I've had my 9" smoke jumpers 22 years and love them. Used them with forest firefighting then construction. Dont think I will make the cutoff this round. But since they are 100% custom, I could spec them the same, right?
My dad has had severe foot issues most of my life. Plantar faciatis and whatnot. He was a 6'6 trucker that lumped all of his own loads, and was often made to do things two or three men would usually do thanks to his size (I'm talking about moving 300-500lbs of rolled linoleum flooring, by hiself). Anyway due to the issues with his feet he broke down and bought a pair of Whites boots back when we lived maybe 45 mins from Spokane (also where he worked) in the early 90's. He's worn almost them every day ever since, except for the month or so that he had sent them back to be completely rebuilt. And boy did the rebuild them. Almost everything newly constructed except for the tongue. He said these were the only boots he'd ever had that would keep him out if immense pain. These boots are absolutely the real deal.
I was dealing with intense plantar fasciitis pain earlier in the year, and have been wearing my 55 last Nicks as often as possible, and they have helped tremendously. For someone like me with a high arch foot, the support of these high arch boots is incredible.
I'm a 6,3 trucker of 17 years and wear Whites or Origin 24/7. I'm stepdeck, so no lumping. I use to wear Georgia out of 80s and 90s nostalgia but they went the way of HiTek
In the 1950s, when my dad was working in the woods as a forester in Oregon, he wore a pair of White caulk boots, every day. Later, in the early '70s, when I was working fire protection for the Oregon State Forestry, Whites were the boots everyone wanted to have. It's not a matter of style, it's performance that counts. When your life and livelihood depend on your equipment, generations have found that Whites are the best.
I got my hand-sewn White's Bounty Hunters for $475 almost 9 years ago. What a deal. I've had them resoled twice and now I'm getting ready to have them fully rebuilt after using them for work everyday.
@@mrjvee2597 the most painful thing about new boots is the upfront cost and the break in period. Rebuild is significantly cheaper and you don't have to break in the ankle shaft again, which takes dozens of wear hours
I appreciate the fact that someone actually makes boots like this. Companies like White's, John Lobb and a few others, make footwear that are actually enjoyable to wear instead of endured. Great videos, keep up the good work. 👍
I only found your channel about 3 weeks ago. Since then I had to pick up a pair of Grant Stone brass boots. Which are amazing. I now have a passion that I never knew I would ever find. It makes me very proud to see true craftsmanship coming out of our country still.
welcome to the madness of the boots world I have 5 pairs of Whites ,5 pairs of Nicks , 2 pairs of Franks , 7 pairs of GS my wife hates my Boots collection !! :) I love leather !! Have fun in your journey
HAHAAHAH that's so awesome! My wifes the same way! Add this to my already out of control knife and gun collecting hobbies and my wallet is gonna feel the pain. On second thought, it's a good thing she can kind of counter balance some of my nonsense. I've been wearing my boots every single moment of the day since I got them to try and break them in. This is some THICC leather and I love everything about them. Thank you for your response!@@johnversluis3084
I'd love to see a apples to apples comparison of why these are the best boots (besides the hand sewn welt) and put them up against Nicks and JK all side by side
From everything I've heard is that hand sewn is more of a philosophical preference, and not necessarily any additional quality or reliability. Nicks and JK probably have just as high of durability, but hand sewn is that little extra something that maybe only the person wearing that boot knows about, and appreciates. If you're crazy into boots, then maybe it's that little extra nod to craftsmanship and made in America that you are after. I think it's very cool, but not necessarily a huge differentiator.
@@sackman1886There's definitely a difference. Standard stitchdown has better water resistance, but the rolled welt can be resoled more before needing a rebuild. (Since a new welt can be sewn on). Supposedly more flexible too all else being equal, but I'm not sure I buy that one.
Its a norwegian welt which hides the stitching making it more stronger and less prone to wear and tear. Nicks boots arent even Blake stitched, once you wesr through the sole stitches it comes apart.
@@googeluser7098what!!!! The outsoles are not only stitched but are glued, and the outsole alone has NINE screws. Not including all the nails on the heel cap. C'mon man!
White's is truly the best made off the shelf boot you can buy. Everyone else uses plyrib (gemming) which is only glued to the insole and then stitched to the upper and welt. I have a lot of respect for these guys. At under $1,000 these boots are a steal. I do this every day. So I know what it takes to hand welt a boot. Great video and collaboration. I really enjoy your videos.
I still think the red dog drifters look incredible, but these are legitimately very cool. Love the silhouette of the 4811 last with that almost packer heel. Such a cool look.
I remember my first job in 1966, working for the Forest Service in Central Washington as a surveyor's aid, guys telling me to get a pair of White's. Well, I was making two bucks an hour and planning to enlist in the Air Force in a few months so that wasn't going to happen but they were top of the line even back then.
Got mine this morning! Can't wait! Love the channel and info, this channel definitely kick started my boot collection and love for hand made quality products!
I just got my 5th pair of Whites, in 21 years of wearing them they are my favorite. Over retired two pair to a more casual boot. It’s hard for me to even look at another builder.
