• Home
    • Recent
    • Calendar
    • Register
    • Login
    Iron Heart Forum
    Iron Heart Forum

    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    WESCO-MRLOU-CXL Wesco® -10" CXL Steerhide Engineer Boot - Brown The "Mister Lou"

    WESCO - West Coast Shoe Company
    25
    96
    16.0k
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • OaktaviaO
      Oaktavia
      見習いボス
      Joined:

      About how much will these stretch in the top-of-foot area? I have high arches and occasionally feel a bit of downward pressure on the top of my foot above/in between my ankles. More so on my left foot than my right.

      Everywhere else fells perfect…just wanted to know how much/if at all these loosen up and if the pressure will go away.

      I got this pair in a wide in the same size as my Vans, Converse and Red Wings if that helps any answers. They slip on fairly easily with socks and insoles left in. I only really notice the pressure when I'm seated and relaxed.

      IG: electricindigowizard

      "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

      WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • AlexA
        Alex
        IHUK Crew
        Joined:

        @Chesson will answer you @Oaktavia

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • DmartD
          Dmart
          啓蒙家
          Joined:

          I have the same in my left boot since I have to wear an additional insole to accommodate for difference in my feet (the left one is quite a bit smaller). I have the same pressure points at the arch, not everytime and only if the sock is a hair too thick. It did not go away after 6 months regular wear, so stretch for me in this area is not really given.
          Since it’s only occasionally and I know which socks to avoid, I doesn’t bother me, but I have high hopes that I won’t have this issue with the custom last anymore.

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • OaktaviaO
            Oaktavia
            見習いボス
            Joined:

            Interesting to learn and read that @Dmart … hopefully as the boots loosen up and break in I will not notice it as much. As I stated it is only noticeable when I'm sitting and thinking about it. Walking around and doing shit I don't feel it. I loosened up the lower buckle one hole and removed the insoles again. Just a minor question and wanter to see it t was normal.

            IG: electricindigowizard

            "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

            WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • ChessonC
              Chesson
              Joined:

              Hi @Oaktavia the break-in experience for everyone can be very different, the leather will take time to soften up but it will eventually. The boots are all made on one last and will take some manipulation to get them to mold to your feet, the only real way around this is as @Dmart touched on, is opting for a custom last. You could also explore the option of different insoles, trying to find some that give/take space in the right areas.

              IG: @alexchesson_

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • OaktaviaO
                Oaktavia
                見習いボス
                Joined:

                @Chesson thanks for the info…I will continue with wearing them as often as I can. They are already quite different than they were earlier this week.

                IG: electricindigowizard

                "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

                WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • OaktaviaO
                  Oaktavia
                  見習いボス
                  Joined:

                  What are your thoughts on this process? He address the exact issue I am having with my boots…

                  IG: electricindigowizard

                  "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

                  WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • LewisStonehouseL
                    LewisStonehouse
                    啓蒙家
                    Joined:

                    I’ve never had engineers, but I’l got quite a high instep and have always found with boots that they fit better after the first time I wear them out in torrential rain and get them properly wet, so I’d say give it a whirl

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • OaktaviaO
                      Oaktavia
                      見習いボス
                      Joined:

                      @LewisStonehouse:

                      I’ve never had engineers, but I’l got quite a high instep and have always found with boots that they fit better after the first time I wear them out in torrential rain and get them properly wet, so I’d say give it a whirl

                      That's what I used to do with a new pair of Vans or something similar. Walking around in the rain would really help break them in. I know its apples to oranges but I'm willing to try this.

                      IG: electricindigowizard

                      "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

                      WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • mclaincauseyM
                        mclaincausey
                        見習いボス
                        Joined:

                        If you can suffer through it for a while I bet they will stretch naturally, though it is understandable to accelerate the process @Oaktavia – but if it is any comfort, I've had even extremely thick leathers that were uncomfortably pressing on my foot (also high arches) ultimately tamed by powering through the discomfort (there are limits to what we should be willing to go through--I didn't have sores or anything like that and would have sought alternatives had it gotten to that point).

                        I love engineers and think they go great with your look so hope it works out!

                        Think it, be it.

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • OaktaviaO
                          Oaktavia
                          見習いボス
                          Joined:

                          @mclaincausey I was also thinking this, since they have already stretched a bit in that one area. Loosening them up helped quite a bit too. If I go ahead and fill 'em with water I'll let you all know how it worked out.

