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Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...
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Blackadder
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LOL. Calling them knock-offs is a bit harsh. These are not made by some sweat shops. Anyway, I don't mind picking up a pair of the "knock-offs" if they are of reasonable quality and come in one of my favourite colour i.e. tan. Afterall I do pick up the occasional piece of "knock-off" Levi's denim jackets from Warehouse and Denime etc.Nice however...
Bow and Arrow (I think?) knocked off MF
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Edward
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Mn. As we've debated extensively elsewhere, the thing about clothes is that it's pretty much impossible to protect the design (as distinct from the pattern) - especially so if it's a historical design that goes back seventy odd years. I can completely understand thed frustration of working to establish a market for a particular style, then having someone elsed come along and do something very similar once you've taken the risk and done the work, but equally I'm not really sure I'd ever be comfortable with that position changing. Can you imagine if only one company were allowed to produce a specific boot, a specific A2 or motorcycle jacket style, or whatever? Of course, this is where the power of the brand and brand identity really becomes important: a lot of folks will always prefer the MF of those two simply because they perceive it as the "original", the "real thing", et cetera.
A few things I thought I'd share.
- I picked up a pair of the Iron Heart/Wesco 1930's Engineers. One photo below and many more here.
- I put up a short review of them over here.
- Simon James Cathcart was/is answering questions about his line of shoes here. I've seen questions about what model on which his engineers are based. TL;DR - it's a few things including a RAF 1936 boot. He also mentions he's leaving the edges natural and lengthening the straps on his production models of the engineer.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/989257464/sjc-summer-footwear-collection
Get on the kickstarter guys
Get on the kickstarter guys
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Hi, my girlfriend and I want to buy a pair of engineer boots for a female friend of ours and our first thought was Frye. But we wanted to check first with this group to see if there is a "better" as in better value, more authentic, better made version than Frye - even one that costs more, but is worth it? A lot of times the best known name isn't necessarily the best one to buy and we are not familiar with all the options for engineer boots. Thank you.
Blackadder
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I think Frye has the widest selection for female. Some of the better made boots like White's and Wesco are quite heavy.
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Thank you. So there isn't a meaningfully "better" option than Frye?
Edward
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I see Simon's succeeded in getting the funding needed for the project to go ahead, so anyone who wants in now can do so knowing it'll definitely happen. Interestinly, the engineer boots seem to have been the most popular option on the KS when last I checked - but then SJCs proven track record so far is with denim, so I suppose it follows. Looking forward to seeing how they turn out.
I do not own any FRYE boots currently, however, something has happened to that brand. FRYE was all made right here in the USA for a very long time, and anything made by FRYE was super fantastic quality. But then something has happened, they have far too much of their product made with some very cheap PRESSED leather. Pressed leather is chunks and tid bits of leather that is PRESSED with steam and glue to make a single sheet of leather of it. JUNK! You can with ease, pull apart and rip any pressed leather if you want to do that, so why buy junk? Their shoes are CHINA or some made in Mexico. Not much quality at all. They have no weight to them as they are simply not made with anything of quality at all. Such a shame.
Not sure if any of their engineer boots are made in the USA? If not, you would be wasting your money on FRYE brand, just my opinion.
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Not sure how it may translate to women's Frye boots, but I have Frye Brando Engineer, Arkansas Engineer and Arkansas Lace-Up that I feel are a great deal for the discounted price you can often find. They are made by Addison Shoe Co. in Wynne, Arkansas as far as I know. My wife has several pairs of Frye boots as well and loves them.
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Great info thank you. Any suggestion on brands that you do make quality women's boots?
Yes, quite awesome. I am a bit tempted on the Spectators and wear them as athletic shoes, as they were originally, but alas..I have too many shoes at current.
http://www.thefryecompany.com/engineer-8r/d/77500C17482?CategoryId=102
I found these Frye Boots on their website. It does say they are USA made. That is a plus to some degree. Not having the boots "in hand" it is hard to say how well made they would be. I do see some boots in the above "kickstarter" that are being offered by Simon, I have no doubt at all those boots are of super good quality, and the price range makes them in my personal opinion, the best option between buying the FRYE brand and his offerings from the Kickstarter ones.
FRYE Boots (Campus Model) are something we are more familiar with here in my home, as both my Husband and I own a pair of them. Now those boots are super well made, heavy material and very good quality. BUT those are already 30 years old! So they are Vintage now.
Zuriick Leo(by nicks boots) is also available in women's sizes
http://zuriick.myshopify.com/collections/men/products/leo-black-8
http://zuriick.myshopify.com/collections/men/products/leo-black-8
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Those are very cool looking - thank you
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