Advice on Engineer boots

[Luc Punksblood]

Check craft and glory as well if you wanna try some cheap ones.

I think they're good bang for buck but find their pattern rather lackluster. Hard to explain but it's like the shaft is too wide front-to-back as if the upper ought to be longer so the curve at the instep could be closer to the shin. Their standard D width (in their engineers anyways) fits fairly wide which isn't inherently a bad thing. The leather is decently stuff but almost dry - the straps curled up really quick but I gave them a condition before laying some Obenauf's Heavy LP on them as I inted to put them through their paces on the bike.

I'm not optimistic about the them resisting water since I opted for leather insoles which happened to squeak so I powdered them and out them back in to find that when I step down into them the powder spits out of the stitching around the toe. Finally, if I were to order again I would reach out and request a sole upgrade as I know they have Dr. Sole's as an upgrade option and I'm not fond of their in-house sole pattern/feel but am in no rush to resole them now.

But they are genuinely handmade, goodyear welted or stitchdown construction, made to order in a timely fashion, and ultimately more affordable than even many better options on the used market. I would just hate for any of the potential downsides aforementioned to dissuade anyone from upgrading from these or end up giving up on engineers altogether.

As for the original poster, I constantly see short Chippewa's on Ebay for sub $500, at least in my size. Some Red Wings but substantially higher prices with the occasional great deal.

 

[TartuWolf]

@Luc Punksblood thank you for sharing your experience in so much detail. Great example of bringing value / contributing as a member!

 

[navetsea]

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on shorter engineer boots? Example is a 7" Chippewa attached.

Any worn pics etc? Trying to source my first pair and unsure whether to go for the shorter or longer ones. Generally would like them for casual wear but also to wear on the bike but I'm wondering if the taller ones are going to be too much of a step up from my usual boots to feel comfortable.

if the shaft is narrow like zip up boots it's fine to be an ankle boots, but if the shaft is wide and low, then as you bend your ankle a bit when you sit , the low shaft won't follow your ankle movement because it is wide enough and unaffected, and so there is probably a weird bent on your lower trousers leg because the short shaft poking underneath.