RANCOURT & Co. Shoes - Made in Maine

[sao]

could someone tell me if the Baxter Ranger-moc's are suitable for wet weather? I'm looking to wear them during winter, do they keep dry in puddles/slush?

 

[Erikdayo]

I ordered a pair of dark brown pinch pennies (Eastport), which will be my final Rancourt purchase for many years, though some pairs will be sent in for resoling. They should come in shortly after the holidays.

I discovered the brand four years ago and put together a list of their shoes I wanted and this is the final pair on that list. I've been supremely pleased with every pair I've ordered. They're one of my favorite brands out there.

As I'm sure you know, you won't be disappointed. The brown Eastport is an awesome makeup. I love the bulldog leather.

 

[SmoothLefty]

As I'm sure you know, you won't be disappointed. The brown Eastport is an awesome makeup. I love the bulldog leather.

Your pics earlier in this thread helped sell me, not that I needed much nudging. I've worn AE Cavanughs for years but they just aren't comfortable enough, even after a cobbler stretched them.

I guess that is the only thing that might bring me back in is if they start offering oxblood colors similar to AE. For whatever reason I like oxblood quite a bit more than Color 8.

 

[Luscombe]

I ordered a pair of dark brown pinch pennies (Eastport), which will be my final Rancourt purchase for many years, though some pairs will be sent in for resoling. They should come in shortly after the holidays.

I discovered the brand four years ago and put together a list of their shoes I wanted and this is the final pair on that list. I've been supremely pleased with every pair I've ordered. They're one of my favorite brands out there.

I like the way you think!
Care to share your selection and criteria?

 

[BAK]

could someone tell me if the Baxter Ranger-moc's are suitable for wet weather? I'm looking to wear them during winter, do they keep dry in puddles/slush?

It's not a wet weather shoe. Although I wouldn't hesitate to wear it in wet weather - the shoe won't suffer any damage from light to moderate rain, snow, etc, but it's not going to keep your feet dry if they get seriously wet in puddles and slush. The water will find its way inside if enough of it gets splashed above the midsole, and can also find its way through the handsewn seam if submerged.

 

[Erikdayo]

2 of my 3 new pairs arrived today. Not sure where the Clymer 2.0 is since I ordered it well before the boots, but I’m sure it’ll be nice when it arrives.

both pairs are exactly what I wanted. The Byron boot proportions I wouldn’t call my favorite, but the flint kudu suede makes up for it. Can’t wait for the Essex leather to see some sun.

there’s some less than ideal welt stitching on the boots, but I love both pairs. The stock laces are a little short when I’m wearing cushioned socks. They’re probably fine with thin socks, but I found a pair of Guarded Good flat waxed laces laying around they pairs well. I ordered a pair of chup socks today. May switch over to mainly those instead of cushioned boot socks if all goes well.

 

[Luscombe]

These are Downeast Natural, similar to the Essex natural. As they spend more time in the sun, they darken up. The darker photo is at 6 weeks. I am expecting a nice caramel color next summer.

 

[Erikdayo]

These are Downeast Natural, similar to the Essex natural. As they spend more time in the sun, they darken up. The darker photo is at 6 weeks. I am expecting a nice caramel color next summer.

I do like the look of the leather on the Downeast a little more than Essex, but I didn't feel like custom ordering to make a Downeast with a LH sole. The slight texture on the virginia leather is appealing I appreciate the pics. Your pair looks fantastic.

 

[Luscombe]

If I knew then what I know now, I would have gotten the aspen sole or mini vibram sole instead of the crepe sole.

My Baxter's are the most comfortable shoe/sole I own. Only issue with them is they are slippery on wet smooth surfaces. I thought the crepe would be even more comfortable and be less slippery on wet surfaces.

I find the crepe soles to be bouncy, like almost too much crepe under the heel. I am still getting used to it. My next pair of Rancourts will have a mini vibram sole in honey color, love these shoes.

 

[cs54]

So I got my covid natural beefroll loafers and they are gorgeous. But sadly there’s pretty significant heel slip even with socks. Pretty sure I got the size wrong. Does anyone recall if exchanges or possible or out of the question? Haven’t asked rancourt as I feel bad. Can’t believe I’m gonna say this but I’m an E width guy and do naturally went w 9E, but should’ve gone with 9D or maybe 8.5E (my alden Barrie size) even though the length feels ok. It’s the width of the heel actually that seems a bit much.

 

[Erikdayo]

So I got my covid natural beefroll loafers and they are gorgeous. But sadly there’s pretty significant heel slip even with socks. Pretty sure I got the size wrong. Does anyone recall if exchanges or possible or out of the question? Haven’t asked rancourt as I feel bad. Can’t believe I’m gonna say this but I’m an E width guy and do naturally went w 9E, but should’ve gone with 9D or maybe 8.5E (my alden Barrie size) even though the length feels ok. It’s the width of the heel actually that seems a bit much.

They will exchange crowdfund orders from what they’ve told me. 8.5E would be very snug in the toes, but since there’s no structured toe it’s fine. I go 1/2 size down personally for all my Rancourt footwear.

I would also note that their lasting is not very consistent. I got color 8 CXL beefrolls maybe 9 months ago and they fit perfectly. I tried a natural CXL pair a few months back, and they were very loose in the instep. Unwearable for me. Overall I’ve tried 7-8 pairs of loafers from Rancourt. I’m no expert on shoemaking, but I think some of their employees last their shoes quite snug and others do not. Only 2 of the pairs fit me. One of those two pairs eventually started feeling a little loose. But alas I have low volume feet so this isn’t entirely their fault. Haven’t had any issues with their camp mocs, boat shoes, ranger mocs, and now Byron boots.

 

[Bakes11771]

If I knew then what I know now, I would have gotten the aspen sole or mini vibram sole instead of the crepe sole.

My Baxter's are the most comfortable shoe/sole I own. Only issue with them is they are slippery on wet smooth surfaces. I thought the crepe would be even more comfortable and be less slippery on wet surfaces.

I find the crepe soles to be bouncy, like almost too much crepe under the heel. I am still getting used to it. My next pair of Rancourts will have a mini vibram sole in honey color, love these shoes.

I find that the RLH soles firm up after several months. It's as if they aren't fully cured at first, but I don't know what the explanation is. Just an observation based on my experience.

 

[Luscombe]

I find that the RLH soles firm up after several months. It's as if they aren't fully cured at first, but I don't know what the explanation is. Just an observation based on my experience.

They are in my rotation and I hope they get firmer. The crepe sole is used on quite a few offerings so they must perform well. I really do like the thickness and feel of the Virginia leather. These are very substantial shoes, almost like boots, especially when compared to the same shoe in a natty CXL. Those feel paper thin in comparison.
Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[ajd578]

I really do like the thickness and feel of the Virginia leather. These are very substantial shoes, almost like boots, especially when compared to the same shoe in a natty CXL.

I'm missing where you posted these, do you mind reposting a pic?

I was curious about the Virginia leather a couple years ago and bought some scrap hide from Rancourt. It's super thick; I ended up making a hanging document sleeve that I still use:

 

[Erikdayo]

Byron boots in flint kudu today. Brand new and ready for rain and snow today.

Glad I have a month or two to think about whether to get the camel kudu version in the next crowdfunding.

Edit: added another picture to compare Grant Stone and Rancourt cap toe boots.