Custom White's Boots ... Thoughts?

[montanamike]

For White's core logging and, or, fire fighter boots the company might maintain a finished inventory of width sizing. I am not sure. However, for the company's lifestyle/fashion boots for the best selling color (s) I believe White's tries to maintain only an inventory of D width sizes. To improve the company's lifestyle/fashion business it would be helpful if White's maintained a finished inventory of 7-14 in B, C, D, E, EE, EEE widths. Including multiple pairs of the most popular sizes/wdiths (for example 10-11.5 in D and EE) this would result in a model stock finished inventory of approximately 120 pairs of boots.
The Lifestyle/Fashion model stock could be one color of a 55 Last boot (120 pairs) and one color of an MP Last boot (120 pairs) . This model stock program can be used for fit test purposes as well as immediate sales of pairs. Each week model stock inventory is taken and sizes are reordered for replenishment back to model stock levels. For 100 years better grade footwear manufacturers and retailers have maintained this type of model stock inventory of width sizing.

Again, a large part of what you agitate for already exists. Hop on Whites website or walk into the store and you can get a 55 lasted semi dress in common sizes in multiple leathers. I would guess velocity on specific models of lifestyle boots isn't there.

 

[Jimk4003]

For White's core logging and, or, fire fighter boots the company might maintain a finished inventory of width sizing. I am not sure. However, for the company's lifestyle/fashion boots for the best selling color (s) I believe White's tries to maintain only an inventory of D width sizes. To improve the company's lifestyle/fashion business it would be helpful if White's maintained a finished inventory of 7-14 in B, C, D, E, EE, EEE widths. Including multiple pairs of the most popular sizes/wdiths (for example 10-11.5 in D and EE) this would result in a model stock finished inventory of approximately 120 pairs of boots.
The Lifestyle/Fashion model stock could be one color of a 55 Last boot (120 pairs) and one color of an MP Last boot (120 pairs) . This model stock program can be used for fit test purposes as well as immediate sales of pairs. Each week model stock inventory is taken and sizes are reordered for replenishment back to model stock levels. For 100 years better grade footwear manufacturers and retailers have maintained this type of model stock inventory of width sizing.

I think this is now the third time you've posited this suggestion.

If you require ready-to-wear footwear, your best option is to buy from a company that doesn't specialise in made-to-order footwear. For the same reason, you shouldn't buy a suit from a bespoke tailor if you need something off-the-rack. It's simply not the business they're in, and you're not short of options if you need something different.

There's more than one viable business model, and White's Lifestyle/Fashion business is already taking orders quicker than they can fill them.

If MTO footwear isn't for you, absolutely fair enough; you should buy from a company that serves your wants and needs. But White's aren't going to change a successful business model just because you want them to.

 

[DG123]

. Hop on Whites website or walk into the store and you can get a 55 lasted semi dress in common sizes in multiple leathers.

White's current stock program is only D and EE widths.

 

[DG123]

If MTO footwear isn't for you, absolutely fair enough; you should buy from a company that serves your wants and needs. But White's aren't going to change a successful business model just because you want them to.

There is nothing in White's history (or current business) that suggests it is primarily an MTO producer. My guess is that 90% of White's sales revenues have always come from stock configuration models.

 

[montanamike]

White's current stock program is only D and EE widths.

Not in the popular models like Smokejumper... I primarily wear a different makers boots but have in the past walked into the store in Spokane and walked out with a 13E Smokejumper in under 5 minutes. Surely you aren't suggesting maintaining stock of unpopular sizes of unpopular models but that is how I see the argument laying out after looking at their website and adding in my personal experience. This topic is a bit stale so I'm moving on.

 

[Jimk4003]

There is nothing in White's history (or current business) that suggests it is primarily an MTO producer.

"It wasn’t about the boot for Otto White, it was about the foot and man above it. We abide by his way of thinking still to this day. Whether your decisions are based on fitting requirements or style preferences, our custom boot ordering options will ensure that the boot you receive is the best boot for you."

My guess is that 90% of White's sales revenues have always come from stock configuration models.

