Custom White's Boots ... Thoughts?

[heavyhoody]

I own two pairs of whites and they are just too quality thick ass leather boots. There is no steel shank. All solid leather construction. No offense but 1000K and Red Wing Heritages, are nice boots, they are not in the same league as Whites.

 

[frankman]

I have tried on the Wolverine 1000k Cordovan leather boot, and even own a 25 year old Wolverine "hunter" insulated boot which is not made by anyone anymore and the Wolverine reps can't even identify the model number because they don't keep product records that far back!!!. What does that tell ya? My White's semi-dress brown leather non-special-order boot's quality beats them both by well over a "1000" miles. The White's were pricey but I enjoy every minute I'm wearing them.

 

[bl@ster]

Got some new White's Semi Dress in from Baker's. Here's the config and photos.

•Leather 1: Brown Smooth
•Celastic Toe Box: Single
•Leather Liner: Tan
•Eyelet Color: Nickel
•Sole Trim: Close Trim
•Eyelet Configuration : Eyelet
•Sole: Leather
•Heel Shape: Curve
•Heel Height: Minus 1/4"
•Last: Standard
•Midsole: Standard
•Midsole/Edge Color: Natural

 

[daizawaguy]

A couple of photos found on my computer...

 

[bl@ster]

And some new British Tan SD's came in as well. Here's the specs and photos.

Last Standard, Sole Leather, Size - Length 11, Hardware All Antique Eyes, Edge Natural, Upper (Shaft) Leather British Tan, Midsole Single, Pull Loops No Thanks, Leather Liner Tan, Sole Trim Close Trim, Toe Vamp Leather British Tan, Size - Width D (medium), Toe Cap Leather Toe Cap (only available on plain toe style), Celastic Toe Box Single Celastic Toe, Heel Base 90 Degree Blocked off Heel (Traveler)

 

[Okal]

Bl@ster, both pairs look very good, but the British tan SDs with the toe caps are easily the better of the two. In fact, they are outstanding. I don't like the look of the block heel in the standard height, but it looks really nice when lowered 1/4". I like the standard height curve (Cuban) heel best, and the curve lowered 1/4" also looks good. I'm about even on the two styles of lowered heels, and your new shoes demonstrate those good looks well. Congratulations on the recent additions to your foot wardrobe.

Allan

 

[bl@ster]

Thanks Allan.

I want to add a third set to the record that I just took delivery on. This may seem like overkill, but I think it's important to document the options and leather. It's been very helpful to search this thread to see what various leathers look like on White's boots before choosing a config.

Anyway, here's the config and photos:

•Leather: Brown Dress
•Celastic Toe Box: Single
•Steel Toe: No
•Leather Liner: Tan
•Pull Loop: No
•Eyelet Color: Antique
•Sole Trim: Close Trim
•Eyelet Configuration : Eyelet
•Sole: Leather
•Heel Shape: Curve
•Heel Height: Minus 1/4"
•Last: Standard
•Midsole: Standard
•Midsole/Edge Color: Brown

 

[Hill]



Thanks Allan. I want to add a third set to the record that I just took delivery on. This may seem like overkill, but I think it's important to document the options and leather. It's been very helpful to search this thread to see what various leathers look like on White's boots before choosing a config. Anyway, here's the config and photos: •Leather: Brown Dress •Celastic Toe Box: Single •Steel Toe: No •Leather Liner: Tan •Pull Loop: No •Eyelet Color: Antique •Sole Trim: Close Trim •Eyelet Configuration : Eyelet •Sole: Leather •Heel Shape: Curve •Heel Height: Minus 1/4" •Last: Standard •Midsole: Standard •Midsole/Edge Color: Natural

The configuration details are very much appreciated. Thank you for posting.

A couple of photos found on my computer...

How are you liking the close trim with the vibram sole on the brown pair? I haven't quite warmed up to the standard trim but am still deciding between the two. Probably over thinking it but just curious what you think,

 

[the shivman]

bl@ster you got 3 pairs at once? lucky son of a *****.

 

[brokeassp]

jesus bl@ster how many pairs do you own

 

[bl@ster]



jesus bl@ster how many pairs do you own

Not enough. Gotta collect 'em all, bro!

 

[Okal]

Bl@ster,

Do you ever have any trouble with dye from the tan liner bleeding onto your socks? I ordered my boots with the cream lining to prevent that, but I like the looks of the tan lining better. Also, could you describe the difference in the way the shoes feel with the standard curve heel, the lowered curve heel and the lowered block heel? You seem to prefer the lowered heels. I would like to know why if you would share that with us. I really like all of your White's boots. I ordered the brown horse hide with toe caps. I can't remember if you own a pair of horse hide boots too. Do you have a favorite among your many pairs of White's boots?

Many thanks,

Allan

 

[Okal]

Okay, Bl@ster, I just did a search and saw that you did, indeed, get a pair of beautiful horse hide SDs in February 2012. How do you like them compared to the other leathers? Do you have current pictures of them so we can see how they have worn? You obviously like the SDs to have ordered so many pairs!

Allan

 

[bl@ster]

Yeah, my horsehides are right here:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/219173/custom-whites-boots-thoughts/360#post_5182953

I've never had a problem with the tan leather lining bleeding to my socks. Yet, I usually wear brown/tan socks so I probably wouldn't know if I did anyway. I'm not a fan of the regular "arch ease" height of the heel (whether Cuban or blocked off) just due to the height. My first pair was with the standard height heel and it felt like I was wearing high heels. My next pair I had lowered and this felt better to me and more in line with Red Wing and Wolverine 1k Mile boots. It's just a personal preference... some say the lowered heel kills the look of White's semi dress and maybe there's something to that. But I'm willing to make the aesthetic tradeoff w/ the lowered heel.

As for my favorites, that'd have to be the "Classic Brown" SD's. You can see them here:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/219173/custom-whites-boots-thoughts/840#post_5832817

I just feel like I got the whole config right on these and the classic brown leather is just amazing. A close second are the horsehides.

As for what's coming up... I have a pair of Semi-Dress in Brown Bison leather on order. That should be interesting -- I'll also post those pics when they arrive. In addition (!) I've started to experiment with the White's "Classic Workboot" with another #8 Chromeexcel on order that's going to be VERY interesting. They are basically going to match/emulate these Horseman Joe boots from the Red Wing Euro blog which blew me away:

http://redwing1905.blogspot.com/2013/04/thegracyboys.html

Here's the config I submitted in order to match those. Think I got it about right?

White's Classic Work Boot
Sole Leather, Heel Lifts Standard, Edge Brown, Upper (Shaft) Leather #8 Burgundy Chrome Excel by Horween, Midsole Double, Toe Cap No Thanks, Leather Liner Tan, Sole Trim Close Trim, Toe Vamp Leather #8 Burgundy Chrome Excel by Horween, Heel Base Standard, Hardware All Antique Eyes, Celastic Toe Box Single Celastic Toe, Lace Design Plain Toe, Counter Leather #8 Burgundy Chrome Excel by Horween, Height 6"

I'll post photos of them when they come in (8-10 weeks at the moment due to fire season for White's).

 

[tavoz]

Hi Bl@aster, thanks for your recent posts, very helpfull. I still haven't decided the configuration of my first pair, you maybe help me to figure out something: I see on your pics that brown smooth seems kind of thick, more than dress leather, right? What pair feels better on wear, in your opinion? I personnally want oil tanned leather, wich is "smooth" leather, 7-8 oz., usually used for smokejumpers? But it looks really thick, maybe too much for urban use...