As someone who loves this channel but also beats the hell out of my boots working I think it would be amazing if you figured out and added some standardized wear tests to your reviews. I don't know how'd you'd do that other than getting old ones and then that wouldn't be standardized
Imo his reviews are really more about materials used and type of construction rather than long term use. They have a long term review of the Perry on the second channel. I would also love to see more tests and long term use reviews.
I think the most important about arch support is when to use it and when to use more flat or barefoot shoes. I like arch support and thick soles for when I'm hiking or on rough terrain but for walking on the city it kills my feet. I have high arches, I used orthopedic insoles as a child and I really love walking barefoot or with flat footwear and also love arch support.
Just got mine. It's a very nice looking boot. I like the 4811 last combined with the dogger heel. The double shot leather is a great pick for daily wear. These are comfortable right out of the box.
I have 30 year old Russell Imperials that have been resoled twice and are as good as ever. I used them for hunting and hiking and motorcycle riding. At least as durable as Whites for this use and likely more comfortable and lighter. I ordered your 2.0 Drifters which will be my first experience with Whites. Russells set a high standard. PS. I also just ordered a new pair of Russell Back country hikers to see if the modern Russels are as good as the 30 year old Russells. I think they are but we will see. Also, when I arrived in Alaska in 1987 with the US Army we were issued Arctic boots made by Chippewa. These boots were tough and I still have them. Great boots!
My Drifter 2.0’s came in and they have been on my feet for three hours. I still have at least four more hours left on my feet and am amazed at how comfortable the 4811 last is. Break-in appears to be minimal. PSA I like a comfortable fit with room for my toes, so I ordered my Brannock size. If you like long break-ins and boots that fit like they grew on your feet follow Whites directions.
The cool thing about betting a volunteer firefighter when it comes to turn out gear for your own stuff the best thing is the NFPA registration and the rules as follows that they need to meet the standards that they allow and the great thing are they are always worth to have
IME White’s vs Nick’s: White’s has a worse arch support shank, worse clicking/hide selection for vamp, worse QC. I still buy more White’s than Nick’s, I appreciate that handwelted construction way more and they do Horween Shell Cordovan boots. I also like the 5050 last.
White's absolutely makes a nice pair of boots, but coming from someone who owns them all and lives in the same city they all operate out of, They've more or less gone down the same path as Wesco and have fallen a bit in terms of quality ever since they sold to Japan, especially considering their price. Now there are always pro's and con's, but regardless, Nick's Boots is still king when considering all aspects of ownership. The quality remains consistent far, above and beyond that of White's, by large. Beyond Nick's? Though the catalogue is much more limited, Jk's is unmatched.
I remember back in the 1990s, my next-door neighbor purchased a brand new Mercedes it very beautiful but expensive, and we moved to a different state, but every 2 or 3 years we would go back to visit old friends and in the last 25 years 4 different cars and 2 trucks, we went back to visit him and he still drives the same car and still looks beautiful ( of course he keeps the maintenance like oil change exetera) but what I'm saying is if you buy the best quality or will last longer and save you tons in the long run, same thing gos for shoes and boots.
Don't forget!! When you get the catalog they give a ultra autistic detail of how measure your feet arch ball instep heel ankle, below, mid,up bove and over calves, as well as length, width, of foot and height of your leg, While you wearing a socks of some thinkness. That ( to me ) the best custom sizeable made to measure shoes/boot. Plus they have to measure both feet and leg not just one.
I don’t know about that….. JK boots make a very nice and great boot. I ordered a custom JK super duty boot and I’m very happy with it. Super comfortable and fits like a glove. And they a hand made too.
I just cry when I see another great boot get cut in half. I would like a pair of boots like this. But, contrary to your skinny ankles, I have large ankles and I would never get these fine boots on. I agree with you about Whites being a very well built boot. I own 2 pair now and ordered a pair of Whites MP -Sherman Toe Cap boots. I hope the price and build time are worth it. Thinks for another good and well done video..
got the rose anvil boot starter kit. Whites 350, jim green barefoot, jk 12” boot heel outsole, lems summit and the gorals muggs. so far experience has been superb with service from those boot companies along with rose anvil company with its informational platform and the experience with the boots itself. a mix of custom made and precast. p.s. birchbury is a great casual wear. comes with default elastic infinite loop laces with laces in case you want to cut the elastic lace.
I’m really excited to get my pair of Whites Hawthorne Explorers for my second season of wild land firefighting. I’ve never had a problem breaking in my boots but hopefully this season goes well and I can take good care of my boots this time.
I know a logger who has a 25 y/o pair of corks. His house caught fire & his boots were burned up a bit. White's said they'll try to repair them, if not they'll build him a 2nd pair. Corks are nailed down.
Went through a lot of white smoke jumpers back in my Hotshot days. I think the quality went down a little in the mid 90s, and the one's that had the older White's logo seemed built better with thicker leather. I remember the first year Nicks came out. The soles smiled at the toe of the boot if i remember correctly they fixed the problem fast, but i stuck with White's.