                          But thanks for the insight. I don't have sores or even redness of any kind just a little pressure when wearing. I'm nit picky so anything that isn't perfect I try to resolve.

                          IG: electricindigowizard

                          "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

                          WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • mclaincauseyM
                            mclaincausey
                            見習いボス
                            Joined:

                            OK–yeah I think you're going to be just fine then.

                            Think it, be it.

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • popvultureP
                              popvulture
                              見習いボス
                              Joined:

                              I've chatted about this in other threads, but it seems pretty relevant here — I got a pair of Mr Lous late last year, albeit natural CXL. I felt a lot of the same tightness, as I've got super high insteps, on my right foot even more so than the left.

                              I wanted to add that my experience has been similar to others': they do really loosen up with regular wear. I took the insoles out of mine, which helped a lot, and the pressure to the top of my foot that I particularly feel on my right foot has lessened a ton.

                              I think you'll dig em the more you wear em. I've really enjoyed mine so far, and they're certainly a lot easier to deal with than my black CXL Lofgrens.

                              WTB
                              IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
                              Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • OaktaviaO
                                Oaktavia
                                見習いボス
                                Joined:

                                @popvulture okay wonderful, that is exactly what I was hoping to hear. Which is what I thought would be the case, just wanted a confirmation. I do not think they are the wrong size at all, just high instep slight discomfort. Thanks for the help!!

                                IG: electricindigowizard

                                "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

                                WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • popvultureP
                                  popvulture
                                  見習いボス
                                  Joined:

                                  You bet! FWIW my first pair was a 13, but I thought they just felt a tad too big. I went down to a 12 because these were just stock boots — no 12.5 available. The length in the 12 felt fine but I was a little worried at first that I'd fucked up and was stuck with the tightness in the instep, but like I said, they've chilled out and are getting really comfy. I'm gonna try putting the insoles back in after a good while, so that should make em feel even better.

                                  TLDR - I feel your pain and can def say rest easy knowing they get better!

                                  WTB
                                  IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
                                  Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • OaktaviaO
                                    Oaktavia
                                    見習いボス
                                    Joined:

                                    @popvulture:

                                    You bet! FWIW my first pair was a 13, but I thought they just felt a tad too big. I went down to a 12 because these were just stock boots — no 12.5 available. The length in the 12 felt fine but I was a little worried at first that I'd fucked up and was stuck with the tightness in the instep, but like I said, they've chilled out and are getting really comfy. I'm gonna try putting the insoles back in after a good while, so that should make em feel even better.

                                    TLDR - I feel your pain and can def say rest easy knowing they get better!

                                    Yes you described my worries exactly. Thanks for this, I feel hugely relieved and I think I'll skip the warm water idea in the video. I was willing to try it but filling my $755 boots with warm water made me nervous.

                                    I've been wearing mine pretty much non stop since Monday. 7.5 hours of work as a teacher the past three days and at home until right before bedtime. Plan on to continue this for the time being. I might try to sell a pair or two of Iron Rangers now becaue I just don't think I'll wear them again at this point.

                                    IG: electricindigowizard

                                    "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

                                    WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • popvultureP
                                      popvulture
                                      見習いボス
                                      Joined:

                                      Haha dude I don't blame you at all. That water shit sounds like more than I could stomach!

                                      WTB
                                      IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
                                      Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • mclaincauseyM
                                        mclaincausey
                                        見習いボス
                                        Joined:

                                        Yeah–if the leather on my boots did it, CXL, which is very much more elastic than that, will do it even more readily.

                                        Think it, be it.

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • OaktaviaO
                                          Oaktavia
                                          見習いボス
                                          Joined:

                                          Awesome dudes, thanks for the insight I appreciate it.

                                          IG: electricindigowizard

                                          "Possibly splitting hairs, but I consider @Oaktavia to be the beardy, dank High Magus of this denim game…" @neph93

                                          WTB: IHJ-32 - XL/XXL

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • steelworkerS
                                            steelworker
                                            見習いボス
                                            Joined:

                                            dear god don't fill your wescos with water  :o If you're a logger ok since they're gonna be thrashed but geeziz…

                                            Those are my principles, and if you don't like them…
                                            Well, I have others.

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • First post
                                              Last post
                                            Copyright Iron Heart 2025.