WESCO-MRLOU-CXL Wesco® -10" CXL Steerhide Engineer Boot - Brown The "Mister Lou"
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Nice! I started with thin socks as well, but eventually I was able to ratchet up the thickness a little bit — I think the slightly beefier socks helped get a bit more stretch. Not like I really love super chunky socks (I hate getting too hot), but a little padding felt nice after having to forgo my insoles for the time being.
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I haven't even bothered putting mine back in yet. I'll try at some point… if I can even remember where they are
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… if I can even remember where they are
Right?! I know I put them somewhere safe but that could be anywhere in the house!
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@Oaktavia hey man just curious, or maybe for any others reading this also…
I just got this pair and when on they feel great, but after reading your experience I am definitely finding myself in a similar position. I tried on a 10.5 and they felt too big, but they did go on instantly. I ended up buying the 10 instead which once on, feel way better, and they have gotten easier to get on over the last few days, but getting them off is a bit of a struggle still... I was wondering if that eased up in your case? Also I have seen boot anchors and was curious if anyone had any luck with using those, and if so any recommendations?
I absolutely love the boots, and having a high instep I find a lot of the pressing in most boots I wear, but it does subside usually and given how much I hear these give/stretch, I am sure I will be fine, but just figured I'd ask.
Thanks in advance!
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@hgering27 Hey dude from my experience when taking the boots off, it was a total struggle during the first month, maybe more. I pulled from the heels and wiggle my foot up and down, up and down many times until they finally slip off. There was a week when I actually pulled a muscle ever so slightly in my calf from struggling so hard (partially due to being frustrated with how long they took to get off), so try and go easy.
Now that I have had the boots for about 3-4 months, they come off much easier. A few wiggles inside the boot and they slip off. I don't think about them taking forever to take off now, so that to me means they are coming off "normally" after a serious break in period.
As far as your high instep goes, mine was bothersome for at least a month. I still have not put the insoles back in and likely never will. I only feel the pressure on the top of my foot/instep when I am putting my feet up on a ottoman or stool, which is due to gravity and the weight of the boots themselves applying pressure when they rest.
Sounds like you will be just fine, but your concerns are valid. I was super worried I made an expensive mistake but now I love them more than ever. They are beautiful boots for sure, I will be wearing them when I get married next month.
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@hgering27 Hey dude from my experience when taking the boots off, it was a total struggle during the first month, maybe more. I pulled from the heels and wiggle my foot up and down, up and down many times until they finally slip off. There was a week when I actually pulled a muscle ever so slightly in my calf from struggling so hard (partially due to being frustrated with how long they took to get off), so try and go easy.
Now that I have had the boots for about 3-4 months, they come off much easier. A few wiggles inside the boot and they slip off. I don't think about them taking forever to take off now, so that to me means they are coming off "normally" after a serious break in period.
As far as your high instep goes, mine was bothersome for at least a month. I still have not put the insoles back in and likely never will. I only feel the pressure on the top of my foot/instep when I am putting my feet up on a ottoman or stool, which is due to gravity and the weight of the boots themselves applying pressure when they rest.
Sounds like you will be just fine, but your concerns are valid. I was super worried I made an expensive mistake but now I love them more than ever. They are beautiful boots for sure, I will be wearing them when I get married next month.
@Oaktavia Thanks for the reply man and congrats on the wedding! I also took the insoles out and figure I likely won't ever put them back in. I have definitely had more instep discomfort in other boots I have had compared to these, and I'd even go so far as saying these don't even really give me much discomfort, just a small amount of pressure. I plan on just wearing them non stop to really get as much give as I can get out of them. I really love them and can't wait for them to break in.
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@hgering27 Hey dude from my experience when taking the boots off, it was a total struggle during the first month, maybe more. I pulled from the heels and wiggle my foot up and down, up and down many times until they finally slip off. There was a week when I actually pulled a muscle ever so slightly in my calf from struggling so hard (partially due to being frustrated with how long they took to get off), so try and go easy.
Now that I have had the boots for about 3-4 months, they come off much easier. A few wiggles inside the boot and they slip off. I don't think about them taking forever to take off now, so that to me means they are coming off "normally" after a serious break in period.
As far as your high instep goes, mine was bothersome for at least a month. I still have not put the insoles back in and likely never will. I only feel the pressure on the top of my foot/instep when I am putting my feet up on a ottoman or stool, which is due to gravity and the weight of the boots themselves applying pressure when they rest.
Sounds like you will be just fine, but your concerns are valid. I was super worried I made an expensive mistake but now I love them more than ever. They are beautiful boots for sure, I will be wearing them when I get married next month.
@Oaktavia Thanks for the reply man and congrats on the wedding! I also took the insoles out and figure I likely won't ever put them back in. I have definitely had more instep discomfort in other boots I have had compared to these, and I'd even go so far as saying these don't even really give me much discomfort, just a small amount of pressure. I plan on just wearing them non stop to really get as much give as I can get out of them. I really love them and can't wait for them to break in.
Cool and thanks man
They break in so nicely, they ripple and relax on the sides and the folds are pleasing to the eye. I can post an update photo of mine when I get home if I remember.
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@hgering27 Hey dude from my experience when taking the boots off, it was a total struggle during the first month, maybe more. I pulled from the heels and wiggle my foot up and down, up and down many times until they finally slip off. There was a week when I actually pulled a muscle ever so slightly in my calf from struggling so hard (partially due to being frustrated with how long they took to get off), so try and go easy.