I outgrew a pair I was given as a teen.. this video reminded me to go check them out again, but their sizing tops out too small. Woe is me with my big feet!
Do the Ojai City Boot from Aether - very curious on whether the near $500 price tag is justified compared to some of the other styles you've showcased at a similar price point.
I have a couple buddies that joined the California Conservation Corps after high-school. The fought fires with chainsaws, and hand tools. I remember Rob telling me about buying these Whites boots. His brother got Hawthorns. It was my first introduction to quality footware. I wear Danner Super Foreman at work when i go onsite, but I'm an office guy so I don't really count, although I've had them since I was an apprentice.
The only White’s I have experience with are the Perry’s and I wasn’t a fan of them. They look huge on my feet and they never get worn. It might be because they were my first pair of Mock toe boots and they’re naturally bigger looking, idk because I have nothing to compare them to. I’m not saying White’s makes a bad boot because I haven’t bought any of their custom line as of yet. Nick’s are the only boots that I’ve bought that were made to order so far and I love both pairs of mine. I might have to try out a custom pair of White’s in the near future.
I picked up some beautiful rebuilt whites at their store in Spokane Washington this summer, with the firefighter discount they came out to 160 and they go for 500 plus brand new basically stole them lol they are super comfy can’t wait for next fire season
First and foremost I want to thank you for these vids and for sharing your passion for craftsmanship. I’m probably twice your age, I was born in 59, there’s so few folks who truly understand, much less appreciate, true hand crafted goods like this. Really refreshing. From a technical and practical standpoint, is the handwelting actually contributing to improved durability, serviceability or functionality? I’ve been looking at the Nick’s Charley that appears to use similar Siedel tannery leather and fully stitched and nailed construction, I recall watching a vid you did that counted 80+ nails. Aside from supporting this art of hand welting, at the cost of very long wait times, are the White’s functionally superior to the Nicks in a practical sense? How about Truman’s and why are Wesco $500 pricier?
I would say Nick's handmade boots are better quality and for a better price. Maybe I'm wrong? They're a bit cheaper made with the same if not better materials and they are an USA owned company. Where as Whites is a foreign owned company. You can argue that hand welting makes a better boot but i don't think the added cost is worth it. What does anybody think?
This is the comment I was looking for. I’ve always wanted a pair of White’s but after I found out they were owned by Danner(not a fan) who is owned by LaCrosse who is owned by a Japanese Company, I just couldn’t pull the trigger on a pair of White’s. I decided to go with Nick’s BuilderPro and I’m incredibly happy with the quality and durability I’ve seen out of them so far. If you are going to spend your money on American made, do all the research and make sure it’s also American Owned.
First off, I really enjoy your channel and I love your collaboration boots. That being said, I live on a mule ranch in Eastern Idaho and typically I can't wear boots without serious lugs and also typically waterproof which means I can't wear any (that I've seen) of your collaboration boots unfortunately. When I first saw this boot I thought, "Hey, that's essentially a riding heel and sole!" and sure enough, you mention it could be used for that but there's a critical flaw in the boot for that purpose. You cannot wear a boot with those type of tie rivets in a stirrup. There's a reason cowboy boots are smooth in the front and that's because the top of the stirrup will drive those rivets into your shin and joint right at the top of your foot. You CAN get away with normal laces ( I typically wear Ariat Terrain lace up endurance boots for riding) but you can't have an extended rivet like these boots and ride in a saddle with them. They'll get hung up in the top of the stirrup and be driven into your foot and shin, I'd bet my life on it. On that note, since I'm a huge fan I'll extend an open invitation for you to come ride a mule yourself whenever you like and see what you think about that. Heck, maybe it'll inspire you to make a real collaboration riding boot =)
I'd love to hear reviews on if the rubber stops the squeak. My drifter 1.0s developed a very loud squeak for a while. I fixed it by pouring some leather conditioner into it and letting it sit for a couple of days to soak in. Im hoping it didn't somehow hurt the integrity of the boots, but so far, they are quiet and still strong 2 months later.
I would love to see a video (or series) about military boots; specifically marine corps issued and/or authorized. When I enlisted in 2006 we had just transitioned to the new coyote (tan) boots and comfort/quality sucked. Over time the designs got better but they’re not great. The best quality is arguably Danner (RAT boots); but I’ve also had a pair of those that didn’t make it past a year of moderate use before they were completely unserviceable. Before getting out in 2015 I found Belleville was the best for value and quality and of love to see how much better (or worse) things looks currently. Love the channel and the content
Great channel……how about you expanding your horizons…..ski boots all plastic but the inner boots are worthy of your investigation, many different ideas ….we the non professionals could do with your help . Cheers
@@_Gabagool I do. They need some care from a poor time where I didn't have money for Obenauf's but they have minor issues. Never been rebuilt. If I ever need credibility on the jobsite, I wear them. I've moved up the chain so the office is loafers, but loved those boots. My Dad had three pairs in the 80's
Please do these: Boulet 8949. They're a very nice heritage style boot. They're made in Canada and retail for ~$270 usd. They're goodyear welted with a leather welt and seems well made in general. I just bought a pair and I would love to see how they look inside. I also think they're a pretty good value! Maybe that would be interesting to compare them with the Canada West WM. Moorby 2814, They're very similar, also made in canada and are around the same price. To me these are both hidden gems for the price.