What are you basing this guess on?

 

[iamntbatman]

Would love to see pics of the boots and Shannon river!

Here are the boots a couple of weeks ago, plus some shots I took along the river.

 

[chicagoan2016]

Here are the boots a couple of weeks ago, plus some shots I took along the river.

I like how these boots are aging! Some "killer" patina and they look to be fully broken in.

 

[Rymanocerous]

Sorry, you did not "get it right". I've never advocated that White's, Bakers, or any other company stock "huge numbers of boots". I suggested that White's (and whichever retailers that want to sell a high volume of White's boots) maintain for popular models an inventory of sizes and widths. This is something which manufacturers and retailers have done for 100 years; what I am suggesting is nothing new.
Foot tracings and, or, discussions with a fitter are at best marginally effective. This thread is filled with consumers who have gone that route and ended up with less than a proper fit. The reality is that for learning the best fit there is no good substitute for trying on a pair of footwear.

Inventory of sizes and widths is the same thing as huge numbers of boots. Especially when you consider this manufacturer has so many available options from a sizing perspective alone. Because you have demonstrated your mental acuity several times, I'm sure you're scoffing and eager to bust out your double quotation marks to re-direct that you said popular. Well, Sir, let me go ahead and stop you and point out that the B width you think you might need is not a popular width. So your potential size option would still be unavailable if White's would stop operating as a terrible company and already acquiesce to your reasonable Ops inventory modification.

Here's an idea for you. If a new customer walks into Alden, an associate will greet them and will start with a fitting on a brannock device so they can start in the general realm of the size of their foot. People don't walk around jamming their grody little feet into each shoe until they have their own Goldilocks moment. You had an opportunity to do something similar, but your burgeoning, old fashion intellect prevented you from taking that step. So now you have a pair of ill-fitted boots that you will eventually sell at a loss or throw in the back of your closet once you accept you never really enjoy wearing them because they feel off. But hey, at least your integrity will be intact.

Styleforum has a wonderful Alden community. You might find your time spent there more rewarding then here.

 

[Rymanocerous]

I like how these boots are aging! Some "killer" patina and they look to be fully broken in.

These look great! Cinnamon WF?

 

[iamntbatman]

These look great! Cinnamon WF?

Nope, these are the dark brown WF. One day I think I will get them rebuilt on the 5050 last for the tighter heel and more arch support, but that can wait until the half sole is really worn down, which will take quite a while I imagine. The idea of starting from scratch with the patina is simultaneously heartbreaking and exciting, hah.

 

[Rymanocerous]

Nope, these are the dark brown WF. One day I think I will get them rebuilt on the 5050 last for the tighter heel and more arch support, but that can wait until the half sole is really worn down, which will take quite a while I imagine. The idea of starting from scratch with the patina is simultaneously heartbreaking and exciting, hah.

Ah ****, quoted the wrong post too lol. 5050 is a great last, would have deal ideal if it didn't come with some extra toebox volume. I haven't taken the plung into WF but I would feel the same way about scuffs. Great looking pair.

 

[Chrikelnel]

I’m spending this week up in the snow and I brought two pairs of White’s, my bounty hunters and my 300s, on a commando half sole and the 430 respectively. I’ve found the commando sole to do considerably better on ice, though the 430 is obviously still better than dainite or leather. I have not tried a 100 sole but assume it would be even better. Not exactly surprising results but I figured it was worth posting because you don’t see many direct comparisons between the two.

 

[chicagoan2016]

I’m spending this week up in the snow and I brought two pairs of White’s, my bounty hunters and my 300s, on a commando half sole and the 430 respectively. I’ve found the commando sole to do considerably better on ice, though the 430 is obviously still better than dainite or leather. I have not tried a 100 sole but assume it would be even better. Not exactly surprising results but I figured it was worth posting because you don’t see many direct comparisons between the two.

I have tried 100 (briefly) on snow and I like it.
I usually go on a walk in the evening but after last night's wind chill, I chickened out today.

 

[PACostag]

Simple question - any soft-toed Dress leather out here? Curious what it looks like