Custom Wescos

[Old Monkey]

I am going to go take a vacation on the Washington coast later this summer and am thinking about stopping by the West Coast Boot Factory and getting fitted for some custom Wescos. I have on flat foot and just about every pair of boot or shoes hurts until it gets stretched out. I think it is going to cost an arm and a leg but it would be nice to have a pair of boots that feel good from the start. Anyone else here had custom boots made?

 

[MasterBlaster]

No, but because of my crushed foot problem I'd sure like to try them out.

 

[Strikermike]

I have always wanted a pair of custom Whites as they are able to be totally rebuilt. They have what looks to be a good line of loggers and lineman boots. They are kind of pricey though.

http://www.whitesboots.com/store/Whites_Boots.php

 

[Dave Shepard]

I'm thinking about it again. I have one little toe that's starting to peek out of my shoe, time for another pair. I was looking for boots last night on the Red Wing site, and nothing nice in my size. I emailed them about it, but I'm sure they aren't going to do much about it. Wesco wasn't sure they could do anything for me either.:roll:

 

[stig]

Both my caulk boots and my linemans are custom Wescos.
I have weird feet( narrow forefoot) and have never been able to find logging boots to fit well.
The custom Wescos fit like a well worn glove.
They were expensive, yes, but every time I put them on, I get a little jolt of pleasure from the way they fit.
Well worth the money IMO.
With a narrow forefoot a pair of boots that fit the rest of the foot will always be loose around the mid-foot and toe area, causing the foot to slide to the downhill side, when walking in hilly terrain. Really hard on the feet, when you log hillsides 8 hrs a day.

By the way, Darin, the Wesco factory is in Scappoose Oregon, not on the Washington coast.

 

[Frans]

Its a good idea to have a custom pair of boots built. I have done it several times. Yes, they are comfortable.
But... it really depends on what surface your on consistently.

If you are on pavement more than half the time you may not feel total joy with your new wescos.
They are really designed to be worn off pavement

 

[wiley_p]

I've only worn Whites. About 20 years ago when I got my first pair, I figured I needed a "custom" pair. The sales guy in Spokane let me know they have about 400 stock lasts and most folks can find a pair of boots that fit well from the stock setup. If you do have to have a custom last built it is only an additional 60.00.
I don't know what a new pair of Wescos cost, but Whites are running just under 500.00.
I get the #375's with triple lineman shank. it's the Smokejumper model with a heavier duty shank than what comes stock on their lineman boot.
They only charge 45.00 for the mod on the base 375 model.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Wescos ain't much cheaper, if at all.

 

[Old Monkey]

Stig, the way to the Washington coast from here is through the Portland area, where the boot factory is.

Dave, I did White's Smokejumper boots once and they fell apart in one season. I was very disappointed. I don't think I'd care for going through White bite this long of a reprieve from firefighting.

 

[stig]

Of course it is!
I still think too much like a hitchhiker, so I would have gone north before heading west, in order to stay off 84, where it is hard to catch a ride.
My route would be prettier, I think, but way slower for someone driving their own car.
Is it still legal to hitchhike on freeways in OR, btw. It used to be, back in the 80es.

Just visiting the fitting room at Wesco's is almost worth the trip. It is totally anacronistic, like stepping through a timewarp. This great smell of leather and a guy who measures your feet and ask how exactly you want your boots put together.
Not something I have ever tried before.
When I wrote from Denmark to ask if I could come by the factory for a fitting,because I said, I'd just be travelling through the area, they gave me a number to call, if I came after hours. Then someone would come down to take care of me.
Great service, I must say.

 

[gf beranek]

I had custom fit Wes Cos three times and each pair last about 4 years with a rebuild in between.

No complaints here.

At TCI last year in Milwakee the WesCo booth was right down from us and I stopped to chat with a young fellow there, I think his name was Darin too. Anyway he told me the pressure of the economy and cost of labor has never swayed them to go overseas for manufacturing. He said sales for a good quality boot has always been strong enough to keep the manufacturing at home.

That's cool.

 

[stig]

When I visited the factory, I was told that what really keeps them busy is making their custom motorcycle boots.
What originally started as a sideline is now the major part of busines.
Great that the motorcycle people help keep a great company going, so the tree folks can get good boots, when we need them.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Yea, nowadays it seems that everybody and their brother has a motorcycle. That can't hurt boot sales one bit.

 

[gf beranek]

My first WesCos was in '69'. I think they were $85.

 

[wiley_p]

Stig, the way to the Washington coast from here is through the Portland area, where the boot factory is.

Dave, I did White's Smokejumper boots once and they fell apart in one season. I was very disappointed. I don't think I'd care for going through White bite this long of a reprieve from firefighting.

I used to have to get a rebuild after a season as well, lots of hotline, rocky ground, etc would play hell on the soles.
never had "white bite". One thing I would do with a brand new pair was fill them with water, let them soak for an hour or so, then wear them till they were dry.
If you have flat feet, Whites could play hell with that, as the arch is high.

 

[Bounce]

I got a custom pair of Wesco's. Best boots I've ever worn.

 

[Burnham]

I too have had Wesco build me both Vibram and caulk sole boots...but the only custom part for me was getting measured at the factory. They had a last that fit me, so not really custom made. My foot is a fairly normal shape, size 9 medium width.

Not that that's what Wesco calls it...their sizes and widths are their own lingo.

 

[fallguy]

I have White "Packers" that I have been wearing 3 + years in our substation yards. They are covered with 3/4 " crushed rock. The boots will need a rebuild next summer maybe. They are steel toe's and the leather over the toe cap has not worn through yet! They cost 425.00 that will be about .50 a day to wear them. Like I told the wife "I'm worth it"

 

[MasterBlaster]

Oh hell yeah.

 

[stig]

I too have had Wesco build me both Vibram and caulk sole boots...but the only custom part for me was getting measured at the factory. They had a last that fit me, so not really custom made. My foot is a fairly normal shape, size 9 medium width.

Not that that's what Wesco calls it...their sizes and widths are their own lingo.

Well,you can still fiddle around with shaft height and accessories.
I had them put thinsulate lining in my first pair of caulks.
The showroom guy went: "Your feet are going to be VERY hot, Sir!"
I guess they aren't used to people logging in winter out on the coast.
My feet are nice and toasty in those boots, just the way I like them to be.

 

[fallguy]

My son's cure for White bite is to get Obenauf's Boot oil and put 3 coats on a new pair of boots. 1 coat goes on the inside first then 2 on the outside. This seems to loosen the leather just enough. Then he puts a coat of there paste on top.