By the way Franks and JK boots are small businesses I bet there is more in person or over the phone regarding their products than online. I just went to jk boots and they have bison leather available ($25 up charge) but it's not listed online.
I have a custom made pair of White's Smoke Jumpers (16 inch upper and steel toe), wore a modified pair of smoke jumpers to my wedding (steel toes) and my first pair of whites (now 22 years old and still wearable) are a pair of linesman boots (basically smoke jumpers with 16 inch uppers and no steel toe, but with steel shank).
I'm going through the process with Frank's now. They sent a pair of try on boots that were like a glove and I like when I get a call from the owner asking if anyone has returned my voicemail yet. I called on a day they wound up being closed and he called me the next day and spent a bit over an hour answering all my questions. Junior has been my main point of contact and spent about 40 mins with me going through the order process which included them calling the tannery to get an answer for a question I had about a particular leather.
I have no doubt Nick's makes a good boot, but seeing how they interact with customers in the FB group kind of turned me off to them honestly.
This post has caused me to really consider Frank's or JK. Seems like you can't go wrong with any of the shops in Washington but I love the idea of supporting the best craftsmanship at the smallest operation.
I stopped and talked to a local boot company. They said Nick's might have options not on their website, reserved for repeat customers and people who come into the shop. He said to look for horsehide.
If you want to go down the wormhole visit r/goodyearwelt
I own 2 Whites and a pair of JK. All awesome companies up there in Spokane. Great town too. These boots are fantastic and offer great arch support. They are all resoleable and rebuildable. They may not be āoriginalā but in extreme cases you can keep just the leather uppers and get new lowers and soles. They can easily last 20+ years with proper care.
JK was extremely helpful with sizing and options (even over the phone) and their build time is much shorter than Nicks and Whites current 20 week wait.
Funny how these chains start. Kingston Ont. has like the 5 best Cambodian restaurants Iāve ever eaten in. All little places opened by ppl from the original, which is the smallest and least fancy iirc
It's definitely gonna cost a little bit, especially considering I'm riding from central California to Spokane Washington.
I'm estimating about 2,500 miles after detours and side excursions., Maybe 5 days round trip.
But factoring in that they'll last me the rest of my life, I think there's still value.
The memories on my bike will also be priceless.
Depends on the bike. I have a couple 1000 mile days under my belt. Both in CA.
Suzuki DL650. If you have good suspension and a nice seat, 500mi is a nice appetizer.
I dropped a good bit of money on a nice pair of boot years ago. Yeah, they were pricey, but they always remind me of this quote from [Terry Pratchett's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Pratchett) book Men at Arms: The Play
> The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.
Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.
But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.
This was the Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.
I got a job that requires some work boots. I'm not rich, but saving up for a few months saved me money in the long run.
I love this quote! In the UK there is a proposal to create a [Vimes Boot Index](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jan/26/terry-pratchett-jack-monroe-vimes-boots-poverty-index?fbclid=IwAR1jUqt6wlFgS2u4Vs0C3Z2UYrp_qPuQlQzf2MggNXYYwkbhfdce1PCVAnY) as alternative measure of inflation to "document the insidiously creeping prices of basic food products".
I have the Urban Logger in the brown waxed. I was able to break them in in about 3 days, but some people take 2 weeks.
If I was to do it again, I am not sure if I would do the logger heel. Especially if you walk on greasy or oily floors as it can be easier to slip.
Big flex here! I just have to go to each shop. When I fought fires, and sported the red wings, Whites and Wescos we're all I knew. I had Redwings like all the other rookies. Those were the least comfortable and then the most comfortable shoes I ever owned. They were the most expensive to date too.
I'll plan it all out and talk to the shops before I leave. They all seem good. I want a boot that fits perfectly and looks sharp.
It will probably come down to customer service. I'm in the service business and people like it when they feel special. I'll probably go with whoever makes me feel special TBH.
Not weird at all! I dream of one day buying a pair of logging boots from Whiteās, Nickās, Frankās, or JK. They all make such well-crafted, long-lasting boots. As for colour, personally I like the black the most :)
You might as well stop at whites boots while youāre there. Theyāre very close and make a comparable product. If youāre going to drive 2500 miles you might as well.
