A Rant About Nicks Boots

[@egwinharianto2851]

This a perfect example of why engineering drawings is needed before work begins

[@Thunk00]

The ludicrously long lead times just make everything so much more egregious than it would otherwise be. Nicks needs to get lead times under control or they'll eventually be the end of the company's success.

[@justin3209]

the problem is all the pnw makers have long lead times

[@rickc4317]

Your rant contains good info for everyone, including Nicks. I've never been a tall heel fan, either.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@rickc4317 what is funny is aesthetically I think it looks pretty cool, but the comfort sucks, and it seems to make boot angle too far forward.

[@catfashbelly]

The inconsistency is frustrating for sure, but I'd check with a local cobbler to have a layer from the heel removed. It might not cost that much and then you'll have an awesome pair of boots. Of course I'd rather see Nick's respond with good customer service and make it right at not cost to you.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@catfashbelly the more I think about it, the more I feel selling all 3 of these tall heel boots makes the most sense for me. I have too many boots and don’t get along with these uber heels.

I have had issues with consistency with Nicks too. Mostly sizing. We've gotta remember these are handmade by various people, and not robots. I keep recommending Grant Stone to you, mate. They have killer consistency. I have over 30 pairs and they all fit perfectly. I think the QC in china is simply better. I mean, Apple products are made there and they're the most consistent quality I can think of. Good vid though. I hope Nicks see it and take it as an opportunity to do better.

[@kingofthenoobs]

GS is great but they don't do any tall heel boots or arch support

@@kingofthenoobs Fair point mate

[@MetalBootGuy]

besides the points kingofnoobs pointed out, I'm not supporting an "American " company that outsources their work. sorry, but I want American hands building it at a factory they own. plus their boots are fugly as shit

[@Kretikos]

I can't stand when these companies gaslight us and treat us like we are too stupid or crazy to make basic observations on their screw ups and inconsistencies. I always liked Nicks but with these ludicrous lead times for inconsistent or misrepresented products...there's no chance when there are much better options out there.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@Kretikos the most annoying part is “it’s handmade” being this UNO Reverse card for all poor craftsmanship coming out of their shop.

[@Kretikos]

@@EDHBlvd Weird how bespoke shoemakers have been around forever, actually make everything by hand, and do it flawlessly in a fraction of the time it takes Nicks. Of course these days they cost way more than a pair of Nicks, but back in the day you could buy them similarly priced (inflation adjusted) to what we pay for Nicks today.

[@CarlosValentor]

If it helps a little from somebody that makes shoes and boots. The heels do look pretty tall but it definitely is to compensate for the halfsole. The pitch (difference in height for the ball to the heel) is fixed on the last you pick, so if the pitch is 3/4inch that needs to stay consistent, and if you add a half sole in the front you’d typically need to add a thick (or 2 thin) heel lift. Half soles are normally around 6mm and that’s what I can see they added there. From a shoemaking perspective they did the right thing but of course if you don’t want it I suppose they should have respected your decision. I would guess they decided to do what’s “right” in this case and not what the customer wanted cause many times the customer does not know what he’s talking about and if they do it “wrong” they will have to correct it later, so they made a choice that you didn’t like. I would not blame this on them as lack of consistency that’s what I’m saying. Not that I want to defend them or anything. Lastly I’d say do not do the heel modification yourself, just send them to a cobbler. It is impossible to add a heel top lift and sand it at home by hand and do a good job if you’ve never done it before, you’ll need an electric sander, a very steady hand and some experience, not worth ruining your expensive boots since a heel cap change is very cheap with a cobbler. Love the channel and how you keep it real my friend, keep it up and show us more updates on your 310s 🙌

[@EDHBlvd]

@@CarlosValentor did you notice in video where a Nicks Boot Builder literally says “we don’t compensate”. Thats the whole problem. You have no idea what Nicks will do when they build your boot because they are so inconsistent. They change like the weather.

[@CarlosValentor]

@ yeah I see that, I’d guess the person replying is not the one building the heel. All I’m saying is the heel is built “correctly” if you know what I mean. I don’t know man, don’t have any nicks but have seen the issues with wesco, and I have some whites, they’re sexy and cool boots but if you look a little close they’re built like crap. I think all PNW brands hide behind the rugged story to excuse their shit quality control. Don’t get me started on whites “hand welting” method 🤢

[@EDHBlvd]

@ the person relying, “Meat Shots” is actually a boot bottomer named Jamin.

