(Unboxing) Can a work boot brand make dress boots?

[@RoseAnvil2]

Don't miss out on the Jim Green African Ranger Barefoot restock here - bit.ly/44GobIi

[@rmoffettutube]

Mine (Walnut) just came in last night. Wearing them now. I love the color!

[@graemegourley7616]

Any way to get these shipped to Canada?

[@ch00p]

Been looking for a quality, zero drop boot for years. Just ordered a pair in the walnut color. This will be my 2nd pair of barefoot ARs!

[@RedditSupport]

Can the barefoot boots be resoled by anyone? I need some advice. Most cobblers I’ve checked in with don’t offer resoling for barefoot boots. They’ll put a wedge or whatever other type of sole I want, but not what the boot came with.

[@HariOmRadhaKrishna]

I wear the original A. Rangers regularly, & plan to try the AR8's this year. I'm waiting for them to come out in Green. Barefoot AR8's?

[@sunnibird]

$1600-2700?................ is this for hedge fund managers?

[@Twilson_Vtwin]

Definitely not for everyone

[@cradd7108]

Yes

[@shirayasha]

def not for most people. Maybe the 1-3%ers

[@Mr.CellophaneHart]

😆🤣

[@kinkyslayer]

it's for the same people who buy RoleClub boots; definitely way out of what I would ever spend

[@dagttv]

Short answer: Yes. I've had my Red Wing Beckmans that I bought the year they re-released them (I want to say 2011 or 2012). I've had them resoled three times and they are still my most worn boot of all time. They are built like tanks, are super comfortable, and still look dressy enough to wear during important events. They are my all time favorites.

[@Brajin1]

That last looks similar to the parkhurst collaboration they did.

[@RirtyDascal]

11:04 those heel accents look *great* !! I just might have to get a pair of those now lol.

[@johnswanson6790]

Does this new boot have a celastic like toe? There is a subtle outline suggesting a layer of support in the toe. I think some kind of structure in the toe is critical.

[@willieclark2256]

‘They make the best work boots in the world’ ‘Blue collar company’ ‘I have to work with them personally otherwise they won’t fit …. For 1200 dollars’ The mental gymnastics is what you’re really paying for with PNW brands 😂

[@dougcarlson4159]

A sharp looking boot. However, after going to the website and looking at the photos, all I can see is the raw unfinished edges of the leather. For this price, those edges should be at least dyed and burnished. Don’t get me wrong though, I’d still love a pair!

[@rhythm618]

Those unfinished edges are on intentional and it’s to show off the leather used. If you want black edges you can probably get it with different leather.

[@dougcarlson4159]

@@rhythm618 I think that if you’re forking out this kind of money, there should not be one unfinished aspect of the product. Those edges do not match the boot price in my opinion.

[@rhythm618]

@@dougcarlson4159 it’s a character of how the leather was tanned. It will also show light color where it’s scratched overtime. It’s a leather that some people desire and want to show off. If it’s not for you they have plenty of leathers where the edges are color matched.

[@bmdubdub]

Quality ≠ preference. Finished or unfinished edges don’t reflect quality. It’s a style choice, a preference. Every genre of product works like this. There are obvious standards for what’s considered a quality product, but a preference is just a preference, and that’s yours. Nicks appeals to their target audience-wildfire fighters, construction workers, and casual boot enthusiasts. (You can actually choose a finished edge from Nick’s. All their boots are customizable). For example, I don’t prefer finished edges. I much prefer a natural edge. I even dare to say that many cheap bookmakers dye their edges to cover over a poor product. And I feel that many boot enthusiasts would agree. Dress shoes are completely different however. A raw edge is more difficult to dress up. A dyed edge is more appropriate for formal and business attire. If that’s your style, cool. Go buy some Carminas. But don’t dog on the quality of a product when it was never designed to appeal to your style.

[@ash36230]

My judgement on the appearance of the black ones in this video, the contrast of those materials makes it too flashy to be a dress boot. Smart casual maybe. But not as a dress boot. That said the line up of their 1925s in other colours looks really sleek and nice imho. But even by well constructed hand-made heritage brand boots, in the UK £961 is damn expensive. That's their cheapest one, adding Horween Cordovan bumps that up to £1,600. Even for premium, luxury materials made-to-order that feels ridiculously expensive. You can get three pairs of Trickers, Cheaneys, anyone else who makes a damn good boot for that price.

