Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[mlwdp]

You're wondering...

If I buy a brand spanking new pair of Wesco engineer or harness boots what will the break in experience be like?

I'm roughly a week in on a brand new pair of 14" Wesco harness boots and this is what you might or might not encounter:

- Calves cramping when you go to remove the boot in the evening. It's a thick heel stack and works your leg a little differently than some of the other shoes you may be used to.

- The break-in is better (for me) once I remove the insole. It's a 7oz leather w/ a liner and that doesn't have a lot of give right out of the box.

- Condition the boots w/ bee oil once you get them. Use the entire tube that comes w/ the boots (it's roughly the same length and circumference as your thumb). Slather that on and in a hour or so the boots will have sucked it up.

- Wear them every day for the first 30 days. If you've got some kind of evil foot ***** action going on you may want to reconsider but your feet don't benefit from a protracted break in, nor do your boots.

- If you bought your boots w/ the Vibram # 100 sole note that driving will be a little different for a while, particularly if you are driving a manual trans car or truck.

- That big boot w/ a Vibram 100 may also make you rethink ingress and egress from the vehicle.

I use to have this sole on mine. Changed it (among other things) to a Dr. Sole sole. I had the same problems too as mine has a leather lining as well.

 

[codex]

Does anyone here know who makes the Crush on retro 501 engineer boots / the Brake house 3450 (it's the same boot)?

Neither of these companies ship to my country and I'm wondering if anyone knows the Taobao seller/actual maker so I could ship through superbuy.

 

[codex]

Does anyone here know who makes the Crush on retro 501 engineer boots / the Brake house 3450 (it's the same boot)?

Neither of these companies ship to my country and I'm wondering if anyone knows the Taobao seller/actual maker so I could ship through superbuy.

For anyone interested, I found the maker. It's Ray Kwok. The boots are 150 USD cheaper on taobao.

 

[Goel]

Question for those with Engineer boots, just how much heel slip is considered normal? Been wearing my low MP Toe Boss boots for about a week now with thick socks and a thicker insole (as I do with all my Wesco boots) and there's still noticeable heel slip compared to my lace ups. However they really do feel like they fit perfectly in her toebox, vamp etc... I'm concerned if I go down another half size they'll be tighter in the heel but possibly too tight everywhere else. I could do a buildup at the front of the boot but I would have to discuss with them first.

 

[Herrvallmo]

For anyone interested, I found the maker. It's Ray Kwok. The boots are 150 USD cheaper on taobao.

Yes CoR/Brakehouse/whoever are just middle men for us in the west really, you pay for the convenience and support, but I would say go via Taobao if you know how I own a pair of engineers from them and they are super solid!

 

[codex]

Yes CoR/Brakehouse/whoever are just middle men for us in the west really, you pay for the convenience and support, but I would say go via Taobao if you know how I own a pair of engineers from them and they are super solid!

View attachment 785139

Leather rolls pretty nicely. Apparently I can order the boots without the toe stiffener. Would you think that's fine with this leather?

 

[Herrvallmo]

Leather rolls pretty nicely. Apparently I can order the boots without the toe stiffener. Would you think that's fine with this leather?

I went with the unconstructed toe for a sleeker look and it's holding up great!

 

[codex]

I went with the unconstructed toe for a sleeker look and it's holding up great!

Very nice, I wouldn't even have guessed it. Definitely going with that option now!

 

[hogsrear]

I’m a 10D and the Lofgrens by far have the best heel grip I own. I sized down to 9D in them and that should probably work for you too, seems we have similar feet.

The Wesco Mr Lou’s and Whites have the most heel slip. I want to try Addicts soon, but don’t have much desire to own the Attractions. Briselblack is also a favorite of mine, probably second after Lofgrens.

Good luck in your search and research.

After two pairs of custom White's Nomads I would have to agree, the entire boot feels and looks great but heel slip is a problem. I have tried every combo of socks, insoles, even the stick in tongue pads and have yet to solve it. I expect a little slip but this is more than a little. Funny because I have been considering the Mr. Lou as a next option (sadly this has been a long journey) but this makes me hesitant.

 

[jpto]

Question for those with Engineer boots, just how much heel slip is considered normal? Been wearing my low MP Toe Boss boots for about a week now with thick socks and a thicker insole (as I do with all my Wesco boots) and there's still noticeable heel slip compared to my lace ups. However they really do feel like they fit perfectly in her toebox, vamp etc... I'm concerned if I go down another half size they'll be tighter in the heel but possibly too tight everywhere else. I could do a buildup at the front of the boot but I would have to discuss with them first.

I think it depends on how your foot interacts with the boot/last. If they fit perfectly everywhere else than the heel than I wouldn't size down.

I found my Role Club engineers had minimal heel slip after break in, Clinch as well. Other brands did have slip that never went away and they weren't good for walking long distances.

PNW boots also tend to be heavier than other types of boots and the weight can contribute to heel slip. You can also try punching an additional hole in the ankle strap and tightening it down further to see if that helps with heel slip

 

[mlwdp]

My custom Wesco have heel slip, not good for long distances of walking.

 

[Bfd70]

OTR engineer boots are not for everyone

 

[Edward]

OTR engineer boots are not for everyone

Agreed, it's all about finding the right last. My old Grinders twenty odd years ago were about half a size too big (they only did full sizes, so sizing down wasn't an option). Nightmare to walk more than a hundred yards in until I discovered a thick foam insole was the game changer. Red Wing 2268s, otoh, and my Chippewas, are perfect for my foot. ALL about finding the right last for you.