy even if you lower the heel etc., and just not intended for hiking. You'll wind up leaving them in your closet. Go with a boot that advertises itself as a hiking boot. The Italians and the Swiss make some excellent boots for that purpose.

That's funny, the weight of boots has never bothered me in the least. I wear one of two pairs of White's hunters daily and have done for 15 years now.... perhaps I'm just used to it.

For trail hiking they do just fine, like every other boot that fits (my opinion only). For bushwhacking they have some advantages and a drawback that is usually not a problem. The two big advantages are, first, the conforming fit keeps you foot from sliding forward when walking down a steep slope (as in steeper than the worst trail) - keeps your toes from being uncomfortably squished. Second is the tall heel tends to dig into the soil of a loose slope and grip slightly better. When I did geologic and surveying field work, I would have loved a pair of these boots, but I didn't even know they existed and wore Redwings (also a fine boot but tend to fit loose in the wide sizes, or at least mine did).

The drawback is that heel - it gets caught a little when (if) you're having to walk through dense brush and have to step on a lot of branches.

 

[1911 Man]

Thank you!
Are they heavy even as 6", single leather midsole also?

Yes, both of mine are 6" with a single leather midsole. I love them for general walking, but they are heavy. By the end of a long day with lots of walking (like a day at Disneyland) I long for a pair of sneakers. They are great boots, very well made, and durable, but unless your "hikes" are an hour long stroll on a groomed path, they would be too heavy imho.

 

[Steven.barrus@gmail.com]

Just won a great pair of whites packers on eBay. I can't wait to get them. This will be my third pair. Watch eBay Whites keeps a presence there for an excellent price. These were 400.00.

• White's Boots All Leather Legend
• Dress Packer boots
• Medium Brown Caiman vamp, backstay and counter pocket
• Sienna Water Buffalo Quarters
• Wing Stitching
• Leather Lined
  
• 10" height
• Mini vibe sole

 

[mihai]

I like these heritage work boots. I have a pair of Red Wing Iron ranger boots and recently found White's boots. Truly impressed. The price is not that prohibitive for me like Viberg for example.
Found 2 White's pairs my size on eBay store 'whitesriver'. I messaged asking about the insole length but I did not get any reply. Do they usually answer?
Too bad. Online shopping is inherently difficult. Not providing enough info isn't going to help either. I just can not justify paying 350$ without knowing they roughly fit.

 

[4spurs]

I like these heritage work boots. I have a pair of Red Wing Iron ranger boots and recently found White's boots. Truly impressed. The price is not that prohibitive for me like Viberg for example.
Found 2 White's pairs my size on eBay store 'whitesriver'. I messaged asking about the insole length but I did not get any reply. Do they usually answer?
Too bad. Online shopping is inherently difficult. Not providing enough info isn't going to help either. I just can not justify paying 350$ without knowing they roughly fit.

Well, if this is any help, I wear a size 9.5 D Redwing, and a 9.5 D White's and a 9.5 D Frye.

 

[mihai]

Well, if this is any help, I wear a size 9.5 D Redwing, and a 9.5 D White's and a 9.5 D Frye.

Thanks a lot for the info!
9.5D is actually my size in Red Wings too. Now I'm more confident.

Do you happen to know if going to E(wide) would be just right for adding a cushioning insole (I have the Redwing insoles)?

 

[4spurs]

Thanks a lot for the info!
9.5D is actually my size in Red Wings too. Now I'm more confident.

Do you happen to know if going to E(wide) would be just right for adding a cushioning insole (I have the Redwing insoles)?

You won't need to go an extra size wide. I wear a superfeet innersole in mine, the one made for cowboy boots, it's a yellow color. It fits perfectly, and it eliminated the arch problem that new wearers of White's often have a problem getting adjusting to.

Originally I ordered a pair in E width thinking that I might need the extra width; not so. I sold them on eBay, and ordered my regular width D and that was the correct width.

 

[Neognosis]

IMG_2966

• Neognosis
• Feb 1, 2017

Hello everyone. Thread revive!

My white's oxfords on the way to the Middle East. They have been around the world several times in the 18 months I've owned them. Fantastic shoes, British tan leather.

 

[AdeeC]

Amazing the popularity and the infinite varieties and options of the Semi Dress now available. I remember when they were an archaic footnote in their catalog available in one CXL style with a choice of single or double leather sole and only on special order. I still own an original single sole pair.

 

[Stringmaster]

Thinking about ordering a pair of Semi-Dress Whites. Are there advantages/disadvantages to ordering from Baker's vs direct from Whites? Also, I'm not wanting a super heavy duty boot--want a lighter weight build for casual wear. What specs would you recommend to get the weight/clunkiness down, or should I look elsewhere? I do have a pair of Wolverine 2000 Mile boots and looking for something in that range.
Thx

 

[AdeeC]

Thinking about ordering a pair of Semi-Dress Whites. Are there advantages/disadvantages to ordering from Baker's vs direct from Whites? Also, I'm not wanting a super heavy duty boot--want a lighter weight build for casual wear. What specs would you recommend to get the weight/clunkiness down, or should I look elsewhere? I do have a pair of Wolverine 2000 Mile boots and looking for something in that range.
Thx

I suggest you go for the single leather sole option. I have two pairs of Drew’s cascade ranchers made by Whites. One pair single leather sole and the other with Vibram soles. The difference in weight is remarkable. The leather sole is miles lighter and the thinness negates the clunky appearance, stiffness and hence more comfortable. My Whites Semi Dress are also single leather sole and light and elegant in appearance and wearability. The single leather sole is perfect for your needs IMO. The original Semi Dress was supposed to be a lighter less heavy duty boot.

 

[andy b.]

Stringmaster,

If you just want a standard build, you can go through White's. For anything custom it is easier to go through Baker's. There is no advantage in going through White's.

Andy B

 

[trapp]

Resurrecting this thread to ask if any SD owners have ever switched out their standard ('cuban') heel for a block heel, and if so, who you had do the work.

I'm a long term SD wearer (and lover) and have the SD in a variety of leathers, but all in the standard heel. I'd like to get a a block heel and see how it feels.

Thanks in advance. Any thoughts or comments on the block heel are welcome.

 

[bluesmandan]

Resurrecting this thread to ask if any SD owners have ever switched out their standard ('cuban') heel for a block heel, and if so, who you had do the work.

I'm a long term SD wearer (and lover) and have the SD in a variety of leathers, but all in the standard heel. I'd like to get a a block heel and see how it feels.

Thanks in advance. Any thoughts or comments on the block heel are welcome.

I only have the standard but I have thought about a block rubber heel. It would give it more shock absorption, making it better for walking, I think.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk