WESCO
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I saw these in this thread a couple of pages back and kept looking at them again and again. I just wasn't sure about the correct size, hence the custom build on some custom burlap Engineer's.
After chatting with Chess and Chris, they gave me the right standard size to order based on my measurements and it was a done deal.
This pair will cover me, having then black, brown and at one point burlap roughout. Wait, I just saw a black waxed flesh version…
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Black waxed flesh is always amazing. I've been eyeing a pair of Truman's in the same type of leather. Patina hits like a hammer on those.
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Just picked up some of the natural CXL Mister Lous. Really looking forward to checking em out… we'll see how the sizing is. I went 13E based on the recommendation from the peeps at Wesco — might be a little on the big side, but I'd much prefer that experience to my Lofgrens, which are comfortable once I get em on but a massive pain to actually get on my feet (high instep).
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…but I'd much prefer that experience to my Lofgrens, which are comfortable once I get em on but a massive pain to actually get on my feet (high instep).
Don't get me going. It took me 6 months of wear of my Lofgrens before being able to somehow slide or better press my foot into these without the good ol' plastic bag and massive pain. I love them, and once in , they are damn perfect (0.5 bigger than Wesco), but it needs some dedication in the beginning.
Now they become a bit wider in the in step area, but still far from being a slip-on. -
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Yeah the weird thing with my Lofgrens is that it's only the right one that gives me all the trouble. I'm not sure if it's that my right instep is higher, or that the handmade nature of the Lofgrens means that for whatever reason, that one just ended up a little more snug. But yep I had to do the plastic bag thing for a long time, plus I just had to figure out what socks worked. Some, I guess just based on the yarn used, just do not slip at all against the leather. I've found that Thorlos ultra light hikers work great. I actually messed my back up a couple times trying to get the fucker on, though. Oy.
Oh, and I should mention that I took them to a local cobbler for stretching TWICE. They're some fucking beautiful boots, but goddamn. I don't think I'll be buying another pair, haha. He did have some really great silicone spray that he put on the area where your heel slides down into place, and it really helped a lot. I've looked for some online but didn't have much luck finding it.
Fingers crossed the Wescos don't give me as much shit! My feet are on the bigger end of 13s, so the whole 1-size-down thing with shoes and boots that follow that particular rule of thumb (Iron Ranger, Alden, Viberg etc) doesn't always leave me with a ton of room in a 12.
@LewisStonehouse thanks for the vid!
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Yep I’m most certainly gonna try that.
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@popvulture Lofgrens have strange sizing and one of mine had an unfortunate squeak that worked itself out. Great boots, but I wish they'd size their lasts Brannock or English instead of inventing their own sizes somewhat in between. Mine should be a half size down from where they are (but probably couldn't get my foot into that size). Even with handmade footwear, the way boots are manufactured I would not expect that kind of variability between left and right unless someone chose the wrong size last for one of them.
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Who knows, it’s probably just my foot or something — humans are pretty asymmetrical. I’ve gotten them to the point where I can get the right one one pretty quickly, but it’s still a bit of task. If it took 5 minutes (after stretching!) like that guy in the video, I’d lose my damn mind
If doing the broomstick trick helps a bit, I’m definitely game for any additional improvement I can get.
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Just want to take you the fear of the instep with the Mr Lou. Mine just arrived today and its night and day. They are 0.5 smaller than my Lofgrens and I can just hop in them, no struggle at all getting in. I had plastic bags and everything ready but not needed. The fit is great, snug but not tight (narrower than my Lofgrens), and some space for the toe.
They are actually comfy right out of the box, but still need some break in. No heel slip at all.
Let me check if I can make some pics later. -
Excellent news @Dmart - I can also attest to the comfort of the Mr. Lou. The narrow shaft is a game changer as well.
I had issues with getting my Road Champs "off," - and the Wescos have spoiled me so much, I'm not sure I'll ever try to snag another pair of the RCs…
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@Dmart interesting, and super good news! I'm very curious to see how my 13s fit vs the 12 in the Lofgrens. My toe's right at the end of the latter, so I'm hoping that the Wescos will just be perfect. Though they might be too big, haha… fingers crossed that's not the case. Everybody send me good boot juju!
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Just want to take you the fear of the instep with the Mr Lou. Mine just arrived today and its night and day. They are 0.5 smaller than my Lofgrens and I can just hop in them, no struggle at all getting in. I had plastic bags and everything ready but not needed. The fit is great, snug but not tight (narrower than my Lofgrens), and some space for the toe.
They are actually comfy right out of the box, but still need some break in. No heel slip at all.
Let me check if I can make some pics later.Glad to hear these worked out for you! The Mr. Lou and the 7500 are the best fitting boots I've ever owned, and I've owned dozens of pairs from the major brands. I recommend them to everybody - I have brown and black horse in the Mr. Lou, and I'm really tempted by the new natural CXL. I love the color and feel of that leather. They have a nicely shaped heel that limits slip, and the narrowed shaft makes a big difference in fitting under the legs of my pants.
I'm not sure if anyone else remembers the Julian made RRL Engineer boots, but they had the same problem that I'm hearing about on the Lofgrens - the shaft tapers, and the narrow spot made them difficult or impossible to slip on for many people. I was able to stretch the brown pair over time, but the black RRL's were stiff enough that I had to send them to Brian the Bootmaker for a specialized stretching job. I've never owned the Lofgrens, but I'd love to see a pair in person some day. For me, it's hard to justify the cost when my Wesco's work so well, and I'm nsot sure they even make them in a US 13D.
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@Dmart love em! I'm so stoked to see you post those, cos it's like a mini preview for me. I'm really psyched to get some wear on the natural leather, love the way it turns out.
And @jimmer_5 the Lofgrens are beautiful, but after the hassles I've had owning them, I'm not sure I'd own another pair (will especially have to see after I've tried the Lous). There are little details IMO that make the Lofgrens just a little sleeker — I especially prefer the single line of stitching on the sole — but are small details and a huge price difference worth it for boots that are so hard to get on? Seems sorta obvious.
All that said, I don't think I'd do anything differently. I've really enjoyed my Lofgrens (and will continue to), but just learned some valuable information in the process.
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I am really exited to see them age. From pictures, they must become beautiful.
I had this with the Clinch. I really liked the silouette of the boot. But regardless of the size, I couldn't find a way to make them work. Just couldn't get in.
With this newly won experience, together with the pricepoint, I doubt I will have to look any further. Especially the customisation makes it even better. At one point, horsehide will have to find its way to me. Now I'm waiting for the custom Mr. Lou in Burlap.
The only other boot I would love to get is from Brian the bootmaker, but looking at the waiting list it might remain more of a dream than become reality. -
I really hate that my UPS guy usually shows up at like 7PM. Really really.