[@barnham9388]

I’ve got a pair of Nicks ordered from the UK (the officer boot which I think is a great, comfortable, smart casual boot, with an indestructible feel to it) and I know exactly what you mean mark to market with Trickers/Cheaneys/other that you can buy in the UK high street - but indisputably they have a quality which is just unobtainable - and by that I don’t mean they’re better quality, which is sometimes quite hard to actually compare, but if Russian marines hit the beaches in Norfolk and the UK ended up scraping the barrel and drafting the 50+ I know which pair of boots I’d put on to go to war…….

[@heycidskyja4668]

@@barnham9388 Yeah, I know what you mean. I'd go for the Tricker's too.

[@claytonberg721]

I actually prefer tricker's town shoes to their boots.

[@toneohm]

961?? in the US you can buy new Nick's for $550 - 650 USD ... where are you getting these numbers?? the average Nick's boot is like 600 usd... so that's like idk, 520 pounds.. you must have crazy import tax there cause in the US... Nick's is one of the cheaper PNWs.. Viberg is the pricey stuff.. then White's .. Nicks, Wesco, JK, Franks are generally a little less at their base models

[@MemphisCorollaS]

@@toneohmI’m pretty sure they’re all talking about the Brandle sub brand on its own website separate from Nick’s. It says $1200usd starting price for footwear for me as of 2/25/2024. Haven’t looked at other products or how the cost changes for customization or leathers yet. Not really my jam. These are getting up to Kreosote price levels as grail boots instead of just nice boots. The same thing happens with collectible vintage tools and high end custom made woodworking tools. Hand planes that were $50 or less equivalent even in their pre-wwii heyday can go for $1000+ now for the pleasure of showing off.

[@strengthandbulkMadness]

The White’s Stevens boot is much dressier. Even the White’s Semi-dress boot is dressier.

[@JJ-zr6fu]

That’s not a dress boot at best that’s a casual boot.

[@JRRob3wn]

There’s no way I would wear those with a suit, even a sports coat would be pushing it IMO.

[@googeluser7098]

Hard Pass. That price is fine for Role Club, Kreosote, or White Kloud where one guy is making the entire boot but its really not offering much more than a Viberg or a White’s MP or Stevens. I guess its just a boot for guys that REALLY love Nick’s

[@TheGardengroove]

Hey, I designed those stickers at around 06:00! Nice to see them on my favorite KZbin-Channel, however briefly :)

[@ChrisBrown-cg2by]

Great work

[@TheGardengroove]

@@ChrisBrown-cg2byThank you! There is probably some new shirt design coming up on Nicks, too!

[@stalinschicken3432]

Nice

[@felix.delrubio]

The last they are using makes them look like Grant Stones. If you want a dress shoe, you should just buy a dress shoe. Also, if Nick's wants a dressier look, they should stitch the welt to match the leather instead of contrasting white stitching.

[@Maitreya0208]

Agreed. That white contrast stitching adds visual interest, but detracts from the dressier aesthetic. Plus white stitching can be tough to maintain.

[@JRRob3wn]

I personally like dress boots, I wear them with suits (I have a couple of pairs of English branded boots for this purpose). These do not look even remotely dressy enough for a suit though IMO. To me they don’t look substantially different than the collab they did with Parkhurst at half the price.

[@geebeaux]

I think its a smart idea for these high $$ brands to offer cheaper boots from the same last, so you can figure out your exact size before you commit to their expensive line.

[@OntarioBearHunter]

But styles fit different, so that 9 in a PNW traditional may be a 9 or 10 in a dressier

[@teekue]

​@@OntarioBearHunterwhat? How would that be possible? The pattern is literally on the last.

[@ForTheLoveOfSuits]

I live in the city and wear suits so I'm a dress boot guy. But I love all the videos about Pacific Northwest boots like Nicks. Finally they have made a boot I could actually wear. That new boot looks beautiful. Love the brass insert.

[@autumnarcheology]

Been watching him for years. It does seem like money persuades his reviews. He’ll like certain things about boots and talk down on the same feature with other boots. SMH. This isn’t just me, others are noticing this too.

[@toneohm]

please review Frank's n Drew's : ) they're the only PNWs you haven't tried..! or Drew's US vs Drew's Made in Mexico.. that would be neat to see

[@arleymassey2998]

Been watching this channel for years at this point and I've got to be honest this felt like more of an opportunity to brag about your connections than any kind of review. I'm not trying to be a bully but I imagine you'd want some feedback from aclong time viewer.