Now that I have had the boots for about 3-4 months, they come off much easier. A few wiggles inside the boot and they slip off. I don't think about them taking forever to take off now, so that to me means they are coming off "normally" after a serious break in period.
As far as your high instep goes, mine was bothersome for at least a month. I still have not put the insoles back in and likely never will. I only feel the pressure on the top of my foot/instep when I am putting my feet up on a ottoman or stool, which is due to gravity and the weight of the boots themselves applying pressure when they rest.
Sounds like you will be just fine, but your concerns are valid. I was super worried I made an expensive mistake but now I love them more than ever. They are beautiful boots for sure, I will be wearing them when I get married next month.
@Oaktavia Thanks for the reply man and congrats on the wedding! I also took the insoles out and figure I likely won't ever put them back in. I have definitely had more instep discomfort in other boots I have had compared to these, and I'd even go so far as saying these don't even really give me much discomfort, just a small amount of pressure. I plan on just wearing them non stop to really get as much give as I can get out of them. I really love them and can't wait for them to break in.
Cool and thanks man
They break in so nicely, they ripple and relax on the sides and the folds are pleasing to the eye. I can post an update photo of mine when I get home if I remember.
no pressure, but would love to see if you had time. I can't wait until they get some character. I love me a pair of new boots, but definitely prefer the worn in look
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@Oaktavia @hgering27 @Paul9221
Yeah this conversation is really helpful. Congrats on the wedding @Oaktavia I have a pair of custom fit Wesco morrisons coming in the next week or so myself…I too will be getting married in them. Not until July of 2023...I pray to god they will be broken in by that time haha...
All this break in advice is super interesting to me. Can't wait to try these beauties on!! Should be a huge step up from my Red Wings.....
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hopefully works out for both of you, sizing is definitely tricky. I tried on a 10.5E and it just felt too loose, my foot was able to go right in and came out fairly easily. I gambled on a 10 thinking it would be the better fit, and I still stand by thinking it is, granted they took some wiggling to get on and even more to get off.
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hopefully works out for both of you, sizing is definitely tricky. I tried on a 10.5E and it just felt too loose, my foot was able to go right in and came out fairly easily. I gambled on a 10 thinking it would be the better fit, and I still stand by thinking it is, granted they took some wiggling to get on and even more to get off.
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the custom fittings Wesco does? I went this route so hoping the sizing will be spot on. I'll def keep ya'll up to date on it….The boots are only 3 months past due, so I'm basically laying in the fetal position and shaking until they arrive...April 15th is the supposed date now!
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I appreciate being a fly on the wall for this conversation. I've got a pair of Mr Lous en route and am nervous about the sizing.
What type of leather did you get? Do you have a high instep?
I picked up these from S&S:
https://standardandstrange.com/collections/wesco/products/mister-lou-engineer-boot-natural-cxl
I'm trying to temper my expectations. I dunno about you guys, but once I order something, especially something like these fine boots, I obsess about it until it arrives. And when they don't fit, or the style isn't right, or whatever, I get devastated. So, trying to temper my expectations…just telling myself that they're gonna be ugly and too small
No idea on the high instep. I think my foot might be pretty normal in the arch department.
I was corresponding with the fine folks at S&S and they told me to go with the the E-width of whatever D-width I took for Red Wing Iron Rangers, so that's what I did.
Fingers crossed!
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It really is such a relief…there were a few days when I was super worried they would not work for me. Wearing them today is better than ever and for the first time I would say comfortable. I think I will replace the insoles sooner than later.
Oak, I can't tell you how much I relate with you here. I take so much comfort in knowing that I found my people
I've had this happen with SO many things. I obsess about this stuff and just can't turn it off. It could be the discomfort of a new pair of glasses, the tightness of the knee on a new pair of jeans, the pressure on a new pair of headphones. And like you wrote earlier, it's worse when I'm not actively doing something. Like when I'm just sitting watching TV. When I'm active, my brain kinda ignores it.
So thank you for posting your thought and boot progress on here. I guarantee you that I'm going to be re-reading what you wrote for weeks after my Mr Lous arrive
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@Paul9221 I can relate to much of what you have stated. This sort of hobby is one that is easily obsessed over, especially when we hear about the success of others, we truly hope we will experience the same sort of satisfaction. I totally understand the mindset.
With that said, keep us posted! They shouldn't slip on super easy, yet they shouldn't be a huge effort to get them on either. I found that mine are easier to slide on than slide off, but others experience the opposite.
The only reason I know I have a high instep is because my town has a Red Wing stores with one of those fancy-schmancy digital foot sizing contraptions. The clerk told me I have a really high instep and I was still able to make my pair of Mr. Lou's work.
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@Oaktavia hey man just curious, or maybe for any others reading this also…
I just got this pair and when on they feel great, but after reading your experience I am definitely finding myself in a similar position. I tried on a 10.5 and they felt too big, but they did go on instantly. I ended up buying the 10 instead which once on, feel way better, and they have gotten easier to get on over the last few days, but getting them off is a bit of a struggle still... I was wondering if that eased up in your case? Also I have seen boot anchors and was curious if anyone had any luck with using those, and if so any recommendations?
I absolutely love the boots, and having a high instep I find a lot of the pressing in most boots I wear, but it does subside usually and given how much I hear these give/stretch, I am sure I will be fine, but just figured I'd ask.
Thanks in advance!
A bootjack is what you're after.
Giles has a charming example.
