If you didn’t know. Tall heals on work boots actually allow you to stand longer on your feet without fatiguing and add more support. The higher your arches the better your feet are. That info is from 60+ years of wildland fire boot building on Nicks Handmade boots.
they also give you extra traction in steep terrain for people who work in the mountains. nicks has an urban drifter which is the same boot but with a shorter heel.
I'm preparing to transition from a barefoot style for 50 years of working to boots with arches. My feet and spine are shot and I got a lot left to do. Wish me luck.
Here's the thing ninny - 90% of the people that buy Nicks are like this guy (seriously, does an Electrician or RU-vidr need these?). And for those people, it absolutely looks like women's boots. The heel is a consequence of its 100-yearold design heritage, which is the 19th century American logger boot, where the heel was high intentionally. BTW - my suspicion is that our RU-vidr likes them subconsciously because they add about 3"-4" to his height.
@@johnfaustus1 if they can afford them who the fuck cares? Arch support is very important. And the I’d rather buy a $500 pair of boots once every 5-10 years instead of $100-$200 pairs of boots every 1-2 years. I’d also like a boot that can do it all. Construction, warehouse work, hiking, living in, hunting. I just don’t get the gatekeeping mentality tbh. If people can afford them who really cares, eventually Nicks will get big enough their lead times won’t be so bad especially with how many pairs they’re selling.
@@johnfaustus1 Stop whining boy, if you don't like it don't buy it and stop being the lil prick you're being right now. You must be the kid people beat up on in school.
You should try Frank’s Boots. It was opened a few years ago by Frank, who was the general manager of Nick’s boots for over 20 years and he took the shop foreman with him. Frank’s is located in the building where I bought my first pair of Nick’s. We are spoiled here in my city when it comes to work boots. Keep up the great reviews!
I am most likely just enamored by the quality and fit of my Urban Loggers that I got in under a week ago, but I can already see these things being the perfect boot for me. Maybe just maybe equal or outclassed by the Overlander if I ever buy those, but the 20 week wait time was just too much for me to go with them. The leather is 8oz and hard to break in. I went for a 40 min hike/walk and my feet felt wonderful, but my ankles started to ache when I got home. I went with their standard measurements and for a 9.5B foot these 9B urban loggers fit perfect. Enough room for toes, circulation and a medium sock without feeling loose. They hug my foot without strangling them.
I find when on my feet all day the heel on the logger saves my lower back. I’ve always worn boots with cushioned insoles and low heels that I thought were comfortable. Turns out I had no idea what comfortable was. Get through the break-in period and you’ll never go back to the glued together “work boot”.
I have a ladies boot with similar design which i got around 1996 in Ireland, still functioning today but has scruffs and needs top lift replacement only. Just as heavy and clunky but i love it😀
You can custom order the Urban Logger with the moderate heel stack. So it’s the same 55 last, everything else the same if you want, just a couple fewer leather pieces in the heel.
The Nicks dogger and logger heels can be off putting when brand new. Once broken in, the heels do compress. They will never be a low block heel but my Manitos have gone from having a 2 inch heel to 1and half inch heel after their break in.
People knock the heel until they try it and feel that glorious arch support magic Nicks incorporates into their boots. Nicks Robert is my everyday boot; way less aggressive sole for casual wear while still having the arch support for comfort.
I never felt the heel look feminine until you mentioned it😂 I actually wanted to get a pair of nicks last year after watching your video, but unfortunately after calculating the international shipping costs, (with the try-on boots) I had to give it up. May be one day if I travel to the US, I will pre-order them and at least have my try-on in their retail store may be, and save myself two international shipments fees.
I took the chance of not doing the try on pair. My wife and I measured my feet five different times using their fit kit to make sure everything was correct. I was a bit nervous spending that kind of money. Well the Fit is amazing! I've never had anything fit so well. Worth the price.
Carl, I really appreciate you mentioning that you have a duty to your audience. That’s why I love your channel, your character, your reviews. Keep on my man 👍
HaHaHa you know the old saying opinions are like Aholes and everybody has one. They are some sweet looking boots. I’m not sure how anyone looks at these as women’s boots. Sure the heal is high but most people associate that with a logger. Unfortunately this type of heal with high arch kills my feet, ankles and hips so I can’t wear them. Dude I love the videos and appreciate the time you take to make them. Cheers 🍻
I haven't seen a logger wearing logger boots in 15 years and I am a forester living in rural PNW. Caulks on the side and sneakers or Crocs in the crummy. Logger boots were made for a job barely anyone even does anymore and just look foolish 99% of the time, especially in the city.