[@brandonin_ny]

@@EDHBlvdthis is a great thread, ha. I’m going to make some popcorn, cause it seems like the comments keep pouring in. Btw, you’re not crazy. Your video has plenty of merit and is not in bad faith. 👍🏻

[@CarlosValentor]

@@EDHBlvd ok then I guess Jamin is full of 💩 🤣 I’m still of everything I said, they definitely compensate 🤷🏻‍♂️ in my experience half soles will always make the heel look taller so they should be used for smaller pitched lasts if a tall heel is not wanted or maybe let the boot drop at the back slightly which not always looks odd. I removed one lift from my role club engineers and they look pretty awesome

[@bobobobobobo1]

I just got my first pair of Nick's being Parkhurst V3s. I haven't found any issue with them and they look and fit great, but I was worried that I might get hit with one of the many QC issues that regularly show up on the subreddit. At least with White's all I really have to worry about is wonky stitching.

[@julianvelez1796]

In your opinion, Which PNW brand has the most consistent quality control? I have owned 3 pairs of Nicks (One pair was sent back) and love them but I’ve definitely had some surprises with my orders as well.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@julianvelez1796 I’ve only bought from Nicks and Whites first hand. Had 1 pair of second hand Wesco and Franks, so unclear how they go when buying first hand. White’s is more predictable. You get what you order. All boots have super wide stitchdown flare out. Whites QC is also terrible. Nicks is very inconsistent and fickle. Their QC seems better on stitching, but they don’t build two boots the same. Dogger heel angle is different on each pair. Their sanding is often way too close to the stitching. I’m done buying from both brands, but for totally different reasons.

[@c0r8d877]

Try JK boots.

[@PersecutedTruth]

Look guys; even if he isnt right, this just fits the saying that the customer is always right. They lost by this guy making a negative video about them.

[@seedubhuntx]

how does the vibram 269 feel? any noticeable difference to other thin flat rubber soles?

[@EDHBlvd]

@@seedubhuntx it’s a great sole. Very comfortable. Good traction too.

[@Dukeofmamucas]

One thing I hate about Nicks is Shyler likes to make them sound like they’re the most cutting edge pnw company . That we test it. We do research and development blah blah. All they do is spend more on advertising than everyone else. They actually have a commercial on peacock.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@Dukeofmamucas LOL at the commercial. That’s pretty funny. I totally agree with you.

[@Dukeofmamucas]

@@EDHBlvd They do get a lot of Wickett and Craig leathers I like. I just thought it was kinda of comical when shyler says oh we’re testing Dr Sole on their boots. Franks and Wesco use em. If you can find a cobbler ( there’s one in Orinda if you’re still in the Bay Area ) who has an account with them. They work. I honestly think you’re right though. They aren’t consistent enough with the half soles

[@EDHBlvd]

@ “testing” lol. Literally everyone uses them. No testing needed.

[@Dukeofmamucas]

@@EDHBlvd same way he acted like their new wedge was something new and had all this research and development. It’s just a polyurethane wedge from merameck ( it’s something like that) It’s the same exact sole that Thorogood, Danner and Carolina have used for years. Bakers has them for their repair department. Potter and Sons( aka Trenton and Heath ) have them too.

[@roombadrifter3466]

This is why i really dont like when people kiss ass to companies. It creates the delusion for the company to treat their customers like they’re liars when a complaint comes through. They should have just asked for a measurement and then resolved it. Unfortunate how companies get their egos blown out, thanks for the review I was going to order some nicks but i guess ill hold off. Just take it to a cobbler if you can or send it out You should still enjoy the leather and appreciate the tannery if not the company that builds it.

[@jmwahlstrom1]

I understand where you are coming from. I think nicks needs to realize when you sell a premium product you need to listen to the customer even if its something they think is insignificant .