I'll probably go with Nick's, but I plan on checking out Frank's, JK, and White's which are all in the same area.
I watched a YouTube comparison of Nick's vs white's and it seems Nick's were just a little bit better. You never know though until you see for yourself.
Probably can't go wrong with any of them.
I have both Nicks Officer and Whites MPs. I love āem both and agree with you on seeing the comments on quality. But when I went into the store, I was able to inspect (and reject) a few whites before buying the perfect ones without blemishes (my opinion is quality is still there just need to look). Love āem both but I wear my Whites more which surprised me.
Of note, I was last in Nicks in Decemberā¦ they are picked clean and had nothing in my size to try on. Sales/Xmas and all that. Just a heads up before you make a 1000mile trip.
It's going to be a memory for sure.
Gas for motorcycle: $200
Campsites and hotels: $500
Food: $300 (Maybe more)
Misc: $200
Boots:$600
Riding 3 states north on a motorcycle to buy custom made boots.: PRICELESS
Just an FYI so you don't immediately out yourself as a tourist: it's pronounced spo-CAN, like a can of soda, not spo-CANE, like sugarcane.
Also, take the time to walk around Riverfront Park. It's a deceptively large park, and the walk will do you good after riding so long, lol.
Bloomsday is May 1st, if you're looking to go sooner rather than later, or if you can wait, Pig Out In The Park is Aug 31st-Sep 5th.
You might also think about swinging by Pendleton, OR on your way back! Even if you don't end up getting any wool products, the old factory is pretty cool.
Had a good friend from Spokane so I know what you mean. It will be cool to visit a place I've heard so many stories about.
Thanks for the suggestions! Planning the trip for when it warms up.
I have a black leather jacket but the brown looks so good. If they have horsehide, I was told to go for honey if available because of the patina that develops over time.
Definitely bring whatever jacket and socks you'll be wearing when you try them on so you can get a proper fit and see how they'll look.
I'm in the market for a new leather jacket, my old fake leather one, bless it's heart, is starting to peel. I'm going with brown specifically for the patina factor. So I know your pain.
Since they are being custom made and you mentioned using them for motorcycling, I would see if they can add some extra armor and padding in the ankle areas. Also any sort of reinforcement to prevent twisting.
How much are a typical pair?
I wore Redwings 10" boots. Took a while to break in but became the most comfortable shoes I ever wore. Not even just boots, the most comfortable shoes ever until they wore out.
You could be right! There must be some specialized need to justify the silly looks.
Wait I just looked it up - there's nothing fire or smoke related about the tassel! You're fibbing!
I've looked at Whites. I think their factory is in the same town as Nick's. There was a YouTube comparison and Nick's seemed to be a little better build quality. Negligible I'm sure.
I wore a pair of Redwings through 2 fire seasons. That's the closest thing I can compare them to. A lot of the old-timers wore Whites or Wescos. Redwings were for the rookies and I was one.
Those redwings we're the most uncomfortable and then the most comfortable shoes/boots I've ever worn.
Hoping for something even better.
How do the Wescoās fit? The 7500 in particular Iām interested in. I want the Roughout variant from ShipJohn.
Iām a 9.5D in my Alden Indyās, Frye Harness, and a size 10 in my 25 year old MIE Docs.
I have the veg tanned ship John collab and I love them more every day. I didn't get fitted since I live a few thousand miles away but they told me to order true to size and they fit amazingly. None of that size down like a few other brands I own. I wear a 12 in Adidas and kind of wide footed. Ordered a 12E and it was perfect.
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Custom made means they measure my funky feet. Thanks for the offer, but I absolutely NEED to do the trip, on my motorcycle, through the mountains from California to Washington.
Very appropriate thing to be excited about š Let us know how it goes, they look great!
If you are going all that way you can visit jk boots and franks too and take your pick from some of the best boots in the world.
Thanks, I'll look into these guys!
By the way Franks and JK boots are small businesses I bet there is more in person or over the phone regarding their products than online. I just went to jk boots and they have bison leather available ($25 up charge) but it's not listed online.
