Custom White's Boots ... Thoughts?

fuzzyearlobes · Dec 16, 2012

The wolverine 1000's are not even in the same league as Whites or Viberg's. In fact, all the 1000's I have seen and handled seemed flimsy and cheap. I personally prefer the Viberg heel. I have a lowerd cuban on my White's and I might just have a standard height done next time around. I kinda wish it was more modern to be honest, but whatever, its a small complaint.

meso · Dec 16, 2012

The form factor of 1000 miles is smaller and they always feel too light & diminutive.
White's are far more substantial and heavier, a much better compliment to substantial jeans and workwear.
I even vastly prefer red wing beckmans to wolverine 1000 mile boots.
I've kept a pair of chestnut 9013's around after selling the 1000 miles I've had over the years.

linafelt · Dec 16, 2012

Love to see a full side shot of each of these...

patrick_b said:
IIIrd Icon, Thanks for sharing. I know what you mean now about the Viberg heel. Much more different than I would have thought. For reference, I just asked a friend to take some pictures to compare the Whites & Viberg heel. He recently took ownership of the Viberg Service boot (mocha CXL) and has had the White's Classic Work boot (brown CXL) for a couple of years. I just sent him this link so perhaps he can chime in on any comfort and aesthetic differences. The last thing I need is another pair of work boots but Whites & Viberg are just in a completely different league than my original brown Wolverine 1K's and my RW Beckman/9011. I was all set earlier this year to build a pair of SD's in brown dress & cuban heel when my wife surprised me with a pair of RW Beckman's out of the blue. I was so shocked that she remembered which boot. Maybe she listens to me after all when i'm droning on about apparel & footwear . I figured my boot needs were taken care of but I keep coming back to the SD. It's a curse.

climbinglife · Dec 17, 2012

Hey guys, the above pics are mine via my friend Patrick b. I'll get some pics of the boots up separately. Just a quick note. I only have about 20 hours on my Vibergs and they won't get abused like my White's have (18 months old) but out of the box the White's were more comfortable even with the arch ease break in. I'll have more of an accurate idea on the Viberg's in about 3 months. They are very different wearing boots because of how I spec'd them.

Later,

Vin

climbinglife · Dec 17, 2012

Here are my White's new:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/climbinglife/IMG_3452.jpg

3 Months:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/climbinglife/IMG_3792.jpg

6 Months and a fresh coat of Obenauf's LP:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/climbinglife/IMG_4611.jpg

18 Months and with my brand new Viberg 1950's Service Boot:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/climbinglife/IMG_0659.jpg

Viberg's by themselves:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/climbinglife/IMG_0662.jpg

the shivman · Dec 17, 2012

@climbing are those Bounty Hunters?

fuzzyearlobes · Dec 17, 2012

I thought I recognized those boots from USN

brokeassp · Dec 17, 2012

ha same here

climbinglife · Dec 17, 2012

the shivman said:
@climbing are those Bounty Hunters?

Nope, they are the Classic Work Boots, built on the 461 last.

climbinglife · Dec 17, 2012

fuzzyearlobes said:
I thought I recognized those boots from USN

What's up brotha!

the shivman · Dec 17, 2012

does anyone here have the hathorn rainier oxfords? I have been jonesing hard for these lately.

bubbapest · Dec 17, 2012

Just sent in my foot tracings to Kyle, gonna place my order soon, so juiced.

Most likely gonna get
6 In Smoke Jumper
Semi Dress Last
black cxl everything
antique eyelets and hooks
Natural Single Midsole
Celastic Toe
Pull loop
cuban heel lowered 1/4
vibram 430 sole
cant decide between close trim or not- i've had problem with stitch splitting before. does the close trim make it more likely to happen?

also
benefits of leather liner?

fuzzyearlobes · Dec 17, 2012

i have the red dog rough out oxfords. pics were posted earlier, look at the thread pics for them. I really like them. They took a bit to break in and flex. They are heavy. The build construction is solid, but the attention to detail is not as good as White's. The stitching is not as even as I would prefer. I mean, its not a deal breaker, but for $300, I kind of expected more, even though hawthorn is their lower end model.

Tuma · Dec 18, 2012

the shivman said:
does anyone here have the hathorn rainier oxfords? I have been jonesing hard for these lately.

Those are very nice shoes in my opinion. And I own a pair by myself in the rough out colour you posted. I found these amazing shoes only because of superfuture user Morse9443 posted these stunning pictures. Thanks Morse9443.

These are built well and are very comfortable shoes. Leather is tough and beautiful. As you can see from the pictures it ages very well too. Rainiers have a Vibram sole which is quite slippery on ice so I use these quite seldom. The pair sligthly large for me so I am about to sell these to afford a new pair.

climbinglife · Dec 18, 2012

These are the build sheets for both my White's CWB and my Viberg 1950 Service Boot, if anyone is interested.

Whites:
2011 Classic Work Boot
Size 8D based on tracings
Height - 6 inches
Lace Design - Plain toe
Brown Chrome Excel Leather by Horween - Entire boot
Edge - Natural
Midsole - Single
Sole - Vibram 100 lug sole
Celastic toe box - Single
Pull Tabs - Yes
Lining - No thanks
Hardware - All Antique eyes
Toe Cap - Leather toe cap
Sole Trim - Close trim
Heel Base - Standard/Cuban
Heel Lifts - Standard

Viberg's
1950's Custom Service Boot
Ice Mocha Chrome Excel by Horween - entire boot
Stitching - Brown, entire boot
Height - 6 inches
Tongue - Mocha Oil-Tan
Turned up toe box
Brass Eyes
Laces - Brown/black leather
Edge - Natural
Midsole - Single
Sole - Vibram 430 Mini-Lug
Sole trim - Standard
Toe Cap - Dress/Broges toe cap
Lining - Red Leather
Heel - Standard/Cuban
Heel Lifts - Standard
Size 8D or 7-1/2 UK which is what they go by.

Custom White's Boots ... Thoughts?

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