[@HahaDamn]

You should do a deep dive on the Alden embezzlement- I wouldn’t be surprised if quality dropped with the guy that stole the $30 mil

[@666Necropsy]

the toe shape does remind me more of a cowboy boot. interesting look. i would like to see some of these out in the wild.

[@goreface]

Meh

[@jls1337]

very nice looking boot... not sure about those laces for the "dress" look but that's a very easy thing to fix.

[@Kratos-bf2jg]

Dayton now known as Wohlford has the same last for their service boots and the mto is only $995 cad

[@aaronminkenberg8386]

The description of the ship and russian leather, is I think referring to the famous russian reindeer leather That is primarily reproduced by Jfj Baker in England And as far as I understand it this company imitates the original tanning just on cordovan skins

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

Actually J&JF Baker use oxen skins. The original tanning recipe for Russian leather (which used to be famous back in the 18th and 19th centuries) was I believe lost but they analysed a sample recovered from the recovered ship's cargo and tried to recreate the recipe. You can get a pair of shoes made from the 240 year old original leather if you are prepared to get a bespoke pair made by George Cleverly and have close to ten thousand dollars to spend but Carmina or Crockett and Jones will sell you shoes made from the J&JF baker version for considerably less.

[@lgroves336]

Nick's has the expertise to make anything out of leather.... They are just sharing the gift / talents. These boots are in the 1200 - 2000 range. For this amount of money I'm staying with Viberg. (just saying)

[@skeeter2136]

Shit vibergs look better than these anyway

[@mickaelbissec7178]

Love your channel ! Those boots are not dress shoes as for my standards (i live in Paris ) I think of jm Weston, crockett and jones, tod’s etc… i wish you can review some european brands!

[@mmMariannemm]

Here I was, sitting at my desk, smelling my piece of Metta Catharina shell and thinking that the wood tar smell is so strong it would be great as boots and not wallets(what I bought it for). And then I clicked on this video. What a coincidence.

[@SparkyP320]

They send QC check lists yet they still have screwed up my last 2 boot orders 😆

[@barryrahn5957]

I'm not a dress boot guy, but .... these boots really look sharp!

[@jcfp692]

Nice boots but they are still work boots not dress boots.

[@Diego.E.D]

I like these boots, they look like the Falcons but with elongated toes.

[@JRRob3wn]

That was my thought and double the price.

[@thegraybishop]

The JR Outsoles alone, knowing they went out of business, great piece of this boot, iykyk

[@CrispyFrenFry]

The outsoles are made by a new manufacturer after the original recipe was sold by JR.

[@Bluerig-qf2xc]

Virgin pointy toe shoes vs Chad wide to boots

[@kinderwaff]

Glad to see Wes still so passionate. Keep it up man

[@Rider.WhiteHorse]

Can a wej be honest? Of course not.

[@TheLazyTitan]

Honestly the real missed opportunity is Nicks not using this last as an option with the standard line up.

[@Rider.WhiteHorse]

This, and not investing in Nicks to improve things like lead times and qc

[@HariOmRadhaKrishna]

I wear the original A. Rangers regularly, & plan to try the AR8's this year. I'm waiting for them to come out in Green.

[@DESERTRACKER1]

I use my black iron rangers for funerals

[@les-chouans]

they make undestroyable boots for sure but they always looked ugly. This one is not different at all. THIS has nothing to do whatsoever with a dress boot. It still looks super ugly and I think they should stick to what they are famous for which is super ugly undestroyable work boots.

[@Kelsmith2]

Ooh I like the look of this last. Looks closer to a whites MP last or a Viberg service boot last. I’m hoping they eventually offer this last with their more traditional leathers at a price point closer to their work boots. I would be all over this boot in CXL

[@JRRob3wn]

Looks very similar to the Parkhurst collab they did recently…which were half the price.

[@johnmead8594]

Those brass inserts are absolutely gorgeous

[@nathansanford7716]

So, Viberg exists.

[@brighammmer]

So... I thought $800 for some customized Semi-dress(in horsehide) was unreal for a "work" boot.(I have a pair. I actually love them) Was wild. Starting at $1200? They better tie themselves too.

