Whites Packer Boots

[AeroFan_07]

Figured I would start a new discussion on the Packer and Farmer-Rancher style boots. Other PNW "similar" boots, such as Nicks Rangers - welcome as well.

I snagged the following "11B" White's Packers off ebay last week for a pretty low price - about $160 USD shipped. I tossed an offer at the seller and they accepted it, and shipped it out the same day. So while I had not really been in the market for yet another PNW pair of boots, I am quite happy I took the chance. Photos were decent, and they represented the boots well.

This pair appears to be a pretty standard build for Packers - High arch last (690 as per their website) and Quabug heel over mini-Vibram soles. The logos stamped on the sides of the uppers are the older White's Boots Logo and there is not a date code stamped in either boot. So I suspect these are at least ~ 20+ years old. For being that old, there is quite little wear, only a couple small surface abrasions and a few scratches here and there. Even the heel strike, while present, is not very much to speak of.

Before I go further - I would like to comment on the 690 last these boots use. These are quite high of arch, higher than any other boots I have ever worn. There is a highly distinct "block" that seems to sit under your middle foot/arch area. This takes quite a bit to get used to if you have middle or low arches in your feet. My arches in my feel run "medium" so these are just a bit of a stretch on this pair of boots. Just wanted to alert people to this as it may not be to everyone's liking.

That said, here are initial photos of these boots as I received them:






Happily, these fit my feet perfectly!

After a good deep cleaning, new laces and some White's Boot Perseverative, they are ready for action....

 

[Bfd70]

My whites semi dress have the most arch support of any footwear I’ve ever owned. It’s primarily why i bought them. My pancake flat feet love them.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Yep, I agree, hard to beat the arch support of PNW footwear.

 

[Woodtroll]

Figured I would start a new discussion on the Packer and Farmer-Rancher style boots. Other PNW "similar" boots, such as Nicks Rangers - welcome as well.

I snagged the following "11B" White's Packers off ebay last week for a pretty low price - about $160 USD shipped. I tossed an offer at the seller and they accepted it, and shipped it out the same day. So while I had not really been in the market for yet another PNW pair of boots, I am quite happy I took the chance. Photos were decent, and they represented the boots well.

This pair appears to be a pretty standard build for Packers - High arch last (690 as per their website) and Quabug heel over mini-Vibram soles. The logos stamped on the sides of the uppers are the older White's Boots Logo and there is not a date code stamped in either boot. So I suspect these are at least ~ 20+ years old. For being that old, there is quite little wear, only a couple small surface abrasions and a few scratches here and there. Even the heel strike, while present, is not very much to speak of.

Before I go further - I would like to comment on the 690 last these boots use. These are quite high of arch, higher than any other boots I have ever worn. There is a highly distinct "block" that seems to sit under your middle foot/arch area. This takes quite a bit to get used to if you have middle or low arches in your feet. My arches in my feel run "medium" so these are just a bit of a stretch on this pair of boots. Just wanted to alert people to this as it may not be to everyone's liking.

That said, here are initial photos of these boots as I received them:


View attachment 574658
View attachment 574660 View attachment 574662 View attachment 574663 View attachment 574661


Happily, these fit my feet perfectly!

After a good deep cleaning, new laces and some White's Boot Perseverative, they are ready for action....

View attachment 574665 View attachment 574664 View attachment 574666 View attachment 574667

You did a good job bringing those back to life! I've never understood why folks spend all the money they do on upgraded White's boots with fancy leather or some such, then "force the patina" by intentionally beating the stuffings out of them and letting them dry out just so they look used. To each his own, I guess, but honest wear and good care are most appealing to me. For some reason I just love a warm oil-rubbed satin gloss sheen on wood and leather, much more than a high gloss shine.

The Packers do have a higher arch than my daily-wear Smokejumpers. I think they're more comfortable if I'm not doing heavy week on my feet, but the Smokejumpers are a much more comfortable boot for lots of walking and heavy work. It's certainly nice to have choices, and there are several good choices among the PNW boot makers, as long as you're willing to be patient!

