WESCO
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I sought a custom build and I had already three custom build forms from Wesco, as I'd been planning to get some for a long time. I located most careful attentive person I could find (my wife) and, after I bought the correct heavy boot socks I'd need, we measured my feet precisely how Wesco directed. We took the measurements at night when feet tend to be slightly larger and were very careful not to apply too much pressure to the tape, nor hold it too lose. We carefully filled everything out on the form. I had another measurement chart so I thought I'd wait a few days and try it again to compare the results. Why not? Be sure right? These also came out identical. I sent both forms to Wesco. Then, for the hell of it (I'm really thorough), since I had one more, I got a completely different person to do the measurements. I knew this person to be just as careful and attentive as my wife These also came out nearly identical to the first two sets. I sent them to Wesco for a comparison. They said there was no appreciable difference from the first two sets of measurements I submitted. I think they were right about that.
I rested well during my wait. I knew I'd done a killer job mapping my foot out with perfect tracing, measurements, etc. I kicked in an extra hundred bucks for a rush order because I'd wanted these boots for years.
The boots I got were too narrow in the foot bed and too short. My toes touched when I was going down hill despite having them laced tight. Also when laced tight, the eyelets were very close together. So it seems there's room in the body of the boot but the foot bed's too small.
I told them the problems I was having and I thought it best if I just flew up there so the could retake my measurements. I was unable to do so because I was busy. I regret not doing so now. I figured if I sent them back they'd tell me they built them to my specs and refuse to go further so I knew I'd need to physically go up there. I tried taking the insoles out and putting new ones in and trying different weight socks and all that. Nothing worked and they ended up in the closet.
Eventually, I sent the back so they could check them and of course they said they'd built them to my specs and there's nothing they can do. I was bummed pretty hard. I knew I'd great job measuring and felt confident that we were totally accurate.
The boots are still at Wesco. I don't know if I even want them back now. I was really broken up about it. Man, I've wanted some Wescos for years and years. Even now, 2+ years later, I get pretty upset recalling it. I didn't even want to write this now because it upsets me. Those would have been the first really nice thing I had made for myself to wear and I put a fuck load of planning and effort into getting it right and it's all for nothing. The money's one thing (+$600), but I had a real love for build I'd picked out.
I know Wesco knows their business and that they've done a lot of good things for a lot of hard working people for many years. I just don't know what I could have done wrong and I may never know. If I did something wrong somehow, I wish I knew because it would give me some closure and some confidence to get another pair.
This is the problem with footwear. Only the one wearing it can tell how well it fits. If there's some compatibility issue with my feet and the last I chose, I would think Wesco would advise but maybe not if they didn't catch it. These are questions I might never know the answer to.I'll never get anything made for me again unless I'm face to face with the man making it.
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…On a positive note, my jeans fit great.
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Wow. that's a bummer…But as you said, you must have done something wrong while measuring your feet.
Before I ordered my Wescos, I measured my feet as per their instructions, and noticed (again) that I'm a true 9D. So I was confident on buying that size and I knew there is no need to go for full made to measure.
I feel for ya. And thanks for explaining.
why don't you just Ebay them, and get another pair, with out made to measurements, but othetwise custom??
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sounds like a total mistery. i don't think it's humanly possible to make a measurement mistake, since it's that simple. but then wesco has a reputation for top quality. have you considered video conferencing with them via skype?
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with my experience with wesco . is you always size 1 up from your whites. period. but again thats just me. and fit is perfect spot on
having the eyelets near each other is a good indication that you got the heel and instep measurement done correctly!
i think what you did wrong was the foot tracing. you did not trace your foot with a straight pencil the side of the pencil should be the one touching your skin on the perimeter of your foot not the lead.
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Except that he did it three times with two different people handling the task. Odd to get basically the same (wrong) results under those circumstances.
Sorry you had such an unhappy experience.:(
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Wow. that's a bummer…But as you said, you must have done something wrong while measuring your feet.
Possibly so. Possibly Wesco fucked up too.
i think what you did wrong was the foot tracing. you did not trace your foot with a straight pencil the side of the pencil should be the one touching your skin on the perimeter of your foot not the lead.
I traced my foot correctly and was very careful. You keep the pencil upright and they take into consideration the distance between the foot and the center of the pencil, etc… You keep you knee straight. I appreciate your input but let’s not assume too much here. I'm not an idiot and the directions are clear.
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Look, we're not going to solve this but I appreciated the effort. As I said, I'm not sure what exactly happened but I was asked what happened and I explained. I did exactly as I was directed, three times. I did not botch the tracing.
I'm also not blaming Wesco either. Boot building is an imprecise endeavor. I may have just got unlucky, we all do sometimes. I believe my information was dead nuts on. I took the matter seriously and was meticulous.
I would not discourage people from getting Wescos. I would recommend people go there in person to get a fitting. If you get a good fit off the shelve, count yourself a lucky person.
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I feel for ya. And thanks for explaining.
why don't you just Ebay them, and get another pair, with out made to measurements, but othetwise custom??
Thanks man. Yeah, that's what I should do is ebay them. The irrational part of me just doesn't want to see the boots again.
I'd still love some Wescos but the wound is still fresh and I have a lot to do. Of course, I'd have to go in person to Oregon to do it and this is time and energy and expense. Just not up to a new mission like that right now. -
I'll put myself through the wringer soon. Let's see how they deal with 8 toes…..
Good luck G. I have an entire file of Wesco from Japan. Probably like 60 or so images. Just phenomenal stuff being built. I wish I had a pair that worked.
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having the eyelets near each other is a good indication that you got the heel and instep measurement done correctly!
pencil the side of the pencil should be the one touching your skin on the perimeter of your foot not the lead.
You're supposed to wear socks BTW. Boot socks…No pencil on skin. Also, the eyelets (opposing eyelets) on my build were very close when laced securely.
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should be an intersting make-up.
will hold my opinon until they are out in the wild . . . will be an intersting make-up, to say the least