Well I live in rural western PA and most people in the timber industry to farmers and heavy equipment operators wear similar logging boots. I do agree that they would be a bit silly looking in the city but in the small towns in my area high healed loggers are the norm in town along with cowboy boots.
I have a pair of Nick's builder pros that I purchased in January. They felt great in the beginning. I opted for the "medium" arch that has since worn down into almost nothing. I felt like I was mislead about the medium arch support. Their customer support told me that it will take a full rebuild to remedy. I called Frank's boots (they have a repair shop) and they came to my rescue. I also have a pair of Frank's type 1 commanders (high arch) that I love. Anybody considering boots like this should, in my opinion, go with Frank's.
I have Frank's. It was a Rocky start buying the boots and finally getting a pair that fit correctly. But they fixed their mistakes and made it right. Actually doing 2 rebuilds and starting completely from scratch to get it right. Their customer service is amazing!
I have a set of Frank's Handmade Boots. I wasn't too keen on the looks of the heel. But the high arch is amazing. Don't knock it until you try it. So comfortable when they finally break in. Lol
@@chu88y1 I can't really speak to your foot condition. I don't really have supper high arches but I absolutely love the arch support these have. I know Frank's has great customer service. I had some fitment issues with the first pair they sent me. I wasn't happy with the way the toe cap felt or looked. They rebuilt them again and I still wasn't happy. Finally they built a new pair of boots for me with the mid arch height. There's no way they made money off of me after the work they did. But Frank wanted to be happy with my boots. I'd give them a call and talk to them about your issue. See what they say.
@@chu88y1 I was in the same situation as you; wearing orthotics in cheap footwear. These boots are 10X more durable and comfortable than any orthotics I had. Might wanna check out the "Robert" model on Nicks website for a more casual pair with a non-aggressive sole; Franks also has some casual pairs as well to consider. You won't regret it.
I just discovered heels boots. I love loggers. I wish like HELL Thursday made their logger in my size. I haven’t found anything similar at all. These are super expensive. So I’m saving for em, one day perhaps.
My opinion on heels. I love them and I wish I never have to go without them. Especially on a cowboy boot. Anything less than 1.5 inches just feels too low for me. Stepping into a boot with a 1.5+ inch heel for me just feels Amazing! And I never want to leave that cowboy boot silhouette behind.
@@Bubbles99718 Well those judgmental folk are probably just insecure as hell and they'll have to live with themselves. I'll be over here enjoying my arch support and horses.
I used to wear my riding boots to highschool every day, next thing you know there were 4 or 5 of us. Some people thought it was funny we wore "high heels" we didnt care, in fact it made it easier to tell good friends from posers
I have the Urban Loggers, 8 inch, predator Orange. They are my perfect boot. My wife asked me if I had planned on getting another pair of custom boots at some point. Told her no as these fit great and I'm no boot hobbyist.
The urban logger is the perfect boot for me as well, all day comfort due to the arch support, durability, utility, and versatility for work, hiking, and casual use.
For something more inexpensive and durable, I have bought and like Irish Setters, a pair of pull ons and a pair of of lace up 6" hiking boots. They're durable and waterproof. I don't feel too bad about wearing them out in the pastures or on equipment, tromping around in manure, water, mud, whatever. So far they've been great. I love my Nicks and Whites but I feel about the same way about them at $5-600 as you do your $9-$1200 pair. I'm still a fan of Red Wing but I'm by clothes and footwear like I am by vehicles and equipment brands...there's a few I will steer clear from but for the most part I like everything used in it's correct niche. I'm one of the people that love the high heel, I can't agree with anyone that thinks that's feminine. Anyone that thinks I'm prissy for wearing a high heeled boot can come out to the ranch with me and work with me for a day or two. We'll see who looks like a prissy bitch pretty quick.
Those look so much better after a year. Yesterday my replacement pair of Justin conductor's were waiting on the porch when I got home from work and when I opened up the box I my feelings were a bit lackluster. I find these boots a bit ugly in profile compared to the year almost 2 year old pair that's dirty and too smelly to have resoled. ( I'm hoping the boot dryer and some higher quality saddle soap means a different fate for this pair ) Theres just something about a crisp perfect new pair of boots that usually looks strange compared to a pair that has broken in. The old boots really are a bit gross and ugly, but the worn broken in shape the boots take on looks better.
