• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Viberg boots- Any experience?

GaryRanson

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Bobcats as described above ~$415

bfgbkn.jpg


9ljq82.jpg


349drnb.jpg


23kdysj.jpg


2wrjajk.jpg


27zizb7.jpg


3354hom.jpg


2vlmts2.jpg
 

billyb

Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
I have bought and own boots from Viberg, White's, and Wesco. I was a Red Wings guy until I got older and my feet got weird...I have very "lean" feet and extremely skinny ankles, but my foot flares way out on the outside at the ball. Skechers makes some sneakers that fit perfect, so you may know what I mean. Long story short, I had to go with custom fit bootmakers.

Everybody has different wants and needs so opinions on each boot brand will differ. Here's what I have experienced so far:

White's:
-strengths --> craftsmanship, custom fit, service, leather choices, turn around time
-weaknesses --> boot choices...only lace-up with a couple different toe options
-things to note --> "arch-ease" design takes mucho breaking-in. Be patient with White's boots...like 2-3 months patient and you will be well rewarded.

Wesco:
-strengths --> custom fit, service, website, marketing, boot choices(pull-ups with multiple toe options, lace-ups, oxford), craftsmanship (just OK, but not White's or Viberg...but still damn good compared to most others)
-weaknesses --> leather choices are limited, very popular bootmaker so turn around time is long...12 weeks long
-things to note --> can be very workbootish from a style perspective and their craftsmanship kind of aligns to a workboot mentality

Viberg:
-strengths --> craftsmanship!!!, boot choices!!!(pull-ups with multiple toe options, lace-ups, oxfords, hikers, multiple last options, you name it), leather choices, turn around time, style...style....style
-weaknesses --> custom fit just so-so (too busy I think), website could use some help
-things to note --> very mom and pop...16 or so employees and they are busy as hell now so service is suffering a little...give them a break though. Brett Viberg is awesome and usually responds to sound requests on his blog

Leaders in different categories...IM MY OPINION ONLY, SO DON"T TAKE THIS AS GOSPEL:

Craftsmanship - White's...mmm, Viberg...no White's...too close to call. Both are incredible!
Custom Fit - Wesco with White's a close second
Boot Choices - Viberg with Wesco a close second
Service - Wesco with White's a close second. Viberg will get back there once business settles
Leather Choices - White's with Viberg a close second
Rebuild Option - all are equal
Price - White's, then Wesco...Viberg's Street Collection is mucho expensive, but their work boots are the best priced...go figure

I'm done now...sorry
 

Marcellionheart

Senior Member
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
674
Reaction score
19
Gary, those boots look amazing. Now I wish I was out in the West Coast so I could get sized on these.
 

Wes Bourne

Distinguished Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
3,836
Reaction score
154
Originally Posted by GaryRanson
Billyb, great writeup!

+1, good info. Gary, the Bobcats look great!
 

Bootcan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
48
Reaction score
1
WOW!Gary,your Merlot Bobcats look simply incredible,these may be the nicest boots i have ever seen,they look burgundy purplish on my monitor,that's about right?.Just out of curiosity..heh,heh,,,how do they fit?..are they sized up or down?..you know just out of curiosity,say i'm a size 15D,would a 14E fit?...STUNNING.
worship.gif
 

GaryRanson

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Marcellionheart, Wes Bourne and Bootcan, thank you for your comments.

Bootcan, burgundy would be right for the colour. Not as purple as the pics appear on my monitor. The fit is very comfortable with padded thicker socks which I would normally wear with boots. They measured me as a 9-1/2 EEE and as I have a half insole for arch support, I tried on and went with a 9-1/2 4E. I also have a high instep and narrow heel and while there is a very, very small amount of heel movement, I suspect that this will lessen as they break in and the soles start to flex more. I am going to drop into their shop again today as I do not want to have to wear heavy socks with the 145 Oxford shoes that I just ordered and want to see if I should reduce the width on my build order.
 

