Battle Of The Top-Tier Engineers

Clinch!

 

I'm going other: Wesco. This for the simple reason that if money comes into it, Wesco for me are the best balance between being able to order a boot to my spec and price. Once you get into the others, they're all outstanding. More than I'd be comfortable spending on as pair of boots alone, but money no object I don't think any of them are objective better than each other, just different. So yeah - Wesco for me; if someone else is paying the bill, however, whichever of those others fits my foot best is probably the answer. Aesthetics aside, I think the most important distinction with an engineer boot has to be the fit; in my experience, some brands will fit me just right from the off, while others will always need an insole to snug 'em up. A boot at 150, I can live with that, but for the big money I'd want them fitting right from the off.

 

RC, Wesco and Whites are the only option in EEE so screw all you needle foot posers!

 

Attractions by a long shot and game over for all the other makers as far as engineers go. yeah I like them a lot

 

If you really want an answer on best built the number of people who have handled all three plus other is a pretty small sample (though larger here than most venues). I think Attractions look the best. I’ve read too many reviews about how long it takes to break them in. I’ve owned Wesco and thought they looked great but didnt fit me well. I’ve had pair of Lofgren. They fit great and are comfortable out of the box. My gripe is each pair had at least on part where the grain was substantially looser than the rest of the boot. Sent one pair back it was so bad. Sellers were great. According to them they reached out to Lofgren himself who said “i wouldn’t pay $1000 for those, they should be exchange.” Each of my other pair suffer the same but to a lesser degree. I dont typically see that in photos of other makes. But, as mentioned, they are super comfortable.

 

Oh, and haven’t Road champs been unobtainable for years?

 

^They are hard to get by. I think I read somewhere they are taking pre orders now but I can be wrong.

Seriously though, as cliche as it sounds, you can’t go wrong with any of the makers you brought up though the big absents from your list imho all the Japanese brands like Clinch, attractions, the Flat Head etc. In the end is down to personal preference as to what little detail from the xxx model catches your eye more than that from the yyy model.

 

Chippewa 97863. Look good, last long, cheap. Don't feel bad beating them up at work.

 

I have Attractions and Wesco Mister Lous. Attractions Horsebutt leather is top quality, I heard the construction can be hit or miss, but mine are fine. They're super comfortable once you wear them a little bit, though the first time was super difficult to take off and put on my left foot. The Mister Lous were easy to put on and take off, but the break in hurts. Also, I have flat feet, so the waist of my foot sits on the part where it curves in, which makes it a bit uncomfortable. They're definitely the boots I'd grab if I'm going for a ride vs if I'm walking or will be on my feet all day.

Lofgren is Lofgren, if you like CXL its a great pick.

Japanese makers like Moto or Clinch usually have near unimpeachable stitching, finishing, and leather pick. Clinch being almost the "Mecca" of Engineers. If you have a contact in Japan you can usually take advantage of the exchange rate vs buying directly in the West.

Road Champs are doing another run this year, but it depends on whether you like the profile of them or not. Vintage Engineer Boots is my go to source for all things Engineers, his top three according to his blog are Lofgrens, Attractions, and Road Champs in no particular order. He wears the FUCK out of his boots too. The reason he excludes Clinch is due to price point being prohibitive.

 

I saw some Clinch boots in the Clutch Cafe here in London some time back. Lovely boots, just too rich for my blood at around GBP700 for off the shelf. Money no object, mind, I'd have walked out of the store wearing them had they been comfortable (I didn't bother to try them on because money, alas, is very much something I need to keep in mind when shopping!).

 

Now they’re more than double that

 

Role Club and Clinch are my top picks, handwelted and the quality are equally great on both of them

 

I would strongly recommend Flame Panda as well. Peng is super helpful, very well priced for a full custom boot. I’ve seen a couple of his engineers on Instagram and they’re pretty killer.
Plus if you like Chinese food his Instagram is awesome too

 

I’m not sure Lofgren does any HH boots aside from that one anniversary version of their service boot. Also the Lofgren Eastman Tanker is in veg tanned Horsehide as well, source unknown though.

Attractions have a shop in Tokyo, I am unclear whether thats their headquarters or just a shop.

Flame Panda you can send him a message through Instagram, or there is a QQ email address on his Instagram profile, which he will respond to as well.

I recommend also checking out Moto JP, they also do Engineers. Moto as a brand probably has the highest cost efficiency before you get to diminishing returns.

 

Oh that one is a waxed rough out. Similar to Wesco Waxed Flesh.

 

I believe Attractions are made by Makers but I have no actual proof. I have two pairs of Attractions and the materials and workmanship of my lot 268 is identical to the Makers engineer boots, different last but same horsebutt, same sole and same stitch work.
https://www.facebook.com/stmakers/
https://maker-s.jp/product