Best posts made by Bobcat Sig

And for when things get serious

The IH forum is both an excellent resource and a terrible menace to my spending account. Diving deep on this thread is bad for my wallet.

I posted these in the Mr Lou thread, despite the boots being a custom order Boss:

And since we're talking Wesco, my Guildsman (fka the Alex):

With work style boots, two others that I'm quite fond of, Red Wing Moc, a classic. Admittedly, it's on their narrower last, and I should really be in a wide last, but the CRT leather is tough to resist.

Because I'm in what seems to be a great region for many things, including bootmakers, I made a trek down to Truman Boots for sizing and was able to convince them to build these out of the last bit of Waxy China Blue. They are part of my Bobcat boot collection, with the Bobcats being the mascot of my alma mater.

And on the topic of my Bobcat boots, I have a thing for western wear, and boots in particular. These Ariats from their Futurity series, built in Mexico, also sport my university's colors.

Lastly, for now, my party boots, python belly from Tecovas:

And the one that's likely more fitting here, my '94 900 SuperSport with all manner of cool bits and trick parts

I've been busy! I've acquired a few pairs, and there are a few I haven't yet posted.

My new favorite Grailed score is these Brooklyn x Wesco Custom Hendrik Charcoal Roughout boots. Timing lined up with a deep dive on boot fit tips, lasts, and a full send into Grailed. As my IH x Wesco Guildsman boots have been a favorite and fit well, I took a flyer on these. They're a 9.5 D and have only seen a bit of use. They'll take some breaking in as a 9.5 E fits me well.

I had a pair of Chippewa loggers for years that were going to cost most of the way to a new pair of handmade boots. So those went in the bin, and I opted for a pair of hand-made-in-Mexico 8-inch bison loggers from Drew's Boots. Bonus here is their last features a wider toe box and more accommodation in the instep - both things I struggle with. Not only do they fit well out of the box, but they also smell amazing. The shrunken bison is thiccc and will take a beating. These are intended for work, and while they won't be making me money, they will be working the local single track of my favorite motorcycle riding areas.

I'm a bit of a slut for Tecovas, mainly because they offer an EE width and their boots fit me well. These full-quill ostrich boots were my first from the brand. I get comments nearly every time I wear them.

These Fryes have been with me for 14 or 15 years and predate several changes of the brand's ownership, back when they were well-made. I think these were hand-made? Maybe in Mexico, as well? In any case, a reheel and a thin half-sole were added for traction. They're a bit long as I sized them to fit my instep, and they were acquired long before I was aware of all the great, hand-built brands we know and love today. I've often thought of selling, but given the recent brand reputation, I don't know that they're worth anything.

On the other end of the spectrum...

This is probably the most fun, especially when you take a perfectly good dirt bike, and smaller wheels and slicks on it. Dumb and hilariously fun.

A sweet shirt, to be sure. I was logged in a bit after the shirt went live and saw available inventory. Then I saw the price. Yah... tough times for those of us in the US right now.

The upside is that many of you snagged a killer shirt, and that gives me a bit of happiness.

I am super stoked! I was down at SE PDX for boot things, which I'll cover in another thread, and lo and behold, not only did they have this shirt in stock, they had one in a tag L. My oh my, is this fabric cool! Because I'm a total neophyte to this whole sphere, many of these non-denim fabrics are new to me. Kersey is no different. I'd never had it in hand, and despite best efforts, the shirt is so much more striking in person. And it's so soft!!

All of this, I'm sure you all know, but I had to share my enthusiasm.

Atop the two-stroke, which is the preferred weapon for the technical and slick singletrack we enjoy in the PNWet.

... and forgive me for the multiple posts; I wasn't able to upload all the images in one post.

Let's see if I can get a few pictures posted here...

From last weekend on the big, overgrown dirt bike, in the wilds of central Oregon.

The 450, which gets a rally tower for racing rallies. Seen here in go-anywhere mode.

It's Flannel Friday (that's made out of selvage), and this shirt didn't get enough love. I'm sporting mine today as I hunker down inside, waiting out an atmospheric river. I snapped up this shirt because it has the colors of my alma mater; blue and gold/yellow. It's almost time for some College Football Saturday... let's go 'Cats!!