Bootcan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
48
Reaction score
1
The Oxfords are also gorgeous,please stop posting photos,well ok a couple dozen more but that's it.... just emailed and pretty much begged for a pair just like your Bobcats,hope you don't mind?,i'm also a narrow heel but the way your Bobcats look i couldn't care less and will go so far as to go barefoot or wear 2 pairs of socks just to be able to wear a pair..incredible looking boots.i wish i could drop in and have a look at the Viberg shop,one day i will.
 

GaryRanson

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
I do not mind at all that you ordered the same boots.

BTW, when I ordered the Oxford shoes, they showed me a number of leather swatches to choose from so there are choices.

Originally Posted by Bootcan
The Oxfords are also gorgeous,please stop posting photos,well ok a couple dozen more but that's it.... just emailed and pretty much begged for a pair just like your Bobcats,hope you don't mind?,i'm also a narrow heel but the way your Bobcats look i couldn't care less and will go so far as to go barefoot or wear 2 pairs of socks just to be able to wear a pair..incredible looking boots.i wish i could drop in and have a look at the Viberg shop,one day i will.
 

xkalifornian

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2010
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Question on the Bobcat sizing. Do these Vibergs run similar in size to Whites Semi Dress, Alden Indy and Red Wing 875?

Thanks
 

billyb

Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
I wear a size 10 in a Viberg #45 Hunters which is similar to a Bobcat but taller. I wear a 10 1/2 in my White's semi-dress and a 10 1/2 in my Wesco Jobmasters.
 

Bootcan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
48
Reaction score
1
Originally Posted by GaryRanson
I do not mind at all that you ordered the same boots.

BTW, when I ordered the Oxford shoes, they showed me a number of leather swatches to choose from so there are choices.


Well i have great news..the Merlot Bobcats are possible in a size 15. Thanks Gary for posting photos of your incredible boots.
worship.gif
How was your visit to the shop?Any more photos?..did you reduce the width for your Oxfords?,these may have to go on my list,though they are about 4th down on my list,these Vibergs grow on you,at first some look plain,then they starting looking good,then better and then they are a must have.
 

GaryRanson

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
I ended up wearing a lighter sock yesterday and the boots still fit great. My heel in moving less as the boots break in and I decided that if the Oxfords fit the same as the Bobcats, I would be happy so I didn't drop into Viberg on the way home from work (their shop is 5 minutes from home).

I gave the boots a quick clean after work last night and then treated them with some Saphir Renovateur MÃ
00a9.png
daille d'Or Cleaner and Conditioner. They definitely looked better afterwards. Once I receive the Saphir MÃ
00a9.png
daille d'Or Pommadier Cream Shoe Polish (Bordo colour) that I ordered, I will treat with some of that as well. I'll post some more pics then.

Cheers for now.


Originally Posted by Bootcan
Well i have great news..the Merlot Bobcats are possible in a size 15. Thanks Gary for posting photos of your incredible boots.
worship.gif
How was your visit to the shop?Any more photos?..did you reduce the width for your Oxfords?,these may have to go on my list,though they are about 4th down on my list,these Vibergs grow on you,at first some look plain,then they starting looking good,then better and then they are a must have.
 

Bootcan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
48
Reaction score
1
The Oxfords and Service boots are on my list.. these Viberg boots look solid.
The saphir is on my list,,i read that neatsfoot oil is recommended for this leather....but i'll hunt down the saphir..must be good stuff if they can make your Bobcats look better..Another 6-8 weeks to go for me.
Post more photos.
 

GaryRanson

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Stomping through Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky to break in my boots this week.

More pics when I return and after I clean and polish.
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 45 40.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 44 39.6%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 5 4.5%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 18 16.2%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 25 22.5%

Forum statistics

Threads
504,455
Messages
10,574,014
Members
223,711
Latest member
Swissy
Top