Custom White's Boots ... Thoughts?

[Jimk4003]

I think it was spelling of the word 'favour'! But what part of UK?

Scotland (I live in Edinburgh). The land of whisky, golf, persistent rain, teen pregnancy, and Tunnocks Caramel Wafers. I'm only really a fan of two of those things, and one of them isn't golf.

I'm not actually Scottish, even though I've lived here for nearly 20 years. My mother's Scottish, but my father's English, and I went to school and university in England, and so I have an English accent which doesn't always work in my favour (there's always a strong rivalry between England and Scotland). It's a beautiful country though, and if you've never been, it's well worth a visit at some point.

 

[chicagoan2016]

Scotland (I live in Edinburgh). The land of whisky, golf, persistent rain, teen pregnancy, and Tunnocks Caramel Wafers. I'm only really a fan of two of those things, and one of them isn't golf.

I'm not actually Scottish, even though I've lived here for nearly 20 years. My mother's Scottish, but my father's English, and I went to school and university in England, and so I have an English accent which doesn't always work in my favour (there's always a strong rivalry between England and Scotland). It's a beautiful country though, and if you've never been, it's well worth a visit at some point.

I need to visit Scotland; only been to London and Birmingham.
There is another giveaway "went to University" : ) Its more common to hear 'went to college' in the US.

 

[Jimk4003]

I need to visit Scotland; only been to London and Birmingham.
There is another giveaway "went to University" : ) Its more common to hear 'went to college' in the US.

Aha, well spotted.

We do have colleges in the UK too, but it means something slightly different here. UK colleges tend to offer qualifications like diplomas, foundational degrees, and vocational training. Hence the slightly different terminology.

 

[Scooterputtputt]

I walk on hard surfaces even my evening walks are on paved surfaces.

Exact opposite here. Once I leave the house 99% bare earth. perhaps why walking on hard surfaces would hurt my knees too.

 

[Scooterputtputt]

I wouldn't say the surfaces you're walking on should be a major focus, because changes to posture and gait tend to be cumulative.

I used to have real issues with my back; back spasms that would leave me hunched in the fetal position on the floor in the corner of a room because it was the only position that wasn't agonising. I literally couldn't lie down, or stand up, or sit. After one particularly bad night of it, my girlfriend insisted I went to see a specialist.

The first thing the specialist did when I went to see them was ask to borrow my phone, which they then used to take a photo of me sitting up from behind. He then proceeded to show me how I was slouching, my shoulders weren't level, and my head was slightly off to one side. I'd never even noticed any of it before.

He then asked me to get my wallet out, and as I reached into my back pocket he chastised me; "so, you sit on your wallet? You wouldn't wear a pair of shoes where one was an inch higher than the other, yet that's what you're doing to your back every time you sit on your wallet".

We then went through all the potential causes of the back spasms I was suffering from. Some of them I could do nothing about; I drive a lot for work, and I have a couple of fused vertebrae up near my shoulders that have apparently been like that since birth.

But there was a lot of stuff I could do; staying hydrated reduces spasms, carrying things properly helps, as does working consciously to improve posture, not sitting on your wallet, etc. It was around this time I started taking what I wore on my feet day-to-day more seriously too.

My point is, a lot of the time our bodies just naturally adjust to the strains we put on them without us even being conscious of it, and most of the time it's not a problem. But when something does go wrong, there will usually be a causal chain behind it, and it's often the result of a whole bunch of seemingly minor things that your body was coping fine with, right up until the point it wasn't. And chances are, you never even noticed any issues until they manifested themselves in some way.

Like I said, I once struggled on with a pair of mis-lasted boots I didn't even notice were mis-lasted. It took someone else to point it out to me, and that explained a lot of the hip pain I'd been having. I then sent a picture of the boots to the manufacturer (it was White's, unfortunately), and they immediately offered to replace them.

So it does happen, and you don't have to necessarily be consciously aware of the stresses you're putting on your body for them to cause issues over time. Whether hard or soft surfaces make a difference? I think it's more cumulative than the surface you're walking on at a given time.

