Hey at least they stuck with the "spend a weeks pay" for a pair of boots pricing model 😂 joking aside these look magnificent, great job man can't wait to see what else you guys cook up
My Nick's and White's were "only" about a 1/3 of a week's wages for me. However, even at that it took me 3-4 years to finally order a pair after I heard about them... I kept thinking that it's a lot of money for boots! Now I have a pair of each with a pair of Nick's hiking boots on order. The price is soon forgotten but the quality lasts for years...
@@thecolonialcraftsman4014 yeah I was mostly just going for a bit of humor 😂 but hey whatever the price if they're worth it you can't argue, especially with how much work goes into them.. glad that you find them to your liking , I've had my builder pro's for a few years now and wish I had snagged them sooner myself
@@FgtRtd oilfield. at least youll have a job you can retire from and you probably get to sleep in the same bed every night. pros and cons to everything.
As a smokejumper I bought my White's smokejumper boots 50 years ago and paid $150 for them. Still have those most comfortable boots ever and well worth the money. Quality never grows tiresome.
I remember buying my first pair of 12” Nick’s Hot Shots in 1988 almost 20 later they had worn into racing slicks and the shafts were so rotten, they told me they couldn’t rebuild them. Enter the 2 pair. That pair were Lineman’s.
As much as I hate to see so many nice boots cut in half I have to think that the sales of these boots have seen a massive increase thanks to this channel. I've become a lot more obsessed with boots since finding this channel and seeing what goes into them is fascinating to me.
I really hope they keep doing it this way. But the fact they are owned by a massive buying group will someday see one dickhead on the board say "let's cut costs & use machines to make them instead and keep charging the same price" I really really hope that doesn't happen like it has to almost all boot makers the world over.
I had a really bad experience with them rebuilding a pair of boots years ago, I had to send them back a second time and they were still unwearable and they said they would charge for another rebuild. As far as I am concerned it was the end of the real White's when the company got sold, now it's just investors running the brand into the ground as a #heritage #menswear cash grab for the Huckberry crowd.
Stop lying, the uppers are not made in Dominican Republic. The “lower end” Whites Boots have a good year welt construction instead of handsewn stitchdown which is the reason they’re cheaper.
I’m a welder, ranch hand, seasonal wildland firefighter and retired Army Infantryman. I’ve worn a lot of different boots and Whites are hands down the best boots I’ve ever put on my feet. Great video!
You caught Mine attention with this one, Weston... i had no idea White's does that with their stitching. This is the type of stuff that keeps Me in the PNW BootsGame. Awesome Content! Awesome Boots!! Awesome Channel!!! Thank You!
My father worked as a forester. He only ever had two pairs of boots, both Whites Smokejumpers. he got hit first pair in the 60's and wore them daily for over 40 years. If that does not speak to the quality of the boot nothing ever will. BTW I got his first pair as a hand-me-down and wore them until my feet grew out of them.
This is why selling quality leads to eventual bankruptcy. A business can't survive if it's product is purchased once every 40 years. Buy a quality boot every year even if you don't need them or suffer with mass production from overseas.
I get the durability argument, as I'm in construction. The thing I can't get over though, is comfort, fatigue induced on the wearer, and just how hard these type of boots are on your feet. Then there's the weight. The military has done studies on the effect of weight on your feet, and 1# on your foot is equal to 7# on your back. So just wearing boots this heavy will by default cause much more fatigue over a day wearing them, and they're hard on your feet/not very comfortable (to me anyway). So yeah, I stick with heavier duty hiking types, Asolo, Salomon, etc. So much more comfortable, more dexterity, less fatigue, and far less expensive. I try to understand why people go nuts over these boots, but other than just the craftsmanship (which is impressive), and durability, I don't really get it. Just look how little insole there is covering those clench nails... hell no. Those are hot spots, pressure points no matter what socks you wear.
My White's Smoke Jumpers have been my every day wear for a few years now. Super comfy once broken in. I wear them like shoes and they feel just as light after wearing for so long.
I have two questions if I got a pair will they be too hot to wear in North Florida and are they tough because I've never wore a boot that lasted more than 2 years ?
@@rdf4315 They've lasted me for a good while. Few years and haven't had any trouble with wear. I don't know about Florida, as I haven't been anywhere with comparable humidity.
When I worked for the USFS in East Oregon high desert, I wore my SJ's in 115 degree summers, even on fires in that heat. I would also jog in them after a full day working in the forest. Best pair of footeare I've ever owned in 65 years.
