Nicks Handmade Boots Official Affiliate Thread

[Nicks Boots Shuyler]

Thanks for the reply!

Dumb question, but the lack of wax affect water resistance or make it any less weather proof?

Not dumb, but yeah, I imagine it would

 

[Buellrider]

Have you worn Nick's boots before and, or, how did you know which size/width to order ?

No, I haven’t, but I am a pretty standard size. I ordered the fit kit just to confirm and am waiting on it.

Great to have you as a customer! Mike’s right, we definitely have orders for Burgundy, they just haven’t made it to production yet. Hoping to get some made over next few weeks.

Great to be a customer. Looking forward to seeing them.

 

[Vultain]

Not dumb, but yeah, I imagine it would

It can, a lot of people treat Essex like shell. So using Saphir products and getting a shine. If you want it to patina use Renavateur and the shoe cream and maybe a light coat of wax to the heel and toe cap adding a bit of wax that way. This will waterproof it to some extent and you can also use something like Saphir Invulner to avoid water further.

Some instead use venetian shoe cream and go for more of a beat up look and patina it that way. But it is something as Shuyler said requires little care due to how it is stuffed. Just not very water proof.

Most people try to avoid water as much as possible with Essex. It is a bit of a bane to it although it can clean up nicely from it.

I'm not sure what Nick's recommends. I am just going off of information I have read up on Essex prior with. I imagine like anything it depends on your goals for it and how you plan on wearing the boots. Fashion, work, or in-between?

 

[DG123]

No, I haven’t, but I am a pretty standard size. I ordered the fit kit just to confirm and am waiting on it.

I am curious to learn how the fit/kit/home-tracing-measuring translates to actual fit once the boots are produced.
It seems that Nick's, White's, Wesco are all set up to receive a customer's measurements, but I've not read any feedback about the actual fit of the shoes/boots that comes about from the process.

 

[Phanes]

I am curious to learn how the fit/kit/home-tracing-measuring translates to actual fit once the boots are produced.
It seems that Nick's, White's, Wesco are all set up to receive a customer's measurements, but I've not read any feedback about the actual fit of the shoes/boots that comes about from the process.

Well in my case I submitted a fit sheet and it came out different than expected. Not what I used to wear, but hey their lead fitter has enough experience and knows what he is doing. In the end they fit perfectly and I have no issues or break in time. Quite a surprise to me but a pleasant one.

 

[DG123]

Well in my case I submitted a fit sheet and it came out different than expected. Not what I used to wear, but hey their lead fitter has enough experience and knows what he is doing. In the end they fit perfectly and I have no issues or break in time. Quite a surprise to me but a pleasant one.

Specifically, how do you describe "different than expected" ? Is it that your custom-made-from-tracing-measurements are longer (or shorter) in length than what you used to wear ? Or is it that the width is different ? Or is it both length and width?
I ask because my Brannock measurement is a 12C but for all types-model-brands of shoes/boots my best fitting pairs have been most often 13B, sometimes 12.5B.

 

[Phanes]

Specifically, how do you describe "different than expected" ? Is it that your custom-made-from-tracing-measurements are longer (or shorter) in length than what you used to wear ? Or is it that the width is different ? Or is it both length and width?
I ask because my Brannock measurement is a 12C but for all types-model-brands of shoes/boots my best fitting pairs have been most often 13B, sometimes 12.5B.

The issue here is what are you measuring and is a static measure really helpful in a dynamic Situation, like movement. Also we are treating size like there is some international standard but even the inch or cm in the clothing industry is up to interpretation. So coming from othe brands or shoe styles I had different expectations, like being somewhere around redwings sizes but they sized up and wider and it works, so good that I can't really wear the redwings, it is not only the boot that changes in break in but also the foot adapts. So I keep it vague to avoid any general forum talk rule like 'you have to choose this or that if you wear redwings of a certain size' I don't think it works for all and that's why I recommend fitting service.

 

[DG123]

So coming from othe brands or shoe styles I had different expectations, like being somewhere around redwings sizes but they sized up and wider and it works, so good that I can't really wear the redwings, it is not only the boot that changes in break in but also the foot adapts.

Do your custom boots have a significantly higher and , or, stronger arch than your other pairs of footwear ? When I read commentary from people recognizing foot/body support benefits from higher/more pronounced arches within the boot, I am curious if this somehow makes obsolete the more moderate arch support shoes/boots they own.

 

[Phanes]

Do your custom boots have a significantly higher and , or, stronger arch than your other pairs of footwear ? When I read commentary from people recognizing foot/body support benefits from higher/more pronounced arches within the boot, I am curious if this somehow makes obsolete the more moderate arch support shoes/boots they own.

Not completely obsolete, it depends on. In nicks boots the mid arch and high arch are pretty close. The hwn looks similar to iron ranger arch. For example someone with a little hunching posture would have to compensate a couple of cm of heel with straightening the back to compensate, someone with a hollow back would have difficulties with that.

 

[Nicks Boots Shuyler]

@Buellrider Here is a pic of the predator orange with a honey vibram sole.

 

[Buellrider]

@Buellrider Here is a pic of the predator orange with a honey vibram sole. View attachment 1605031

Thanks @Nicks Boots Shuyler it looks great.

 

[Niels Vanhee]

Hi,

Pretty new here.
Ive got a question for Nick's handmade boots, or european customers of Nicks.

Could you elaborate how the shipping process works?
Ive never ordered boots from the US. I'm in Belgium.

I assume customs at the border will ask me to pay taxes/ duties, etc? Can anyone explain how this exactly works?

Second question is a sizing question. I'm debating about the Robert in 55 last or the Falcon in HNW last.
I wear a size 10 in most sneakers (they're roomy, I assume I'm actually a 9,5 but those arent available.)
I also wear a size 8,5 in Red Wing Blacksmiths. These fit perfect.

What size would you recommend me?

Thanks in advance
Niels

 

[Nicks Boots Shuyler]

Hi,

Pretty new here.
Ive got a question for Nick's handmade boots, or european customers of Nicks.

Could you elaborate how the shipping process works?
Ive never ordered boots from the US. I'm in Belgium.

I assume customs at the border will ask me to pay taxes/ duties, etc? Can anyone explain how this exactly works?

Second question is a sizing question. I'm debating about the Robert in 55 last or the Falcon in HNW last.
I wear a size 10 in most sneakers (they're roomy, I assume I'm actually a 9,5 but those arent available.)
I also wear a size 8,5 in Red Wing Blacksmiths. These fit perfect.

What size would you recommend me?

Thanks in advance
Niels

Hi Niels,
My understanding is that they will collect duty from you when they deliver the package.

Since you have a reference point with the Red Wings, I would probably go with that sizing. We tend to be comparable, but we could do a fit sheet if you want some extra piece of mind.

 

[Niels Vanhee]

Thank you for the quick reply.
I think a fit sheet would indeed give me some extra piece of mind, especially with returns being impossible.

 

[Phanes]

My understanding is that they will collect duty from you when they deliver the package.

Can confirm, it could also happen that you have to pick it up at a local custom centre, which is a bit faster.