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Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

White's Boots

Footwear
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  • 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
                                      • B
                                        Bluegrass
                                        Joined: 25 Jan 2013

                                        Nice.  Black, black cxl, black dress??  Whatcha got there?

                                        last edited by 20 Sept 2014, 02:43 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • A
                                          Anesthetist
                                          見習いボス
                                          Joined: 14 May 2011

                                          Even if you did double post, boots like these deserve it. Just beautiful.

                                          IG: bluehandsslim

                                          last edited by 20 Sept 2014, 02:46 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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