The Best Indonesian Engineer Boot: Benzein Keeper 2 Engineer Boot Review

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[@spotsill]

Few people appreciate how important a last in a boot is you can end up with beautiful boots that are horrible and uncomfortable to wear.

[@almostvintagestyle]

Or a comfortable boot that is ugly. Finding the balance is quite difficult it seems.

[@CrispyFrenFry]

I really appreciate your approach to providing constructive criticism because at the core of such practices should be the desired for continued improvement. I received my first pair of type 2 Benzein Engineer boots in February 2022 and loved them until I put them on. As you noted, the toe box is way too shallow and the arch was quite uncomfortable at first, and the sizing was a half size too short. As someone with 9 eee width feet (true to size), it’s very tough to find makers willing to sell me engineer boots at a reasonable price between the $400-800 range. I ended up giving away my Benzein engineers because my toes were painfully cramped from above, the sides, and the front. I placed an order for a second pair with their new last, half a size longer, and with dark brown Shinki horse hide leather in hopes that it will be a better fit. If they fit me well, I will buy another pair in Maryam Toscanello because I do miss my first Benzein boots in that leather.

[@almostvintagestyle]

Yeah it is an issue, but this pair was a huge improvement in terms of comfort even if it is a downgrade in terms of appearance. I did the same half size up so I think you should be fine.

[@df540148]

Mine came in just over $600 for overdyed Horween horsehide (same that came in 2nd in the Dome last year I believe). My only other experience with engineers is a pair of Whites Nomads. These probably weigh half as much and have far thinner leather. It makes em less beefy and robust, but a lot easier to wear. Sizing worked out well for me but I have pretty accommodating feet. Might be done accumulating this style at this point. If I'm going Clinch, it's virtually every other model than the engineer.

[@almostvintagestyle]

Glad they fit. Definitely different than a Nomad for sure. Clinch has so many great designs so can't blame you!

[@jociaszamora2267]

Such a gorgeous pair! By the way, I'd like to get your thoughts on the best NST even though I know you're not a moc toe guy. It would even be interesting if you could delve into meermin's hand welted line (when they do offer it). Granted, they're more of a dress shoe/boot brand, but I think they have some nice makeups. As always, thanks for your reviews on everything vintage men's style!

[@almostvintagestyle]

Thanks! For NST boots? I'd probably go with Flame Panda. For dress boots, probably a bespoke maker loke Yanagimachi or Yohei Fukuda. Meermin wouldn't be on my radar because I wouldn't be down to spend my own money on something that isn't my style. I'd be down to review a pair on loan or something like that, but I doubt that's going to happen.

[@jociaszamora2267]

@@almostvintagestyle thanks for the reply. Oh, I totally forgot about Joe Works who have quality moc toes, but either way, bespoke might be the way to go.

[@nathancreel8547]

👍👍I really love these in this leather. I ended up going with Wesco because sizing is such an issue for me. Went through Baker’s to order mine made to measure. (Long wait for these) Otherwise, these are the best deal and really the lowest entry into engineers. White’s may be closer in price, but their last is not to my taste and leathers are not as good.

[@almostvintagestyle]

I love the Wesco MP toe engineer design. Unfortunately the sizing didn't work out for me, but if it works for you, they are a great engineer for the price IMO. Whites definitely needs to design a more appealing last in my opinion.

[@brendanr.3087]

Nice review! As others have said you have a great eye for detail; you're picky, but also fair. I'm glad I found your channel and your blog. What in your opinion is the ideal leg opening width for pants (esp to wear with boots), and what is your waist size for reference?

[@almostvintagestyle]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I really appreciate that. This is exactly what I am aiming to do so I am glad to hear that this is what you are taking away from my reviews. In my opinion, it does actually depend on the boot. As much as I love wider leg trousers, I think sleeker boots such as Chelsea boots look awful with something extremely wide such as 10" or even 9". It also depends on your waist size as well. The ratio matters. I have a 30.5" waist and my ideal leg opening for my boots is anywhere from 8.75"-10" depending on the style of trousers/jeans. For jeans, I'd say my sweet spot is around 9". If you are wearing slimmer service boots for example, 8.25"-8.75" would be great. I would never go below 8.25" for anything and never below 8.5" for engineer boots. Like I said, this is personal preference.

[@brendanr.3087]

@@almostvintagestyle Thanks for such a thorough response!

[@almostvintagestyle]

@@brendanr.3087 No problem! Happy to help in any way.