Update! (Since this is my chronicle) I had the chance to get up to Wesco HQ yesterday afternoon and spend 90 minutes with the world-famous Chris Warren. The short of it is that Chris is a model for peerless customer service because Wesco is going to relast my boots from what was a 9 EE with a short heel to a 9 EE with some build-up at the arch, and adding a taller heel.

Should be a few weeks.

I also had a chance to try on a couple pairs of Mr Lous and 7500 Boss engineers. Mr Lous are still probably a no-go for me given their smaller shaft and my tall in-step. But I was able to size out to a 9.5E 7500 Boss, so mega bonus there. I also foot-fondled some Romeos and I’ll be putting in for a custom build. I loved that slipper-shoe-boot thing.

I’ve also been trading some emails with Standard & Strange since they stock so many different boots. We’ll see if I we can something in addition to Wesco. More to come!

@NickD said in Motorcycles:

@Bobcat-Sig I've got the non Bayliss version of this, great bike.

The V2 is an amazing bike. I prefer it to the V4 (of any flavor). It's easier to ride and I'm faster on my V2 than the V4 Streetfigther.

I loved it so much that when my 899 died a fiery death at the track several years ago, I circled back to the V2.

@louisbosco said in Motorcycles:

@Bobcat-Sig I thought the sp2 came with a dry clutch. did you swap it back to wets?

No, you are correct; it does come with a dry clutch. Out of the box from Borgo-Panigale, the wet clutch cover is fitted, but underneath is the Ducati Performance dry clutch from STM. In the box is a carbon fiber trim piece.

As seen here:

@northsouthdenimguy said in Ship John:

@Bobcat-Sig

The current make up is the only one I’m aware of, and it seems to me that Mike likes the full sole, maybe be better for riding?

@hgering27 said in Ship John:

@Bobcat-Sig I think, and I could be wrong, but I think that is basically the Iron Heart Germany Boss boot, I have that one and from what I understand its otherwise identical to the Derrolls

Fellas, thank you. I did go out and find the IH Germany boot, and it does come with a split-sole, using the V-bar, whereas Mike's Ship John Derroll is the full-length V-bar sole. Both seem to be a British Tan Domain rough out.

I've found a pair on the secondary market that seems to bear the construction of the IH Germany boot, but the split-sole is Dr Sole with a V-Bar heel. Seller claims Iron Heart. And they don't look to be resoled. Mainly, I'm trying to verify that they are a Ship John collab and that they are not a Mr Lou.

The stamp on the inside of the shaft looks to be a 2023 boot, so maybe, at some point, these were made with a Dr Sole split-sole.

This rabbit hole is deep!

@popvulture My man! Yes, same. The 888 in 25oz does feel high on me, but have softened a bit upfront. I find that fit to be a good cold-weather option as it covers more of the backside.

Out of curiosity since I'm a new guy here; how are you finding, in general, how front and back-rise measurements relate? I see not all brands or vendors list both, usually only one.

With a lifetime of skiing, hiking, and now motorcycling, sporting a butt is very much my cross to bear. Though my wife loves it, so...

I had a chance to see this fabric in person at SE PDX recently. Prior, I dismissed it on some incorrect assumptions. The blue is deep and the bleach dots are a super interesting detail. So I went out and found one from another stockist. SE was out of my size.

A large should show up next week and I’m anxious to see how it fits. I know these can run big and I tend to be a Large or XL, depending on the fabrics. Stoked!

Right around the corner, you say? Much excite!

I'm totally buying a pair to put on the shelf until I can get through my current 888 XHB pair. And this is where this lovely affliction has come to, shelving denim due to limited production and in anticipation of future wear. I'm here for it.

The email dropped for me today and saw these and thought, "Oh my!"

This spring, my beloved pair of suede J Shoes chukka boots finally gave up the ghost. They were my go-to, business travel shoes; light, comfortable, paired well with all manner of business casual, and uncommon. I love them.

These look like a worthy replacement, even if they aren't nearly as light. I'm still enjoying my 7" cap toe IH Wesco collab. I think they're called the Guildsman these days. Nonetheless, killer boots.

Is the last the same on these Foot Patrols as the Guildsman?

@Johnnyutah247 I like a bit of break and the ability to cuff or have that extra length depending on my chosen footwear for the day.

Yours look just like how I'd wear them. I might cuff them just a small bit to reduce the stacking, but that's personal preference. You can always hem them after the pair sets its creases and relaxes a bit.

They look great to me. Nice score!