Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[Bfd70]

Could you help me with sizing for these? I’ve got low volume feet too (Lofgrens felt very loose on me). My foot measures 27.5cm exactly. Addict’s size 10 is 28cm.. seems right? I wear 11d in MOST Nikes but could wear a 10.5. I wear a 10 in Red Wing moc toes, 9.5d in iron rangers.

Thank you!

9.5
But, as you know, engineers are tricky. Are you purchasing with a return option?

 

[Toastyghost]

9.5
But, as you know, engineers are tricky. Are you purchasing with a return option?

Not sure yet! If I can find some uses I’ll go that route, as I’ve seen these lofgrens really hold up well. I wore my 10.5s for about three months solid and barely even dented the soles.

I’d be ok with my toes touching the end a little bit given my experience so far. Just hoping to find a size that feels less loose in the heel and midfoot.

Really appreciate the help!

 

[Drzdave58]

I just acquired these Lofgrens in brown shinki.

 

[Nykwil]

Briselblack keeper 2 kapak last in Shinki Teacore horse.

 

[Nykwil]

I just acquired these Lofgrens in brown shinki.
View attachment 677388 View attachment 677389

That horse **** tiger stripe grain looks awesome

 

[AeroFan_07]

*Slightly different topic alert* - Failure of a pre-owned Chippewa Engineer boot.

I realized I never did share this on here, and unfortunately it has a sad ending, so if you are easily disturbed by sad endings, just skip this post and move along with this thread. Actually it's being posted to help remind all of us, myself included, that these leather, canvas & wool goods we all love so much are Natural Items and do indeed have a service life. Also there can be hidden defects that we ourselves cannot see, which I believe was the case with this nice pair of boots. They were a bit too small for me after I received them in August of 2023, however they were newly re-soled so I listed these here and ultimately sold them to a shop owner in Des Moines, IA who I know well.

Photos of the boots as I received them -




These were actually just a bit larger in size then his present pair. In his attempt to try them on (he has a pair identical to these so he knew what to expect), the highly unfortunate occurred.

He still wound up taking care of most of the price of these, even though I insisted he not do that. It was an accident, and no-one could have reasonably known they would fail there as these did.

I do indeed hope he was able to do something with them - cut them down a bit, or perhaps attempt a repair. I may head over that way this weekend, since it's been 1.5 years now and maybe they have made them into something.

All the more reason to keep conditioning your boots! I suspect these were either really dehydrated, or maybe over-conditioned....Any thoughts you all would have on this?

 

[Herrvallmo]

I just acquired these Lofgrens in brown shinki.
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Amazing! the Lofgrens are such a great design

 

[Fifty150]

the highly unfortunate occurred.

It's possible to repair the boot by replacing the panel of leather.

 

[Goel]

For anyone who has engineer boots and lace ups in the same last, have you had to size down for engineers? My experience with Wesco leads me to think I might have needed to size down .5 compared to my lace ups, but maybe it was just because of the wedge sole. I know Nick's recommends a half down from lace ups.

 

[Herrvallmo]

For anyone who has engineer boots and lace ups in the same last, have you had to size down for engineers? My experience with Wesco leads me to think I might have needed to size down .5 compared to my lace ups, but maybe it was just because of the wedge sole. I know Nick's recommends a half down from lace ups.

No experience with Nick's nor do I own a pair of engineers in the same last as another pair of boots, but here are my 2cents.

In my experience engineers need to fit rather snug when new(like plastic bag on foot to get them on snug), because all my pairs feels about half a size bigger when fully broken in(one of the reasons why engineers are a bit of a headache lol).

But when you get a pair that fits great they are amazing

Hopefully you'll find a nice pair for yourself!

 

[Bfd70]

I just acquired these Lofgrens in brown shinki.
View attachment 677388 View attachment 677389

Almost too nice to wear

 

[kalaharicowboy]

For anyone who has engineer boots and lace ups in the same last, have you had to size down for engineers? My experience with Wesco leads me to think I might have needed to size down .5 compared to my lace ups, but maybe it was just because of the wedge sole. I know Nick's recommends a half down from lace ups.

This is exactly my experience with engineers. I get too much heel slip with the same size as lace ups. Over the years I have owned Fryes, Chippewas, Wescos and John Lofgrens, and all of them had to be a half size down from my regular boot size.

The only direct comparison I have is with the LJ engineers and chukkas, which are built on the same last. My first pair, I tried a 9.5 in the chukkas and pre-ordered some engineers in store on the basis of that. They arrived and felt way too big - my feet just swam in them. Luckily, because it was in store I could change them to a size 9 and they are amazing. Every time I get a new pair though, I get a 9 and feel they're too small until they break in. To cap it off, because I found the engineers so comfortable, I then ordered the chukkas in a 9 thinking they'd be the same, and I feel like they're too tight. Length is fine, but they're tight over the forefoot for me. I've managed to stretch them out, but I still have to wear them with much thinner socks (not a huge problem because I did buy them with the intention of using them a summer boots).

