Help me find an engineer boot
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I look to the wise and experienced IH devotees to help me find an engineer boots. I'm grateful for the help and guidance.
First, some background. I posted the same request in another thread, and it was thought best that this is best as its own thread.
I’m curious how the different boot manufacturers' engineers fit. Mainly, everything but Wesco.
And here’s why; I’m preparing for the possibility that the custom engineers they built for me aren’t going to work and will be sold or returned. The short of it is that while I’ve long lusted for a pair of Mr Lous, they simply don’t fit my feet. I couldn’t get my foot into the boots the few times I tried, so Chris at Wesco suggested a custom build. So we did, and I posted them recently. But after several years, they never really broke in, and the heels continue to slip badly, to the point of blisters.
So, I’m curious how the other popular brands of engineer boots fit. To a finer point, I’m blessed (or cursed?) with a wide forefoot and a high and bony instep. Basically, a foot shape not great for engineers. The kicker, though, is that I’ve found several cowboy boot manufacturers that fit great, so I know it’s possible to own a pair of well-fitting pull-on boots.
Which makers or models would you suggest I check out?
Safety third
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@pechelman I would question this. My Lofgrens are a pain in the butt to get in, even after several years. Once in, however, they are the most comfortable ones.
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I don’t have advice, but I will say that heel slip can’t be expected to go away. It may, and it may not, but it’s considered acceptable to have some measure of it in engineers.
I wonder if a side zip would be better for you?
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@Dmart said in Help me find an engineer boot:
That’s weird. I never had big issues getting into the Lou‘s, custom or not, but always find it difficult to get into the Lofgrens.
I've heard this about the Lofgrens; difficult to get on. It's a bit of a process. That usually tells me that the pass-through or pass line is pretty narrow on the Lofgrens. And check me on my assumption here with the Lofgrens: because they are Japanese, they would tend to have a narrower, lower volume fit, yes? Or am I way off?
@mclaincausey said in Help me find an engineer boot:
I don’t have advice, but I will say that heel slip can’t be expected to go away. It may, and it may not, but it’s considered acceptable to have some measure of it in engineers.
I wonder if a side zip would be better for you?
Yes, I've heard the same regarding heel slip; sometimes the boot conforms to the foot, and heel slip goes away, and sometimes it doesn't. My pair hasn't. Mind you, it's a beefy sole, and the Horween horsehide is tough, but it's a lot of heel slip.
To quantify the heel slip, there's more heel slip currently than what you'd typically find in a fresh pair of western boots. As in, the boots thunk a bit with each step, which seems to be a lot more heel slip than expected.
While western and engineer boots are different in their construction, they do seem to fit similarly, hence why I'm asking about which models I might look at.
As for the side zip, it's certainly a possibility. What I tend to run into with pull-on style boots - chelsea and zip, especially - is an instep that puts too much pressure on the top of my foot. But, given my collection of western boots, I remain hopeful that I can find a pair of engineers that fit.
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I second the opinion that Lofgrens are very difficult to get your feet into. I’ve worn my pair 25-30x now and it still hasn’t gotten any easier. However once on they are very comfortable. I have wider and higher volume feet. My most comfortable and also easiest pair to put on are my Attractions. Lot 444. Still breaking in both the black and brown pairs but really liking them. Hope this helps.
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ill add that I also had custom ordered a pair of Nicks engineers, forget what they call them, but it had an even higher instep than what i recall the lofgrens being and probably ~2X what my wescos have. These were even custom ordered in a C width compared to the Wesco D. They also had a bunch of toe room. Pics here from an old post
https://forum.ironheart.co.uk//post/735277 -
If you have trouble getting your foot into engineers look into using a ski boot jack (google it). It's opened up a lot of possibilities in boots where I couldn't get my foot into them otherwise and once in it fits ok.
I have a high instep and have found good success with Flat Head and Attractions. They fit the best but also can wear Viberg, Role Club and Lofgren Engineers. I can wear Mister Lous but my are probably the worst fitting that I've owned for my feet. -
I’ve had Logren, Wesco Mr Lou, Whites, Flatheads and Y2. The Flatheads are my most comfortable, followed by Mr Lous. Everyone’s feet are different so this can be very subjective.
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If you can’t get your foot into a Wesco Mr. Lou I would say you have .1% chance of ever getting your foot into a Lofgren. I say that kind of jokingly, definitely stay away from Shinki leather that would be impossible. Lofgren boots to me are more difficulty to get on but on have a little more volume than a Mr. Lou.
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I have nothing to add other than good luck on your quest. Luckily for my wallet, I don’t have the engineer boot infliction like some of the members here have. Rest assured that there is a lot of insight here regarding Engineer boots and I’m sure you’ll get lots of good advice. Looking forward to seeing what you eventually settle on.
