John Lofgren (Speedway)
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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... -
At least for me there‘s a bit too much room in the heel with Clinch, at least for persons with narrow feet like me. I suppose (and have read) that other people with wider feed struggle more with the narrow forefoot, so the CN shape/last from Clinch is certainly not for everyone. Don‘t get me wrong, they‘re great boots but they could be shaped better. Maybe the modified last offered via S&S could fix this issue but I think that the heel design in these is not modified so only the forefoot is less narrow.
In general, I think engineers are not made for walking long distances, the foot is not tied as snugly as in laced boots. But this is a general aspect of engineer vs. lace-up boots… -
Beautiful botos @jay-cy! How does the heel design affect your experience of the fit of the Clinch boots? And I wonder who – if anyone - has non-engineer boots of these 2 brands and can compare the fit and experience of walking in them.
maybe you could also tell your experience with your Lofgrens boots, I am waiting for my Horsehide M43 boots to be made, would be interesting to hear your experience. maybe photos…
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Good info @jay-cy. The heel cup is probably my favorite part of the Lofgren engineers.
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Oh yeah, and the color on those Clinch is a 10! Really gorgeous.
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Just pulled the trigger on the Burgandy chukkas. The leather and color looks amazing. I hope the size works out. I went the same as Alden and Wesco and 1/2 down from Viberg. Fingers crossed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Great pick up. Love to see a picture of them in the wild.
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Man are these badass. The burgundy color is unreal and the leather is top notch. Can’t wait to break these in properly.
I went for my Wesco and Alden size and 1/2 up from Viberg and RW.
