Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[TartuWolf]

Damn those look good @NCF . Good job with the dye as well. I'm thinking of doing the same to my Red Wing 9016 as the color is too light for my taste and a black overdye would turn them into a teacore which should fade lovely. Quick overview on how you dyed them?

 

[Motocann]

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A pair of Keystone engineer boots that I bought from @andyone (cheers, brother!). They where originally in a light natural leather tone that I fairly quickly realized wouldn’t work for me(plus, I always need a project), so I dyed them. Could have done worse, should have done better (the dye leaked through the tape I used to protect the soles at a few places, unfortunately. Can be seen especially in the last pic). Weird that I’m wearing these in the summer? Well, all my sneakers are actually warmer.

Paired with Indigofera Swearengen trousers and in one (the third) pic LVC 1947 501. Which brings us to the next thing - anyone know if there are any 1947 501-clones in black denim? I prefer the higher waist (when they are unwashed) of the ’47 501, as it kind of disguises part of my dadbod (the potbelly), something that jeans with lower waist (as the indigofera trousers) instead rather accentuates.

Very nice!

 

[andyone]

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A pair of Keystone engineer boots that I bought from @andyone (cheers, brother!). They where originally in a light natural leather tone that I fairly quickly realized wouldn’t work for me(plus, I always need a project), so I dyed them. Could have done worse, should have done better (the dye leaked through the tape I used to protect the soles at a few places, unfortunately. Can be seen especially in the last pic). Weird that I’m wearing these in the summer? Well, all my sneakers are actually warmer.

Paired with Indigofera Swearengen trousers and in one (the third) pic LVC 1947 501. Which brings us to the next thing - anyone know if there are any 1947 501-clones in black denim? I prefer the higher waist (when they are unwashed) of the ’47 501, as it kind of disguises part of my dadbod (the potbelly), something that jeans with lower waist (as the indigofera trousers) instead rather accentuates.

They turned out great with the dye.
Mine started in dark brown. I had them dyed black and changed the fullsole to halfsole. The celastic on the toe box was removed so it's a soft toe now. This is how they looked when coming back from the rework.

 

[NCF]

Damn those look good @NCF . Good job with the dye as well. I'm thinking of doing the same to my Red Wing 9016 as the color is too light for my taste and a black overdye would turn them into a teacore which should fade lovely. Quick overview on how you dyed them?

I washed them of good with leather soap. After that I should probably have rubbed them down with acetone but I skipped that step just because I didn’t want the dye to penetrate too deep (just because I also wanted the teacore effect). Might have been a mistake. Then I taped up the parts I didn’t want dyed.


Then I used a sponge to apply this:

Why a sponge? Because I figured that it wouldn’t leave brushstrokes (but you’ll need a small paintbrush to get into the nooks and crannies, but be a bit careful with the use of that because you WILL get brushstrokes).

Wear gloves! Protect the floor! It comes of with acetone and a lot of rubbing, but so does the laquer/varnish on the hardwood floor, so that’s a bummer…
Also remember that this dye basically has the viscosity of water so a little goes a long way and it’s easy for it to end up everywhere.


After you’ve applied one later of dye it should look something like this:

(Although I havent (fully) dyed the strap there).
Let it dry for a while (it dries fast), shine a light on the boot and see where you need to apply more.
Apply a thin layer on those areas.
Let dry for a while.
Apply one more layer to the whole boot. Let dry over night.
Remove tape and be a bit disappointed in your self but figure that with time the dye that ended up on the wrong places will fadd a bit and end up being part of the ’patina’ (ie dirt):

By now the boots should actually look a bit dull and boring and with a bit weird, purple-ish tint to the black, but wipe them of with a damp cloth and brush them with a black shoe cream and you should have something decent looking:


So, a bit sloppy here and there, but if it annoys me I guess I’ll dye the rest as well to a uniform black.

 

[NCF]

They turned out great with the dye.
Mine started in dark brown. I had them dyed black and changed the fullsole to halfsole. The celastic on the toe box was removed so it's a soft toe now. This is how they looked when coming back from the rework.

Those look amazing! I especially like the brass+black-combo.

Been thinking of doing the same thing to mine, especially the toe-thing. Just feels like an expensive operation ATM, but who knows. We’ll see come fall.

 

[TartuWolf]

I think I might use the inspiration I got from you and try the same on my Red Wing 9016. Thank you for the info!

 

[NCF]

I’d say that if you have worn the boots and used all kinds of conditioner and polish, cleaning process and the use of acetone or deglacer (a specialized product less rough on the leather) is more important. Mine where basically brand new out of the box, that’s one of the reasons I didn’t spend that much effort into that part. But I’m obviously no expert in this field, so pinch of salt and all that.

