Practical Menswear Style Journey 89 White's Boots Rose Anvil Drifter 2.0 Tea Core Leather UNBOXING

[@Highland_Paddy]

Premature update? I think they are definitely a bit tight if not TOO small. They will definitely crush my toes where they narrow in the front and I could not wear them with thick socks and had trouble getting the right one off even with regular cotton tube socks, so that will likely be fun once you've worn then a few hours and your feet swell. Also didn't really have the White's Bite around the toe gussett bit because didn't even need to lace them up, so maybe they will relax a bit and not be so constrictive around the vamp BUT still have a snipped toe compared to others so also probably not enough toe room out front if I was downhill hiking just like that Reece Witherspoon movie?

[@Highland_Paddy]

Not sure if half size up would be too big. Probably.

[@Highland_Paddy]

My mom asked if the mini-lug thing was just a cost-cutter to save money. Probably, but you don't always NEED that much traction. Anyway, so far I'm giving them a C- or D+. I mean, the price alone drops them below other boot styles I might want more and then I'm not sure if the arch support I crave just gets defeated because my toes get crushed. So you solve one problem but cause another?

[@Highland_Paddy]

The insole seems to have that seam that ends mid-foot which is going to likely be annoying, too. I don't know why Weston would sign off on detail like that which I'm pretty sure he would usually complain about, but if I want to find something to mention besides the last and the wide stitching part in the front that might make driving difficult where I might want more toe room of boot.

[@Highland_Paddy]

I don't know if I should try to exchange them when I haven't even WORN them, but you CAN'T wear them and then RETURN them, so it's kind-of Catch-22. So maybe I'll just wear them and then try to explain what I don't like if I order custom ones in the future, except if I order custom ones, will likely not be this company again now?

[@Highland_Paddy]

And I don't know if they take off for X-mas, so I don't know if I only have a couple days to call or if they're back at work next week, so maybe I'll call tomorrow and see if I have a more productive discussion this time than I felt like last time.

[@hunter.30-06]

Beautiful boots! Looks robust and heavy.

[@Highland_Paddy]

Well, when I have them on, I don't think most people would think they look much different than regular army boots, but I'm not tucking in my pant legs like army pants, so they don't know they are taller, etc. Maybe a little more robust than I really NEED for a casual boot, but I still want to see how this arch support wears and breaks in and all that, so stay tuned.

[@Muscovy7]

What size are you and what size did you order? D or E width or EE? The boots use the exact same last as Wildland firefighters and loggers have used for 100 years to their satisfaction. The 4811 last, so I assume they either screwed up your order or you got them in the wrong width.

[@Highland_Paddy]

I ordered the D width, but these are cut more narrow. I measure a pair of Thurs Captains and I get about half an inch more leather for the circumference or so. He says they can maybe be stretched a little, but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to try to wear them first and attempt to break them in before this process.

[@Highland_Paddy]

I feel like the E width or the next size up they would be likely too big overall, which I think I said, because the measure of the outsole is about the same as the other boot but that double ridge of stitching cuts into the amount of useable space at the top.

[@Muscovy7]

@@Highland_Paddy don’t try to break them in, the leather won’t stretch. That’s a popular myth, I’d send them back and see if they’ll send you out an E width replacement or recraft. They won’t be too big. Guys I’ve talked to usually go up a width with this particular last.

[@Highland_Paddy]

Yes, but he said then I probably wouldn't get them until winter was over and if I was going to do that then I would probably want a slightly more customized boot that would likely cost extra that I don't have at the moment, etc.

[@Highland_Paddy]

I'm not sure if I would consider these a B or C width because I haven't tried every shoe and all that, but the last is just different enough from other brands that I feel fit very well but don't have the arch support.