[@pubcollize]

i assume you'll be doing a vid about the new couple of styles JG had released recently

[@billystpaul8907]

Are these for the West Coast Tech class? Pretty pricey boots. Nice looking boots and I am sure they will sell out in hours. You better not cut these ones in HALF.....!!!!!!!!!!

[@edipisreks5535]

I mean, sure, they can. But for that money I would get St. Crispins. Which is what I bought. I’ll let you review the St Crispins as long as you can wear a UK12 and you don’t cut them in half and you get them back to me before July. They are *gorgeous* boots.

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

You can still buy leather goods, including shoes, made from the original 240 year old Russian reindeer leather but it is extremely expensive and supplies are now very limited and it is only available from a couple of bespoke manufacturers. English tannery J&JF Baker have recreated a close copy of the leather (after analysing the original) but use skins from oxen instead of the original reindeer. This leather is used by brands such as Carmina and Crockett & Jones. J&JF Baker also produce oak bark tanned shoe soles that are considered superior to JR soles and are used by upmarket shoe manufacturers. Their leather is tanned in pits that were originally thought to have been dug by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago.

[@kellyb9432]

My Jim Green Barefoots arrived today and are better than advertised. After a lifetime of squeezing into disposable junk with EE feet I'd like to say thank you for the introduction, not that it has anything to do with this video. Go Nicks! I'll be a Washington resident soon, is there a discount for locals?

[@rexradar9297]

I've said it before, and i will say it again. As good as Nicks maybe, none of Nick's boots are certified as proper workboot. This means they are not accepted at most heavy industrial work sites. Only a few of their workboots have a reinfoced toe, and none carry sole puncture barriers or full certification. So as far as I'm concernered all of Nicks boots are just dress/show boots. Plus if your paying top of the line pricing you whould get top of the line finishing. I will check in again in a couple more years to see if they have proper workboots avalible.

[@patrickmiao1698]

Nice boots but I will pass, I could buy 2 or 3 pairs of Alden's for this price. When I reach my financial goals, then maybe but honestly, I rather get a pair of role clubs or flame panda for that price. I wasn't impressed by the stitching on the outsole, for a top price, I expect better stitching.

[@derekolsen999]

Well fingers crossed for the lottery, I can justify the PNW work boots but these ,as nice as they look, will get me divorced......

[@GD-ov1km]

Do not like white stitching on men’s leather goods, especially dress shoes. Just preference - lacks subtlety. Same with thick thread. Course white stitching is a no. Love Nick’s and everything else about these boots.

[@michaelzakas4055]

Great video, but it makes me nervous for the boots. You gonna keep ‘em or cut ‘em? Also, the “Sound of the Pacific Northwest”= Truth

[@terrymayerful]

Gallun Leather Tannery originated in Milwaukee, Wi., along the Milwaukee River, which provided an abundance of water in the tannery process during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries..

[@adrich86]

Idk what all this stuff about lasts costing so much money is about. It’s 2024 just 3D print the shit. Can’t be that difficult.

[@bipolargods509]

They just started doing the ticket, as far as I know. I live in Spokane, and own a pair of Nick's for 3 years. I didn't get a ticket with my boots

[@MCFCTheMadHatter]

4-threaded (stitch lines) cap toe on those would def dress them up. Of course, I’m not too sure what the additional leather would do on the toe box since it wouldn’t simply be aesthetic

[@jonboy8181]

Dress boot?

[@bradleywoody2624]

Are you sure this is the 1925 last and not the Parkhurst 602 last collab? The butt on this boot and every aspect of the pattern is different than the product shots on the brandle site.

[@FTheRef27]

I signed up for the wait list on these boots when this video came out 4 months ago. I am still at the same spot in the wait list. Do we know if these boots are being produced yet?

[@clayfranklin4299]

They don’t respond to emails or phone. I don’t think they are in business

[@PONO-go3ee]

I Like these 1925 Last even the Heel I don't have anything with JR, Leather I see it on Tring Cobbler

[@edwins2396]

Own a pair of contractors rogue smooth, they are excellent and I prefer them over my Wesco Hendrik

[@evangonsalves4347]

It would be awesome to get a video comparing similar boots to see what kind of value proposition the House Brandles have. I love Nicks and I never questioned their prices before but starting off at $1200 that’s interesting. I love the brass detail, the new last, the JR sole, and the slower, more refined, crafting, so that might be enough for me to justify it.