I ordered on release day and I have already received them. The first drifters took 20 weeks to get to me, these ones only took 20 days. I'm a happy customer.
Mine were delivered this week, but unfortunately I won’t get to lay eyes on them for another 2 weeks due to a business trip. I didn’t ask my wife to open the box for me. She might think I’m nuts for splurging on something that’s a step (or more) beyond my normal utilitarian style. Not gonna lie - still nervous about the fit despite following all the online guidance, it seems odd to order such a small size. Hoping for the best when I finally get a foot in them.
Rose, gotta cut a pair of Dievier Prospect Boots in half. They're just like the captains from Thursday. Made in Mexico, value proposition, and similar construction. Would love to a comparison.
I feel like people by these pnw boots not realizing how heavy they are. A lot of people buy these thinking they are the best because they are the toughest. But they are work boots. I have 2 pairs of pnw boots, but I still reach for my iron rangers more. They are just a lighter more comfortable boot.
Have yoi cut apart a pair of drews loggers? Inwould be interested in your thoughts on them. Thank you for cuttin apart so many boots and educatin us on their construction!
The Drifter 2.0 is live now, limited quantity so act fast - bit.ly/47rx2PU
Drifter 2.0 sizing guide here - th-cam.com/video/mOCZSMba9Vk/w-d-xo.html
Make them do a highest quality barefoot boot!!!
What a Boot the Canadian Boots ie Boulet, Canada Boot, Viborg ect....??!
Ordered mine this morning. Hope the hand stitcher holds up. 500 pair is a lot of stitching.
@@jhfyuiijhiiidon’t forget Daytons… west coast solidarity!
hey you need to do a cut in half video on Drews Logger boots $350 boot that looks as good as nicks boots for half the price @roseanvil
We had a good time with this one, Weston. Thank you for showcasing the craft. Cheers.
Can't wait to get my pair
I've had my 9" smoke jumpers 22 years and love them. Used them with forest firefighting then construction. Dont think I will make the cutoff this round. But since they are 100% custom, I could spec them the same, right?
@WhitesBoots1853
You folks make the best boots!!
👍
Can these be ordered with more of an undershot heel?
@@LaurieAnnCurry Call White's boots, if you can think of a customization, White's will do it.
My dad has had severe foot issues most of my life. Plantar faciatis and whatnot. He was a 6'6 trucker that lumped all of his own loads, and was often made to do things two or three men would usually do thanks to his size (I'm talking about moving 300-500lbs of rolled linoleum flooring, by hiself). Anyway due to the issues with his feet he broke down and bought a pair of Whites boots back when we lived maybe 45 mins from Spokane (also where he worked) in the early 90's. He's worn almost them every day ever since, except for the month or so that he had sent them back to be completely rebuilt. And boy did the rebuild them. Almost everything newly constructed except for the tongue. He said these were the only boots he'd ever had that would keep him out if immense pain. These boots are absolutely the real deal.
I was dealing with intense plantar fasciitis pain earlier in the year, and have been wearing my 55 last Nicks as often as possible, and they have helped tremendously. For someone like me with a high arch foot, the support of these high arch boots is incredible.
which model/last did he buy?
I'm a 6,3 trucker of 17 years and wear Whites or Origin 24/7. I'm stepdeck, so no lumping. I use to wear Georgia out of 80s and 90s nostalgia but they went the way of HiTek
This is not a shoe you'd suggest for plantar fascitis.
For those who don't know , lumping is unloading your own semi , by hand . Break Any body need a lumper out there ?
In the 1950s, when my dad was working in the woods as a forester in Oregon, he wore a pair of White caulk boots, every day. Later, in the early '70s, when I was working fire protection for the Oregon State Forestry, Whites were the boots everyone wanted to have. It's not a matter of style, it's performance that counts. When your life and livelihood depend on your equipment, generations have found that Whites are the best.
I got my hand-sewn White's Bounty Hunters for $475 almost 9 years ago. What a deal. I've had them resoled twice and now I'm getting ready to have them fully rebuilt after using them for work everyday.
Why a full rebuild ? Just buy new boots . I’m sure it cost near the same
@@mrjvee2597 the most painful thing about new boots is the upfront cost and the break in period. Rebuild is significantly cheaper and you don't have to break in the ankle shaft again, which takes dozens of wear hours
@@rob060 got it . If it’s cheaper definitely worth it .
For anyone curious, Frank's Boots also offers hand welting on request with custom boots!
I've got White's, and I love them. But, I'd put my Frank's up against White's IRT quality any day of the week.
What's the upcharge for hand-sewn in Frank's?