I owned a pair while in the Marine Corps. I remember wearing them on a 20 mile hike with packs and gear, and though my feet were sore I had no blisters at all while many other Marines had blisters and a few lost their entire heel pad (one huge blister). My take away was that no matter the boot it must fit properly, and secondly that the White's with it's excellent support and fit was an outstanding boot.
As someone born and raised in Spokane, these boots are criminally underrated. I have weird shaped feet and no boot I’ve ever found has been comfortable for me to work in. I was suggested a pair of whites by an old construction general. I’m glad he did that. These are the only boots I’ll ever wear and I wish more people knew about this gem of our city.
Was gifted a pre-owned pair of these when I got my licensure with EMS, wore them on ambulance calls through the pandemic. Still have them, probably the best boots I've ever had.
I was only passingly familiar with the Whites brand but was surprised to learn that one of the family members lived in the Shenendoah Valley, where I live. I now am very set on one day owning a pair of these boots. It would be really cool to walk around the home of the founder in a pair of boots his family had a hand in crafting.
Well, now we need a head-to-head between Nick's and White's and maybe one of the other brands, I like Wesco's 'cause they are the only one that provide inside leather lining from the start... There can be only one!
I’ll definitely do it one day! They all build boots basically the same way on the same lasts with minor differences like the extra stitched welt on this whites boots that I don’t think any of the other brands do
@@johnvelas70 no way. What issues? I have had mr lou for 4 yrs and they are still in great shape. I am sure if you email Chris Warren he would take care of you
@@MattieXMoto ha time for bed, but to answer you I sent 1 pr in for a resole they sent them back in vibram not corks & the other pair the gusset came back unsewn to the vamp. Mine are 12 years old, resoled 2x and rebuilt once.
I have own numerous pair of White boots and one pair is over 30 plus years old in my collection of White work boots. Stop at the factory 3 weeks ago and was told White is 8 months I’d I wanted a custom pair of boots made . White is back log. Like I have said been wearing White’s for over thirty years and I love them. No issues at all. Thanks!
I've watched your videos since I've been working from home and it is because of your reputation and honesty, I just ordered a pair of these boots, sight unseen, and without trying them on, and at this price. You look to be honest and reputable and if you say these are best boots made here, then I just plunked down my money for 'em. Feel free to call or reach out. Thanks for what you do to make sure we don't waste $$ on crappy boots. This will be the most expensive clothing item I've ever bought in my life haha
I have nicks, pretty much the same thing... and they are nowhere near as comfortable as $100 timberlands bought on sale with all the foam in the sole. I've almost had them for a year now and wear them for everything besides why I initially bought them, for work. If you're working on concrete, these boots aren't it. It almost feels like you're wearing wooden shoes, they're that stiff and I've had them for almost a year.. They'll last you a long time though.
I was a wildland firefighter in Oregon when I was 18 in 2000. Every firefighter or logger who invested a decent amount of money on their boots had Whites. I had to settle for Wescos because it was a 3-hour drive to the valley to get the Whites custom made to my foot. But I do remember they cost about $350 then. Not a week's pay but damn expensive. I can't believe what they cost now!
Your videos are not only educational, but they bring to light the truth about what we are getting our feet in to. I will always look for your reviews before making shoe purchases. Thank you.
My dad was a heavy duty Diesel mechanic and wore White's boots. His feet were 13AAA, but White had a last for them. He had two pair and would switch off from one week to the next. I seem to remember him having them rebuilt a couple times for each pair, until there was no longer enough material to sew on new soles.
I have owned a few pair of their smoke jumpers and I still occasionally wear my old packers. They literally look better now than when I bought them 15 years ago. Very nice boots.
I graduated from high school in 1966 and got a summer job with the US Forest Service on the East slope of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. My boots were some version of Red Wings which served me well but I soon learned that everyone who took the job seriously eventually got measured for White's in Spokane. I went with Danner's but White's were the Holy Grail.
I just want to congratulate you for your videos that are very interesting and you teach us more every day about the history of shoes, boots, and sneakers shoes, my respects and my best wishes from Reynosa Tamauli-paz Mex 🇲🇽
Regarding a Pacific Northwest boot company I’d love to see you tackle JK’s new 300 line. It’s their new budget line that’s about 30% cheaper than the mainline. Would be great to see you take a deep dive into where they cut costs in the construction.
