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John Lofgren (Speedway)

Footwear
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  • D
    DVD Connoisseur
    Joined: 1 Sept 2013

    Reassuring to know that I'm not alone in experiencing difficulties putting my JL Engineers on. I've had 2 pairs for 3 years (approx.) and they're still a nightmare to put on! However, I'm so used to the plastic bag technique that this idiosyncrasy has stopped bothering me. The Mister Freedom Road Champs, however, were a breeze from the word go.

    Pic is a couple of years old. After conditioning and cleaning, the Lofgren boots are as good as new.

    IHG-08 Navy Bandana
    IHJ-39 Mountain Parka
    IHSH-76 17oz CPO
    IHSH-126 Blue/Black Ombré
    IHSH-192 Pink/Grey Ombré
    IHTL-1302 Indigo Thermal 
    IHVB-03B Smoke Jumper - Black
    PIH5DCS  Indigo/Indigo 25oz
    PIH10ANT 22oz Indigo

    last edited by 21 Apr 2019, 13:58 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • W
      Wlemon
      Haraki san Expert
      Joined: 1 Sept 2018

      A couple weeks back, I had a question about wearing engineer boots with denim. Everyone who posted have some great advice ( @neph93 and @Stuart.T to name a few) and when I got these beauties, I was brave enough to try them on with my IH 25 oz 555s. I think they look great. Hard to out on, yes, but loving my first pair of engineer boots. Jamie over at East West Apperal was a real help. Here's a link to the type I got if you're interested. http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.com/2014/04/john-lofgren-co-3-weeks-later.html?m=1

      last edited by 24 Aug 2019, 06:30 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • C
        Chap
        見習いボス
        Joined: 24 May 2016

        Great @Wlemon congrats yes, @EastWest knows his stuff!

        God has blessed you richly, so get down on your knees and thank him. Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere. Willie Nelson

        last edited by 24 Aug 2019, 12:34 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • N
          neph93
          見習いボス
          Joined: 18 Aug 2014

          Great stuff @Wlemon very pleased it worked out for you.

          “Some of those that work forces
          Are the same that burn crosses”

          • Virginia Woolf
          last edited by 24 Aug 2019, 15:36 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • B
            Bfd70
            Raw and Unwashed
            Joined: 22 Mar 2018

            I’ve been thinking about engineer fit lately and why it’s so difficult. Just think, IH posts every dimension for shirts or pants. I know immediately if something will fit. Shoes amd boots are pretty much like buying a shirt with the option of small medium or large. In footwear with lace ups you can at least make some adjustments. Not so with engineers. I’ve heard so many people talk about tight insteps and plastic bag tricks while I need to add a 3/4 insert just to touch the instep with the strap cranked down. Foot shape is every bit as unique as body shape and that is why I think engineers are less popular. I mean, it must be the reason since they look COOL AF!

            last edited by 16 Nov 2019, 14:19 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • B
              BloodnThunder
              Raw and Unwashed
              Joined: 20 May 2015

              Reasons I think engineers are less popular:

              • No laces.  A lot of people can't get their head around it.
              • No laces = less ideal fit.  A lot of people don't have the patience to break in and mold a pair.
              • Tall boot.  Not a lot of people's aesthetic.
              • Vintage inspired boot.  Not a lot of people's aesthetic.

              In terms of fit….  I think that's just an easy excuse to give when a buyer hasn't tried the brand that matches their foot.  Like you said, feet are no different than torsos, depending on your foot/body shape some brands/pieces are going to work and some are not.

              And you're right.....  Engineers look cool AF.

              IG: Shadesofindig0

              last edited by 16 Nov 2019, 15:14 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • G
                Giles
                IHUK Crew
                Joined: 22 Sept 2009

                I'll add another.

                Heel slip - people who have not worn engineers before cant get their head around the fact that heel slip will reduce as the boots mould to their feet and the sole/midsole becomes more flexible with wear.

                We get far more returns on engineers than with lace-ups.

                "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 16 Nov 2019, 15:56 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • J
                  jake77
                  Joined: 25 May 2017

                  Any thoughts among experienced owners wearers of both Lofgren and Clinch boots? The fit and workmanship is so very close – just that there are fewer people involved in the cobbling of the Clinch boots. But for long distance walking and extensive wearing, have you noted any comfort or support in one brand compared to the other? I know they are all at the top of their quality -- my Lofgrens M43s are fantastic. What would I notice if I had a pair of Clinch boots (not necessarily engineers) different than the Lofgrens? Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

                  last edited by 18 Nov 2019, 18:09 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • B
                    Bulatik85
                    Joined: 29 Jan 2018

                    @jake77:

