WESCO-MRLOU-BLK - Wesco® - 10" Horsehide Pull-On "Mister Lou" Engineer Boot - Black
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I had the same problem with my boots, the instep (especially on the right boot) was so tight at the beginning that I almost gave up. The first time I tried them on it took me about 5 minutes (no joke!).
Now, after about 2 months and stubbornly breaking in with the sole, I'm about 80-90% satisfied. I also had some discomfort on the instep and on the side (where the seam of the heel piece runs) at the beginning on both boots while wearing them. However, this has now been resolved.
In the meantime, I have taken the soles out and have now got to the point where I put the soles in with thin socks and take them out with thick ones. I am confident that the boots will break in some more over the next few months so that it will be even easier to put them on and that I can put the soles back in again (also with thicker socks). But yes, those guys are tough!
Good luck with stretching, I look forward to your report!
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@AtariHunter That's great to hear that you were able to get them how you like them!
@thooy05 Yes! That's awesome.
@Oaktavia I think I may have broken this wild horse. We'll see how they feel over a long period of time.
The right boot feels so much better now. I may do another round at some point, but they're good enough for today.
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@seawolf this is great news man it may be a problem solver for other folks in similar situations.
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@Oaktavia Definitely! But as others have already stated, the tightness on the instep is part of wearing new engineer boots until they break in, so I would caution against this practice for those that feel impatient. This is a last resort, and a way to make room for an unusually high instep on one freakin' foot! Both of my feet feel the same level of comfort now, thanks to the instep stretch on just one boot. Winner!
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@jaysomethin We do have all the Mr.Lous on order, although it's probably about another year before they come in
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Can I get a sense check on sizing?
I have a pair in 9E from The Shop Vancouver in olive petrolio horsehide (left). The first time I put them on they slipped on without any issues, were comfortable from the get go, but with the insole and thick socks, they feel roomy after a month of wear. I have a decent amount of heel slip, but I dont feel like the boots are just going to come off.
Wanted to get the same boots in black CXL (right) but could only find 8.5E in stock. They were absolutely hellish getting on the first time, and even though its only half a size smaller, the boot feels significantly tighter to the point that I had to take the insole out. I can wiggle my toes, and have maybe a thumbs width between my big toe and the tip of the boot, but I feel my big toe pressing against the top of the boot when I walk in a way that I dont with the petrolio pair.
They aren't uncomfortable per say (I've worn them one full day so far- 13 hours including standing for 3 hours at a concert), so Im trying to figure out if I'd be ok keeping this size despite the tight fit and letting it break in (and how much better I can expect them to feel with break in), or if Im better off cutting my loss while they're still in great condition and flipping them.
For additional reference I'm about a 9.25 on the brannock and at their widest, my feet sit just between the D and E widths.
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@KA56 mine are cxl cowhide so maybe not a good comp but I got 10s when I probably should have gotten 10.5s. It has worked out fine for me. Took some break in. Must wear thin or regular socks now - nothing thick. When feet swell, they can get a little uncomfortable and I’ll have to take a break. But the nice trim fit with little heel slip is enjoyable in certain situations. My lofgren 10.5 are a little big. I kinda like having the sizing option depending if I want tight or loose.
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If you’re a 9.25 on the Brannock, you’re actually a 9.5. A 9E would be the correct sizing if you have a D-width foot or are a 9.5D. If someone is an E width, I would suggest going true to size in E width(or possibly up .5 size)
Another factor to consider is whether your 9.25 measurement is heel-to-ball or heel-to-toe. This is important, especially when it comes to your foot feeling locked in. Ideally HTT and HTB are the same or within a half size of each other, otherwise good fit can get a little tricky. From experience, going down another half size might be okay over time, but your boots should never hurt that much from the start.
Some people believe engineer boot sizing should feel almost unbearable at first, with the idea that they’ll mold to your feet for a perfect fit. That might be true in terms of volume, but definitely not in terms of length—especially when it comes to the heel-to-ball (flex point), which needs to be properly aligned. I wouldn’t be overly concerned about where your toes are, as long as they’re not slammed against the end of the boot.
Edit: if you’re concerned about volume, heel slip, etc. very easy to remedy this with a thin Pedag type insert and/or thicker boot socks.
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Appreciate the detailed writeup! Im a 9.25 heel to toe, and a 9 heel to ball. Width is smack on the line between D and E, but I have a high instep on my right foot, so generally round up to a wider size where I can.
The attached pic shows where my ball lines up on my right foot (the bigger of the two), and where my big toe sits relative to the toe of the boot. It's hard to see, but Ive pushed my toe up as high as I can and Im pointing towards the tip.
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The 9 seem like the right size for your Brannock and It all just depends on how much you can endure 8.5 until they fit comfortably. Me personally, I cut my losses and move on.