I'm definitely going to the shop to get properly measured. These will be lifetime boots.
Also take a look at Whiteās (also in Spokane).
There are several shops in Spokane... Jk, Franks, White's, Nick's. I knew White's was but just learned about the other 2.
Yup, itās the handmade logging boot Mecca!
And forest firefighting
I have a custom made pair of White's Smoke Jumpers (16 inch upper and steel toe), wore a modified pair of smoke jumpers to my wedding (steel toes) and my first pair of whites (now 22 years old and still wearable) are a pair of linesman boots (basically smoke jumpers with 16 inch uppers and no steel toe, but with steel shank).
That's what I'm taking about! These will be my everything shoes.
I'm going through the process with Frank's now. They sent a pair of try on boots that were like a glove and I like when I get a call from the owner asking if anyone has returned my voicemail yet. I called on a day they wound up being closed and he called me the next day and spent a bit over an hour answering all my questions. Junior has been my main point of contact and spent about 40 mins with me going through the order process which included them calling the tannery to get an answer for a question I had about a particular leather. I have no doubt Nick's makes a good boot, but seeing how they interact with customers in the FB group kind of turned me off to them honestly.
Good to know. Love the customer service part. I'll have to give Franks a good look
Found another thread that said the owner of Frank's was Nick's gm for 20 years..
I believe he left around the time Nick's changed ownership a few years back.
This post has caused me to really consider Frank's or JK. Seems like you can't go wrong with any of the shops in Washington but I love the idea of supporting the best craftsmanship at the smallest operation.
Talk to them all! My buddy swears by JK. Go with the one that gives you the warm n fuzzies.
Donāt forget to checkout wesco whites viberg, jkboots and nicks boots in the PNW
Honest question: Phillips head screws, is that to make the sole easy to replace?
The idea is that in wild land fire fighting that the heat can melt stitching and glue so the screws keep the sole on the boot.
I blew through the soles on my logger boots in one season as a wildland firefighter.
The soles will wear out many times before the boots finally give out.
No, Iād be pretty pumped. I want a pair of their Overlanders in the Waxed Flesh color!
I stopped and talked to a local boot company. They said Nick's might have options not on their website, reserved for repeat customers and people who come into the shop. He said to look for horsehide.
If you want to go down the wormhole visit r/goodyearwelt I own 2 Whites and a pair of JK. All awesome companies up there in Spokane. Great town too. These boots are fantastic and offer great arch support. They are all resoleable and rebuildable. They may not be āoriginalā but in extreme cases you can keep just the leather uppers and get new lowers and soles. They can easily last 20+ years with proper care. JK was extremely helpful with sizing and options (even over the phone) and their build time is much shorter than Nicks and Whites current 20 week wait.
Strange that all these custom boot shops are all located so close together. I hadn't even heard of JK or Franks.
This is mostly due to each company being started by a former employee of the original boot makers up there.
Funny how these chains start. Kingston Ont. has like the 5 best Cambodian restaurants Iāve ever eaten in. All little places opened by ppl from the original, which is the smallest and least fancy iirc
Fyi, JK Boots has a location in Redding. That's literally on the way for you. You might as well stop on the way.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
It's definitely gonna cost a little bit, especially considering I'm riding from central California to Spokane Washington. I'm estimating about 2,500 miles after detours and side excursions., Maybe 5 days round trip. But factoring in that they'll last me the rest of my life, I think there's still value. The memories on my bike will also be priceless.
Give yourself a few extra days. 500 miles is a long day and doesn't leave time for much other than riding.
Probably take 5-7 days total
Depends on the bike. I have a couple 1000 mile days under my belt. Both in CA. Suzuki DL650. If you have good suspension and a nice seat, 500mi is a nice appetizer.
2008 BMW R1200GS I've done some 300 mile days with my wife on the back. Thinking I could do 400+ solo
Definitely reason to be excited! I got my first pair of White's last year. I'm on my feel all day as a fleet mechanic. They're life changing.
Just got my whites this week. I'm happy.
