Hey man. Sorry for your loss. And congrats on the new friend. I love watching the Gentlemans Journey and im really looking forward to some of the updates on a bunch of your pairs. Keep up the great work. , Ryan.👍
Good vid! I’m a big fan of the jk western line, I bought an ace when they first came out and they are extremely comfortable, been wearing them since, and I think the toe bug looks pretty dang cool and different
Hey Charles!! I’m right now in the USA (New York) and I have only seen construction workers wearing boots… a few people in the subway with iron rangers and that’s it. I guess I should go a bit to the west to see PNW boots. Walter looks happy! I am sure you both will enjoy your adventures. Glad to see you Charles!
Hey friend good to hear from ya. I’m wondering if that’s what caused Thursday to get into the leather shoe line so heavy. I can’t imagine the PNW makers finding their way into that market but would be cool! 🥾🥾
I have those and the Dune. Great boots. I wear doc non work and dune everyday on construction site project Managment. Love the dune but to box collapsed about 6 months in and nothing crushed it and I don’t spend anytime crawling around in them. I’d recommend them both but I have not had any other real quality western boots to compare with. The sale price seems to be closer to where I’d expect the price to be.
I have a pair of their 300 boots, and for what they are they’re pretty stout. Subtle overall with sneaky good arch support. They’re on their second wedge sole, and they’ve got plenty left to give. Their sizing is unique to them, which makes it difficult to get in to. Their fit sheet sizing said I should be a 9 5E, but ended up needing a 9.5 3E to have a decent fit with the proper heel to arch length for my foot but they’re oddly long. Either way, they’re worth looking at if you’re interested.
Hello their Charles and Walter, great video, nice looking boot, the toe bug seems odd they should have went with something traditional, am not really a fan of JK to be honest, but it seems like they do make a good product ✌️
Well, hello Walter! I guess I missed a couple vids more recently since there seemed to be a gap for a while there. Yes, I got the Thurs cowboy boots more recently and I'm neigh familiar with their wedge models. I had a bit of sizing issue with the OT boot and never got my discount back after making a couple returns trying to nail that down, so I'm not sure how well all the employees process info and have heard worse cust serv stories in vague detail. I'm still not sure if EE would have worked the best for this model, that which wasn't available, so I'm neigh sure how I would try to size a western boot with no laces to compensate for this or that, etc.
MUCH of the new Western fad is oddly due to the Costner show, where they DON'T dress all that much like "tradilsh" singin' cowboys or whate'er, but same as early 80s is a lotta City Slickers? England???
Ye likely missed nothing. The web just says STEER instead BOVINE and True t' Size and the sizing starts bigger than my size, like most cow-poke brands that I can't buy e'en if I wanted to. So I guess any of my other questions about the usual arch support and such don't matter, either.
Claims Finest full-grain in two colors. work of art. natural beauty, blah,. blah. I guess they'll last as long as they do, so ye can tell us if they comfy or not.
The toe bug is a little funky to me, but I can see them wanting to do something a little different to stand out. I think for the cost, they don’t seem to provide anything special. I just bought some of the Ariat Bench Made line in a square toe (I forget the name of the style) made from moose leather with all the traditional cowboy boot materials (leather outsole, lemon wood pegs, calf lining) for about $300 and I couldn’t be happier. Their bench made line are handmade in Leon, and seem to represent a pretty good value for the price. Might buy some Chisos one day, but they are almost twice as much as my Ariats.
I think that’s my thing with these. Nothing standing out to me. I think they are using their good name to demand high prices but it’s just not there. Good boots, great craftsmanship, uncertainties about the materials and that about sums it up. 🥾🥾🤠
I am really confused about the design. Honestly they should have a historian come up with something that represents JK. And have this as a competition sports version. But JK is a Heritage Company so this just doesnt make sense with their brand.
Very disappointed they are having them made in Mexico, especially for that price. Since I'm Canadian I'll save a couple of dollars and buy Boulet cowboy boots. They are great quality, made in Canada and at a more than fair price. The inside of the boots being "smooth" isn't much of a concern if you wear proper boot socks. 🤷 All said and done I enjoyed the video thank you!!
I mean that’s well within the going rate for hand made cowboys boots out of Leon. If you can get some high quality Canadian made boots for less, then go for it! It should be noted that Leon is a well regarded region for handmade shoes, some call it the boot capital of the world because of the quantity of boot and shoe makers there. That said, I’m sure it’s just like Italian leather goods -there is the reputation of quality, but you can find great stuff that lives up to the reputation and junk that abuses the name for sales. I only have 1 pair of boots from Leon (Ariat Bench Made boots) but I am very happy with them and felt that the $300 price I paid was very fair.