[@mmnootzenpoof]

I've been wearing a pair of White's MP-Sherman toe cap boots, and they're dressy af.

[@TatsukiHashida]

I don’t need another pair of boots I don’t need another pair of boots I don’t need another pair of boots Shut up and take my money

[@gariejoyce5263]

I don’t mind white stitching on brown boots, but white stitching on black boots seems to cheapen the look just a smidge. Still a great looking black boot.

[@aradoran]

“Hey guys did you see how auto manufacturers have been pricing their new car. What if we did that with boots?”

[@thesheepthemightythecrazy]

For the price, that looks very very rough. I see almost no difference from their work boots.

[@AdamBrinson]

The new pattern and brass accents do look really good. That special cordovan will make a super unique, special boot, please do a video when you get them!

[@AverageReviewsYT]

Nicks has always been a joke.. just go look at their turnaround times, fine print, and cost.. then ask yourself if you are getting what you pay for.. your not.

[@FrankieJizking-js3yv]

I thought he was acting about his excitement for the unboxing, but no. His hands were really shaky. He was genuinely excited to see them. Cool.

[@MrKinghuman]

adderall

[@jameslarue2878]

Looks sharp. Almond your, boot a longer last. Officer boot does seem a better description then dress.

[@barefootbob1269]

Nope not for the guy on the fixed income! 10 pair of Jim green's for less than one pair of these.

[@Diego.E.D]

Sorry, Weston, but you had said 3 months ago that the Whites were the best boots.😉 Make up your mind, mate!!

[@louisdebenedictis2584]

I have a couple pairs of nicks. Please let me know when they launch . Thank You

[@NoNameNo.5]

$1200.00 boots!? Christ. Those are lawyer boots for sure…

[@mattmatthews5414]

I waonnit. 10/10 would wear this mountainbiking like an idiot.

[@paullavergne2477]

That. A. Pretty. Boot. Like. The. Black. It’s. Sharp

[@hyrot1]

It's like the roper of PNW boots.

[@jackbraddell1124]

If he starts wearing these beautiful boots he'll have to upgrade his attire😅

[@ed_winn]

Nice boots, not really a dress boot though. More a fancy work boot

[@nickmagma7745]

That looks nothing like a dress boot. I can´t imagine wearing those with a suit and tie

[@OntarioBearHunter]

I'll stick to WM Moorby for waaayyy less and still made in Canada

[@thedemonnemo]

At that price point, I'll stick to my Trickers dress boots.

[@Angel-AbC9]

Hello , do you have any plans to try the parkhurst boots ?

[@robertvazquez7806]

I'd like to see those boots after a year of wear. I bet it'll have a great patina.

[@JAKesler]

Honestly I would be happy with those try on boots 🤣 they look so nice 😍

[@penngwinn]

I have a pair of Nicks work boots on order. I can't wait to finally get them!

[@gqfiend]

I've NEVER received a qc checklist.

[@AliceBowie]

The boot in the thumbnail looks like the Monopoly piece.

[@WhiteNmild]

Nice video, can you do some nike foamposite please

[@tonydragon784]

I hope you sent Garreth home with some blood leather

[@rickybaruah]

Can you do Craft&Glory?

[@richyclubsport5155]

Wonder how they compare to English brands like Trickers and Crockett and Jones long term because that's the price point they're at in England and in my humble opinion Trickers and Crockett and Jones are the best a man can get

[@joshuachapman4280]

These brandle boots feel closer to EG pricing but I doubt they're anywhere near, given EG are some of the finest English rtw, I have the Galway and it's my favourite boot aside from some work boots I had made for me when I was eighteen.

[@earlmcmanus194]

I've been eyeing some Nick's Americanas for a few years but these are even better. The only nickpit I can think of is the brass in the heel stack is a bit loud, though I would think they'll offer a more subtle nickel plated version.

[@JRRob3wn]

I think it’s a cool unique feature, but yeah a bit flash for my taste. More in line with what I’d expect from a haute couture brand worn by new money / euro trash types.

[@robertplumer9487]

Shell cordivan Horween $2000

[@robertvazquez7806]

Nice refine aesthetic but a little expensive 😢

[@davepaek5014]

I wonder what the last difference is between this versus Parkhurst 602 last. It looks very similar which is why i picked up their collab boot. I'm not a big fan of PNW lasts that are typically wider than dressier boots.

[@JRRob3wn]

Looks almost exactly the same to me.