Its $50 I think@@chicagoan6342
@@chicagoan6342 60 usd
@@chicagoan6342 $60
I appreciate the fact that someone actually makes boots like this. Companies like White's, John Lobb and a few others, make footwear that are actually enjoyable to wear instead of endured. Great videos, keep up the good work. 👍
I only found your channel about 3 weeks ago. Since then I had to pick up a pair of Grant Stone brass boots. Which are amazing. I now have a passion that I never knew I would ever find. It makes me very proud to see true craftsmanship coming out of our country still.
same story, but I decided to start with Thursday's, but was tempted to start with Grant Stone. Hope it goes well for ya!
Best collab with Whites so far!
welcome to the madness of the boots world I have 5 pairs of Whites ,5 pairs of Nicks , 2 pairs of Franks , 7 pairs of GS my wife hates my Boots collection !! :) I love leather !! Have fun in your journey
HAHAAHAH that's so awesome! My wifes the same way! Add this to my already out of control knife and gun collecting hobbies and my wallet is gonna feel the pain. On second thought, it's a good thing she can kind of counter balance some of my nonsense. I've been wearing my boots every single moment of the day since I got them to try and break them in. This is some THICC leather and I love everything about them. Thank you for your response!@@johnversluis3084
I'd love to see a apples to apples comparison of why these are the best boots (besides the hand sewn welt) and put them up against Nicks and JK all side by side
From everything I've heard is that hand sewn is more of a philosophical preference, and not necessarily any additional quality or reliability. Nicks and JK probably have just as high of durability, but hand sewn is that little extra something that maybe only the person wearing that boot knows about, and appreciates. If you're crazy into boots, then maybe it's that little extra nod to craftsmanship and made in America that you are after. I think it's very cool, but not necessarily a huge differentiator.
Eh not a fan of these. Good luck though 🎉
@@sackman1886There's definitely a difference. Standard stitchdown has better water resistance, but the rolled welt can be resoled more before needing a rebuild. (Since a new welt can be sewn on). Supposedly more flexible too all else being equal, but I'm not sure I buy that one.
Its a norwegian welt which hides the stitching making it more stronger and less prone to wear and tear. Nicks boots arent even Blake stitched, once you wesr through the sole stitches it comes apart.
@@googeluser7098what!!!! The outsoles are not only stitched but are glued, and the outsole alone has NINE screws. Not including all the nails on the heel cap. C'mon man!
White's is truly the best made off the shelf boot you can buy. Everyone else uses plyrib (gemming) which is only glued to the insole and then stitched to the upper and welt. I have a lot of respect for these guys. At under $1,000 these boots are a steal. I do this every day. So I know what it takes to hand welt a boot. Great video and collaboration. I really enjoy your videos.
I still think the red dog drifters look incredible, but these are legitimately very cool. Love the silhouette of the 4811 last with that almost packer heel. Such a cool look.
I remember my first job in 1966, working for the Forest Service in Central Washington as a surveyor's aid, guys telling me to get a pair of White's. Well, I was making two bucks an hour and planning to enlist in the Air Force in a few months so that wasn't going to happen but they were top of the line even back then.
Just ordered a pair. That’s Wes for providing the thoughtful inspiration behind theses great looking utilitarian boots.
You have to wonder at what point does these types of channels look suspiciously like stealth marketing.
I thought the same thing.
Well it's a collaboration, so Weston profits from the sale of this boot. Not so stealthy.
How is this "stealth", his name is literally on the product lmao
Someone has had a falling out with Nicks 😂
Thinking White’s gave him better perks.
He's been doing collabs with multiple companies...
I like the concept of making the boots that the baddies would wear. Hope these boots works out for everybody who buys them!
Better than the Nicks collab. Grabbed a pair.
ND3 Nicks Collab th-cam.com/video/x_4naSrKimA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=mWt0VZA6F6-eK_4Z
Grabbed my pair! Yeahhhh buddddyyyyy!
Got mine this morning! Can't wait! Love the channel and info, this channel definitely kick started my boot collection and love for hand made quality products!
I just got my 5th pair of Whites, in 21 years of wearing them they are my favorite. Over retired two pair to a more casual boot. It’s hard for me to even look at another builder.
Of course I bought them the second they came out, seemed rational after loving the 1st Collab!
White's uses the same Double Shot leather in the Perry Select that's $390. Rose Anvil did a video on them awhile back.
And that's a goodyear welted, low arch, wedge sole boot which is far cheaper to produce.
Its not the same leather. The Red Dog on the Perry is almost half the thickness of the Drifter.
You've done well young man and keep on going .Happy Trails
Those boots cost more than the tires on my car.
All four or just one?
@@bootsnframes7626 All four. Each tire is only $75 from Wally World.
As someone who loves this channel but also beats the hell out of my boots working I think it would be amazing if you figured out and added some standardized wear tests to your reviews. I don't know how'd you'd do that other than getting old ones and then that wouldn't be standardized
Imo his reviews are really more about materials used and type of construction rather than long term use. They have a long term review of the Perry on the second channel. I would also love to see more tests and long term use reviews.
