Japanese Boot / Shoe Appreciation Thread (White Cloud, Rolling Dub Trio, John Lofgren, Clinch, etc.

[Mghart]

Recently I went to the Real Mccoys store and they had shinki cordovan engineers for 2.2k. They looked sick! 11 was the biggest size, I wanted to try it but I have a rule to not try if I don't have any intention to. I wouldn't want it to fit and then all of sudden "NEED" to buy em.

I was eyeing these boots hard the last time I was in the Tokyo shop. The shinki leather on those is amazing. I'm the same way though, I won't try on if I don't have the intention of buying even though I'm cool with one of the guys in the shop heh.

Really hoping travel is open towards the end of the year so I can get back out there. I'm on the sizing cusp for brands like Moto and wheelrobe which I'd like to try and see in person.

 

[peachfuzzmcgee]

My job isn't allowing travel to prefectures right now so I can't go to the stores that stock moto unless I'm missing one in Kyoto I don't know. I wanted to check out their stuff but none of it will fit me I'm pretty sure anyway. Being a big foot boy in Japan is pretty much like blue balls. Most companies won't let you ask for custom orders unless they are like 1.5k plus which is luxury left. I can only push a purchase like that once a year and the Role Clubs are that purchase for me.

 

[Mulan]

Nice, my Role Clubs engineers are my favorite boots, waiting to see what Brian is planning for his 10th anniversary boots.

The width on the CN wide is similar to a 2030 Viberg or Barrie last for my feet. YMMV but they are fine for toe room

He mentioned on a podcast a while back they were going to do a pair of boots with characteristics that sound quite similar to shinki's quick fading black with brown undertones.

 

[peachfuzzmcgee]

Well that’s lucky for me because I basically already have that coming in. Although I just remembered one thing, I did order a D pocket on mine that I totally forgot about haha

 

[Jpto]

If anyone's interested, I'm selling my Clinch Engineers, less than 5 hours of wear indoors - $1,650 USD shipped to the US or CA. I'll take this down if people don't want to see a FS post in here.

The first batch of pics when new, scroll down for the latest Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Price drop to move these - $1250 USD Shipped to the US or CA

 

[DavidCreightonB]

Price drop to move these - $1250 USD Shipped to the US or CA

Great price, wish I didn't already have a pair. Just for reference, I'm a 8.5 in the 2030 and your 10H wide is a good fit for me (9.5 Brannock C/D width). But I've got flat feet so their arch works for my feet. Good luck on the sale.

 

[Jpto]

Great price, wish I didn't already have a pair. Just for reference, I'm a 8.5 in the 2030 and your 10H wide is a good fit for me (9.5 Brannock C/D width). But I've got flat feet so their arch works for my feet. Good luck on the sale.

Thanks - I just sold them on another board

 

[Fear and Loathing]

I’d wager this question has been asked before, but... Why don’t John Lofgren boots feature stitchdown/hand-welted construction?

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Lofgren Donkey Punchers. But it is my understanding that while there isn’t a massive difference, if you’re really going for the best-of-the-best construction, then Goodyear welting is inferior to stitchdown/hand-welting in every way... except ease of construction and a slight weight savings.

I know that either method of construction is only as good as the craftsperson’s skill and attention to detail, so perhaps the argument could be made that a Lofgren Goodyear welt is superior to a lesser brand’s hand-welt... But then couldn’t the argument also be made that a Lofgren hand-welt would be superior to a Lofgren Goodyear welt?

 

[lemmywinks]

lofgren is a white dude that travelled to asia nuthead lmao he isn't anything beyond that

 

[Drextech]

lofgren is a white dude that travelled to asia nuthead lmao he isn't anything beyond that

That not only sounds racist, it is. If you don’t like his boots, then don’t buy them

 

[Jpto]

I’d wager this question has been asked before, but... Why don’t John Lofgren boots feature stitchdown/hand-welted construction?

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Lofgren Donkey Punchers. But it is my understanding that while there isn’t a massive difference, if you’re really going for the best-of-the-best construction, then Goodyear welting is inferior to stitchdown/hand-welting in every way... except ease of construction and a slight weight savings.

I know that either method of construction is only as good as the craftsperson’s skill and attention to detail, so perhaps the argument could be made that a Lofgren Goodyear welt is superior to a lesser brand’s hand-welt... But then couldn’t the argument also be made that a Lofgren hand-welt would be superior to a Lofgren Goodyear welt?

Handwelting is a time consuming and skilled process. Most handwelted shoes are either very expensive or made in a low cost of living area. Stitchdown like Wesco/Viberg is also more time consuming and requires more skill than GYW although not nearly as much as handwelting.

Lofgren is more of a brand/marketer vs a boot maker. All of his production is outsourced, factories that outsource only do simple construction methods. I suspect that if he went with a more robust way of making his boots his costs would be too high/low volume for the type of business model that he has set up.

 

[moondog-sparky]

Looking for sizing advice on these Japanese sneakers:

Moonstar = Gym Court
Shoes Like Pottery = Hi Top

my sizes are:
Alden Barrie last = 7D
Nike = 7
Adidas = 7 or 7.5
Brannock = 7.5

any guidance on best size would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Terminator]

I’m a 28 in Moonstar and 9.5D in Barrie, 10 or 10.5 in Nike and probably a 10 on the Brannock. SLP are made by Moonstar

 

[DavidCreightonB]

I’d wager this question has been asked before, but... Why don’t John Lofgren boots feature stitchdown/hand-welted construction?

Hand welting is not in the price point for the market he sells to. JL is not an all in-house manufacturer, so outsourcing this can be expensive for consistent quality if you're not in control of it. I have a pair of his boots, I like fit and construction. However, I never really considered him a Japanese manufacturer in the sense that he tries to keep all work and material selection in-country. I have a tendency to work with the smaller shops in Japan that keep the majority of the construction in Japan. Hand welting is nice, but it's a PIA to do and I like a consistent, well controlled machine stitch. Just an IMO response.

DaveB

 

[smartbrother]

lofgren is a white dude that travelled to asia nuthead lmao he isn't anything beyond that