John Lofgren (Speedway)
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The only experience I have with CXL is my 1000 mile wolverines, and I have to admit, they're my least impressive boots. Now, obviously, part of that is the quality and construction, but part of that is the black leather. I was pretty rough on them, wore them to some punk/metal shows, but they just stretched all out and and the black seemed to give way to the underlying leather. Now, in their defense, I haven't oiled them, or treated them very well, so maybe it's more my fault than anything. I'm just saying, I see how some people could think negatively about cxl, especially on a boot as incredibly well crafted as the Lofgrens. If Rak had the blue badkassis in my size, they would have been insta-copped.
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heres from my blog the day i got my lw engineers 2008
http://vintage-edieee.blogspot.com/2008/03/lonewolf-boots-engineer-boots-cats-paw.htmlafter 2 years 2010
http://vintage-edieee.blogspot.com/2010/11/2-year-old-lonewolf-engineers.html
from 2011 after being resoled by okuyama san
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Great post Ed… Thank you for giving us all a little insight on how your opinion was formed I can definetly understand why this stance has developed. Personally I have not had that experience.... Yet. And really hope I don't but will certainly be keeping an eye on things like this and am glad to have been made aware of this possibility.
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After considering this for the better part of the day:
Isn't it possible, Ed, that perhaps your experience was the (bad)luck of the draw and, in fact, there could be several grades of the same hide? If this is the case then there is a chance that companies are provided with an opportunity to access materials at a lower overhead and therefore able to sell a product that (by appearance, and without a deeper investigation) would appear to be similar to a product that is being sold at a higher cost that SUPERFICIALLY appears to be made of the same exact materials. If this holds true, then it could also be speculated that Mr. Lofgren's hand is forced to sell at a higher price point because he has decided to opt for a higher quality hide, though similar in appearance, that is more suited for an engineer boot as opposed to the lone wolf. I would imagine that there several different options of the same hide available for at different grades and each one needs to be spec'd properly for how well it is suited for its intended purpose. Very similar to the issue I had with Alden cutting corners and sending me a pair of Indy's with a leather who's spec's were not suited for footwear as I had aforementioned. I know several people have stated their experiences haven't been the greatest but that certainly doesn't discount the numerous other positive testimonies. I certainly agree with you that I would be terrifically disappointed had a the leather done that but I think the saying that one bad apple can't possibly reflect the quality of the entire bushel.
Again this is nothing built speculation as none of us have any kind of behind the scenes access to know if the hides are the same specification of or not. I certainly believe that there are many plausible situations that could create differences for a number of reasons… or then again in 5 years I maybe just as disgusted with chromexcel as Ed.
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FYI - regarding JL Engineers - I just heard back from him and thought I'd share his thoughts on sizing -
"Hi Steve, I use a Brannock Device and I am a perfect 9.5. The 9.5 size boots fit me, but I still go with a 10 because I like to use an insole. So, for the shape of my feet, they are true to size. Well, at least true to the Brannock Device, which I consider the most accurate way to measure. I've had some people think they run a 1/2 size big and a 1/2 size small. But they're comparing to some other brand no doubt…Yes, we plan to restock all sizes by Christmas. I honestly don't know what a 12.5D in Whites means. I don't own any of their footwear to compare. I think some of the forums with people who own both could be more assistance in comparing with other brands. Thanks, John"
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Nice. Consistent with what he told me
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Just to be safe, I'm going to neatsfoot oil mine soon and initiate a six month oil treatment cycle.
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Notice how the LW is thinner and also how the dye seems to permeate the leather, where on the Lofgrens it looks to be on the surface. This leather may have been tanned similarly but it is visibly different…
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@Chiba:
Saw the original pair of blue Badalassi boots at Mushmans yesterday. Crazy color change. They now have a strong greenish hue.
You know what they say, Chiba … pictures or didn't happen
That's really interesting news. Ironically, I pinged Mr. Lofgren just the other day about a pair in my size. Still sold out
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Notice how the LW is thinner and also how the dye seems to permeate the leather, where on the Lofgrens it looks to be on the surface. This leather may have been tanned similarly but it is visibly different…
Perhaps the reason behind the low retail price? I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." I just picked up a Dickies buckleback vest from their 1922 collection at the local Mac House, but I don't expect it to last a lifetime, becuase it was on sale for only $20 - the price was too good to pass up.
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I dont think lw's ( sugarcane) is going to use a cheaper grade cxl leather . Really. And i dont think lofgren will too but the problem with lofgren is that their selling it more than what i think they should. Thats all. so cxl from horween is crap . Thats all anything not cxl ihave no experience so i assume anything not cxl is good
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Clearly $800+ it is a lot of money for a pair of boots, and requires careful consideration (unless you are "F*** You/Bill Gates rich, which I assume most of us are not). My friend about shit his pants when I told him what I paid for my White's, but now that he's seen them and looked closely and compared to his boots (which are falling apart after ~1 year), I think he gets it, and now he's scouring eBay for some nice used boots that he can afford. And we all know there are some (many) people who would never spend more than $50 for a pair of blue jeans, ever, period.
People join these forums to get information and opinions not available otherwise - it's all good. And clearly, when my Cxl boots are 5+ years old, my opinion on this topic will be much more valid.
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In answering the question about weight…
On my home scales my 11.5 lofgrens weigh in at what looks to be exactly 3 lbs.
My size 12 wesco narrow Morrison toe weighs in at approximately 5.5 lbs.In conclusion... My approximation of them weighing twice as much is not far off the mark.
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@Chiba:
Saw the original pair of blue Badalassi boots at Mushmans yesterday. Crazy color change. They now have a strong greenish hue.
You know what they say, Chiba … pictures or didn't happen
That's really interesting news. Ironically, I pinged Mr. Lofgren just the other day about a pair in my size. Still sold out
Alright, I'll get back over there and take some pics, next chance I get. And quit bugging John about engineer boots, I want him to make me some Pecos!