[@Coleone139]

What you’re feeling is likely a (hopefully) leather shank. The lump should compress as the footbed forms 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@almostvintagestyle]

Perhaps, but I've had leather shanks in boots before and it doesn't feel like this. Plus, leather shanks run parallel to your foot and this feels perpendicular

[@emoney2480]

Welcome back!

[@almostvintagestyle]

Thank you!

[@thevintagefuture6567]

Your eye for detail on engineers is unreal 🤯 I really really enjoyed the assessment. Learned a lot about why good-looking engineers look so good (and bad ones don’t). I had never thought about many of those aspects, ever 😄 Your review experience shows; thorough but balanced and focused. And of course, thanks for the shout 🍻 Yeah, I didn’t have that little arch bump thing in mine, but maybe it’s cuz of my foot shape and I didn’t feel it.

[@almostvintagestyle]

Thanks man I appreciate that! Yours may also have been made before mine so maybe that's why you didn't have the issue. Loved your review on these as well. Thanks for the kind words!

[@tlmader]

How you describe the arch support the Benzeins is similar to what I've noticed in my Flame Pandas. Straight tfffsht lol

[@almostvintagestyle]

Interesting. My Flame Pandas feel different. Super stiff, but much flatter.

[@alexshafir8199]

Benzens boots

[@almostvintagestyle]

@@alexshafir8199 ?

[@alexshafir8199]

@@almostvintagestyle not sure what happened there lol. I really like their boots. Love your channel. Im so glad i found you on KZbin.

[@almostvintagestyle]

@@alexshafir8199 no worries! Thanks for the kind words!

[@israellava8644]

I've been very interested in engineer boots lately which makes me want to purchase one. However, I'm a slim fit jeans kind of guy since that's what suit my physique. So my question would be whether I can pair my engineer boots with slim fit jeans?

[@brandall101]

I have a pair of 8" Keeper 2s and have been lately wearing them with slim (about 7" hem) flatheads. I do have to pull them over the top of the boots and with a bit of slack in the length of the jeans, they actually stay in place nicely, can cross my legs and whatnot without them pulling up.

[@almostvintagestyle]

It depends on the shaft of the engineers and your foot size/waist size. All of this will make a difference. I personally don't think engineers look good with anything under 8.5" leg openings, but you can get slimmer jeans over certain pairs of engineers as mentioned by Beau Randall

[@pieromancer208]

Also the price for shinki that they told me was 700. 660 for Maryam

[@almostvintagestyle]

Thanks for adding that! The prices change constantly with boots like these. It keeps going up!

[@Dukeofmamucas]

I mean Wesco practically invented engineer boots( Chippewa was first )

[@almostvintagestyle]

They do make a nice one, but I wish it fit me better

[@mikek9980]

Hi there. I would be interested to hear you discuss hats. You seem to have some cool ones. It would be fun to hear what you look for in a hat. Just sharing a video idea. Have a great day!

[@almostvintagestyle]

Yeah I definitely am going to do a hat video in the future! No doubt about it.

[@CarlosValentor]

I just received a pair of chelseas and although I really like them, I believe the customer service for non boot “influencer” is one of the worst I’ve ever seen; they go months without answering messages both on IG and WhatsApp, they said 4 months and the boots took 8 months and also they mistakenly changed the lining and the sole color on my pair 🥴 they look great but you know, I do think there’s special treatment and special attention to detail for people that they know are gonna review their shoes and for the normal clientele it’s just a factory production of really nice boots I’d say. So… mixed feelings there 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@almostvintagestyle]

Oh I am sorry to hear that! I will have to take that into consideration when I discuss that in the future.

[@CarlosValentor]

@@almostvintagestyle thanks man, as an update to my comment, that red lining they put on my boots and I didn’t ask for has pink stained all my socks 🫠 boots look great tho and are pretty comfy so… mixed feelings remain 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@davidallen346]

I have the similar pinterest thumbnail as my Fb cover photo a year ago

[@almostvintagestyle]

Nice!

[@pieromancer208]

Nice review man! I’ve been trying to get in contact with them. Heard from them initially, but then have radio silence for the past week. I know they are busy, but I’d love to have better service. A reply of any kind would be appreciated in benzeins behalf.

[@almostvintagestyle]

Sorry to hear that. They have been slow to respond to me at times as well. That is one of the difficulties of going direct with manufacturers that are experiencing a lot of orders now like Benzein is.

[@pieromancer208]

@@almostvintagestyle I get it. I think it’s growing pains of a company that is expanding quickly. I’m happy they have high demand. design wise, who do think the benzein is superior to the mr Lou? Why or why not?

[@almostvintagestyle]

@@pieromancer208 I think I would pick the Mister Lou because of the better looking instep and because it looks more unique than the Benzein.