Custom White's Boots ... Thoughts?

[prasom]

They are probably both Bounty Hunters, similar to smoke jumpers but on 55 last.
One difference I see is, one pair has double row stitching (@iamntbatman) and the other pair has single-row stitching.

feels like two different lasts. the red dog has seems to have a sleek (little bit pointed ) toe than the black. or i am just imagining things?

 

[Lonebull]

so these 2 white's bounty hunters boots are appox 5 yrs old. pretty well broken in, just worn casually for hanging out at parties, bbq's, concerts etc. worn 3-4 times a month?. ..no hiking or walking around in the city. way too heavy for that. here's some new & worn shots...

 

[chicagoan2016]

feels like two different lasts. the red dog has seems to have a sleek (little bit pointed ) toe than the black. or i am just imagining things?

Lack of cap toe and double row stitching is the reason for slightly pointed profile?

 

[Luscombe]

View attachment 1884407 View attachment 1884407


is it my imagination or these two smokejumpers are built on two different lasts?

Looks like close trim vs double stitch or wide trim on sole.

 

[adrs1157]

They are probably both Bounty Hunters, similar to smoke jumpers but on 55 last.
One difference I see is, one pair has double row stitching (@iamntbatman) and the other pair has single-row stitching.

Correct. Also red dog pair is on 5050 last.

 

[iamntbatman]

Correct. Also red dog pair is on 5050 last.

Well there you go. The 5050 last has the narrower, more pointed MP toe shape.

 

[klugtrane]

I think the answer is no, or not yet, but has anyone tried to customize one of the stitchdown boots yet? I'm looking at the Rambler, but would need E width, which isn't listed, and would want hooks, when they currently only show eyes (seems odd). I emailed Baker's but haven't heard back yet. Will be interesting if they end up with a full offering of widths and options.

 

[chicagoan2016]

I think the answer is no, or not yet, but has anyone tried to customize one of the stitchdown boots yet? I'm looking at the Rambler, but would need E width, which isn't listed, and would want hooks, when they currently only show eyes (seems odd). I emailed Baker's but haven't heard back yet. Will be interesting if they end up with a full offering of widths and options.

The Bounty Hunters are $100 off. I would ask if Baker's could install the 'Ramblers' sole'

 

[klugtrane]

The Bounty Hunters are $100 off. I would ask if Baker's could install the 'Ramblers' sole'

Previously they couldn't put a 2021 sole on a 55 last

 

[js0930]

I think the answer is no, or not yet, but has anyone tried to customize one of the stitchdown boots yet? I'm looking at the Rambler, but would need E width, which isn't listed, and would want hooks, when they currently only show eyes (seems odd). I emailed Baker's but haven't heard back yet. Will be interesting if they end up with a full offering of widths and options.

The Rambler isn’t stitchdown and can be fully customized.

 

[klugtrane]

The Rambler isn’t stitchdown and can be fully customized.

I agree that it used to be a handsewn boot, but I'm going off the White's website, where it says stitchdown and the pictures are of a stitchdown boot (also $575 vs. the handsewn's ~$700): https://shop.whitesboots.com/lifestyle-boots/c350-rambler/

Baker's still shows the older listing for a $700 handsewn, but never listed widths beyond D and EE, and haven't responded to a question about what is available.

 

[iamntbatman]

Previously they couldn't put a 2021 sole on a 55 last

The Rambler is literally that, though.

 

[klugtrane]

The Rambler is literally that, though.

That's why I was excited. Something that I'd previously been told was not possible, because the last has too much arch to get the sole to stick, is now available on one model. Not sure whether they sand the half slip flat on the bottom or what to make it work.

 

[js0930]

I agree that it used to be a handsewn boot, but I'm going off the White's website, where it says stitchdown and the pictures are of a stitchdown boot (also $575 vs. the handsewn's ~$700): https://shop.whitesboots.com/lifestyle-boots/c350-rambler/

Baker's still shows the older listing for a $700 handsewn, but never listed widths beyond D and EE, and haven't responded to a question about what is available.

Oh wow. Let me know what you find out as I’d like to get the C350 Rambler but I need mismatched sizes.

 

[ABMTL]

Question about the dreaded squeaky heel - what does Bakers/Whites do to fix this problem? Is it just a resole or is it a complete rebuild?

I'm asking bc I think I was mis-sized on my Bounty Hunters and they have heel squeak. If Whites has to rebuild the boots anyways to get rid of the squeak, then I'm going to ask them to make my boots half a size larger while they're rebuilding.

For what it's worth, I'll share my experience with my current/first/only pair of White's.

I didn't wear them much after receiving them, but then took them with me on a monthlong trip this Dec-Jan.

About two days into the trip, both boots developed a terrible, mortifying squeak. My family (who already had a sort of snarky disregard for my "big, expensive boots") made note of the squeak constantly. And it echoed off all the cobbled streets and alleys everywhere we walked. I started trying to change my gait to minimize it when passing locals. I spent hours imagining how I was going to send them back and ask for a rebuild once I returned to North America.

And then, in the last week of the trip, after miles and miles and miles of squeaking...they just stopped. Now they're silent and supple. I love them.

All to say, I would try to just wear the absolute crap out of them to see if it resolves organically before actually sending them back.