Thanks! I too haven’t had issues with lining being rough but worth noting since some do it better. I’m not one to mind them being made in Mexico, just concerned that folks who know JK = 🇺🇸 might not dig it. Really appreciate your input and taking time to watch. Cheers! 🥾🥾🤠
@@sschoon86 My thinking is if I'm going to buy JK boots part of the reason is to support the states. But with the conversion rate, shipping and extra taxes (our gov wants a piece of the action for doing nothing), that $300 US is up around $600 Canadian. Which gives a lot of room to play up here. 🤷.
@@GentlemansJourney that's my thinking JK= US, not saying anything is wrong with Mexico but when you convert to CAD, add the extra shipping and our gov takes their chunk. Those boots are going to be up around $600, which for that I can buy some Canadian made boots that I'm guessing would be better quality. Since more of the $$ are going to the boots and not add on's.
@@va6gkthaskey311TLDR I agree, but there is some nuance to the decision to make these in Leon. That makes sense, and I hadn't really considered the effect of tariffs for Canada. The US has a free trade agreement with Mexico (and Canada), so that doesn't affect pricing in the US. If these were made in the US, they would probably be like $600 USD, and realistically without adding much additional quality or value to the end product. Also, I imagine that the processes, skills, and equipment required to make western boots would not line up with JK's current manufacturing. I haven't seen any stitchdown cowboy boots, but then again maybe that could have been their differentiating factor, rather than the weird toe bug. JK seems to be producing at capacity with their current lines already, so it wouldn't seem to make sense by adding complexity and demand with a new line at their current facility, and as I understand it, it is hard to find Americans who want to invest the time and effort needed to develop the skill needed to be a quality cobbler (especially when there are easier jobs that pay better - make no mistake, I respect these master boot builders, but it is not a glamorous or high-paying job that attracts people from all corners of country). So it would be really difficult for them to expand their lines into a US made western boot without impacting their current production schedules. Granted, I just got into the western side of the boot world, but I think Lucchese might be the only western boot maker still making them in the US (or at least the only big one). Lucchese boots are significantly more expensive than most of the boots made in Leon. I don't have first hand experience, but I have heard their quality control is nothing to get real excited about. So, I agree that JK Boots is well known as a US company, and it seems like a strange marketing move for them to blur that by producing a Mexican western boot with their JK name. But I also think that if they want to start a western line, then Leon is the place where they would find the manufacturing capacity, the workforce skilled at producing western boots, and at a reasonable cost so they can place their product at a price competitive with other western boots (at least in the US market where there are no tariffs). All that being said, I think JK missed the mark on these, and might experience some reputation damage to their main business which could be more costly than whatever gains they get from this. Time will tell whether this confuses their existing customers, or if it opens up a new customer base without significantly disrupting the demand for their core line of PNW boots. As an aside, I should be getting my first pair of JK's in about a month (Bison OTs) that I ordered about 2 months ago, and I am pretty excited to get them. I hope they live up to the hype!
The toe bug is a little funky to me, but I can see them wanting to do something a little different to stand out. I think for the cost, they don’t seem to provide anything special. I just bought some of the Ariat Bench Made line in a square toe (I forget the name of the style) made from moose leather with all the traditional cowboy boot materials (leather outsole, lemon wood pegs, calf lining) for about $300 and I couldn’t be happier. Their bench made line are handmade in Leon, and seem to represent a pretty good value for the price. Might buy some Chisos one day, but they are almost twice as much as my Ariats.
I have their wildland fire fighter super duty boots. Best boots ive ever laced up. They're over a year old now and still solid.
Love it!! 🥾🥾
Hey man. Sorry for your loss. And congrats on the new friend. I love watching the Gentlemans Journey and im really looking forward to some of the updates on a bunch of your pairs. Keep up the great work. , Ryan.👍
Thanks so much for the encouragement and the videos will be flowing soon. Cheers
i bought the superduty best boot i ever owned. Took a longer than normal to break in. Well worth it.
Love it 🥾🥾
Good vid!
I’m a big fan of the jk western line,
I bought an ace when they first came out and they are extremely comfortable, been wearing them since, and I think the toe bug looks pretty dang cool and different
Thanks so much! Been really enjoying mine! 🤠🥾🥾
Hello Walter, God bless you brother. keep up the good work
Thanks so much! I told Walter people say hi and now he thinks he’s famous. Went to his head 🐾🐾
Hey Charles!!