Can somewhat educate me, because these seem like they would me miserably uncomfortable
I think the most important about arch support is when to use it and when to use more flat or barefoot shoes. I like arch support and thick soles for when I'm hiking or on rough terrain but for walking on the city it kills my feet.
I have high arches, I used orthopedic insoles as a child and I really love walking barefoot or with flat footwear and also love arch support.
Just got mine. It's a very nice looking boot. I like the 4811 last combined with the dogger heel. The double shot leather is a great pick for daily wear. These are comfortable right out of the box.
I have 30 year old Russell Imperials that have been resoled twice and are as good as ever. I used them for hunting and hiking and motorcycle riding. At least as durable as Whites for this use and likely more comfortable and lighter. I ordered your 2.0 Drifters which will be my first experience with Whites. Russells set a high standard. PS. I also just ordered a new pair of Russell Back country hikers to see if the modern Russels are as good as the 30 year old Russells. I think they are but we will see. Also, when I arrived in Alaska in 1987 with the US Army we were issued Arctic boots made by Chippewa. These boots were tough and I still have them. Great boots!
It's very hard to take this seriously as you did a collab and then reviewed your own boot.
I agree it kind of seems like the whole thing is an ad
Whites even says hand welting isn’t as strong in their stitchdown interview…
The rolled welt isn't completely pointless. At least theoretically, you can get more resoles out of it since the welt can be replaced.
"tasty patina" 3:33
🤤
My Drifter 2.0’s came in and they have been on my feet for three hours. I still have at least four more hours left on my feet and am amazed at how comfortable the 4811 last is. Break-in appears to be minimal. PSA I like a comfortable fit with room for my toes, so I ordered my Brannock size. If you like long break-ins and boots that fit like they grew on your feet follow Whites directions.
White’s just came out with the Springdale, a $400 boot that looks similar to the JK 300s. It would be super cool to see a comparison
Whites was bought out in 2014 by lacrosse which is in line with danner
Got my order in!!
The cool thing about betting a volunteer firefighter when it comes to turn out gear for your own stuff the best thing is the NFPA registration and the rules as follows that they need to meet the standards that they allow and the great thing are they are always worth to have
Just snagged one.
IME White’s vs Nick’s: White’s has a worse arch support shank, worse clicking/hide selection for vamp, worse QC. I still buy more White’s than Nick’s, I appreciate that handwelted construction way more and they do Horween Shell Cordovan boots. I also like the 5050 last.
I disagree, Nick's removes negative comments/reviews from their social media pages so we never know anything about QC, leather quality etc.
Curious about this. Ordered my first pair of customs recently and waiting on them being delivered@@chicagoan6342
Ordered My pair, right after getting the email first thing this morning. Can not wait to see in person.
White's absolutely makes a nice pair of boots, but coming from someone who owns them all and lives in the same city they all operate out of, They've more or less gone down the same path as Wesco and have fallen a bit in terms of quality ever since they sold to Japan, especially considering their price.
Now there are always pro's and con's, but regardless, Nick's Boots is still king when considering all aspects of ownership. The quality remains consistent far, above and beyond that of White's, by large.
Beyond Nick's? Though the catalogue is much more limited, Jk's is unmatched.
I remember back in the 1990s, my next-door neighbor purchased a brand new Mercedes it very beautiful but expensive, and we moved to a different state, but every 2 or 3 years we would go back to visit old friends and in the last 25 years 4 different cars and 2 trucks, we went back to visit him and he still drives the same car and still looks beautiful ( of course he keeps the maintenance like oil change exetera) but what I'm saying is if you buy the best quality or will last longer and save you tons in the long run, same thing gos for shoes and boots.
Don't forget!! When you get the catalog they give a ultra autistic detail of how measure your feet arch ball instep heel ankle, below, mid,up bove and over calves, as well as length, width, of foot and height of your leg,
While you wearing a socks of some thinkness.
That ( to me ) the best custom sizeable made to measure shoes/boot.
Plus they have to measure both feet and leg not just one.
Will you ever review Russell Mocassin boots? I'd love to know how they compare to Whites.
I don’t know about that….. JK boots make a very nice and great boot. I ordered a custom JK super duty boot and I’m very happy with it. Super comfortable and fits like a glove. And they a hand made too.
I just cry when I see another great boot get cut in half. I would like a pair of boots like this. But, contrary to your skinny ankles, I have large ankles and I would never get these fine boots on. I agree with you about Whites being a very well built boot. I own 2 pair now and ordered a pair of Whites MP -Sherman Toe Cap boots. I hope the price and build time are worth it. Thinks for another good and well done video..
got the rose anvil boot starter kit.
Whites 350, jim green barefoot, jk 12” boot heel outsole, lems summit and the gorals muggs.
so far experience has been superb with service from those boot companies along with rose anvil company with its informational platform and the experience with the boots itself. a mix of custom made and precast.
p.s. birchbury is a great casual wear. comes with default elastic infinite loop laces with laces in case you want to cut the elastic lace.
I was fortunate to wear White's boots during my career on the LAFD, 15 to 20 years ago. They were the best!