Peeps see "your purpose". Which is not necessarily good or bad in and of itself. But peeps do see it and form an opinion. The opinion generally being "overcompensating".
It's a LOGGER HEEL. If you don't use it for work, then you don't need it. Get a different heel. As a cable technician, you need it for the ladder, for hooks, for squatting at a better angle. Even if you don't use it for your job, guys who use boots for WORK know what it is at least. Calling it "fem" immediately identifies you as someone who doesn't actually work in their boots. If you're paying $600+ for fashion boots, aren't you more "fem" than someone who actually works in these boots? That word is so fucking stupid.
Hell, I ordered my MTO urban loggers 3 months ago, got my test fit on about 3-4 weeks ago. Knew what should fit and ordered in stock builder pro mid arch, pretty close to my urban loggers. Did 4 hours the first day I wore them and worn them everyday since last Friday when I got em...best boots ever. Some co-workers bust me on the heels....fuck em, I love em.
Forgot...MTO still on their way, pretty close to what you see here....but couldn't wait till January for mine! So glad I bought a stock boot. Fits me great
From someone who has several back surgeries but still works outside, I wish that Nicks would make this boot with a heavy-duty side zipper simply because it would be easier and quicker to put on without sacrificing their integrity. Until Nicks does put a side zipper on these, I will stick with their tanker boots
I dont know what the hell I've done to my feet in our life but Nicks boots are comfortable to me right out the box. No fancy measurements or anything. Google told me the run a half size large and thats what I ordered... a half size small. They're perfect.
I don’t know if I missed it Are your boots there 6 in or 8 in. I’m ordering my boots and like your review and style as a full on work boot. Leaving my redwing 1907 to upgrade
Some may have something to about the Heels but I know they are not talking with those tight ass yoga pants on and thier GFs tight stretch denim on LMAO with those tight ass shirts 🤣 with the tattoos and " I'm a Gangster " attitude 🤭😭🤣😂
I got my urban loggers two weeks ago! It took 7 months but we’ll worth the wait. I love them, but your right they are a gateway drug into better boots. Thanks for your great reviews.
You already had me sold on these after your first video. I've finally got my money saved up but, before I place that order, is this the boot that you'd recommend for a guy who's on his feet all day? I'm not afraid of the notorious break-in, I just want to know that they'll be comfortable for wearing all day once broken in. I've heard that White's may be more comfortable, but I'm hesitant after hearing multiple comments about quality control issues with them.
I think the only thing you need to consider is the effect on your posture. Some guys like a taller heel for what it does to the way they walk and stand, but thats different for everyone.
@@CarlMurawski Thanks, man. I appreciatethe input before making the big purchase. Not to sound like too much of a fanboy, but I've been doing by best to spread the word about your channel, singing your praises to all the guys at work.
Excellent video, quick question , I’m about to purchase a pair of the Urban Loggers but do you recommend a celastic toe or soft toe for this style if only for hanging out purposes.. Nick’s recommends soft toe but what do you have on your boot ?
Thanks Carl, good solid review. My "best" boots have a moderate to low arch, but that's just me, well unless I am actually logging, which at my age I ain't.
I ordered my a pair of Urban Loggers a few days ago and I'm really excited for them. They'll be my first boot of this kind of quality, having done a lot of research into what would fit me best I'm pretty confident they will be. Maybe my mind will change when I see them but... the heels really don't look that large, and the measurement listed isn't that high. I would understand if someone never wore anything with even the slightest heel before finding it unusual but a lot of shoes and boots have a heel. As someone who is on their feet all day though I'm looking forward to that arch support.
Hey @Carl Murawski, what heel size are you urban loggers? I'm ordering mine soon so little confused what size to go with. Whats your opinion (medium arch, moderate or classic arch) thanks
Still have yet to get a pair of Nick's (don't know why not). Do have a custom pair of 7" Olive Waxed Flesh White's Smoke Jumper's with the #100 sole. Don't really like mini-lug or commando sole setups. Had to get a custom pair after getting a stock 10" pair.
Great update, Carl. One thing you could have mentioned about the heel is that you have the High Arch and thus highest heel stack that Nick's offers. The same boot could be made with the shorter Medium or Moderate arches and heel stacks. I have the Natural Waxed Flesh UL's with the Medium Arch and those have been absolutely PERFECT for me.