I’m right now in the USA (New York) and I have only seen construction workers wearing boots… a few people in the subway with iron rangers and that’s it.
I guess I should go a bit to the west to see PNW boots.
Walter looks happy!
I am sure you both will enjoy your adventures.
Glad to see you Charles!
Hey friend good to hear from ya. I’m wondering if that’s what caused Thursday to get into the leather shoe line so heavy. I can’t imagine the PNW makers finding their way into that market but would be cool! 🥾🥾
I have those and the Dune. Great boots. I wear doc non work and dune everyday on construction site project Managment. Love the dune but to box collapsed about 6 months in and nothing crushed it and I don’t spend anytime crawling around in them. I’d recommend them both but I have not had any other real quality western boots to compare with. The sale price seems to be closer to where I’d expect the price to be.
Sounds right to me as well on the price. Thanks for watching and glad to hear your review.
I have a pair of their 300 boots, and for what they are they’re pretty stout. Subtle overall with sneaky good arch support. They’re on their second wedge sole, and they’ve got plenty left to give. Their sizing is unique to them, which makes it difficult to get in to. Their fit sheet sizing said I should be a 9 5E, but ended up needing a 9.5 3E to have a decent fit with the proper heel to arch length for my foot but they’re oddly long. Either way, they’re worth looking at if you’re interested.
Thank you for this helpful and thoughtful comment back!! 🥾👍
Hi Charles
Great to meet Walter ,
The toe bug is different , not my taste , the shaft is not too bad .
Agreed! Thanks so much for watching
" Hard yakka outbacks" great boots just check them
🥾🥾
Hello their Charles and Walter, great video, nice looking boot, the toe bug seems odd they should have went with something traditional, am not really a fan of JK to be honest, but it seems like they do make a good product ✌️
Thanks so much for watching! We will see where I go in the future in terms on JK. 🥾🥾
Any plans for a try on video? Would love to hear what you think of them once they are on your feet and see how they look
Yup that’s in the works!
Well, hello Walter! I guess I missed a couple vids more recently since there seemed to be a gap for a while there. Yes, I got the Thurs cowboy boots more recently and I'm neigh familiar with their wedge models. I had a bit of sizing issue with the OT boot and never got my discount back after making a couple returns trying to nail that down, so I'm not sure how well all the employees process info and have heard worse cust serv stories in vague detail. I'm still not sure if EE would have worked the best for this model, that which wasn't available, so I'm neigh sure how I would try to size a western boot with no laces to compensate for this or that, etc.
MUCH of the new Western fad is oddly due to the Costner show, where they DON'T dress all that much like "tradilsh" singin' cowboys or whate'er, but same as early 80s is a lotta City Slickers? England???
Nobody seems t' be reviewing Tecovas in the channels I land on most frequently, so Chisos getting the attention instead.
I'd like to design my own embroidery a bit, tho, in the COMPUTER Age. Also, these are only in red or black at that price.
Ye likely missed nothing. The web just says STEER instead BOVINE and True t' Size and the sizing starts bigger than my size, like most cow-poke brands that I can't buy e'en if I wanted to. So I guess any of my other questions about the usual arch support and such don't matter, either.
Claims Finest full-grain in two colors. work of art. natural beauty, blah,. blah. I guess they'll last as long as they do, so ye can tell us if they comfy or not.
The toe bug is a little funky to me, but I can see them wanting to do something a little different to stand out. I think for the cost, they don’t seem to provide anything special. I just bought some of the Ariat Bench Made line in a square toe (I forget the name of the style) made from moose leather with all the traditional cowboy boot materials (leather outsole, lemon wood pegs, calf lining) for about $300 and I couldn’t be happier. Their bench made line are handmade in Leon, and seem to represent a pretty good value for the price. Might buy some Chisos one day, but they are almost twice as much as my Ariats.
I think that’s my thing with these. Nothing standing out to me. I think they are using their good name to demand high prices but it’s just not there. Good boots, great craftsmanship, uncertainties about the materials and that about sums it up. 🥾🥾🤠
The Ariat Benchmade is a better boot than Chisos. I returned the Chisos. I kept the Ariats.
I am really confused about the design. Honestly they should have a historian come up with something that represents JK. And have this as a competition sports version. But JK is a Heritage Company so this just doesnt make sense with their brand.