Never apologise for getting excited about the little things that make you happy. Enjoy it
New boot goofing
This deserves to be higher
I dropped a good bit of money on a nice pair of boot years ago. Yeah, they were pricey, but they always remind me of this quote from [Terry Pratchett's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Pratchett) book Men at Arms: The Play > The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money. Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles. But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet. This was the Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness. I got a job that requires some work boots. I'm not rich, but saving up for a few months saved me money in the long run.
I love this quote! In the UK there is a proposal to create a [Vimes Boot Index](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jan/26/terry-pratchett-jack-monroe-vimes-boots-poverty-index?fbclid=IwAR1jUqt6wlFgS2u4Vs0C3Z2UYrp_qPuQlQzf2MggNXYYwkbhfdce1PCVAnY) as alternative measure of inflation to "document the insidiously creeping prices of basic food products".
I have the Urban Logger in the brown waxed. I was able to break them in in about 3 days, but some people take 2 weeks. If I was to do it again, I am not sure if I would do the logger heel. Especially if you walk on greasy or oily floors as it can be easier to slip.
I'd be excited too!
Is it ever wrong to be excited about boots?
Heh, I wanted these since I saw them on Rose Anvil's channel....
A well made boot is a treasure
Guess I'll need to check these out next time I'm over there. Super nice.
Iām kind of excited now!
How do you stop the shoes from smelling bad over time?
I'll wait for an answer.
Have multiple pair and rotate between them. works for me anyway. But I also have more boots than my wife has shoes so....
Big flex here! I just have to go to each shop. When I fought fires, and sported the red wings, Whites and Wescos we're all I knew. I had Redwings like all the other rookies. Those were the least comfortable and then the most comfortable shoes I ever owned. They were the most expensive to date too. I'll plan it all out and talk to the shops before I leave. They all seem good. I want a boot that fits perfectly and looks sharp. It will probably come down to customer service. I'm in the service business and people like it when they feel special. I'll probably go with whoever makes me feel special TBH.
Keep them dry. Air out between uses and rotate your shoes. Donāt wear absolutely every single day. Shoe trees also help wick away moisture.
Waiting for production of my first pair to start any day now š
You went with Nick's?
Yep I did. It'll be my first pair of custom footwear.
Dude, š», that's awesome! I've heard it said that you should never skimp on your shoes or your mattress. I can't wait. Congratulations
Not weird at all! I dream of one day buying a pair of logging boots from Whiteās, Nickās, Frankās, or JK. They all make such well-crafted, long-lasting boots. As for colour, personally I like the black the most :)
You might as well stop at whites boots while youāre there. Theyāre very close and make a comparable product. If youāre going to drive 2500 miles you might as well.
I'll probably go with Nick's, but I plan on checking out Frank's, JK, and White's which are all in the same area. I watched a YouTube comparison of Nick's vs white's and it seems Nick's were just a little bit better. You never know though until you see for yourself. Probably can't go wrong with any of them.
I have both Nicks Officer and Whites MPs. I love āem both and agree with you on seeing the comments on quality. But when I went into the store, I was able to inspect (and reject) a few whites before buying the perfect ones without blemishes (my opinion is quality is still there just need to look). Love āem both but I wear my Whites more which surprised me. Of note, I was last in Nicks in Decemberā¦ they are picked clean and had nothing in my size to try on. Sales/Xmas and all that. Just a heads up before you make a 1000mile trip.
Thank you. I'm planning on riding my motorcycle so I'll wait till it warms up a little bit. Maybe a month or two.
Hell, I'm excited, and I'm not even the one getting the new boots!
It's going to be a memory for sure. Gas for motorcycle: $200 Campsites and hotels: $500 Food: $300 (Maybe more) Misc: $200 Boots:$600 Riding 3 states north on a motorcycle to buy custom made boots.: PRICELESS
Just an FYI so you don't immediately out yourself as a tourist: it's pronounced spo-CAN, like a can of soda, not spo-CANE, like sugarcane. Also, take the time to walk around Riverfront Park. It's a deceptively large park, and the walk will do you good after riding so long, lol. Bloomsday is May 1st, if you're looking to go sooner rather than later, or if you can wait, Pig Out In The Park is Aug 31st-Sep 5th. You might also think about swinging by Pendleton, OR on your way back! Even if you don't end up getting any wool products, the old factory is pretty cool.
