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Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

jimmer_5

Practically Family
Messages
667
Location
Oregon
Not sure about the price, but I don't think they'll be more than, say, a pair of Road Champs.

Update: 59,800.00 JPY / $780.762 - not a bad price at all!!

That is definitely some food for thought - I wonder if they will be as nice as your Beck's or the Road Champs. The Becks in particular look like they are made from super thick leather - unfortunately, it didn't look like they made them in a size 13.... I was looking those up yesterday and getting quite a hankering for a pair.
 

jimmer_5

Practically Family
Messages
667
Location
Oregon
Anyone have any opinions on the RRL Engineer boots? They look really nice, but I wonder if you'd be paying more for the name.
 

deluxestyling

One of the Regulars
Messages
217
Location
Suburbia. London
Anyone have any opinions on the RRL Engineer boots? They look really nice, but I wonder if you'd be paying more for the name.

I own a black studded pair as does marineabilly. Have a search around his excellent blog there's info there on his and mine.

How much do I like RRL engineers?... I just bought a brown pair! Paid $595 with free shipping.


edit. just noticed there's no hyperlink on marineabilly's post so here it is http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.com/
 
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jimmer_5

Practically Family
Messages
667
Location
Oregon
Would you guys say the quality of workmanship and thickness of leather are comparable to the Mister Freedom Road Champs, or even to the Becks?

I am just curious if the reason for wanting to pay less is based on the styling, the craftsmanship, or both.
 

CodeRed

One of the Regulars
Messages
153
Location
cali
What are the best engineer boots these days? Wesco, Beck, Mister Freedom...want to focus on the 100%
 

jimmer_5

Practically Family
Messages
667
Location
Oregon
Out of that list, the only ones I have personal experience with are Wesco - and they are fantastic. Truthfully, Marineabilly is the expert, but I think your list pretty much nailed the best offerings out there.
 

Munchman

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
Germany
Can someone explain to me when black engineer boots will fade to brown over time and when not?
For example the Mister Freedom Road Champs are described as black and are supposed to turn brown with usage due to a number of colour layers. I have to say that even though they are officially described as black they look brown from the start.
But I've seen a number of well worn in engineers that were originally black but then faded to brown.
For instance I'm wondering what will happen to the leather of the upcoming Lofgren ones.
thanks in advance
 

coleslawyum

New in Town
Messages
9
Location
Brick City
Usually you have to look at the flesh side (rough side). If its brown, and not dyed through black, it usually means the upper will turn brown. Unless you start to polish them.

Best engineer boots are Buco, imo, but I still love the Chippewa profile. Too bad they use such crap materials these days.
 

Stearmen

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,202
I keep forgetting to post these. I picked these up last year, they were tucked in around a corner at the local Harley shop. I almost didn't see them, marked down to $90.00 with tax! Not bad, they are my riding and beeter boots now.
IMG_4343.jpg
 

mattp

One of the Regulars
Messages
161
Location
Australia
I've got a pair of those exact HD Hustons, they've been going strong for 5-6 years through some pretty tough conditions, they're great boots! Super comfy once they break in too, I only hope my new Red Wings become as comfortable.
Cheers, Matt
 

billyb

Familiar Face
Messages
70
Location
Florida
Usually you have to look at the flesh side (rough side). If its brown, and not dyed through black, it usually means the upper will turn brown. Unless you start to polish them.

Best engineer boots are Buco, imo, but I still love the Chippewa profile. Too bad they use such crap materials these days.

Try looking into Viberg, Wesco, and White's. These bootmakers are timeless. A little pricey but well worth it. No crap material and top-notch craftsmanship.
 

jimmer_5

Practically Family
Messages
667
Location
Oregon
I sent the following info to Marineabilly for his blog, and I thought it might be good to post it here as well. There is a new contender in the high end Engineer boot market, and I'm really looking forward to receiving my pair. I'l be honest - I probably sound like a shill in this post, but it's just because I have been wanting White's to make a proper Engineer Boot for a long time.

I just thought you might be interested to know that White's has just come out with a new pair of true "White's" branded Engineer boots. White's previous offering was the Hathorn Explorer "Open Road" Engineer Boot. In all honesty, the fit was lousy, and they didn't offer any customization, and you could have any color as long as it was black. I tried a pair on at White's store in Spokane last year, and was unimpressed. Even the guy who worked there urged against them and hinted that they were working on a new, improved Engineer boot.

The new boots are called the "Nomad", and they sell for $419 through Baker Shoes. They just put them up on their website today - here's a link: http://www.bakershoe.com/shop-by-brand.cfm/brand/whites-boots/product/whites-boots-nomad-engineer/ I think Baker's started this project with White's, so they are the only vendor I am aware of that offers them right now (other than calling White's directly).

The standard boot has a Vibram 100 sole with a single midsole. They are leather lined in the vamp and come standard with a celastic toe. The toe is supposed to be a very similar profile to the Wesco Boss round toe. They also feature the White's "Arch Ease" arch support.