Post pics of the result/process when you get around to it!

 

[andyone]

Those look amazing! I especially like the brass+black-combo.

Been thinking of doing the same thing to mine, especially the toe-thing. Just feels like an expensive operation ATM, but who knows. We’ll see come fall.

Just do it when your boots need a resole anyway.

 

[Bfd70]

Can you remove height on the heel stack without affecting how the last functions?
I find my ropers with 1.25” heel to be much better for walking than engineers which are typically 1.75”
I’m not concerned with aesthetics, just the foot fall and how the last is designed.

 

[Fifty150]

Can you remove height on the heel stack without affecting how the last functions?

I think that you'll be walking funny.

 

[Bfd70]

I think that you'll be walking funny.

That’s what I’m thinking.

 

[Bfd70]

Anyone want to give an opinion on the engineer boot with the tightest instep? I have a low instep all engineers have been too loose for me. My luchesses ropers fit perfectly.

 

[Observe]

Anyone want to give an opinion on the engineer boot with the tightest instep? I have a low instep all engineers have been too loose for me. My luchesses ropers fit perfectly.

Also interested in this. I have a low instep, wide forefoot, and narrow heel, so engineers typically fit me poorly, which ***** because I like the lace free style and pull on easiness. A lot of boots give me grief because the last is usually the opposite shape of my foot. If anyone has suggestions for low instep pull on boots with ample space up front, I'm all ears.

Imagine if footwear was shaped like feet without being some clowny looking garbage.

 

[Motocann]

Also interested in this. I have a low instep, wide forefoot, and narrow heel, so engineers typically fit me poorly, which ***** because I like the lace free style and pull on easiness. A lot of boots give me grief because the last is usually the opposite shape of my foot. If anyone has suggestions for low instep pull on boots with ample space up front, I'm all ears.

Imagine if footwear was shaped like feet without being some clowny looking garbage.

IMHO, Wesco Mr. Lou has a pretty tight pass through. I have what some would consider “low volume” feet. Even though I measure a solid 9D on Brannock. I wear a 8D in Wesco. They fit me perfectly. They’re snug pulling them on and off, but foot sits comfortably in the boot, without a lot of heel slip or rubbing.

Check out our discussion here:

 

[Observe]

IMHO, Wesco Mr. Lou has a pretty tight pass through. I have what some would consider “low volume” feet. Even though I measure a solid 9D on Brannock. I wear a 8D in Wesco. They fit me perfectly. They’re snug pulling them on and off, but foot sits comfortably in the boot, without a lot of heel slip or rubbing.

Check out our discussion here:

I have a pair of Mr. Lous, my issue with them is how the toe box tapers at the end. I'd like the same last with a rounder toe, but I also don't like the 18-22 month Wesco lead times, so I guess it's put up or shut up for me.

 

[Bfd70]

IMHO, Wesco Mr. Lou has a pretty tight pass through. I have what some would consider “low volume” feet. Even though I measure a solid 9D on Brannock. I wear a 8D in Wesco. They fit me perfectly. They’re snug pulling them on and off, but foot sits comfortably in the boot, without a lot of heel slip or rubbing.

Check out our discussion here:

Cool. I watched your vid. Nice production. Will def watch more. I definitely have low volume feet. 10.5 brannock. Had wesco via IH and they were too sloppy.

 

[Motocann]

I have a pair of Mr. Lous, my issue with them is how the toe box tapers at the end. I'd like the same last with a rounder toe, but I also don't like the 18-22 month Wesco lead times, so I guess it's put up or shut up for me.

Yes! I’ve got my eyes out for a nice pair of Boss boots.

 

[Bfd70]

https://www.butterscotchlb.com/coll.../addict-clothes-horsehide-engineer-boot-black

 

[mlwdp]

IMHO, Wesco Mr. Lou has a pretty tight pass through. I have what some would consider “low volume” feet. Even though I measure a solid 9D on Brannock. I wear a 8D in Wesco. They fit me perfectly. They’re snug pulling them on and off, but foot sits comfortably in the boot, without a lot of heel slip or rubbing.

Check out our discussion here:

How exactly are you pulling yours off? Boot jack or by the heels?

 

[Motocann]

How exactly are you pulling yours off? Boot jack or by the heels?

Yes, I use a boot pull. But, sometimes if I’m at work, I don’t have one handy. I just bring my foot up, and grab it by the heel and pull it off. Unbuckled of course.