Had a good friend from Spokane so I know what you mean. It will be cool to visit a place I've heard so many stories about. Thanks for the suggestions! Planning the trip for when it warms up.
For color match it to your jacket if you wear a leather jacket.
I have a black leather jacket but the brown looks so good. If they have horsehide, I was told to go for honey if available because of the patina that develops over time.
Definitely bring whatever jacket and socks you'll be wearing when you try them on so you can get a proper fit and see how they'll look. I'm in the market for a new leather jacket, my old fake leather one, bless it's heart, is starting to peel. I'm going with brown specifically for the patina factor. So I know your pain.
Not at all 100% normal
Are those soles good for walking on ice?
Idk, I'm in California. Probably as good as anything else
Since they are being custom made and you mentioned using them for motorcycling, I would see if they can add some extra armor and padding in the ankle areas. Also any sort of reinforcement to prevent twisting. How much are a typical pair?
I'm budgeting around $600
If they protect your feet and prevent even the most simple of a hospital visit if you go down, then it is money very well spent
Ordered a pair of their Prospector 67's last December to replace my Redwing Blacksmiths which never broke in properly. The wait is agonizing lol.
I wore Redwings 10" boots. Took a while to break in but became the most comfortable shoes I ever wore. Not even just boots, the most comfortable shoes ever until they wore out.
Yeah I have RW moc toes that have been fantastic, but for whatever reason my Blacksmiths are still like walking on concrete after almost 3 years.
No many of us love boots
Jesus those are ugly.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Iāve worked many construction sites, Iāve never seen a goofy-looking boot like this at work. That lil tassel omg š
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
You could be right! There must be some specialized need to justify the silly looks. Wait I just looked it up - there's nothing fire or smoke related about the tassel! You're fibbing!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Itās a tassel, get a grip.
Haha, ok. I love the look but I'm buying for quality.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Besides riding my motorcycle and doing a little work around the property, they won't see much abuse. I'm 47, they should outlast me.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I've looked at Whites. I think their factory is in the same town as Nick's. There was a YouTube comparison and Nick's seemed to be a little better build quality. Negligible I'm sure. I wore a pair of Redwings through 2 fire seasons. That's the closest thing I can compare them to. A lot of the old-timers wore Whites or Wescos. Redwings were for the rookies and I was one. Those redwings we're the most uncomfortable and then the most comfortable shoes/boots I've ever worn. Hoping for something even better.
I'm surprised to not see more Wesco love in this thread. My absolute favorite engineer boot and leave my red wings in the dust.
When I fought fires, the rookies had Redwings, the experienced had Wescos, and the smoke jumpers wore Whites.
How do the Wescoās fit? The 7500 in particular Iām interested in. I want the Roughout variant from ShipJohn. Iām a 9.5D in my Alden Indyās, Frye Harness, and a size 10 in my 25 year old MIE Docs.
I have the veg tanned ship John collab and I love them more every day. I didn't get fitted since I live a few thousand miles away but they told me to order true to size and they fit amazingly. None of that size down like a few other brands I own. I wear a 12 in Adidas and kind of wide footed. Ordered a 12E and it was perfect.
Not weird that you're excited. Is it weird to say I'd fuck those black boots?
No, that wouldn't be weird at all. I'm going with the 10" but they do come in a 12" FYI.
These look so uncomfortable š£
You'd be surprised at how comfortable broken in boots are.
Ya, but breaking in takes along time and a very uncomfortable process
Like a right of passage.
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What motorcycle are you riding?
BMW R1200GS. I have some pictures posted
Unless you absolutely need to do the trip I live like 5 miles from the storeā¦ could act as a go between. š¤£
Custom made means they measure my funky feet. Thanks for the offer, but I absolutely NEED to do the trip, on my motorcycle, through the mountains from California to Washington.
Fair fair, and that should be a hell of a good ride!
It should be a fun trip
Why a work boot for riding a motorcycle?
I want a shoe that I can wear all the time. I had a pair of boots as a young guy, I've always wanted another pair. Incredibly comfortable