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Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

White's Boots

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  • M
    Megatron1505
    見習いボス
    Joined: 10 Jul 2011

    I got pretty chatty with a couple of the guys and girls at Whites discussing builds and reworks etc.. and with Kyle Baker through the boots contest. I considered dropping Kyle a line, and maybe some of the guys at Whites to see if they had any clue or inclination about what the effect would be but decided against it as its their jobs at the end of the day, so I guess any concerns that we customers have are magnified if it's your living.

    For me I just hope they take the approach of "it ain't broke so don;t fix it".

    @aho , I have really stupidly high arches and find that the arch ease system gives me the support that other boots don't, having said that I also really enjoy wearing my Alden Indy's for comfort, which have virtually no arch support. Never worn any Wesco boots for more than a try on session but people who's opinion I trust implicitly tell me that I won't look back ( @Giles , @seawolf ), so I'm excited to land my first pair.

    Made in England, clothed in Japan, fed in America and drunk in Belgium !

    last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 16:25 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • S
      seawolf
      Mod Squad
      Joined: 28 Oct 2011

      Thanks @megatron1505 I'm looking forward to you getting your first pair as well. Do you have some in the pipeline already?

      My Wescos were my first introduction into quality goods and I never looked back. My White's are nice but nothing feels as good as my Wescos.

      “Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible” - Don Norman

      @zeebeeleather

      last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 16:58 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • G
        Giles
        IHUK Crew
        Joined: 22 Sept 2009

        @aho:

        Mega, I'm obsessed with Wesco just as much as White's unfortunately the lack of arch support ala arch ease ultimately makes them worlds apart in comfort for me. I have flat feet so the Arch Ease is a godsend! For this reason Nick's would probably be the only alternate in terms of comfort, possibly Drew's although the build isn't as robust for my understanding.

        From the (Wesco) horses mouth…...
        _I think we have substantial arch support…but it's true we do not put an added piece of leather under the arch like the "Arch Ease" construction. We simply have an arch built into our lasts...therefore giving proper weight distribution.

        We can definitely do an insole wrap to add arch support..it's an extra $60

        We have done it with great success in the past......._

        "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

        last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 19:21 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • T
          tigerpac
          Joined: 18 Apr 2012

          $60 for an 'added piece of leather' ?!

          last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 19:36 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • G
            Giles
            IHUK Crew
            Joined: 22 Sept 2009

            No one is forcing you to buy it…...

            "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

            last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 19:40 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • T
              tigerpac
              Joined: 18 Apr 2012

              Indeed, but respectfully that's not the point.

              last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 19:48 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • M
                Megatron1505
                見習いボス
                Joined: 10 Jul 2011

                @seawolf:

                Thanks @megatron1505 I'm looking forward to you getting your first pair as well. Do you have some in the pipeline already?

                I do, but I don't want to spoil the big reveal (sorry, I'm excited  :D)

                Made in England, clothed in Japan, fed in America and drunk in Belgium !

                last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 20:05 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • G
                  Giles
                  IHUK Crew
                  Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                  @tigerpac:

                  Indeed, but respectfully that's not the point.

                  It is entirely the point.  How much do you pay for your jeans compared to your family and friends?  I suspect a little bit more, and you know exactly why it's worth it to do so.

                  Wesco make these boots by hand, they are built over a last.  If the last/boot has to be modified then it requires someone with years and years of experience to make the required modifications.

                  Yes, you or I could throw a bit of leather somewhere in the boot, but i suspect you would not want to pay an additional USD60 for that.  But if a craftsman needs to sort out an orthopaedic issue and the end result is perfection and comfort, then it is USD60 well spent.

                  If however you don't want to pay an additional USD60 and limp from A-B, that is your choice.

                  "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                  last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 20:11 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • T
                    tigerpac
                    Joined: 18 Apr 2012

                    Oooook if we need to keep going, here goes.

                    It was my post and my point so no that wasn't the point.

                    My point was my opinion on the cost of a self described 'piece of leather'.  You have a great point in that in your opinion it's well worth it.  But my point was my opinion, and as an opinion, it isn't wrong, it was just an opinion.

                    last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 20:22 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • G
                      Giles
                      IHUK Crew
                      Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                      So why shit up a thread when I'm trying to suggest a solution to someone (else) who has a problem?

                      "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                      last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 20:27 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • T
                        tigerpac
                        Joined: 18 Apr 2012

                        Not sure how I shat up the thread but sorry if I did.