So conclusion, yeah, I always seem to go down a half-size in my engineers. I think the way they are built with the requirement of slipping your foot in just give them a bit more room. But they toe shape matters as well I think. Some have a much flatter toe shape and some are more bulbous. My WESCOs are a Mr Lou style with the flat toe, and they feel small around the toes. I had to take out the removable insole to wear them comfortably and I'd say I'm still in their break in process. But hopefully my half-size down rule will prove correct with them as well!

 

[John_Z]

Got my Rios Engineer’s on today. Wasn’t sure about these when I got them but with time they’ve grown open me. Bought some years ago from the classifieds on here.

 

[jrkirkwo]

Just picked up these Skoob “Wander” engineer boots in Italian black horsebutt.

Jamie at East West Apparel was super patient and helpful with a handful of back and forth emails to nail the sizing and we got it just right!

His sizing guides are great on the website and luckily, I own some of the boots he uses as points of comparison. These generally run a half down from brannock but most shops also recommend that for Lofgren engineers which I found didn’t really work for me. I sold those and am giving these a go.

In comparison to Lofgren engineers in the same size, I’d say that the Skoobs are more roomy in the toe box, tighter in the waist, similar in the heel, and maybe the same to slightly more roomy in the instep. They are a true D width where Lofgren is an E. I think had I sized up a half size, the Lofgren would have worked lengthwise but been floppy otherwise since I have borderline C/D width feet.

The construction is great and quite similar in fit and feel to the attractions lot 444 boots I have and love. The Skoobs do however have a bit more space in the toe box, and are described as having a Munson-like last.

The packaging is just a simple, thin cardboard box, stamped with the boot info, with the boots wrapped in tissue paper. All good with me, but you won’t get the fancy boot bags and heavy duty box that you get with Lofgren. These are however around 300 USD cheaper and totally worth it for what I really value in a boot. They cost 670 pounds which with shipping to the US came to right around $900.

 

[Herrvallmo]

Just picked up these Skoob “Wander” engineer boots in Italian black horsebutt.

Jamie at East West Apparel was super patient and helpful with a handful of back and forth emails to nail the sizing and we got it just right!

His sizing guides are great on the website and luckily, I own some of the boots he uses as points of comparison. These generally run a half down from brannock but most shops also recommend that for Lofgren engineers which I found didn’t really work for me. I sold those and am giving these a go.

In comparison to Lofgren engineers in the same size, I’d say that the Skoobs are more roomy in the toe box, tighter in the waist, similar in the heel, and maybe the same to slightly more roomy in the instep. They are a true D width where Lofgren is an E. I think had I sized up a half size, the Lofgren would have worked lengthwise but been floppy otherwise since I have borderline C/D width feet.

The construction is great and quite similar in fit and feel to the attractions lot 444 boots I have and love. The Skoobs do however have a bit more space in the toe box, and are described as having a Munson-like last.

The packaging is just a simple, thin cardboard box, stamped with the boot info, with the boots wrapped in tissue paper. All good with me, but you won’t get the fancy boot bags and heavy duty box that you get with Lofgren. These are however around 300 USD cheaper and totally worth it for what I really value in a boot. They cost 670 pounds which with shipping to the US came to right around $900.

Looks amazing! great find

 

[John_Z]

Just picked up these Skoob “Wander” engineer boots in Italian black horsebutt.

Jamie at East West Apparel was super patient and helpful with a handful of back and forth emails to nail the sizing and we got it just right!

His sizing guides are great on the website and luckily, I own some of the boots he uses as points of comparison. These generally run a half down from brannock but most shops also recommend that for Lofgren engineers which I found didn’t really work for me. I sold those and am giving these a go.

In comparison to Lofgren engineers in the same size, I’d say that the Skoobs are more roomy in the toe box, tighter in the waist, similar in the heel, and maybe the same to slightly more roomy in the instep. They are a true D width where Lofgren is an E. I think had I sized up a half size, the Lofgren would have worked lengthwise but been floppy otherwise since I have borderline C/D width feet.

The construction is great and quite similar in fit and feel to the attractions lot 444 boots I have and love. The Skoobs do however have a bit more space in the toe box, and are described as having a Munson-like last.

The packaging is just a simple, thin cardboard box, stamped with the boot info, with the boots wrapped in tissue paper. All good with me, but you won’t get the fancy boot bags and heavy duty box that you get with Lofgren. These are however around 300 USD cheaper and totally worth it for what I really value in a boot. They cost 670 pounds which with shipping to the US came to right around $900.

I like these. The toe box is the kind I go for over the flat toe boxes.

 

[NCF]

Bright Shoemakers Vulture boot.

 

[NCF]

Bright Shoemakers Vulture boot.

I’m kinda in love with myself when I have these boots on. They’re so pretty, I’m so pretty in them.

 

[Herrvallmo]

Bright Shoemakers Vulture boot. View attachment 679835 View attachment 679836 View attachment 679837

Glad to see more people rockin' the Vultures! and after seeing your pictures I really want another pair but in black(and the coming green ones haha), skål!

 

[John_Z]

Vintage Double-H Engineers.