Here's a million $ question: How can I find out if medium arch or high arch would be more comfortable for me? I am as flat footed as it gets. I can't afford to order a custom made one of these and find out latertjst it's painful (or not as comfortable as it could have been)
Carl....THANK YOU for your honest and thorough reviews!!! I hope you know how much we appreciate your insight into these products. All of your videos provide answers to the questions we all have about these boots.
I understand the trepidation about wearing expensive boots and "messing them up." I was like that with my White's but was less so with my Nick's as I came to appreciate the benefits of that class of boots. Prior to these boots I was lucky to get a year out of boots... along with work use I upland bird hunted and the boots would fall apart or otherwise break down. Then I got a pair of Filson boots and wore them for about 6 years. I sent them out for a resole and they got lost after they were received at Filson. At that point I got the White's as Filson was perpetually out of stock, and then the Nick's. At this stage in my life I don't see myself buying less of a boot again and with resoles and rebuilds the ones I have now may outlast me anyway.
I enjoy you reviews, but have a question. My son is entering an electrical apprenticeship and I'm wanting to get him off to a good start with a good pair of boots. Nick's, White's, etc look like long term keepers, but what about their having EH rating. I think White's has one, but it's a clunky lineman style. Any recs other than Red Wings?
I think the heel looks exaggerated because the size of this pair seems pretty short? Not sure what size they are in the video, but they look pretty stumpy. If these heels were on Shaq’s shoes, they wouldn’t seem so tall. I wonder why these boot makers don’t scale the size of the heel to the boot?
My one pair to rule them all is a pair of made to order Urban Loggers. Moderate heel, 8" shaft instead of 6" and that's it. Kept the waxed flesh. I think I hit the sweet spot tbh.
My Redwing Sawmills in Briar Oil Slick are my most recent and favorite pair of boots. I would love to try some of these Nick’s but they’re just more money than I would feel comfortable in spending at this time. Happy to hear others enjoy them.
Thats a good mindset, you need to be comfortable with the cost of the boots, it will keep you from spending frivolously. I got the Whites MP Sherman boots after waiting a nearly a year, putting money aside for them until I was comfortable buying them, after all other bills and costs were taken care of. I've read horror stories of folks buying multiple expensive boots per year to "finish their collection", spending more money than they had to get the next boot that everyone talked about on r/goodyearwelt.
I like the heal but I'm not a fan of the way the leather looks. I don't know the correct terms. The only word I can think of to describe it is fuzzy but I know that sounds stupid. What causes that? Is it that certain kinds of leather that cause it?
It's a waxed flesh. They start out as roughout and are waxed 'smooth". Roughout is just normal full grain leather flipped upside down. Roughout hides cuts, scratches, damage better and takes conditioners easier.
Quick question for the community here: Nick's Charley vs. Urban Logger? Hint> Use: No heavy duty construction wear. Wet/slippery conditions at times Flat footed person
Chippewa is underrated these days. I have a Chippewa Crazy Horse work boot that is a good all around boot to throw on for work, hiking, casual, snow and rain. Of course you don't have the arch support like White's and Nick's but the durability is there for under $200. They have a 6 -7 oz cut of leather and are resoleable.
Had a pair of Chippwa's in CH as well that was my everyday street boot for 2 years. Really decent boot for the money, but they tended to stink due to fabric vs. all leather interior and after 2 years they were too worn out to justify the cost of rebuilding. Switched to Nicks.
I’m not sure if it’s the same for everyone else. A heeled boot helped a lot with posture and my back doesn’t hurt as much since buying/ wearing my builder pros for work (1year now)
I'm looking to buy a pair of good winter boots, and I was thinking a 9" logger would be great because it's so high and I'd have better grip in crappy MN weather. Is that overkill? I want it unlined so I can do work outside during the non-winter months.
i bought some nicks rangers.....they did not send laces or insoles...just some wrinkles up stickers.....i am very dissapointed.....especially for the money...tried the customer service email got an automated response saying it would be 6 to 8 days before they saw it......is this normal??
I'm curious how dressed up you can take these. Just from looking at them it seems like a jeans only boot. Were there elevated/classy/formal occasions you've worn this boot to? A perfect boot, to me, is something that can walk the line between casual and semi-formal wear. It has to be versatile for my wardrobe which inherently means the label of 'perfect' is subjective.