They actually put a video on their own channel of exactly this. Cutting the 300 boot in half and explaining how it was made. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xdFmqnU4ViU.html
What’s even more interesting to me is that they still use a holdfast method as opposed to the gemming. I bought a pair of the MP Sherman’s and was really excited about this when I found out they were constructed like this
@@user-sh2mk8ew4c I got the MP Sherman plain toe half lug in natural chromexcel. To be honest I haven’t gotten an opportunity to break em in but I love the way they look out of the box though lol for the longest I coveted the Beckmans by redwing but they were discontinued before I could build up the capital to buy some. Long story short I found these, in which I found a new obsession, and when I finally had the money I bought em. Thank God I waited as I like the style and construction on these a lot better. I would say they do run a little slim so I would suggest getting them a little wide or doing some exact measurements with whites. As for comfort, again, haven’t had much opportunity to wear them, but they are a typical heritage boot, and they wear like one, so I can’t imagine there being any pleasant break in with these lol although chromexcel is more pliable than veg tan, so I don’t the the upper will be as harsh to break in as opposed to the sole itself. All in all I don’t care what the break in feels like. I’m happy with my eye candy lol
Yeah I found that odd too considering his last two collaborations were with Nick’s. Although his opinion is these are the best handmade boots in the USA, I still don’t think they would compare to a custom Made to Measure Nick’s boot with comparable construction, to a more generic fitting boot. Just my opinion. And yes, I own all the three big PNW brands and I’m not a fanboy of any.
this was the first of your videos i couldn't watch all the way through Weston... I tapped out after 11 minutes. You had just explained the beauty and history of White's so well, I couldn't bear to see you cut the boots up! These are definitely on my "Grail boots" list now.
You better get a pair quick then, only 200 are being made, and they are almost out of spots. Here's the link before it's too late shop.whitesboots.com/collaborations/rose-anvil-x-whites-drifter-boot/
I'm impressed with the construction. I made boots at the old Kaufman Footwear plant in Kitchener Ontario Canada, that made the old Canadian made Sorels that were good. But this boot is impressive. We did have our high end hunting boots that would be comparable in ways, but the stitching all done by hand and the materials are obviously high end and amazingly put together. I've been out of the boot trade since the 90's but still remember it well, and I'd buy a pair of these for sure. Great video outlining some very hard work and construction. I didn't know they were made in Spokane and it doesn't surprise me, as I seem to get along with lots of people in Spokane. They're a very industrial community, from my experience of driving truck now thru there. My favorite guys to help me with breakdowns on my truck are in Spokane, WA as well. From my experience they're a good hard working city, so hats off to them from me! Industries in North America have mostly closed up and moved oversea's but it's good to see some of the iconic products still hanging in there. I still try and buy Canadian and American if at all possible, so this product is strongly noted in my mind from now on.
Whites are by far one of the most difficult boots to break in, but, now I see why it is so awesome to have a pair of these and break them in. I would love to see a boot breakdown of the Drews Boots Wildland Firefighter. I've heard, the Drews Boots are on par with the Nicks and the Whites, maybe even a little better? It would be cool to see a cross section of the Drews Boots.
Love your content. Just found you last year. I'm 73 so no need now for long lasting boots but I wish I had your knowledge at my fingertips 60yrs ago. would have made my working life so much better. Good luck to you.
I have been wearing my 2 pair of smoke jumpers for well over 10 years. They go back to get new soles or rebuilt annually, they are the only thing that I put on my feet (Except house slippers). I am a bit interested in this new dress boot. Keep up the great work at White's Thank you God bless America Jake Hanks
Great review. I have a pair of 20+ year old Smoke Jumper boots I special ordered in brown when, at the time, you could only get them in black, and I am still trying to wear them out. I also have a pair of their new Chore boot. They are lighter weight, but still a terrific choice for day to day work on multiple surfaces. Am I a fan? Absolutely!! Best boot made in the US of A!!
I ran 50 yards through hot coals to escape a blow up fire in 1968. These White Boots saved my ass. Had to pour water inside to cool them and my feet down. I still have those boots. I want them on my feet when I’m buried.
@@RoseAnvil I did buy a pair. This is the first time I have been able to buy a boot of any kind of high quality. Custom shoe size makers have waiting lists in the years.
'Bout DAMN TIME you looked at Whites! Ever since you did your 1st Nick's review, I've wanted to donate my White's Smoke Jumpers (vintage 2002, my1st pair EVER; wore them for almost 15 yrs with 4 rebuilds). Still happy to donate them to the cause of cutting shoes in half. Nick's gave me a terrible fitting experience. Did the at home measure, mail-order correspondence and got a size too big and too wide. White's will always be my choice (even though I have to travel 10hrs to get to my favorite boot fitter)
I have owned 16 pairs of White's Boots. My favorites are the 12" Elk Smoke Jumpers and my newest are the Red Dog with honey Vibram soles in a 10" lace up. Yeah, some are barley broken in, and some are never gonna be, but I will never stop wearing them. They are a joy to own!