                        last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 20:32 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • A
                          aho
                          Joined: 22 Dec 2013

                          @Giles:

                          From the (Wesco) horses mouth…...
                          _I think we have substantial arch support…but it's true we do not put an added piece of leather under the arch like the "Arch Ease" construction. We simply have an arch built into our lasts...therefore giving proper weight distribution.

                          We can definitely do an insole wrap to add arch support..it's an extra $60

                          We have done it with great success in the past......._

                          Not to derail the White's thread (almost thought this was the Wesco page!) but that's great to know they can add arch support. My only qualm with Wesco is that, and the stock inserts that come with the boots which I know you can upgrade (or just buy your own).

                          At the end of the day, fit is highly personal and subjective; my Wesco's haven't done it for me stock-wise (not to say they're uncomfortable by any means), and my Alden's feel like cardboard (definitely uncomfortable). I definitely feel it if I'm not wearing my White's but as you mention, most anything can be adjusted at the right price!

                          last edited by 17 Sept 2014, 22:07 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • S
                            Sugar Mountain
                            Joined: 18 Jan 2012

                            Aho, your post really illustrates how individual matters of comfort can be. My Alden Indys are my go-to boot on days when I'll be walking around more or if my ankle is sore due to an old running injury, because they are so comfortable and give me the support I need on the inside edge (from the curved heel).

                            last edited by 18 Sept 2014, 01:34 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • A
                              aho
                              Joined: 22 Dec 2013

                              Sugar Mountain, it really does come down to personal preference right?

                              Regarding the sale, I'm sure you've all read this, but straight from the horses mouth:
                              http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/aug/05/whites-boots-owners-confident-about-sale/

                              "Kirk Layton, LaCrosse’s chief financial officer, said ABC-Mart gives guidance on how to improve boot sales in Japan and other Asian countries.

                              “For our U.S. operations, they’re hands-off owners,” Layton said.

                              The White’s Boots brand has earned widespread loyalty and LaCrosse has no plans to change how it makes boots or where they’re made, Layton said.

                              “They know what they’re doing,” Layton said. The only topic involving Spokane has been how to boost production at the Spokane factory, perhaps by opening a second production line, Layton said."

                              –---

                              So really, the only thing I guess we should be concerned about for now is if they can maintain a fair standard of construction/quality when and if they open a second production line as new workers come in.

                              last edited by 18 Sept 2014, 01:58 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • 4
                                4c
                                Banned
                                Joined: 26 Nov 2013

                                @aho:

                                “They know what they’re doing,” Layton said. The only topic involving Spokane has been how to boost production at the Spokane factory, perhaps by opening a second production line, Layton said."

                                White’s prides itself in not using a production line for most of its boots… I suppose this means more boots like the “Otto White Vintage Packer” which is not hand stitched and (I believe) is production line made…

                                last edited by 18 Sept 2014, 05:10 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • S
                                  Sugar Mountain
                                  Joined: 18 Jan 2012

                                  How are White's defining production line? My interpretation is that they would be duplicating their cutting to welting to finishing process of the workshop rather than a literal factory-style conveyor belt but I could be wrong.

                                  Surely ABC-Mart have a good enough grasp of the Japanese market to know that one of the principal selling points (beyond durability) of White's is that they are hand-made in the US?

                                  last edited by 19 Sept 2014, 04:01 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • A
                                    aho
                                    Joined: 22 Dec 2013

                                    Sugar Mountain, that's how I read the article as well. I guess this is all over-speculation and maybe we're all reading to deep into things; time will ultimately tell! 🙂

                                    last edited by 19 Sept 2014, 04:42 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • S
                                      Sugar Mountain
                                      Joined: 18 Jan 2012

                                      What would be the point of these message boards if not for a little over-speculation and reading too deeply into things?

                                      😉

                                      last edited by 19 Sept 2014, 07:40 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • B
                                        Bluegrass
                                        Joined: 25 Jan 2013

                                        Ha!  Very good point!!

                                        last edited by 19 Sept 2014, 21:57 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • A
                                          aho
                                          Joined: 22 Dec 2013

                                          ^Helps me get through the day in all honesty! 😉

                                          Here's a pic of my 7" LTT SJ's next to 8" Plain Toe's to get back on track…Can't remember if I already posted? My bad if I did!

                                          last edited by 19 Sept 2014, 23:45 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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