RANCOURT & Co. Shoes - Made in Maine - Page 95

Just hung up with Taryn.  She was extremely apologetic and said to send the boots back and they'll make me a new pair if they have too.

Excellent

Regardless of what happens with the boots, I must say that Rancourt certainly delivers a very personal experience.  Not just because your shoes are made to order from your own specifications (at least sometimes), but also because I know exactly who it is that I am speaking with and even what they look like from the pictures on their facebook.  It is almost as if I have met them in person.

 

I think that quality makes them somewhat unique.

 

 

Did you design your boots via email or by phone? If by email, was the response time reasonable? Did they email you pictures of color, leather, sole, etc. options?

The design was done by email.  They didn't have a list of available materials/colors/options, I sort of had to prod to find out what was possible.  In some instances they were able to include a link to a shoe on their website that served as an example of a particular option, eyelets for example.  The response time was not immediate but always less than a week.  Usually 3-5 days.  I could have gotten answers faster if I had called, but I wasn't in a rush.  Taryn and Jordan were very patient in answering my many ridiculous questions, and even consulted with Mike? Rancourt (Father) on some of them.  Many businesses would have deemed me a high maintenance customer and chose not to do business with me.

 

 

Good to know. Thanks!

Also, on Rancourt Shell.  It didn't have the same unmistakeable cordovan smell that my Alden shells have.  They smelled like new shoes that I've had in the past, though I can't quite put my finger on it.  I want to say it was some imitation Doc Martins by sketchers that I wore in Junior High 15yrs ago.

 

I already sent the boots back, but I wonder if I'll be able to buff them to the dull gloss that is characteristic of shell cordovan.

 

I'd be interested to hear what others who have Rancourt's shell think about it in comparison to other shell that they've owned.

Bakes11771. These boots do look wonderful. At the same time it is rather frustrating that they couldn't get something simple like the color of the stitching right. If they are going to offer all these choices, then it's important for them to attend what you pick as the make the boot. Can't imagine they are turning too many of these shell boots out, so they could pay special attention. And, while it sounds like you will get the issue resolved, it can't be very satisfying to have the boots in hand only to have to send them back and wait another two or three weeks to get the pair you really ordered.

Anyway, I really like the picks you posted. I think the closed Blake welting gives them a pretty sleek look for what are clearly work boots.

in re the luster of the shell, I have a pair of Aldens in Cigar from Leffot that seem relatively dull as well. Not sure why and I simply plan to apply some Venetian cream and buff. I have been very satisfied with the two pairs of shell shoes I have from Rancourt. Both have smelled like shell and had a nice finish.

Hope you get the details on these taken care of promptly and get them on your feet and out into the wild.

So I'm planning a pair of the Blake boots. I got this picture from Jordan of a chromexcel color called Teak Fargo:

 

 

 

I'm thinking about the Reltex Ranger hevea sole like on the bulldog captoe boot:

 

 

But I want to see if they have it in honey like the other hevea soles. 

 

I thought I'd get some feedback... Will the ranger soles make them too casual to wear with khakis on casual fridays? My other option is the Vibram mini-lug in honey. I might do the thicker mid-sole if I did the Vibram.

 

I'm still not sure if I should go for the cap or plain toe. Thoughts?

So you are considering the Ranger Moc sole or the Reltex hevea sole on the Blake Boot? The ranger moc sole would make it a little more casual than the hevea soles IMO, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. If I were deciding between the two - I would go with the hevea sole for a boot. I like the look of both options, but I think the hevea sole would make the boot more heavy duty. I personally want a boot that I'd be able to go it in when it's dirty outside, etc. I'd be more hesitant to kick around in a ranger moc sole.

 

Have you considered the Vibram cristy wedge in black or gray? I think that could really look nice.

 

BTW that color chromexcel is awesome! I'm writing that down for my next pair of shoes. I've been looking for a shade that was a little closer to burgundy than the color 8 - and that seems to be it. 

I like that CXL color.  A little lighter than the brown CXL they use for the boat shoe, no? (think i've seen it referred to a carolina brown).

 

I think the Honey sole would compliment that color very nicely, and make it a more casual boot, which I think is fitting of the color upper you chose (also more casual in my eyes).  I don't know if they'd be too casual for khakis.  I consider khakis to be pretty casual, but had never considered wearing boots with them.  I can understand your concern, but don't have an answer for you.  No doubt it is a matter of taste/preference.  That being said, I doubt if your boss would send you home for wearing them, not that I have ever met him.

 

One thing I will tell you is that the shape of the blake (john last) seems to be more of a shoe last than a boot last.  You can't tell unless you've handled it in person, but the contours looking at it from the above is more indicative of a casual shoe (at least in my eyes) than a boot, which is rounder/fuller/roomier.  The shape reminded me of boots that an amish person would wear, or maybe just someone from a century or two ago.  Not necessarily a bad thing, just caught me off guard.  Its not the same silhouette as say a timberland or redwing, but follows the contour of your forefoot more closely.  I think that makes it a little more dressier than a timberland/red wing, but not by much.

 

The Reltex Ranger pictured is a hevea sole. They have different designs. I wanted something with lugs because these are going to be my go-to for the winter and we get lots of snow / ice. I'm not really a fan of the wedges. I like a heel on my boots. 

 

I'm not sure I'd call that burgundy... It's a warmer mid-brown. The other picture she sent was called wheat:

 

 

 

It's a bit more straight brown, IMO. 

 

Thanks, that's good to hear! Actually what worried me about the last was that it seemed more round and less contoured. Probably because I've been looking at C&J, etc. boots, so it's good to hear that in person perspective. 

 

My office is very casual, and I dress it down when I feel like it. I'm wearing my Eastland Made in Maine olive chromexcel ranger mocs today, for instance. BTW, Jordan told me that they made most of the Eastland Made in Maine stuff. That was news to me, but I love these shoes, so it speaks well of them. 

 

EDIT: Darn, just heard back from Jordan that the Ranger only comes in the brown (seen above) and black. Hmmm.... 

Roger that!  Not saying its sleek by any means, still round, just a more contoured fit if that makes sense.  You probably won't have as much side-to-side wiggle room in the forefoot as you would with a timberland/redwing.  Mine actually fit like a glove in that area, with a little side-to-side wiggle room in the heel, but not enough to make it too sloppy.  I think I have a narrow heel relative to rest of my foot dimensions.  I got down a half size and 1 width in the barrie/van.  9.5D TTS - 9C Barrie/Van.

 

BTW, I'm a little envious of your design. 

 

 

 

Ah. I see. Still like the color a lot though. I know what you're saying - in that case I think they will look great. As far "too casual" - I wouldn't think so. I have my dress khakis (that i'd wear with a sport jacket) and more casual ones (in different colors that I might wear out to dinner or a party). I would absolutely wear them with my more casual khaki pants. Probably not with with dress khakis unless it was horrible weather outside and I had to be dressed up.