Role Club Engineer Boots - Brown Italian Horsehide - RC1945

Brian the Bootmaker is an American bootmaker in California for those that are familiar with this segment of the handmade boot world know that this is one of the most well regarded and most celebrated USA boots. While, I’m new to the workwear scene and thrilled at the opportunity to purchase.
I’m really excited to share that experience but also my initial thoughts on how much I absolutely love this pair of boots
Favorite Links & Resources:
www.purepolish...
www.horween.com
ashlandleather...
www.meccariell...
shoegazing.com
acmeshoemaker.com
boardroomsocks...
www.epidemicso...
Equipment:
Camera
Leica SL2
Leica Q2
Lenses
Leica 50 APO L Mount
Leica 24-70 L Mount
Leica TL 60 Macro
Audio
Sennheiser MKH 50
Rodecaster Pro II
Lights
Aputure 120DII
Amaran F21
Amaran F22
Smallrig 120X
#shoegazing #horween #horweenshellcordovan #shellcordovan
I always love to hear your thoughts and questions in the comments.
@shellvedge on Instagram
/ shellvedge

[@toneohm]

I would love a light leather color Role Club engineer boot like this.. I got some black Horween Horsehide Wesco Mr. Lou's the other month and now I really really like engineer boots.. love just being able to slip them on.. so convenient.. and its more leather there to love! I actually think your Clinch shape looks more sleek.. but finishing wise.., nothing beats Role Club imo.. and damn, do I love his outsoles.. I also like that he does them a little shorter than most.. thanks..

[@tarasmathers7423]

The level of detail, as well as just the overall style of the sole design, is just amazing. I love the style, proportions, and design of this model. Thanks for sharing them. Cheers

[@toneohm]

what is the height?

[@StitchdownShell]

Awesome video. I picked up my first engineers last fall; John Lofgren Shinki horsebutt. I do like the slender shape of these boots better, but dang, they're so pricey. Perhaps one day.

[@Shellvedge]

Yeah JL is one of the more frequent names I see in the engineer world. Engineer boot world. In fairness, I’m sure you’ve bought at least 1 other boot since those, right? If so, then it’s not that much different than the amount spent on those 2 pairs I’d assume… maybe even less! It would be saving money possibly! 😂

[@StitchdownShell]

@@Shellvedge Agreed. If I pause my next 2-3 boots purchases, I could probably swing it. :)

[@Shellvedge]

@@StitchdownShell pause!

[@albertosuastez1326]

While I'm not a fan of engineer boots or the overall "industrial" look (if that's what it's called), those are pretty freaking sweet and make me want to buy some...Maybe in a couple of years.

[@Shellvedge]

Yea dude! I hear ya. That’s kind of how I have been up until November. Then I decided, let’s try something new. Worst case I’ll sell them. And man, it’s quite a fun boot style to wear!

[@milkshakeplease4696]

I wasn't a fan before but I got some lofgrens and they are awesome. they just seem different at first but if you get used to the look, you'll like it

[@teenoso4069]

Im trying to keep a straight face but installing speed hooks - now thats a good idea

[@Shellvedge]

Don’t do that, wait what’s the straight face about Speed hooks done, coming soon

[@HatchA_Makes...]

Been wearing western (cowboy/biker) boots for 30 years, and I love leather soles - BUT... Living in Ireland, I appreciate the value that rubber outer soles add to a pair of footwear!! Role Club's work appears to be phenominal! (the details around the rubber sole remind me of the red WW2 paratrooper boots). Inconsistencies in the finish are, to me, a sign of hand-finished craftsmanship; but that's just my opinion... :) Nice review... Thanks.

[@jaquima36]

I just can’t like the high end engineers. They just look too dress boot. I’m a fan of the rustic biker look. Not the dress up look. Well made though.

[@Shellvedge]

Yeah I can understand. I don’t know if I’d consider this a dress boot, more cowboy inspired engineer than anything but I’m a newbie so what do I know? Lol

[@jaquima36]

@@Shellvedge you know what appeals to you and that’s the only thing that really matters

[@JMB428]

Great vid. You from Delco?

[@Shellvedge]

Thanks man! I’m not, one state south east

[@jr-zo9gi]

What is your standard US shoe size?

[@Shellvedge]

Looks like you already found it, but just published a more comprehensive sharing of observations of my clinch and role club

[@fronkthetooonk]

I had ordered a pair of his black horsehide engineers a couple months ago. They're great boots overall. I've worn Wescos and John Lofgrens, but the Role Clubs undoubtedly take the cake with regards to fit and comfort, as well as aesthetic and finishing. They are also my first pair of boots with leather soles, which to be honest I have not really been into. I can understand why some people may appreciate the "luxury" that comes with having leather soles, but in these last two months I can't help but worry about how fast they are being chewed away by even small amounts of moisture on the ground combined with the inevitable loose bits of gravel getting stuck in the soles from walking around outside. On top of that, the lack of traction is not something I am wanting to be open to. It was my choice to get one of his ready to wear pairs knowing that they had leather soles, but for future notice I just think its kind of silly of him to not just install his rubber half soles on his ready to wear orders. I will without a doubt get these resoled with his rubber half soles, but for the meantime I've been very impressed at how sexy these boots are and how comfortable they are. Definitely going to be a lifelong pair of engineers

[@Shellvedge]

Yeah his work and boots is fantastic. There’s a reason why makers like Brian charge what they do, it’s because the training/skill, time and techniques just are more intricate and provide a lot of functional and aesthetic benefits. Leather outsoles are probably more durable than you’d think. Gotta remember that’s all people had for centuries and they wore their boots much harder than we do

[@woemyrom996]

damn can you give some sizing advice i am 9.5 on lofgren engineeers. how are the wescos compared to lofgrens in comfort good to know role clubs exceed to both. if i was a millionaire id have too many boots his underdogs look great as well.