 

[Yancy.41]

I really like Packers. Have a pair of Wesco with MP toe. Was interested in Whites at the time but the Wesco found their way to me on recommendation of Bakers Shoes.

 

[Peter Mackin]

I loved the look of the whites packers I owned, but unfortunately the Arch ease I couldn't get on with.felt like I was walking with a golf ball under my foot.

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^Yes, I have felt that with a prior pair.
This feels like a couple quarters under the middle of my foot, so an improvement.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Reviving this older thread - how did they eventually go Randy? Did you keep them and break them into your feet?

 

[AeroFan_07]

You did a good job bringing those back to life! I've never understood why folks spend all the money they do on upgraded White's boots with fancy leather or some such, then "force the patina" by intentionally beating the stuffings out of them and letting them dry out just so they look used. To each his own, I guess, but honest wear and good care are most appealing to me. For some reason I just love a warm oil-rubbed satin gloss sheen on wood and leather, much more than a high gloss shine.

The Packers do have a higher arch than my daily-wear Smokejumpers. I think they're more comfortable if I'm not doing heavy week on my feet, but the Smokejumpers are a much more comfortable boot for lots of walking and heavy work. It's certainly nice to have choices, and there are several good choices among the PNW boot makers, as long as you're willing to be patient!

I fully agree with what you indicate here. These Packers are an Acquired taste - if that - and that may be why you see them come up often on ebay for not a lot of money. They really belong on feet that ride a horse (not a joke, it's reality). They would support you well in stirrups. Also the finishing you indicate is all I do with my boots, no special treatments here.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Reviving this older thread - how did they eventually go Randy? Did you keep them and break them into your feet?

I still have them and use them sparingly. They are not an everyday boot for me.

They are a nice go-to for quick work projects or where I do not want to risk damaging a nicer, more expensive boot.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I got these Packers. From a gentleman who barely worn them as he didn’t like the high arch. Man the arch support feels soooo good!! I’m even considering selling my 55 last Cutter!

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ That's great! If you have feet that can handle the extra-high 56 last arch, then by all means, wear & enjoy these Packers!

 

[Trouser Bark]

I've got a set of Packers that (for comparison) aren't PNW mfg'd but were also made on a very high arch last. Mine are Chippewa CXL, and I can easily see that when I pass mine on to the next guy they'll probably seem like they have been worn seldom. I like the boots but they're just a little more hassle than I'm looking for when I yank on one of several pairs of harness boots, or a pair of engineers or a Wesco Morrison, etc. In the fullness of time it's become more common for me to skip unnecessary rituals like lacing unless I've got a reason for it.

I think of my Packers a lot like I think of a set of cowboy boots. My one pair of cowboy boots belonged to a cousin that died and I wound up with his boots. They're orange and I'm not a cowboy but I take them out about once a month and to me it's a little like taking my dead cousin's memory out for a stroll. The similarity is that the shape of a Packer boot is a tip of the hat to the cowboy boot concept. Roughly similar shape meant to slide into a stirrup easily, roughly similar heel, roughly similar height and if there were a primary difference it's that the Packer is a cowboy boot that you can tighten up the laces on enough to do actual manual labor whereas the cowboy boot... not so much.

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ That's great! If you have feet that can handle the extra-high 56 last arch, then by all means, wear & enjoy these Packers!

Oops, I guess I contradicted myself, these are 690 last. I have also observed Packers with the "56" last, but who knows really, unless you work for White's, you might not even know, as I do not think they stamp the last on the boot anywhere.

 

[NamoAmituofo]

I’m 99% sure my Packers are 690 last. They are so comfortable and supportive and I’d much prefer them over my 55 and 4811 s

 

[AeroFan_07]

So if those are 8 D or 8.5 D- have a look here:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/finds-and-deals-for-leather-shoes-boots.120321/page-4

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1277981283...MP50MT&hash=item1dc15caece:g:lysAAeSwO9hp1cUL

This pair of Packers (Size 8) is 55 Bidding or $95 BIN!

 

[NamoAmituofo]

Thanks Randy that’s FF way too wide for me

 

[AeroFan_07]

Ah ok good catch. Some of that seller's other boots are "D" so might take a look at those.