If you work on a ladder, sure, but other than that the platfrom look should be reserved for strippers. Not necessarily criticizing this boot as it's borderline. This trend from high-end and especially custom boots (I'm looking at you Japan) is terrible.
The higher heel isn't a "trend", it's a proven implement straight out of history. It's what the loggers, railroaders, and homesteaders of America wore when they built this country. These are called heritage boots for a reason, and those who complain of any "feminine look" are themselves probably more feminine than they should be because fashion doesn't hold much weight in the masculine crowd.
@@sapbuckets maybe loggers had heels this high, but railroaders, homesteaders, and most other workers from the 1800s didnt. They all had the same heel and shoe height you find in a standard iron ranger. Dont kid yourself this is a fashion trend now for the most part.
Unsure of how you prioritize the making of future videos, but wondering if you'd ever consider doing something on the Nick's Urban Drifter in Brown Waxed Flesh HNW last? I just bought a pair and really like them and I'd love to hear your opinion. They seem like a really great cross between the more dressy Nicks Falcon and the fairly substantial Nicks Urban Logger.
On the looks. It's two things. The element of them being close to being platform shoes is a real thing. Peeps see extra high heel and sole and it immediately triggers a certain reaction. To quote Seinfield, "He's heightening." It's a thing and not a good one. Can't get around it. And on these specifically, these are what, size 7? Their small size emphasizes the 1st issue. Double whammee. Take an inch or even 2 off the height overall and yeah, these are great looking boots. As is, distracting in a bad way
Wish I could afford a pair of Nicks and may save up for some but until then my Irish Setter loggers are my work, casual, and motorcycle boot.....and honestly being a towering 5ft6 having a boot with a higher heel is always welcomed lol
i dont think its a feminine looking boot but its not my choise in terms of casual wear. i am a blue collar worker and have been wearing tough chunky boots for work for years. but you'll never see me in the house or with friends with a pair like this. the iron ranger is the closest boot i have to a boot like this which i love. i lean towards the diesel's from grant stone and mp' from whites. y'all get the idea
Defect # 1. An eyelet over a speed lace system does NOT work. I will ask Mr. Murawski to tell us if he laces his boots all the way to the top and if the top eyelets make it easier or difficult. In the video you can see he did not tie the laces all the way to the top.
I am interested to know the answer too, I always wondered if the top eyelet worked well with speed hooks BUT Carl has mentioned he is biased towards Nick's :)
Based on your video cutting apart the whites and Nick's as well as other posts showing the shank and arch piece of both the whites arch ease and the Nick's 55 last. I feel like whites significantly cuts corners for cost and sacrifices quality where as Nick's does not.
I have watched Carl's video comparing Nick's with White's and a number of folks (on styleforum) mentioned that a better comparison would have been with White's 350 Cruiser. But what other posts have compared White's shank with Nick's? I know White's offers double and triple midsoles.
@@chicagoan6342 a comparison between both company's can be found here amp.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/j0eght/arch_support_construction_in_whites_vs_nicks/ Regarding weather the 350 cutter was a better comparison. I feel like some people may just be making excuses for whites. Both the Americana and mp are a block heel moderate arch service boot style. And bother the 350 and urban logger are a 55 medium arch type boot with a logger heel.
@@donjoe4155 I have read that review on reddit, the person mentioned that he works for Nick's, if true that review is essentially taking cheap shots at a competitor IMO. I would call that review an example of sampling bias and error ( I am a practicing Engineer). In that review a Nick's employee ( not a third party) is comparing shank from a random pair of White's boots with Nick's but he has box of Nick's shanks there. I am not impressed!
Just found your channel a few days ago. It's pretty perfect. Thanks for all that you do. If I could put in a video wish-list request or two: If you haven't done a deep dive into work vs heritage boots -- as a noob, I would appreciate it. Especially re. durability -- ie. how well can heritage boots hold up to hard use. On a similar note: I live in a walking/subway city, and work retail on my feet. I do a lot of kneeling/squatting/carrying heavy objects in a not-too-clean environment. If I want the durability of a work boot but I don't need the rugged sole etc. of an "outside" boot, what are my best options? Will heritage boots survive hard "work" use? Or should I still be looking at work boots, with a slimmer style? Thanks mate
Much appreciated! Some heritage boots take the work boot formula and apply it to a sleeker style. Nicks, Whites, and Wesco do this very well, using all the same materials and machinery to make their heritage lines as well as their work lines.