[@Shellvedge]

@@woemyrom996 just replied on your other comment 💪🏻

[@fronkthetooonk]

@@woemyrom996 I was a size 11 on the Lofgrens, and a size 11E on the Wesco Mister Lous. Brannock size 11.5D. The Lofgrens were just a little too wide for me. By following the sizing advice for the Wesco Mister Lous (down 0.5, up in width), I got as good of a fit as I would get with those boots. That being said, the Wescos were the most uncomfortable boots I've ever worn, whilst the Lofgrens were MUCH more comfortable, but a tad too big. The reason the Mister Lous were unbearable even after 6 months of break in is that the heel counter is basically nonexistent. Not only does it not have any shape, but it apparently nowadays is made of thermoplastic material as opposed to veg tan leather which is basically the bare minimum of what would be expected for a boot that costs $800+. Even after 6 months of regular wear, I was still getting blisters on my heels. To top it all off, the insole felt like a literal rock bed. Its unfortunate because I really love the sleek, robust, western aesthetic of the Wescos, but at the end of the day I couldn't continue fighting with my boots. Perhaps the other Wesco engineers aren't as bad, but I couldn't really say since I've never tried them. If you are looking for a pair of engineers to use as dress boots and are not expecting to really beat them in hard, I would highly suggest going with the role clubs. You will have the best fitting pair of engineers you've ever had.

[@kevindavis634]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Ilsabb331]

Beautiful boots! Have you done a video that defines what an "Engineer Boot" is? If so, can you possibly send a link? Enjoy the boots and thanks for the continued excellent content quality.

[@Shellvedge]

Thank you! Here you go! Do Engineers wear Engineer Boots? My first pair of engineer boots. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWKWmKKwl9ueo8U

[@JStueckle44]

Could you describe the fit between the two and if theirs any heel slip/ how secure they feel. So far i havent seen anyone go about that or how the sizing seems. But great video! Cant wait to see more

[@Shellvedge]

Yeah that may be possible!

[@christophlaureys4848]

Terrific video! Which of these is your favorite last for your feet?

[@Shellvedge]

Appreciate that! Which is my favorite between role club and clinch? I’d have to say they are quite different, but both have their unique elements that provide support and comfort on par with one another. Personally, I like the overall silhouette of the role club, but I think the length of the clinch creates a little more elegant look. The role club could be viewed as a little “stubby” but it’s more “TTS” if there is such a thing as being true to size.

[@kevinbarrett9615]

I have thick feet, doubt the toe box is big enough.

[@Shellvedge]

That’s one of the great factors of dealing with a smaller maker like @brianthebootmaker. I’m sure he could definitively answer that question for you and possibly tweaking the boot if needed to accommodate some entry chonk in the toes. 💪🏻

[@olgi2068]

What is this "crease" in the center of both boots? Is that on purpose? That looks disturbing to me.

[@Shellvedge]

I don’t recall the exact name, but it’s a functional makers mark added during the blocking and crimping of the boot to denote the center line of the pattern. This helps to maintain alignment during the various phases of taking the leather from the pattern, to the welting stages while keeping an otherwise plain upper straight, evenly distributed and properly lasted. My understanding is this has turned into a hallmark of handmade boots in the workwear space so makers tend to over embellish it as clients see it as a badge of authenticity more than anything else. I’m indifferent to it and it will eventually subside after some real wear.

[@olgi2068]

@@Shellvedge thanks for the info. Didn´t know that at all. Cheers. But I have to admit, I dislike it and it would rather disturb me.

[@woemyrom996]

@@olgi2068 it was originally designed by Junji Ito

[@JFANderful]

You got way more cool details on your pair than mine. The buckle kind of sucks. I lost that holder but Brian sent me a replacement the next day

[@Shellvedge]

What holder are you referring to?

[@JFANderful]

@@Shellvedge the thing that you put into the strap on the buckle.

[@Shellvedge]

@@JFANderfuloh ok. Maybe I’m confused, but you lost part of the buckle? That seems odd but glad to hear Brian replaced it!

[@JFANderful]

@@Shellvedge I finally remembered the right word. I lost the prong

[@milkshakeplease4696]

do you know how the sizing works? Like on his site, the sizing numbers are from the 20s to 32...no idea what that means

[@Shellvedge]

I want to say it’s cm, so it’s just by the measurement. Like my bespoke tracings have my foot length at 26ish and 26.75ish So I ended up with 28, and it’s perfect. That said, I completely deferred to his judgement based on my foot tracing and my description of how my feet feel in boots.

[@kartikchary]

It's the metric system. My size for your reference is a 27.5 which would translate into 27.5 centimetres of length. You can figure your size by getting a measuring tape that uses the metric system and measuring the outline of your feet. Japanese and most Asian sizing is very precise because of this system. 🥂

[@Shellvedge]

@@kartikchary yeah I think that’s what I explained above right? Either way, it’s impossible to order without Brian confirming your sizing as that’s part of the order process

[@milkshakeplease4696]

thanks for the helpful info! @@Shellvedge

[@milkshakeplease4696]

@@kartikchary 👍

[@upsbear]

They look kinda chunky, until you put them on. Then they look almost sleek. Gorgeous boots..