Cool collab '..very rugged and tough'
I’m really excited to get my pair of Whites Hawthorne Explorers for my second season of wild land firefighting. I’ve never had a problem breaking in my boots but hopefully this season goes well and I can take good care of my boots this time.
Damn haha that rubber squeak pad is so cool, unfortunately my drifters did start squeaking after about two months of wear.
Pour a good amount of leather conditioner inside the boots. Let sit for 2 days to soak in. Thats what I did and they are fantastic
@@jbeezostl thank I’ll try that!
Whites told me it was when they switched glues they were squeak prone, they did say that they will warranty it.
The superduty vs the smokejumper would be a cool video
Can you please review a pair of Viron boots?? Made of apple leather. Weird huh interested to know the quality and if it’s worth the price. Thanks!
Just ordered mine and can’t wait to get them.
Thought you said Nicks were the best..?
I know a logger who has a 25 y/o pair of corks.
His house caught fire & his boots were burned up a bit.
White's said they'll try to repair them, if not they'll build him a 2nd pair.
Corks are nailed down.
Went through a lot of white smoke jumpers back in my Hotshot days. I think the quality went down a little in the mid 90s, and the one's that had the older White's logo seemed built better with thicker leather. I remember the first year Nicks came out. The soles smiled at the toe of the boot if i remember correctly they fixed the problem fast, but i stuck with White's.
I outgrew a pair I was given as a teen.. this video reminded me to go check them out again, but their sizing tops out too small. Woe is me with my big feet!
Do the Ojai City Boot from Aether - very curious on whether the near $500 price tag is justified compared to some of the other styles you've showcased at a similar price point.
Ordered a pair, thanks for doing this.
I have a couple buddies that joined the California Conservation Corps after high-school. The fought fires with chainsaws, and hand tools. I remember Rob telling me about buying these Whites boots. His brother got Hawthorns. It was my first introduction to quality footware. I wear Danner Super Foreman at work when i go onsite, but I'm an office guy so I don't really count, although I've had them since I was an apprentice.
Badass.
You designed my dream boot. Thanks man
The only White’s I have experience with are the Perry’s and I wasn’t a fan of them. They look huge on my feet and they never get worn. It might be because they were my first pair of Mock toe boots and they’re naturally bigger looking, idk because I have nothing to compare them to. I’m not saying White’s makes a bad boot because I haven’t bought any of their custom line as of yet. Nick’s are the only boots that I’ve bought that were made to order so far and I love both pairs of mine. I might have to try out a custom pair of White’s in the near future.
I picked up some beautiful rebuilt whites at their store in Spokane Washington this summer, with the firefighter discount they came out to 160 and they go for 500 plus brand new basically stole them lol they are super comfy can’t wait for next fire season
First and foremost I want to thank you for these vids and for sharing your passion for craftsmanship. I’m probably twice your age, I was born in 59, there’s so few folks who truly understand, much less appreciate, true hand crafted goods like this. Really refreshing.
From a technical and practical standpoint, is the handwelting actually contributing to improved durability, serviceability or functionality? I’ve been looking at the Nick’s Charley that appears to use similar Siedel tannery leather and fully stitched and nailed construction, I recall watching a vid you did that counted 80+ nails. Aside from supporting this art of hand welting, at the cost of very long wait times, are the White’s functionally superior to the Nicks in a practical sense? How about Truman’s and why are Wesco $500 pricier?
Lol this dude swaps between “best boots” depending who pays him that month.
I would say Nick's handmade boots are better quality and for a better price. Maybe I'm wrong? They're a bit cheaper made with the same if not better materials and they are an USA owned company. Where as Whites is a foreign owned company. You can argue that hand welting makes a better boot but i don't think the added cost is worth it. What does anybody think?
This is the comment I was looking for. I’ve always wanted a pair of White’s but after I found out they were owned by Danner(not a fan) who is owned by LaCrosse who is owned by a Japanese Company, I just couldn’t pull the trigger on a pair of White’s. I decided to go with Nick’s BuilderPro and I’m incredibly happy with the quality and durability I’ve seen out of them so far. If you are going to spend your money on American made, do all the research and make sure it’s also American Owned.
Got both my Whites Pack boots and Smoke Jumpers issued to me, Thanks Uncle Sam!!
Any hope we will see here British or Italy made boots? Or simply something made in Europe? I think we have some cool brands here too ! 😃
"Insert random story about me or my dad wearing whites boots here"
A battle for the title of Highest Quality North American boot is long overdue: White's vs Viberg!
I’m currently wearing that exact pair of whites
Only mine have white stitches and brass eyelets
I am not a fan boy and am not afraid to speak my opinion, but I gotta say the drifter 2 is a darn good looking boot.
Bootiful workmanship ! Wouldnt mind a pair myself, but I just bought a pair of Iron Rangers so thats my boot budget bottomed out for now.