Similar path I’ve traveled. hope you got it dialed in. Helps me now to not walk on concrete and keep the extra 10/15# off. Neck fusion surgery took care of my back issues. Life changer

 

[wordfool]

I feel bad for flooding this thread but while sitting in the office I noticed that uppers on my left boot are not aligned. I have been wearing these for over a month and this is the first time I paid attention
View attachment 1593920

Oof, that sucks. The eyelets on the other boot also look slightly out of alignment. It's something that might not affect the fit but might affect your satisfaction, so you'll need to decide if you can live with it. If not, I'm sure Baker's can make it right (especially if you do notice the fit is affected).

Sadly I've learned that it's not until one experiences such snafus that one learns to run through a checklist after receiving a new pair of boots -- welt stitching, upper stitching, lasting symmetry, eyelet placement, heel height, toecap symmetry etc. I've also learned that letting the (Legal) eagle eyed folks on this thread give your new boots a once over from all angles is a good idea to help spot problems. Since White's won't apparently do any QC checks I guess it's up to us to do them for everyone!

 

[hoppy_IPA]

I feel bad for flooding this thread but while sitting in the office I noticed that uppers on my left boot are not aligned.

yeah.. that is ridiculous. at what point do you throw your hands up and ask for a refund?

 

[Vamp-ire]

Hey all! My 9C boots arrived today, they were in better condition than I thought! Came dirty and with no box however. $171 total.

I've never owned a pair of Whites before so help me with the fit. My feet don't feel uncomfortable however they do feel snug in a 9C, thinking a 9D would probably be better but I doubt I'd be able to find a like new 9D for $171 or an even trade.

My main concern is the shaft of the boot, does it look like it is too small for my leg? The length is certainly 100% correct. The vamp is definitely stretched out to the walls of my feet but my toes are enough room to move.

I am also unsure how stretch works with these boots. I'd imagine they don't stretch much?

 

[Woodtroll]

Hey all! My 9C boots arrived today, they were in better condition than I thought! Came dirty and with no box however. $171 total.

I've never owned a pair of Whites before so help me with the fit. My feet don't feel uncomfortable however they do feel snug in a 9C, thinking a 9D would probably be better but I doubt I'd be able to find a like new 9D for $171 or an even trade.

My main concern is the shaft of the boot, does it look like it is too small for my leg? The length is certainly 100% correct. The vamp is definitely stretched out to the walls of my feet but my toes are enough room to move.

I am also unsure how stretch works with these boots. I'd imagine they don't stretch much?

The shaft fit looks fine to me, and it looks like the gap will also close a little more once the tongue breaks in and flattens down. I have big calves, so that gap under the laces gets progressively wider the further up the boot it goes, sometimes to the point I have almost no lace left to tie a bow at the top (with a standard 72" lace). If they feel good on your feet, I really think they'll be fine.

The vamps may stretch a little as they break in to your foot, but not a lot. They may stretch a little more if you wet them well and wear them until dry, but don't do that right off the bat unless you have to. Break them in dry first, and then see if you need to wet them to get them to fit, well, like a glove. .

Good looking boots, at a great price! Nice catch.

 

[chicagoan2016]

Oof, that sucks. The eyelets on the other boot also look slightly out of alignment. It's something that might not affect the fit but might affect your satisfaction, so you'll need to decide if you can live with it. If not, I'm sure Baker's can make it right (especially if you do notice the fit is affected).

I talked to Baker's (before I read your post) and they said they would fix the issue. I am not sure if the right boots needs to repaired, what do you recommend? Baker's were very kind to let me wear these boots until I get my British tan pair back, that way I will have footwear with arch support.

Sadly I've learned that it's not until one experiences such snafus that one learns to run through a checklist after receiving a new pair of boots -- welt stitching, upper stitching, lasting symmetry, eyelet placement, heel height, toecap symmetry etc. I've also learned that letting the (Legal) eagle eyed folks on this thread give your new boots a once over from all angles is a good idea to help spot problems. Since White's won't apparently do any QC checks I guess it's up to us to do them for everyone!

With your permissions I am going to use your checklist to develop a simple software for QC. I will talk to Baker's and if they want, I will provide them a copy (free, of course).

 

[chicagoan2016]

Hey all! My 9C boots arrived today, they were in better condition than I thought! Came dirty and with no box however. $171 total.