[@SomeoneWhosNearby]

"They're obsessed with not having consistency" Totally agree. I've got two pairs of Nicks, one hnw last, one 55 last. Both left and right boots in each pair have a totally different shape toebox to the point they look like they're made on different lasts. No idea what's going on there but for it to happen twice is ridiculous. I thought that maybe over time they might come good but it looks more dramatic as time goes on. I also have two pairs of Whites (C355 Logger and C350 Cruiser) and each pair look as close to identical as you can get in a handmade boot. I won't be buying anymore Nicks. Whites are far superior not only in consistency between boots but also in aesthetic, general construction and feel on foot.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@SomeoneWhosNearby Whites knows 4 layer heels stacks are superior to 5. They also seem to be consistent on each model. The boot you get will look like what they had online. My only issue is their poor QC issues, but Nicks issues are more concerning for sure.

[@SomeoneWhosNearby]

@EDHBlvd I don't know if I've just been lucky with both my pair of Whites or if their QC has improved in the last several months but both pairs have no issues to speak of. The upper stitching is spot on and while the welt stitching differs slightly looking at it from the bottom of the outsole, its not unsightly at all and the difference is only fractions of an inch. Let's hope it's not luck and their QC issues have finally been addressed

[@gregholden8812]

I watched your video when you first showed these beautiful boots. I really loved the look of them, so I ordered my boots exactly like yours. It's crazy because mine came with the 5 stacks and are little above 3/4" I guess I got lucky that they built mine right and are very comfortable!

[@EDHBlvd]

@@gregholden8812 more evidence of how inconsistent they are.

[@gregholden8812]

​@@EDHBlvdYou're absolutely right!

[@disoldsoul]

Measure from the top of the midsole “shelf” to the floor on both the BuilderPros with the lug sole and half sole boot.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@disoldsoul I’d also need to measure the front of the boot as the V100 sole is thicker than the Biltrite.

[@disoldsoul]

@ Correct. It’s a game of ratios. Different thickness on different last. Ultimately trying to get the heel to sit flat.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@disoldsoul but their boot builders said they don’t compensate. So they shouldn’t be doing anything like that.

[@disoldsoul]

@@EDHBlvd They do some degree at heeling. Usually just sanding the heel stack to get things flat and there is no rocking. But Nicks has never really been known for their proportions.

[@RogerLoera]

So I first bought Nicks overlanders about a couple of years ago, yeah, it took me eight months to get them, but now I hardly wear them even though they've patina'd beautifully. They're pretty heavy and just not practical. Now I wear JK's OT boot which my god they're so comfortable to wear!!! That half midsole(lineman shank) makes a worlds difference. Simply more flexible at the ball point of the boot. And the honey lug sole is way softer easier to walk in them.

[@riverpower9402]

Well, one thing that does stack up, is your logic.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@riverpower9402 I like what you did there. 😂

[@ewok133]

Sad to see as a current Nicks fanboy, but you speak no lies. Personally I’ve stuck to the pre-fab/ quick ship options to mitigate headaches, but now that you mention it, my urban drifters do have a logger heel 🤔

[@mrchor5389]

Thanks for this highlight. With this kind of video, we all can get much more insights from all of you boots experts. We are not bashing the brand but just to let people know what they are spending for and what expectations can be put to the brand. Yes. Sadly and truly, this all happened after Grant has left the shop. And after they start making boots with all the workers name in the shop. Customer lost what they are ordering and what they will be getting. Agreed on half sole, they cannot handle this production. They use low density single midsole and just put rubber half sole without properly recess it (at the arch area) in the leather midsole.

[@Esundevil]

I had Frank’s before Nick’s and was shocked at how much thinner the Nick’s midsole was. I love a half sole, but can totally see Nick’s messing it up.

[@colinsnexus]

What happened to Grant?

[@Brajin1]

I think in the last 12-18 months they have turned over a ton of personal. They hint to it on their podcast, + the addition of new QC production processes. Good rant, these are not cheap. I have two pairs from nicks, I haven’t had any issues. Though the lead times are god awful. I bought two pairs of whites that I had to return. Had all kinds of issues.

[@franky3fingers337]

I agree. They’ve also have had growing pains with a higher volume of orders. I’ve had issues with nicks but they’ve always done right by me and fixed them.

[@Brajin1]

@ agreed, I have had a great customer service experience.

[@backchannelnyc]

Here, here brother! You’re absolutely right! It’s your boot. You paid for it. They should build it to your spec! There’s nothing to discuss!

[@jerryrodman8601]

That ruler looks like something my teacher smacked me with back in the day.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@jerryrodman8601 I bought it in the mid 1990’s. It might be old enough.