                    Any thoughts among experienced owners wearers of both Lofgren and Clinch boots? The fit and workmanship is so very close – just that there are fewer people involved in the cobbling of the Clinch boots. But for long distance walking and extensive wearing, have you noted any comfort or support in one brand compared to the other? I know they are all at the top of their quality -- my Lofgrens M43s are fantastic. What would I notice if I had a pair of Clinch boots (not necessarily engineers) different than the Lofgrens? Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

                    Clinch boots are far more expensive, and I believe they are handwelted/hand-lasted, so they contain "more" hand made than lofgrens. In high end dress shoes it would be a great advantage.
                    They also state that the leather is carefully selected for each pair, which is impossible for mass production factories.
                    Worse or not, I can't say. I wish I had enough money to try Clinch…

                    .Net )

                    last edited by 18 Nov 2019, 18:30 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • J
                      jay-cy
                      Joined: 2 Jan 2017

                      In terms of fit, Clinch mainly offers their narrow CN last (S&S got a series with a wider last) which is definitely narrower than Lofgren.
                      I have long and narrow feet so their CN last suits me well in the forefoot. So in my opinion the fit of Lofgren and Clinch are not similar. Can‘t tell the rather new US-modified Clinch last for S&S.
                      In addition, Japanese seem to have more bulky heels… I have some heel slip in my boots and wish to have a narrower heel box or a more contoured heel pocket as in my Vibergs. The Clinch heel is not that contoured...

                      last edited by 18 Nov 2019, 18:53 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • J
                        jay-cy
                        Joined: 2 Jan 2017

                        less contoured heel with my Clinch…

                        last edited by 18 Nov 2019, 19:00 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • J
                          jake77
                          Joined: 25 May 2017

                          Beautiful botos @jay-cy! How does the heel design affect your experience of the fit of the Clinch boots? And I wonder who – if anyone - has non-engineer boots of these 2 brands and can compare the fit and experience of walking in them.

                          last edited by 19 Nov 2019, 00:27 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • J
                            jay-cy
                            Joined: 2 Jan 2017

                            At least for me there‘s a bit too much room in the heel with Clinch, at least for persons with narrow feet like me. I suppose (and have read) that other people with wider feed struggle more with the narrow forefoot, so the CN shape/last from Clinch is certainly not for everyone. Don‘t get me wrong, they‘re great boots but they could be shaped better. Maybe the modified last offered via S&S could fix this issue but I think that the heel design in these is not modified so only the forefoot is less narrow.
                            In general, I think engineers are not made for walking long distances, the foot is not tied as snugly as in laced boots. But this is a general aspect of engineer vs. lace-up boots…

                            last edited by 19 Nov 2019, 07:38 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • B
                              Bulatik85
                              Joined: 29 Jan 2018

                              @jake77:

                              Beautiful botos @jay-cy! How does the heel design affect your experience of the fit of the Clinch boots? And I wonder who – if anyone - has non-engineer boots of these 2 brands and can compare the fit and experience of walking in them.

                              maybe you could also tell your experience with your Lofgrens boots, I am waiting for my Horsehide M43 boots to be made, would be interesting to hear your experience. maybe photos…

                              .Net )

                              last edited by 19 Nov 2019, 07:41 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • B
                                Bfd70
                                Raw and Unwashed
                                Joined: 22 Mar 2018

                                Good info @jay-cy. The heel cup is probably my favorite part of the Lofgren engineers.

                                last edited by 19 Nov 2019, 13:57 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • B
                                  Bfd70
                                  Raw and Unwashed
                                  Joined: 22 Mar 2018

                                  Oh yeah, and the color on those Clinch is a 10! Really gorgeous.

                                  last edited by 19 Nov 2019, 13:58 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • J
                                    jay-cy
                                    Joined: 2 Jan 2017

                                    yes, the color together with the hand-stitched outsole construction (the only other bootmaker doing this is Brian from Role Club afain) made me choose these…

                                    last edited by 19 Nov 2019, 15:14 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • summ3rhaysS
                                      summ3rhays
                                      Joined: 28 Nov 2012

                                      Just pulled the trigger on the Burgandy chukkas. The leather and color looks amazing. I hope the size works out. I went the same as Alden and Wesco and 1/2 down from Viberg. Fingers crossed.

                                      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                                      IG: summ3rhays & Indigobleed

                                      last edited by 21 Nov 2019, 22:18 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • W
                                        Wlemon
                                        Haraki san Expert
                                        Joined: 1 Sept 2018

                                        Great pick up. Love to see a picture of them in the wild.

                                        last edited by 21 Nov 2019, 23:25 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • summ3rhaysS
                                          summ3rhays
                                          Joined: 28 Nov 2012

                                          Man are these badass.  The burgundy color is unreal and the leather is top notch. Can’t wait to break these in properly.

                                          I went for my Wesco and Alden size and 1/2 up from Viberg and RW.

                                          IG: summ3rhays & Indigobleed

                                          last edited by 25 Nov 2019, 23:53 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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