I would really like a spreadsheet with all of the details from your reviews! I came across you less than a week ago and I've watched a lot of your videos. Well done!
Check out the 30 min dive on how and why I designed this boot to be the most versatile boot in whole wide 🌎 on the Rose Anvil 2 channel here! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uGP1_dVDAZw.html
Hi Weston. is this a pair of boots that could last a lifetime if looked after like getting resoled at whites store because that beautiful red dog leather looks really tough and to hard to wear down naturally? I felt a little sick to see you cutting into the Boots after seeing those guys working on them,I bet their hands are as tough as their leather 😥 but the are worth the effort and keeping the way of making boots alive 🙂👍🏻✌🏻🇬🇧❤️☕
I had a pare of Whites smoke jumpers for 5 years. They are some tough boots. Took me 4 months to break them in. ResoIed them 3 times. I hated the Arch-ease heels. Sold the boots for $100. Now I wear comfortable light weight hiking boots with no heels.
Bro ive had a pair of Whites for almost two years and i bought them before i ever saw this video, i feel like ive been wearing a piece of art on my feet this whole time and now i feel like i have to take care of them better. great video.
$650 sounds like a lot for a pair of boots, but after your excellent and highly detailed analysis, they look totally worth it. The most expensive shoes I ever bought were Allen Edmonds. They’ve cut corners over the years while upping the price. We’re talking $300+ for a dress show if you pay retail. With these boots, you’re talking much more leather and hand crafting. Like I said: the White’s appear to be worth every penny! Love the channel by the way! Cheers!
i used to think 300$ was expensive for a boot. Now after watching these videos i know $300 is expensive for the value of what you get. That's why i'm now in the market for a dam near $700.00 boot with tax added, because they are a better value than the $300 boots.
2005 I was by chance at a lumber yard across the street from Whites factory/showroom in Spokane. It was a very nice set up and they have quite a variety of choices with windows looking into the factory. If you get a chance....check it out!
Damn I wasn't prepared to see such a damn fine boot autopsy... It's a piece of art, almost like watchin a prewar Martin D cut in half or a 1954 Fender Tele "no caster, Squier or Broadcaster" cut in half...
Price and lead time seem very reasonable for that type of constructed boot. The leather working inside is exceptional. Also, the White’s Millwood is hands down the best wedge sole work boot I own and I only payed $250 for it during one of their sales. Every single aspect of the boot is elevated over other brands in that price point and higher. Their customer service department is outstanding too.
It was harder to see these "living" boots cut than the historic pairs. Also, I will definitely be using the phrase "a diminishing return is still a return".
Bought my first pair of White's 8" smokejumpers in 1982, they've been rebuilt 5 times and I still have them. Favorite boots. My 2nd pair were 10" smokejumpers, 1990. Wish I would've gone with the 8" again. But theyve been rebuilt 3 times, still wearingvthose to. My last pair I bought in 2016, 6" hikers, time to be rebuilt
As a former hockey player, I can appreciate the quality of great footwear. Several years back, I needed new skates. Tried on a pair of Bauer Vapors. I was shocked at the 950.00 price tag. What was more shocking was.... Made in China. Keep up the great work guys also please keep in the USA !!! I wear red wings. However, after watching your video, I will definitely look into your boots. No, I didn't buy the communist skate.
There are definitely more comfortable boots, at least, boots that are easier to break in. There are boots with greater cushioning and/or breathability, but few if any are more durable, longer lasting as well as rebuildable. $400 back in '04, my SJs fought a lot of fires for nearly two decades before I retired. I still have 'em, resoled twice. Keep 'em clean, oil regularly with Huberds. That is my recipe.
My first and only pair of White's are the Perrys in Red Dog leather. Great boots! If these cheapest of White's are any indication of quality, these boots in this video are sure to be excellent. The Red Dog leather has held up well for nearly 2 years. The boots are very comfortable. I am quite happy with my White's boots. I did note that you didn't mention Nicks even once, nor show a photo of Nicks when you were comparing the White's to other high end boots. Falling out with Nicks??? Thanks for this review video.