[@josephcase7004]

I’m normally not a fan of rant videos, but I need to thank you for this. I’m still somewhat new to the boot collecting world and haven’t pulled the trigger on a PNW yet, mainly because of the price and ridiculous wait. Seeing this definitely gives me pause on Nicks. If I’m going to spend north of $600 AND wait 6-9 months, it needs to be perfect. Stuff like this is good to see for us newbies.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@josephcase7004 yes I was a bit of a super fan of theirs for a couple years but all these issues led me to discontinue buying from them.

[@franky3fingers337]

@@josephcase7004 just to keep things in perspective. No such thing as perfect in the boot world. You may or may not have issues with a nicks order but their CS is very good. You can pay a lot more money for boots and have a bigger headache to deal with. Looking at you Viberg.

[@MikeSmalarz]

Check out Franks Boot. They are everything Nicks used to be and more.

[@EDHBlvd]

@ their heels are super tall. I mentioned this in the video. They make their heels even taller than Nicks Classic stack.

[@franky3fingers337]

@@MikeSmalarz Franks boots has the tallest heels in the PNW game. Franks needs to work on getting their other lasts more exposure cause most associate them with 3” loggers and not much more.

[@williamswiger7547]

I get the taller heel thing. I have had a few pairs with taller heels from a few PNW makers and eventually donated them. I think wearing the lower heel Army boots for over 25 years just made taller heeled boots not normal for my feet. Have a lot of boots in my collection but almost all are just normal heeled ones. Awhile back, ordered a pair of Stompers Wesco black field boots that were a normal heel in all the pictures but the pair I got have a logger heel.

[@fadedsincedayone]

Great info. It’s just crazy how tall that heel is!

[@jimblack8104]

You order then nicks give you what they want 😂

[@jyourkin9998]

That’s a “massive” stack 😅😂 In all seriousness I order peanut bison in a classic stack v - and when I got them 8 months later - they weren’t even close to the color and they got the stack color wrong…

[@qltyboots]

Boring to wait so long and get something different than what you ordered. I feel that many companies take criticism really badly

[@Angel-AbC9]

This is why I never ever bought boots that make me wait 6 to 9 or more months and if theres a problem I have to wait again no way..hey great video ..

[@EDHBlvd]

@@Angel-AbC9 yep it took me a while to get to this point, but I’m done with Lead Times. It’s just insane for them to hold your money for so long then not even deliver what you ordered.

[@sunnyrachelsson3169]

I think with how expensive they are how long the wait time is they should send you update emails and pictures and make sure they did everything right before they send them out.

[@MyPantsAreOhSoFancy]

Great video and this stuff needs to be said. They change things constantly and don't let the people who have already gave them their money know. They also mislead people when they make videos of them showing only hand lasting but they have toe lasting machines that they said they use. So a ton of people think they're getting a hand lasted boot when it might have had a lasting machine used on it. They won't say what exactly they use the lasting machines on, like only certain leathers or models, under the guise of "innovation". Complete BS and scumbag behavior.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@MyPantsAreOhSoFancy Yep. 👍

[@michaelandrew8493]

Yeah im mad that i bought the nd4 in july and they promised they would start shipping in October. Its January and no word yet.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@michaelandrew8493 standard Nicks operation. They do this all the time. Not abnormal for them at all.

[@AJ-by6pd]

Have you heard how they are putting Dainite heels on their boots now because Vibram discontinued Quabaug heels? It looks horrible in my opinion.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@AJ-by6pd I remember them talking about Quabaug production coming to an end. Didn’t know they moved to Dainite. I don’t understand why they don’t just use the Vbar or 430 heel caps to match the sole. It seems so obvious, but of course too complex for Nicks.