I've never owned a pair of Whites before so help me with the fit. My feet don't feel uncomfortable however they do feel snug in a 9C, thinking a 9D would probably be better but I doubt I'd be able to find a like new 9D for $171 or an even trade.

My main concern is the shaft of the boot, does it look like it is too small for my leg? The length is certainly 100% correct. The vamp is definitely stretched out to the walls of my feet but my toes are enough room to move.

I am also unsure how stretch works with these boots. I'd imagine they don't stretch much?

What kind of leather is that? I really like it.

 

[chicagoan2016]

yeah.. that is ridiculous. at what point do you throw your hands up and ask for a refund?

White's and Baker's hire Americans so I am going to stick around : ) (nothing against any other country, I just prioritize my country, I am sure folks from other countries do the same).
@Rymanocerous and @Jimk4003 have confirmed that I am not wrong in assuming that arch support is helping my back (not to mention all muscles in my legs). Other than White's we have Nick's and Wesco. I know Nick's arch support is similar to White's
Not sure about Wesco??
I might order Nick's Urban Loggers in the future.

 

[Vamp-ire]

The shaft fit looks fine to me, and it looks like the gap will also close a little more once the tongue breaks in and flattens down. I have big calves, so that gap under the laces gets progressively wider the further up the boot it goes, sometimes to the point I have almost no lace left to tie a bow at the top (with a standard 72" lace). If they feel good on your feet, I really think they'll be fine.

The vamps may stretch a little as they break in to your foot, but not a lot. They may stretch a little more if you wet them well and wear them until dry, but don't do that right off the bat unless you have to. Break them in dry first, and then see if you need to wet them to get them to fit, well, like a glove. .

Good looking boots, at a great price! Nice catch.

I tried them on with a few sock thickness, my thickest sock was a Darn Tough Hiking sock and it's way too big for them. My 2nd level sock made it snug but after I took the boot off it was alittle sore but not painful with some pressure from the bottom on the feet., with the dress sock the boots fit perfect.

Do you think they'll break in? I got these preowned but not worn often as they didn't fit the first guy who bought them, then they were too big for the woman who sold them to me. I'd say the shaft condition looks like they were barely broken in at all, no imprint on the insole. I don't know if they have any give left.

I just did a quick google search and it seems Whites aren't common on Ebay and the Buffalo company qnd Hathornes are non-resoleable/non sitchdown. If I decide these are too tight, think I could get $300 for them in like new condition if I find a box and bags?

Will probably reach out to Bakers to get fit confirmed. Definitely leaning on 9D or 9E

 

[Vamp-ire]

What kind of leather is that? I really like it.

I think it's the stock leather I see on the baker's listing, it's a soft toe, feels sturdy but tough. I'm actually curious about the leather myself.

 

[Woodtroll]

I tried them on with a few sock thickness, my thickest sock was a Darn Tough Hiking sock and it's way too big for them. My 2nd level sock made it snug but after I took the boot off it was alittle sore but not painful with some pressure from the bottom on the feet., with the dress sock the boots fit perfect.

Do you think they'll break in? I got these preowned but not worn often as they didn't fit the first guy who bought them, then they were too big for the woman who sold them to me. I'd say the shaft condition looks like they were barely broken in at all, no imprint on the insole. I don't know if they have any give left.

I just did a quick google search and it seems Whites aren't common on Ebay and the Buffalo company qnd Hathornes are non-resoleable/non sitchdown. If I decide these are too tight, think I could get $300 for them in like new condition if I find a box and bags?

Will probably reach out to Bakers to get fit confirmed. Definitely leaning on 9D or 9E

They don't look like they're broken in at all, just judging by the lack of creasing and assuming that they are the standard oiltan leather. They need to be a little bit snug before breaking in so that they fit correctly after they do break in. "How tight is too tight?" before break-in is subjective and tough to communicate. I'd say if a mid-weight sock is just a little snug right now, again assuming that the boots have had very little wear time, you're not too far off. However, if you do decide to go a width up and it turns out it's a little too big, then of course you can always wear a thicker sock.

As far as what you might get if you resell, I have no idea. They should certainly be worth $300 to a person looking to buy a new pair that costs in the ballpark of $550, but then you have to find that right person.

Good luck!