This is exactly what I noticed. And just recently there was the Nicks-RA collaboration. I think it is time for a non-sponsored head-to-head comparison between Nicks and Whit's, but I am starting to wonder if this should be done by Rose Anvil, since Weston is now completely part of the industry establishment; the voice of the boot makers' marketing departments, if you will. :)
@RoseAnvil - I love my smokejumpers and also my Nick's patrol boots.. BUT! Here's a tip from a professional woodworker for you when using that band saw:: That blade is pulling your cut down to the table, so what ever part of the boot is being cut, it's best you keep that part resting flat. There's a danger that overhanging/unsupported parts will catch traction and suddenly be pulled to the table. When that happens, things can shift, the blade can bind, and I'd hate anything to get hurt in the process. Long-time watcher, thanks for your dedication to showing how epic old-school craft is :]
I was in line construction for 43 years. I've worn White's and Norco's. Whites are incredible, but I always found Norco's more comfortable and durable for climbing. Thanks for your work. I really appreciate your takes. Cheers.
Did you read my mind, my man?! I am a rancher with a rugged mountain cattle range in British Columbia, primarily accessible by horseback. I looked at stock White's Packers last time I was in Montana, and had Spokane on a Spring '22 trip itinerary. I was all set to get custom fitted and figure out how to get a packer heel on something with a wider toebox and a Vibram mini-lug sole for jumping on and off the horse in steep subalpine country... That trip got cancelled, and now I am glad it did, because you absolutely nailed it here in terms of the perfect build for me. I am ordering this afternoon after I get measured up; hope it isn't too late. Thank you!
I get where you’re coming from. In my eyes it shouldn’t take away from the guys that actually run whites and all the guys that make the boots by hand in the US. Yes Nicks as far as I know is still privately owned by some really awesome dudes!
I get where you’re coming from. In my eyes it shouldn’t take away from the guys that actually run whites and all the guys that make the boots by hand in the US. Yes Nicks as far as I know is still privately owned by some really awesome dudes!
I ordered a pair from White's (not this model.) I was concerned when they told me that I needed to order one size smaller. I need a wide toe box, but decided to try them, after listening to their "sizing" explanation. The toe box was fine, but the boots were so tight around the mid-foot that I knew there was no stretching that would ever fix the problem. I was very impressed with the quality of the boot, but I had to return them.
I currently own two pairs of White’s, the Perry Moc Toe and the Hillyard. I gotta say the Perry’s are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned and the hill yards are great working boots. For $300 for either pair they are an excellent deal in my opinion but I’d love to see the Hillyards cut in half to see what’s inside!
Whites and nicks are both on my bucket list of boots i want to own. Properly taken care of, and resoled as needed, they will last a man until the day he dies
I've been wearing White's for over 10 years doing road construction. These are my daily driver and have done the smoke jumper and am now in the packer. I love these boots. The only reason I have them rebuilt is that the sole wears out on me. They last longer than any other pair that I have seen and at the point, you send them for a rebuild they cost the same.
Great vid, great job explaining that welt. Now I see that Whites are expensive because they are a step up from most boot companies, I’ve seen a video of Viberg being made and they use more machines than Red Wing for an $800 boot. Crazy.
You should check out JK boots, also made in Spokane. I'd be real interested to see how their new 300 series holds up, though I wear my $95 Rock Roosters and $380 work boots are a bit out of my price range. Could compare them to something like White's Chore Boot, at about the same price.
My dad grew up in eastern Washington and always told me that my grandpa only ever used two pairs of boots over his whole 30ish year career, and they were Whites.
Been wearing whites for 40 yrs....surprised u didn't mention the weight...circumstances dictate if being that heavy is a negative or positive...really great video.
That is the way boots should be made. Awesome. I would love to have a pair. But I have no need for them. I'm disabled and if I want to wear a good work boot I have some that are great boots, even though they might not be as good as the whites. They will last my life time. But I love that kind of quality. Great video. Sorry for your loss in cutting that boot up.
So glad you reviewed these boots. Three pairs so far here in NZ and they hold up very well. Worth the money and shipping to NZ, It is $$$, but for what we have here it's worth it.
I have a pair of whites for 7 wildland seasons My wife bought me a pair of Arizona boots I don’t even know the name of it I like Them more, Solomon boots are now my favorite
I used to work in commercial masonry and purchased the smokejumpers. Lime and leather are not very compatible but these boots, by far, lasted longer and held up better than any other boot I used. Add in the fact that you can send your boots back, and only reusing the upper to completely rebuild these boots. Average cost per year for boots is lower than buying these “Expensive” boots. The only “Con” is these boots are a monster to break in. Takes several weeks and the first week is painful. Once broken in, they will feel like a glove on your foot. If you work or wear boots every day, these are worth the investment.
The most painful thing I’ve done this year was to watch as this boot was cut in half. No disrespect to anyone suffering greatly. Great video. Go Whites!
This is for the working man.. most others can’t and won’t understand. Understand boots & the construction of them. Losing one thing. A mag pouch instead of knife pouch