[@Vultain]

Nick's doesn't build their own heels. They often get them and they recently have not been consistent on height in terms of the leather thickness. Back in 2018 it was less of a concern. I had a buddy build his own heels for his build. He ordered the leather and pretty much put together his own heel stack but I think he is a special customer. Mainly Nick's screwed up. I have three boots from them. One that fits is a lasting screw up. The other two fit incorrectly due to then building them incorrectly. I had a boot built incorrectly and shipped incorrectly to me. The next time I went in person to their store. But I have had so many mistakes I am sort of done with them. Nick's has been consistently inconsistent for me. Also Nick's does have a balancer for their boots. It is a special machine that they use and all boots have to balance out before they ship them. That is not a lie. That said the issue with a higher heel stack is it will shoot you too far forward in the boot especially if they don't have more toe spring. They are also having issues with some of their workers aiming for one heel but grinding out another. So my heart goes out to you. I understand it, they expanded too fast, and they need to go back to a paper system. Ever since they went to a digital order system everything went to failure. Why not contact Frank of Frank's Boots or his Wife Michelle? See what it would cost just to adjust and/or replace the heel stack? I hate to say it but as a local in the area I often see Frank fixing White's, Nick's, and JK's mistakes.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@Vultain exactly! I knew I wasn’t alone on this. It’s too much and I’m done.

[@Vultain]

​​​@@EDHBlvdExactly, I just edited my post up above for more info. I wish I could contact you for a voice call. There is only so much I can say on KZbin so as to avoid being blacklisted altogether. But no you are not alone. I don't blame you as I did the same thing after three boots with them. One wearable and two not.

[@disoldsoul]

@@Vultain A balancer machine. I worked at Nicks for 7 years and have never heard of that.

[@Vultain]

@disoldsoul Gotcha, I thought they owned one. And a machine may be a misnomer. I remember talking to Shuyler because I was surprised at the different heel heights being offered and he said you balanced it. I know what bespoke cowboy boot makers use and I simply thought that you had the same. Thank you for the clarification. That is a mistake on my part. If you wouldn't mind me asking how is balance achieved then? Just to make sure toe spring and heel height won't be an issue when offering different heel heights for the last? I know it changes fit otherwise almost completely. For years I remember Nick's stuck with specific heel heights made for each last and stayed away from altering them. Then all of a sudden it started becoming an option and I made an assumption after having asked a question without a proper follow-up. Thank you again Grant for the clarification and willingness to answer.

[@disoldsoul]

@@Vultain Balancing is very sophisticated: before the rubber cap gets glued and nailed to the leather heel stack, you simply set the boot on a flat surface. If the front of the rubber heel cap is not touching the flat surface, you sand the leather heel stack accordingly until the rubber cap sits flush. If the guy or girl heeling the boot is not doing their job well, they can easily overlook the step leading to a boot that is not balanced. Balance becomes particularly difficult with a very long boots and very short boots. Also, another thing people forget about is the amount of tension that is on all of the layers. Everything may sit perfectly level with the shoe last in the boot, but when you remove the shoe last, the boot can “spring” or “twist” so to speak due to all the tension in all the layers of materials. Many times a customer would show us a video of the boot off of their foot rocking on a flat surface. We would simply tell the customer to put the boots on and then tell us if they still rock. 😆

[@dukenallow2673]

Potential buyers of Nicks should also be aware that if you select the "moderate" heel stack on a boot that normally comes with the "classic" heel stack, the whole boot will lean back. This means that when you stand straight up, the boot will be tight on the front of your leg and gapping at the back. It eventually shapes to your foot and leg, but the break in is substantially longer.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@dukenallow2673 I completely disagree with this. I own 67 builds on different heel heights. The moderate stack builds are far more comfortable.

[@etebol]

Never bought a Nicks, inconsistent QC, long lead times for premium price is not my thing. Let alone I don’t like those 70’s looking angled heels like James Brown boots and their clown shoe toe box. No thanks.

[@SidorenkoAaron]

Tall-grrr-ate-it

[@Esteban69129]

PNW boots are for those who want to LARP that they’re a lumberjack

[@EDHBlvd]

@@Esteban69129 I’m guessing you wear Thursday boots.

[@Angel-AbC9]

Yea nicks high heel boots for men are so out dated majority is not buying that boot in today's time , they need to get with modern day times..

[@filthyvibes4768]

You realized that they're heritage boots right? They're all outdated, that's the point.

[@boomerang379]

Builder pros with the tall heals are their flagship boots. I own two pair and prefer them.

[@stevecrawford7814]

I’m still waiting on my first pair of Nicks. Was told a month ago go they started making them and would be a few weeks. Still waiting.😮

[@boomerang379]

It’s a handmade boot there will be some inconsistency.

[@EDHBlvd]

@@boomerang379 did you even watch the video? This isn’t about handmade. This is about them saying X and doing Y. Then you call them out for doing Y and they say you are mistaken.