John Lofgren (Speedway)
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FWIW: I have the Badalassi and nattys in 11" and 10.5" respectively. They're exactly the same length and wide AF. As much as I love these boots (and make no mistake I do), the advertised JL sizing info and subsequent lackadaisical sizing advice from vendors on a 1K pair of boots is interesting to say the least. These boots are E width at MINIMUM and should be advertised as such. It would save a lot of folks some grief. You really need to pay attention to your foot's volume. Simply equating the JL engineer to say RW IR can be very misleading (yes it's an apples to oranges comp with the Engineer however the point remains). I wear Alden (barrie last in 11.5-12), AE (11-12 depending on last), RW (10.5 in IR, etc.), Attractions engineer (10.5-268), etc. These fuckers are wide AF compared to anything I have ever worn, notably in the heel/instep area. The early 268 Attractions have their own issues (I never really noticed), however, the instep is far less voluminous. I'm a 11-11.5 (Left vs Right) with a D width via Brannock. This is coming from someone quite comfortable with the engineer boot's characteristic/infamous heel slip. I went round and round with different insoles ending up with half-soles with the low volume in the toe box. This massive volume in the heel/instep area is why you see the inevitable adjustments such as boot socks (aka my 1k boots fit like shite), etc. Hope this helps.
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Welp, I just picked them up today after a second round of stretching, and I think they're going to be ok. In addition to the stretch, my shoe guy put a little slippy (silicone?) spray along the inside back of the boot where my heel slides in—that was the biggest problem area.
You're right about the fit being wide, though. My heel definitely moves around a bit once my feet are in, but it's nothing too bad, and I think I might indeed opt for some insoles after hearing y'all talk about having helpful results with them.
I guess the thing I still find so bewildering is that I'm a pretty skinny guy and have found these boots to be downright impossible at times to get on—I've given up on several occasions and just put on another pair. Why were they especially tough those particular days—maybe too much salt the night before? Haha I don't know. All I know is that my feet are pretty normal if not narrow width, average volume (this was a new term to me until I bought some hiking boots recently), and it's been a mega struggle. For anyone who had slightly heftier feet and/or ankles: forget about it. And that's just kinda nuts for a pair of boots that cost so much… would someone even be able to return them? I guess there'd have to be a way?
Regardless, psyched mine have finally been at least somewhat tamed. Thanks a ton for everyone's help!
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Here's a look at your future, @PV/ATX
Picts before and after a routine cleaning to show how the pull-up leather is so resilient.
Before maintenance:
After brushing, scrubbing the sole with water and canvas, and scrubbing the uppers with a greasy Terry cloth rag:
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Those looks so killer, man! I'll aspire to get that level of wear
Ever since I got mine to fit properly, I've been wearing em pretty much every day. They start to show character pretty quickly… I'll make sure to post some pics.
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They're great boots. Wear in good health!
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Wabi in Progress
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@AdamJ cheers! I wonder how long they'll last. I hope forever
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@PV/ATX:
@AdamJ cheers! I wonder how long they'll last. I hope forever
I've put a ton of abuse on mine for years and only needed a re-heel aside from routine maintenance.
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Reassuring to know that I'm not alone in experiencing difficulties putting my JL Engineers on. I've had 2 pairs for 3 years (approx.) and they're still a nightmare to put on! However, I'm so used to the plastic bag technique that this idiosyncrasy has stopped bothering me. The Mister Freedom Road Champs, however, were a breeze from the word go.
Pic is a couple of years old. After conditioning and cleaning, the Lofgren boots are as good as new.
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A couple weeks back, I had a question about wearing engineer boots with denim. Everyone who posted have some great advice ( @neph93 and @Stuart.T to name a few) and when I got these beauties, I was brave enough to try them on with my IH 25 oz 555s. I think they look great. Hard to out on, yes, but loving my first pair of engineer boots. Jamie over at East West Apperal was a real help. Here's a link to the type I got if you're interested. http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.com/2014/04/john-lofgren-co-3-weeks-later.html?m=1
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I’ve been thinking about engineer fit lately and why it’s so difficult. Just think, IH posts every dimension for shirts or pants. I know immediately if something will fit. Shoes amd boots are pretty much like buying a shirt with the option of small medium or large. In footwear with lace ups you can at least make some adjustments. Not so with engineers. I’ve heard so many people talk about tight insteps and plastic bag tricks while I need to add a 3/4 insert just to touch the instep with the strap cranked down. Foot shape is every bit as unique as body shape and that is why I think engineers are less popular. I mean, it must be the reason since they look COOL AF!
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Reasons I think engineers are less popular:
- No laces. A lot of people can't get their head around it.
- No laces = less ideal fit. A lot of people don't have the patience to break in and mold a pair.
- Tall boot. Not a lot of people's aesthetic.
- Vintage inspired boot. Not a lot of people's aesthetic.
In terms of fit…. I think that's just an easy excuse to give when a buyer hasn't tried the brand that matches their foot. Like you said, feet are no different than torsos, depending on your foot/body shape some brands/pieces are going to work and some are not.
And you're right..... Engineers look cool AF.
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I'll add another.
Heel slip - people who have not worn engineers before cant get their head around the fact that heel slip will reduce as the boots mould to their feet and the sole/midsole becomes more flexible with wear.
We get far more returns on engineers than with lace-ups.
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Any thoughts among experienced owners wearers of both Lofgren and Clinch boots? The fit and workmanship is so very close – just that there are fewer people involved in the cobbling of the Clinch boots. But for long distance walking and extensive wearing, have you noted any comfort or support in one brand compared to the other? I know they are all at the top of their quality -- my Lofgrens M43s are fantastic. What would I notice if I had a pair of Clinch boots (not necessarily engineers) different than the Lofgrens? Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
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Any thoughts among experienced owners wearers of both Lofgren and Clinch boots? The fit and workmanship is so very close – just that there are fewer people involved in the cobbling of the Clinch boots. But for long distance walking and extensive wearing, have you noted any comfort or support in one brand compared to the other? I know they are all at the top of their quality -- my Lofgrens M43s are fantastic. What would I notice if I had a pair of Clinch boots (not necessarily engineers) different than the Lofgrens? Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
Clinch boots are far more expensive, and I believe they are handwelted/hand-lasted, so they contain "more" hand made than lofgrens. In high end dress shoes it would be a great advantage.
They also state that the leather is carefully selected for each pair, which is impossible for mass production factories.
Worse or not, I can't say. I wish I had enough money to try Clinch… -
In terms of fit, Clinch mainly offers their narrow CN last (S&S got a series with a wider last) which is definitely narrower than Lofgren.
I have long and narrow feet so their CN last suits me well in the forefoot. So in my opinion the fit of Lofgren and Clinch are not similar. Can‘t tell the rather new US-modified Clinch last for S&S.
In addition, Japanese seem to have more bulky heels… I have some heel slip in my boots and wish to have a narrower heel box or a more contoured heel pocket as in my Vibergs. The Clinch heel is not that contoured...
