White's Boots

[Colin G]

I have some 6" tall, Brown Dress Bounty Hunters on order. No pics from me for a couple months, yet.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Kicking this thread back into action.

If anyone is interested, I posted a in-depth review of the Otto White's that I put in this thread clear back in 2017 when they were almost new. Hard to believe it's been that long. It's in the General Forum, which seems a bit slower-paced and less frequently visited that the Outerwear forum...

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...eview-otto-whites-vintage-line-packer.105015/

 

[Fireflame]

And a couple of more...

Sweet resole on these!!

 

[Leatherbirdsoul]

Just saw this White’s thread.

I’m traveling for a few weeks right now and wore my most comfortable boots. My feet feel better after exploring all day in these than even sneakers.

9338 Swing Last

Black Oil R/O & Black Elk Tan

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^Those are very sharp boots, and look quite comfortable.

 

[Leatherbirdsoul]

^^Those are very sharp boots, and look quite comfortable.

I find that the the Swing’s relatively lower heel makes walking easy. And the arch support keeps my feet happy.

I bought them for work - that’s why I went with the rough out. Though, they turned out too nice for that. They are not fancy leather, but the combo punches above their weight look wise.
Casual, of course, but distinctive.

 

[Yoshi_87]

Is there a reason almost no one here talks about these boots?
I tried the "350 Cruiser CXL" on at a local store here in germany and really liked them. But they cost 900€, so that is quite expensive for a pair of boots. I had Solovairs and even Iron Rangers and could not walk in them for a long time. And I tried for months to make them work. In the end I sold both again.

I really need to try on the boots so ordering online is kind of annoying, or even impossible if I can't just buy them here in germany. So being able to get the whites boots in store is really appealing.

 

[El Marro]

Is there a reason almost no one here talks about these boots?

I can’t think of any reason in particular, other than the fact that they have been around forever so maybe they are taken for granted.
I love my Whites Boots. I have two pair of the Semi Dress with Medallion toe caps and they are awesome.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Is there a reason almost no one here talks about these boots?
I tried the "350 Cruiser CXL" on at a local store here in germany and really liked them. But they cost 900€, so that is quite expensive for a pair of boots. I had Solovairs and even Iron Rangers and could not walk in them for a long time. And I tried for months to make them work. In the end I sold both again.

I really need to try on the boots so ordering online is kind of annoying, or even impossible if I can't just buy them here in germany. So being able to get the whites boots in store is really appealing.

Yes, their prices have shot up in the past five years.

But as far as discussing them -

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/whites-packer-boots.113241/

All over in this thread -
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/footwear-to-go-with-our-jackets.91962/page-156#post-2852613

 

[soreilly]

Curious if anyone has had the Cruiser and Cutters and could tell me the fit difference. I have a fairly narrow and flat foot so boots tend to get tricky for me but thinking the cutter having a further lacing would benefit keeping my foot locked down

 

[AeroFan_07]

I find this supplier (store) to be a little more helpful than White's own website at time (I have ordered from both however) -
https://bakershoe.com/products/c350-crusier

https://bakershoe.com/products/c350-cutter

I believe the main difference is what is pasted in below - the Cutter is Lace to Toe
From their site "The 350 Lace-to-Toe has been a favorite for every tradesman across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Workers who desire a boot that is more adaptive and protective of the instep and toe box have been wearing it for more than just aesthetics. Its function is worthy of relentless labor. ..."

You can see this by the (slightly) extended lacing forward of the Cutter than the Cruiser -

350 Cutter -

350 Cruiser -

I'm glad this was asked as I have wondered the difference a while myself. It takes a sharp eye to realize the difference.

Now of course I want a pair of lace-to-toe boots to see how they compare.

 

[milkbaby]

Curious if anyone has had the Cruiser and Cutters and could tell me the fit difference. I have a fairly narrow and flat foot so boots tend to get tricky for me but thinking the cutter having a further lacing would benefit keeping my foot locked down

These boots were both built on the 55 last, so technically they should fit the same. However the lace to toe (LTT) on the left feels like there's less vertical volume in the toe box and feel just a tiny bit tighter on the sides of the ball of my foot up through the toes. Not sure that this is actually a real difference in the pattern used or just variance in the different leathers and individual differences in hand lasted boots.

If you see any difference in the shape of the two boots (left pair looks like it's maybe wider at the instep and ankle), the one on the right has been broken in for a couple of years whereas the left boot I've been keeping unworn in the box to potentially wear in the Patina Thunderdome contest. The leathers used are thick and White's also uses them on the gusseted tongue, so they take a while to mold to your feet and legs. I use a Z-fold on the tongue, so the tongue fold on the unbroken in boot isn't as flat as on the broken in boot.

I feel it's more important to get the sizing right and a compatible last (the form that the boot is built upon) than choosing between LTT and the regular derby boot pattern.

 

[soreilly]

Very much appreciated! The issue I face is, I wear an 11.5-12 in sneakers and closer to 11s in work boots. My feet are very narrow and flat, especially for a 12. This means only very narrow lasts generally fit my feet great, so engineers are fantastic. That said I don't always love wearing an engineer, especially if I'm standing in my shop all day or many over instances.

I will probably reach out to Whites and talk to them directly when the time comes, as my 12-year-old red wings are definitely on their last resole and need replacing by next spring.

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ You'll never regret going with White's or Nick's after having Red Wings.
Being a first time, I would either do the White's via Baker's Boots in Oregon (customer service is a little better along with return/re-size policies) or just skip right over to Nick's and work with them directly.

Ideally do foot tracings and full Made to Order for the first time around. I would keep it to a Moderate arch and lace-up models only if you have a somewhat flat foot and are working in a shop setting. So avoiding the "Packer" style boots as those have a very high arch and can be rather difficult to get to work with slightly flatter feet.