Wesco Boots!

I really like both of these, but maybe with a half slip or a raised heel. I need arch support, and the higher heel and strong shank of western boots works for me. Hence the interest in adding both.

Does anyone have (or know a person who has) experience with adding a half slip to Wesco boots?

Of course I'd call Wesco before ordering to talk details, and ordering is a long, long ways away.

Seems like it's time to start setting aside money in a Wesco fund. Well, actually, either a Wesco or Custom Western Boots fund.

This is a "Do as I say, not as I do post:"

I have this problem whereby I buy too many pairs of boots and shoes. It is made worse by my desire to try different brands.

Especially over the Internet, it is nearly impossible to know what is the ideal size to get in a pair of footwear. Then, even if one has found the ideal size, it is hard to know whether that pair will turn out to be super comfortable or completely not comfortable until they are well broken-in--unless you are somebody who finds everything that is about the right size feels comfortable for you.

Since you have White's, sticking with Whites, rather than switching to Wesco, would be, by far, the safest was to ensure you didn't end up with something uncomfortable. I swear I don't get any rewards for endorsing Kyle at BakerShoe.com, but he is a good guy and sells White's, Nick's, and Wescos. He would be in a good position to tell you about the relative benefits of the different brands and help with sizing between them. Also, his prices are lower than going directly.

I thin the one good reason to try Wesco, if you are happy with White's, would be because Wesco is famous for their Engineer and other pull-on boots, so they might do a better job of them than White's--I don't know.

One of the Wesco lace-up models, the Highliner, comes with a half-slip in the stock boot, so you might be able to try one on before committing to it. There really is no substitute for trying on boot before buying them.

Anyway, I say all this, but I am full of ****...I ordered Wesco lace-up, despite being happy with my White's, Nick's, and Viberg's. I tried on some stock Wesco Bosses and liked them, but they didn't have exactly my right size, and I don't ride a motorcycle...so ordered the lace-ups. I know I was just looking for trouble.

Interesting you mention BakerShoe. I was thinking about the possibility of "try on" boots from them if I go with Wesco.

I'm leaning more toward a pull-on boot, since I have so many sizing issues.

I went with custom sizing on my White's since I was lucky enough to have a dealer close to where I live.

Thankfully these decisions are a long ways off.

PaintSplattered said:

I'm leaning more toward a pull-on boot, since I have so many sizing issues.

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I might be wrong, but I thought sizing was more difficult with pull on boots because you lose the customizability that comes with tying laces tighter or looser--especially with lace-to-toe boots. I am curious if your experience is different.

I might someday get some pull-on boots, but they aren't super common around Philadelphia, except for motorcyclists with engineer boots. There aren't a lot of cowboys here, either. Nonetheless, for no good reason, I find the Wesco Morrison boot appealing...

It has definitely been easier for me to find a well fitting pull on boot than a lace up boot or shoe. I now have one pair of lace up boots and zero shoes. To get that one pair took a customized last.

In a relatively short amount of time I found two well fitting pull on boots. One for dress occasions and another to rotate with my daily all purpose boot.

As you can probably tell by now, my feet are hard to fit. I'm just thankful I have comfortable feet, because my whole body feels better now.

By the way, my feet aren't all that odd either. Half size difference, narrow heel, and flexible arches. Judging by how close the laces come together on my right boot, I think that foot is pretty low volume too. Maybe that sounds pretty odd haha! Surprisingly easy to deal with when fitting cowboy boots, though.

I might as well post some pictures of my latest purchase from Wesco. These are the Foot Patrol model, purchased through The Bootery (AKA Iron Heart). The Foot Patrol is a modified Packer, with no heel counter, full lining, 1" heel, MP toe, & 2 rows of quarter seam stitching (rather than 4 rows). I was a Wesco convert well before buying these, so I shall just say these exceed all expectations, and the construction quality is superb.

Burgundy Packers & IH-633N

Both pairs look awesome and capable of handling some serious wear.

^. Agreed. First time I had seen the Foot patrol model. Looks good!

I've been searching for about a year for a way to recreate this shoe (a never-released prototype from a now-defunct company):


My prime contender would be a Rancourt Blake Wingtip with no broguing, amber ungaro calf (or maybe Essex?), and an unfinished sole edge for $468 after 10% mailing list discount. I could get almost the exact makeup I want, or as close to it as I can imagine. Aesthetically, this would be spot on to what I want, but I know some folks would think it's ridiculous crazy to pay that much for a blake/rapid shoe with a fiberboard insole.

The other option I've been considering is a Wesco Robert William, in burgundy domain leather, for $513, including the $99 custom fitting based on my foot tracings, which I could reuse for possible future Wesco boots. Construction and fit wise, this would probably be the clear winner at the price point, but aesthetically it's not really my ideal makeup, and I don't think it would be as versatile in my casual-business casual wardrobe as the Rancourts would.

What do y'all think?



Scarlet said:

I've been searching for about a year for a way to recreate this shoe (a never-released prototype from a now-defunct company):

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

My prime contender would be a Rancourt Blake Wingtip with no broguing, amber ungaro calf (or maybe Essex?), and an unfinished sole edge for $468 after 10% mailing list discount. I could get almost the exact makeup I want, or as close to it as I can imagine. Aesthetically, this would be spot on to what I want, but I know some folks would think it's ridiculous crazy to pay that much for a blake/rapid shoe with a fiberboard insole. The other option I've been considering is a Wesco Robert William, in burgundy domain leather, for $513, including the $99 custom fitting based on my foot tracings, which I could reuse for possible future Wesco boots. Construction and fit wise, this would probably be the clear winner at the price point, but aesthetically it's not really my ideal makeup, and I don't think it would be as versatile in my casual-business casual wardrobe as the Rancourts would. What do y'all think?

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I am still waiting on my first pair of Wesco boots. They aren't late or anything, but they aren't due until May. I have seen some of their boots at a dealer and they look nice, but I'm not sure they're the right folks for shoes like this...they would come off rather clunky, I would imagine. I have not seen this particular model of Rancourt, but I have been very impressed by the Rancourt shoes I've seen...they look really good to me...however, I have heard the same things about the fiberboard. Regarding blake-rapid...experts will tell you it is superior to Goodyear Welted, in terms of durability, etc. It doesn't rely on the cloth "gemming" glued to the underside of the insole to hold it all together...

Whirling said:

I am still waiting on my first pair of Wesco boots. They aren't late or anything, but they aren't due until May. I have seen some of their boots at a dealer and they look nice, but I'm not sure they're the right folks for shoes like this...they would come off rather clunky, I would imagine.

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@Whirling What did you order??

A couple pictures of my Packers.

Burgundy Jobmasters




Burgundy Packers

I've noticed the Wesco Packer model has the same "shelf" by the arch that White's has, and while some people have claimed this looks odd I've found it to be very supportive when standing on a ladder for any period of time.

I don't own any Wesco boots (yet) but the virtual boot builder on their site is a lot of fun.