First off, I really enjoy your channel and I love your collaboration boots. That being said, I live on a mule ranch in Eastern Idaho and typically I can't wear boots without serious lugs and also typically waterproof which means I can't wear any (that I've seen) of your collaboration boots unfortunately. When I first saw this boot I thought, "Hey, that's essentially a riding heel and sole!" and sure enough, you mention it could be used for that but there's a critical flaw in the boot for that purpose. You cannot wear a boot with those type of tie rivets in a stirrup. There's a reason cowboy boots are smooth in the front and that's because the top of the stirrup will drive those rivets into your shin and joint right at the top of your foot. You CAN get away with normal laces ( I typically wear Ariat Terrain lace up endurance boots for riding) but you can't have an extended rivet like these boots and ride in a saddle with them. They'll get hung up in the top of the stirrup and be driven into your foot and shin, I'd bet my life on it. On that note, since I'm a huge fan I'll extend an open invitation for you to come ride a mule yourself whenever you like and see what you think about that. Heck, maybe it'll inspire you to make a real collaboration riding boot =)
just ordered a pair. cant wait to try em out.
some of the best looking boots ive ever seen.
the price hurt though lmao.
I'd love to hear reviews on if the rubber stops the squeak. My drifter 1.0s developed a very loud squeak for a while. I fixed it by pouring some leather conditioner into it and letting it sit for a couple of days to soak in. Im hoping it didn't somehow hurt the integrity of the boots, but so far, they are quiet and still strong 2 months later.
Love the smokejumper!!
I like the build a lot, but I wish they make low cuts also.
Me as well. Even as hiking boots, ten-inch boots are just too tall for me. Nice looking, but pass.
You can get this same boot or any variant fully customizable through Bakers boots.
Which boot is better?
Alden Indys of course!
Why?
Cause I felt like doing some light trolling today
Great videos! I’d love to see you do the Ariat Bench Made Clanton Bison boots. They’re Ariats answer to Tecovas and I’d like to see how they stack up.
If they limited and sale out so fast they should continue to make them both drifter 1 and 2 cause I want a pair
If only we could get them in the UK?
I wish Altberg would start making boots like this?
Good job!!! Boots look awesome
Drifter 3.0, next time I'll be ready
I would love to see a video (or series) about military boots; specifically marine corps issued and/or authorized.
When I enlisted in 2006 we had just transitioned to the new coyote (tan) boots and comfort/quality sucked. Over time the designs got better but they’re not great. The best quality is arguably Danner (RAT boots); but I’ve also had a pair of those that didn’t make it past a year of moderate use before they were completely unserviceable. Before getting out in 2015 I found Belleville was the best for value and quality and of love to see how much better (or worse) things looks currently.
Love the channel and the content
Great channel……how about you expanding your horizons…..ski boots all plastic but the inner boots are worthy of your investigation, many different ideas ….we the non professionals could do with your help . Cheers
I got my 9" smoke jumpers 23 years ago for 330 bucks. Everything he says about them is true.
@@_Gabagool I do. They need some care from a poor time where I didn't have money for Obenauf's but they have minor issues. Never been rebuilt. If I ever need credibility on the jobsite, I wear them. I've moved up the chain so the office is loafers, but loved those boots. My Dad had three pairs in the 80's
I just ordered the mp sherman boot with the half lug sole i csnt wait
Please do these: Boulet 8949. They're a very nice heritage style boot. They're made in Canada and retail for ~$270 usd. They're goodyear welted with a leather welt and seems well made in general. I just bought a pair and I would love to see how they look inside. I also think they're a pretty good value! Maybe that would be interesting to compare them with the Canada West WM. Moorby 2814, They're very similar, also made in canada and are around the same price. To me these are both hidden gems for the price.
I ordered on release day and I have already received them. The first drifters took 20 weeks to get to me, these ones only took 20 days. I'm a happy customer.
Wow you just made me super happy.. ordered mine right about then but didn't expect them to be shipping so soon. I can't wait!
@@andynation7853 glad I could spread some positive information ✌
Mine were delivered this week, but unfortunately I won’t get to lay eyes on them for another 2 weeks due to a business trip. I didn’t ask my wife to open the box for me. She might think I’m nuts for splurging on something that’s a step (or more) beyond my normal utilitarian style. Not gonna lie - still nervous about the fit despite following all the online guidance, it seems odd to order such a small size. Hoping for the best when I finally get a foot in them.
Rose, gotta cut a pair of Dievier Prospect Boots in half. They're just like the captains from Thursday. Made in Mexico, value proposition, and similar construction. Would love to a comparison.
hey you need to do a cut in half video on Drews Logger boots $350 boot that looks as good as nicks boots for half the price
Nicole Rudolph has some good videos about hand making shoes.
I feel like people by these pnw boots not realizing how heavy they are. A lot of people buy these thinking they are the best because they are the toughest. But they are work boots.
I have 2 pairs of pnw boots, but I still reach for my iron rangers more. They are just a lighter more comfortable boot.
We are waiting for the new MKBHD 251 review
Have yoi cut apart a pair of drews loggers? Inwould be interested in your thoughts on them.
Thank you for cuttin apart so many boots and educatin us on their construction!
"Drew's Manstore"...I want to go there!