Battle Of The Top-Tier Engineers

Bender said:

Yep. But still should be a good deal tougher and harder-wearing than Lofgren’s usual CXL, no?

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Bfd70 said:

Based on the vintage engineer boots site i imagine lofgren cxl is plenty tough.

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Bender said:

Yep. But still should be a good deal tougher and harder-wearing than Lofgren’s usual CXL, no?

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Bender said:

It’s not, particularly. At least if my Donkey Punchers are any indication.

I know CXL has a lot of fans, but it’s a softer leather, and it’s not too difficult to put a nice cut or gash in it- on the bike, in the woods, or whatever... especially when it’s new. I find it to be about as cut-resistant as the softer Red Wing stuff- Amber Harness and the like. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a delicate leather. CXL is a work boot leather. But it’s on the softer side. It’s saving grace is how damn thick it is.

I do find it toughens up a little and develops a bit of a harder shell with wear. But at least at the outset, if you’re putting your boots through the ringer, I think you need to be a little more careful to avoid cuts and nicks than you would be with a harder leather.

Just one man’s opinion. YMMV.

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BotanPhotography said:

CXL attracts cuts and nicks because of how oiled and waxy they are, just like an Aero FQHH jacket.

Hard wearing =/= scratch proof. My half belt august in CXL has cuts on the sleeve and rub marks on the collar and back but there’s absolutely zero risk of it falling apart. Same with Lofgren boots. If you just don’t like the aesthetic of them thats one thing, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t hard wearing!

In general though, rough out is less needy, and waxed rough out is even less so.

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Bender said:

Not talking scratches, I’m talking cuts... the Lofgrens have been spared because I’m mindful of them, but I have a pair of White’s in CXL that I have abused, and they definitely have deep cuts in them... again, the saving grace of the leather is it’s thickness, bc a few of these would probably be slits were this thinner leather. Whether or not a cut affects a boot’s long term life/durability is I guess a debate... personally, I can’t see a cut going halfway through the hide doing anything but making the boot structurally weaker in that area. Whether or not it will ever actually blow in that area comes down to luck, I guess. Personally, I’d rather just go with a more cut resistant leather...

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Dmartin said:

I love my Lofgrens. To me, they are one of the most beautiful Engineer boots out there.
However, I agree with Bender. They scuff and nick quite easy, at least compared to an iron ranger amber harness or other oiled leathers. The leather is buttery soft and I love how they age, but was a bit surprised when I first got them and had minor nicks and scuffs the first day I was walking the dog. They will however, for sure not fall apart.
I wear them riding my bike and the shifter pays its toll. I don't mind too much since I think engineers only get better with age.

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Bfd70 said:

Shifter beats up every boot. I sometimes wear a boot guard. It’s not that i mind the wear, but the lack of symmetry it creates tickles my cdo.

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