I just placed an order for a pretty standard pair with the folowing specs:

Sole Vibram 100 Lug
Heel Lifts Standard
Edge Natural
Size – 12.5 D (medium)
Leather Brown Cowhide
Leather Configuration Smooth Leather
Midsole Single
Heel Base Standard

The website allows for some customization, but I think more options will be available if you ask. When I placed my order, I asked about the possibility of getting a double midsole with a Vibram 705 half sole, and they said it was no problem. If I like my first pair (and I'm pretty sure that I will), I will probably order a second pair in Red Dog with 705's and double mids - more of a vintage correct look.

I know my description sounds like an advertisement, but I am just really excited about these - I have been planning on ordering a pair of Nick's "Renegade" engineer boots, but I have been hesistant because the price will be over $500 and I have had problems getting a good fit with them in the past. These White's should fit about the same as a Smoke Jumper, and the base price of $420 is quite reasonable. Hopefully I'll have mine in 8 weeks and then I'll be able to review them properly.

Anyhow, have a great day, and feel free to ignore this if you choose. I just thought it was worth sharing.

Prototype:

NewWhitesEngineerBoot01.jpg

NewWhitesEngineerBoot02.jpg



Production Pics from Baker's

Whites_Engineer_MB9165V_Rt.jpg

Whites_Engineer_MB9165V_Pair.jpg

Whites_Engineer_MB9165V.jpg
 
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billyb

Familiar Face
Messages
70
Location
Florida
I sent the following info to Marineabilly for his blog, and I thought it might be good to post it here as well. There is a new contender in the high end Engineer boot market, and I'm really looking forward to receiving my pair. I'l be honest - I probably sound like a shill in this post, but it's just because I have been wanting White's to make a proper Engineer Boot for a long time.

I just thought you might be interested to know that White's has just come out with a new pair of true "White's" branded Engineer boots. White's previous offering was the Hathorn Explorer "Open Road" Engineer Boot. In all honesty, the fit was lousy, and they didn't offer any customization, and you could have any color as long as it was black. I tried a pair on at White's store in Spokane last year, and was unimpressed. Even the guy who worked there urged against them and hinted that they were working on a new, improved Engineer boot.

The new boots are called the "Nomad", and they sell for $419 through Baker Shoes. They just put them up on their website today - here's a link: http://www.bakershoe.com/shop-by-brand.cfm/brand/whites-boots/product/whites-boots-nomad-engineer/ I think Baker's started this project with White's, so they are the only vendor I am aware of that offers them right now (other than calling White's directly).

The standard boot has a Vibram 100 sole with a single midsole. They are leather lined in the vamp and come standard with a celastic toe. The toe is supposed to be a very similar profile to the Wesco Boss round toe. They also feature the White's "Arch Ease" arch support.

I just placed an order for a pretty standard pair with the folowing specs:

Sole Vibram 100 Lug
Heel Lifts Standard
Edge Natural
Size – 12.5 D (medium)
Leather Brown Cowhide
Leather Configuration Smooth Leather
Midsole Single
Heel Base Standard

The website allows for some customization, but I think more options will be available if you ask. When I placed my order, I asked about the possibility of getting a double midsole with a Vibram 705 half sole, and they said it was no problem. If I like my first pair (and I'm pretty sure that I will), I will probably order a second pair in Red Dog with 705's and double mids - more of a vintage correct look.

I know my description sounds like an advertisement, but I am just really excited about these - I have been planning on ordering a pair of Nick's "Renegade" engineer boots, but I have been hesistant because the price will be over $500 and I have had problems getting a good fit with them in the past. These White's should fit about the same as a Smoke Jumper, and the base price of $420 is quite reasonable. Hopefully I'll have mine in 8 weeks and then I'll be able to review them properly.

Anyhow, have a great day, and feel free to ignore this if you choose. I just thought it was worth sharing.

Prototype:

NewWhitesEngineerBoot01.jpg

NewWhitesEngineerBoot02.jpg



Production Pics from Baker's

Whites_Engineer_MB9165V_Rt.jpg

Whites_Engineer_MB9165V_Pair.jpg

Whites_Engineer_MB9165V.jpg

I placed an order with Baker's within an hour of them posting the availability on facebook...I was number 2...someone beat me to the punch;-)
 
Last edited:

Infinitum

A-List Customer
Messages
487
Location
USA
Guys, I have a pair of what I think are quite old Engineer boots. I have no idea who made them, as there does not appear to be a mark/tag anywhere. No marked size, no stamp of the maker, nothing. I think they may have been resoled, but I am not sure.

Is there any way to determine the maker? I know some boots are quite valuable, so is there any way to determine value?

Thank you!
 

rocketeer

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,605
Location
England
I have up until recently only had 1960s British motorcycles, and being a bit of a poser usually had the gear simply for the 'look'. That is zip back high boots and an open face skid lid with goggles.
Speaking to a veteran police rider from his old Norton Commando days he told me he usually wore his horse riding boots on motorcycle patrol(he was also a mounted office).
I have since taken this up and they look great on my old BSA 650. But if I ride the Hayabusa I'm afraid its SIDI's and the full race look.
Johnny T
 

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