Custom White's Boots ... Thoughts?

[Victor Shadow]

I wanted to start a thread that brought together people who love White's Boots. I bought a pair recently, and they are absolutely beautiful and very vintage looking, like from the 1930s. They are called the Otto White Vintage Boot. Please post photos of your own boots. I want to see what other people have done with their White's.

 

[pebblegrain]

go to streetwear

 

[countcount]

Originally Posted by Victor Shadow

Please post photos of your own boots. I want to see what other people have done with their White's.

I have been interested in seeing some more White's as well. How about some pics of yours?

 

[Whacky]

So I finally decided to take the dive on a decent pair of boots. After doing a lot of research, I finally decided on a pair of White's.
I wanted a boot that was durable, long lasting, yet still retained some classic styling.

I ended up picking some custom White's Semi Dress.
I had no idea what size to pick, so I traced my foot and sent it directly to White's.
Went with:
-Semi Dress Brown Leather
-Single leather sole
-90 degree block heel, 1/4" lowered
-standard last
-antique eyes and hooks
-black leather lining

I just put the order in. I will give full details and pics when they arrive in 4 weeks.

However, in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone out there has also ordered custom White's in the past, and why they made their decisions, what they thought about them after they received them.
How they fit with the custom tracing, features, etc.

Pics would be awesome as well.

Thanks

 

[Stazy]

...

 

[Whacky]

Holy cow. Thats an impressive screw up. Thats the first I have heard of something like that happening with White's.

So they wouldn't do anything about this? Even with the wrong color lining? That seems like a pretty cut and dry error on their end.

 

[Stazy]

Originally Posted by Whacky

Holy cow. Thats an impressive screw up. Thats the first I have heard of something like that happening with White's.

So they wouldn't do anything about this? Even with the wrong color lining? That seems like a pretty cut and dry error on their end.

Yah I was just kidding. I've never ordered anything from them. lol

 

[bl@ster]

Whacky: Did you order through Baker's? I've been thinking about doing this but I'm a little scared about the number of options (it's hard to visualize everything) and sizing. Any idea how White's sizing compares to Red Wing, Clarks, Chippewa, Alden, Wolverine, etc?

 

[anothergreenworld]

I've still got my Hathorn customs that White's put together a year and a half ago - the experience was great... I sent White's a printout of the boot I wanted and they called me up as soon as they got my tracings and we sorted out the details.

 

[slide13]

I currently have 4 pair of White's and there was a 5th pair I sold that were a little on the big side for me. 2 pair were custom ordered direct through White's, one pair custom ordered through Baker's and 2 pair I scored direct from White's off of Ebay. I absolutely love White's boots and their service is excellent. Every pair I ordered came in on time or earlier then expected and their boots never dissapoint. Here are my current White's:

L-R: Brown dress leather cap-toes w/ double leather sole Brown chromexcel swing lasted w single leather sole Roughout Farmer/Ranchers w/ mini-lug sole Roughout Smokejumpers (my winter boots, dubbed with couple coats of Obenauf's....looked just like the F/R to start with)

 

[Shorty Long]

Jesus Christ I want a pair of White's Semis

Originally Posted by slide13

I currently have 4 pair of White's and there was a 5th pair I sold that were a little on the big side for me. 2 pair were custom ordered direct through White's, one pair custom ordered through Baker's and 2 pair I scored direct from White's off of Ebay. I absolutely love White's boots and their service is excellent. Every pair I ordered came in on time or earlier then expected and their boots never dissapoint.

Here are my current White's:

L-R:
Brown dress leather cap-toes w/ double leather sole
Brown chromexcel swing lasted w single leather sole
Roughout Farmer/Ranchers w/ mini-lug sole
Roughout Smokejumpers (my winter boots, dubbed with couple coats of Obenauf's....looked just like the F/R to start with)

 

[Whacky]

Hey Slide, those Roughout Farmer/Ranchers look fantastic. I almost went with that model, but I decided my first pair should be the Semi-Dress. Just too classic to pass up.

Any impressions considering you've done both the custom process, and non-custom Ebay. Was there any difference in fit between the two?
I'm curious because I heard people speculating that all Whites does with your custom measurement and foot tracing is match your foot to one of their standard sizes??

Also, you have a pair with the standard and the modified last, any differences in comfort between the two?


As far as using Bakers, I thought about it, but decided just to go directly through White's.
Aside from the Baker's website that shows you pictures of the custom options, and lets you fiddle with options, I didn't see much use going through another party. I didn't save any money, and the people at White's were very nice. So I just sent my tracings directly to them.

 

[slide13]

I'm pretty sure that White's will almost always just match you up to an existing size from tracings. If your foot requires something special then I believe they can do a custom last but it's going to cost extra. I don't think most people really need that though. Ebay boots are same quality/lasts as the custom order stuff if they are the same size. There are some great deals to be had on Ebay, I picked up both the Farmer/Ranchers and the Smokejumpers for $150 each. They both have soft, unreinforced toes which bummed me out at first, but it's actually really comfortable. For $150 they were both absolute steals!

My SD on the Swing last definitely fit different...much wider toe box and feel just a tick longer as well. I like the look of the regular SD last the best myself, but the Swing last is comfy and a nice option for people who need it. I'm sort of borderline and can go either way.

 

[milosz]

I got the same size White's as I get in other workboots (Thorogood, Red Wing, etc.) - 13EE. I wear a 14 in sneakers, would probably wear a 14 in desert boots. Worked out just right for me.

I've got dress black, captoe, double-leather natural midsole+Vibram 700. They look great and they're amazingly comfortable. They are very heavy, though - 6 pounds for the pair - but I am wearing a 13EE.

Next pair are going to be Chromexcel Brown, single leather midsole and Vibram 705 (which wasn't available via Baker when I bought mine) - I'm thinking I might save a few ounces here and there this time.

 

[slide13]

Sounds nice, would love to see pics of those black cap toes if you have them.