I’m equally as confused but time will tell what the market says about it! 🤠🤠
Very disappointed they are having them made in Mexico, especially for that price.
Since I'm Canadian I'll save a couple of dollars and buy Boulet cowboy boots. They are great quality, made in Canada and at a more than fair price.
The inside of the boots being "smooth" isn't much of a concern if you wear proper boot socks. 🤷
All said and done I enjoyed the video thank you!!
I mean that’s well within the going rate for hand made cowboys boots out of Leon. If you can get some high quality Canadian made boots for less, then go for it! It should be noted that Leon is a well regarded region for handmade shoes, some call it the boot capital of the world because of the quantity of boot and shoe makers there. That said, I’m sure it’s just like Italian leather goods -there is the reputation of quality, but you can find great stuff that lives up to the reputation and junk that abuses the name for sales. I only have 1 pair of boots from Leon (Ariat Bench Made boots) but I am very happy with them and felt that the $300 price I paid was very fair.
Thanks! I too haven’t had issues with lining being rough but worth noting since some do it better. I’m not one to mind them being made in Mexico, just concerned that folks who know JK = 🇺🇸 might not dig it. Really appreciate your input and taking time to watch. Cheers! 🥾🥾🤠
@@sschoon86 My thinking is if I'm going to buy JK boots part of the reason is to support the states. But with the conversion rate, shipping and extra taxes (our gov wants a piece of the action for doing nothing), that $300 US is up around $600 Canadian. Which gives a lot of room to play up here. 🤷.
@@GentlemansJourney that's my thinking JK= US, not saying anything is wrong with Mexico but when you convert to CAD, add the extra shipping and our gov takes their chunk. Those boots are going to be up around $600, which for that I can buy some Canadian made boots that I'm guessing would be better quality. Since more of the $$ are going to the boots and not add on's.
@@va6gkthaskey311TLDR I agree, but there is some nuance to the decision to make these in Leon.
That makes sense, and I hadn't really considered the effect of tariffs for Canada. The US has a free trade agreement with Mexico (and Canada), so that doesn't affect pricing in the US. If these were made in the US, they would probably be like $600 USD, and realistically without adding much additional quality or value to the end product. Also, I imagine that the processes, skills, and equipment required to make western boots would not line up with JK's current manufacturing. I haven't seen any stitchdown cowboy boots, but then again maybe that could have been their differentiating factor, rather than the weird toe bug. JK seems to be producing at capacity with their current lines already, so it wouldn't seem to make sense by adding complexity and demand with a new line at their current facility, and as I understand it, it is hard to find Americans who want to invest the time and effort needed to develop the skill needed to be a quality cobbler (especially when there are easier jobs that pay better - make no mistake, I respect these master boot builders, but it is not a glamorous or high-paying job that attracts people from all corners of country). So it would be really difficult for them to expand their lines into a US made western boot without impacting their current production schedules. Granted, I just got into the western side of the boot world, but I think Lucchese might be the only western boot maker still making them in the US (or at least the only big one). Lucchese boots are significantly more expensive than most of the boots made in Leon. I don't have first hand experience, but I have heard their quality control is nothing to get real excited about. So, I agree that JK Boots is well known as a US company, and it seems like a strange marketing move for them to blur that by producing a Mexican western boot with their JK name. But I also think that if they want to start a western line, then Leon is the place where they would find the manufacturing capacity, the workforce skilled at producing western boots, and at a reasonable cost so they can place their product at a price competitive with other western boots (at least in the US market where there are no tariffs). All that being said, I think JK missed the mark on these, and might experience some reputation damage to their main business which could be more costly than whatever gains they get from this. Time will tell whether this confuses their existing customers, or if it opens up a new customer base without significantly disrupting the demand for their core line of PNW boots.
As an aside, I should be getting my first pair of JK's in about a month (Bison OTs) that I ordered about 2 months ago, and I am pretty excited to get them. I hope they live up to the hype!
The toe bug is a little funky to me, but I can see them wanting to do something a little different to stand out. I think for the cost, they don’t seem to provide anything special. I just bought some of the Ariat Bench Made line in a square toe (I forget the name of the style) made from moose leather with all the traditional cowboy boot materials (leather outsole, lemon wood pegs, calf lining) for about $300 and I couldn’t be happier. Their bench made line are handmade in Leon, and seem to represent a pretty good value for the price. Might buy some Chisos one day, but they are almost twice as much as my Ariats.
👍👍