Very happy to have found you guys from watching this review. I was trying to buy White's on their store but when I put in my FPO AE address it would tell me the address couldn't be found. I submitted a query but haven't got anything back. Either way, through ya'll, I've been able to use my AE address and pay a lot less than having to ship all the way to Italy! I got the 350 cutters and some lexol cleaner and conditioner. Thank you guys and thank Carl!
Kyle at Baker's boots is a pleasure to do business with. Just ordered my smoke jumpers from them today. Looking forward to my first leather lined boot!
Great review, I have the same issue with leather laces. One thing worth mentioning, even thought their ultimate ownership may be Japanese, Whites still employs a ton of people in their home state, each one of whom supports the local economy. So ownership doesn’t really matter unless you’re a shareholder 😂
I own three pairs of White's - Bounty Hunters, MPs in dark brown waxed flesh, and the Cykel engineer boot. The Bounty Hunters are definitely my favorite boots to wear. Love the arch support, fits my foot absolutely perfectly, and I feel like I could kick doors in all day wearing those things. The MPs are also nice but that last just doesn't fit my foot as well as the 55 last. The engineers are solid, too, but just not something I'd wear on a daily basis. They're a workboot company slowly transitioning into the heritage workwear aesthetic environment, and so little issues like yours and the pretty common sloppy welt stitching seem to pop up pretty commonly compared to fashion-oriented brands like Viberg (or, certainly, any of the Japanese bootmakers). I think all the whining about the quality going down since the buyout is mostly xenophobia and hearsay. The Japanese really love stuff like this, as you're well aware, so I'd honestly rather have the company in Japanese hands that will leave the build techniques in exactly the right place but will care for the brand better than some old American family that doesn't know how to keep the brand alive in an increasingly crowded market (not saying the White's family was like that before the buyout, but just comparing to other great American companies that have gone the way of the dinosaurs in recent times.)
The MPs are now available in a 5050 last. I think its called the CMP Sherman. The 5050 last is the 55 from the heal through the arch, and the MP from the front of the arch through the toe. The quality control on my boots is perfect. I love these boots. Beautiful boots that I expect will last my lifetime and more.
My dad had a pair of White's 30 years ago that he used for logging work. Went through a few rebuilds with them. I have a pair of bounty hunters that I've used for work for 4 years and only now just got them resoled. Took less than 2 weeks for the boots to get back to me.
I have a pair of Hawthorn cowboy packers and they will outlast me. Hawthorn is/was a subsidiary of White. Sadly these small family companies are slowly disappearing from the manufacturing/retail scene. Whether it is Filson or White or even Cabela's - once the corporate leadership and mind think takes over, quality and identity falter. Keep up the good work, Carl - all the best.
Carl, I've always enjoyed your reviews. The styles are hit or miss but I particularly appreciate the reviews from a quality perspective as those notes can be applied to other makers as to what to look for. ABC Mart takes me back. I used to go there to get my Timberlands when I lived in Japan. Keep up the great work.
I love my White's MP boots with the half lug sole. I have had them for about 7 months and have only had issues with the waxed cotton laces. Strangely enough they make my feet look longer than normal. Overall solid boot that will most likely last my lifetime.
Hey Carl, I just want to say props for not treating every boot you review like the best boot ever. These are extremely nice boots, but you find what’s wrong with them and don’t ignore that to try to justify the over $600 price tag. Honest reviews honestly. Also that jacket is killer!
i began using White's in '72 when they offered "corked" soles, required a bushel of measurements and an outline of your foot (while standing) to order. they also offered an extra piece of leather (laced to the tongue) to shed water. GREAT product
I live in the area that White's, Nick's (own both) and Franks boot manufactures. Although Whites is no longer owned locally, they do employ all local labor and treat everyone just like when they were. So, take that for what it's worth and I recommend all three of these companies in Spokane.
I bought my first pair of whites when I was 18 years old. I have had there smoke jumper boots and the packers loved them they were good quality boots at that time. Fast forward a few years at 48 years old I bought my last pair of whites I'll ever buy. Seems like they have moved to cheaper leather it's not the same as it was before they sold to Danner. So I went and bought another pair of Nick's. I also bought a pair of jk super duty boots to see if l like them. Breaks my heart that after 30 years I had to say good by to whites.
Big fan of White’s. Wearing Work Packers right now, with Dress Packers in the closet for weddings and funerals. I do dye the raw heel and sole edges dark brown to match the bodies, but otherwise have found them second only to Viberg in build quality. P.S. My three pairs were all purchased before the 2014 Lacrosse buyout. The packers were custom made and took several months to make and deliver, but standing for 16 hours straight in either pair is easy!
My Dad wore White's for years as a wildland firefighter and swore by them. While I have no use for a huge smokejumper boot, a casual White's or Nick's boot is certainly on my bucket list. Thanks for reviewing this one, think it helps me decide more what I like and don't like in this type of boot.
I have been wearing Red Wing Beckman and IR, I scored White’s SD off EBay and they are so much more comfortable. RW are really flat with little arch support. White’s arch ease is so nice. Wear 12 D in both
This is a minor nitpick, but at least in my part of Washington state, we pronounce it Spo-CAN (Like Can do attitude) not Spo-KEN (Like Ken Doll). But honestly, you deserve props for not pronouncing it like Cain (from the bible) because a lot of out of staters do.
I hate to re-engineer the laces but I treat mine with mink oil and apply a little wax because here in Oregon its "wet" very wet it soften up the laces and condition the leather
Thanks for the vid. Got a pair of White's Perry a month ago. It is the nicest pair of boots I've owned, and it's not a custom made. I've been looking at Baker's website too. Baker's offers a White's Cougar, like your "smoke jumper", but a work boot. I work in a factory, with concrete floors. My feet need support, but my boots get scratched up. Thinking about the Cougars with a rough out, and a steel toe.
Nice boots and great review. I own two pair of White's and they are excellent quality. The lace breaking on you, I think, is unusual. Whites usually has superior laces. It was super nice that they sent you two replacements . Best of luck and enjoy those beautiful boots.
I support Japanese products, especially knives. My Endo set and Yaxell Super Gou 180 layer Damascus steel. Anyway I just bought the Whites First Avenue Oxford shoes. I'll do a review upon arrival. Great video. Thx
I have worn whites for years, just got off a 8hr shift in my logger smoke jumpers and my feet and back love them. Sad to hear they sold out😑 but they can be rebuilt so my boots will never need to be replaced.
I’ve worked as a mechanic for many years. 12 hour days standing on concrete doing all kinds of major repair tasks on heavy equipment. The wolverines real K for about three months. Finally I decided to take the plunge on a pair of whites back then they were 510 bucks for the smoke jumpers with a steel tail. Lots of seasoned technicians around me swore by whites especially with long hours on concrete. Needless to say they are one of the best boots I have ever wore as far as comfort longevity. I know they’re spending but there’s not much that compares to a custom boot when you’re standing on that hard surface. Just my two cents
One day I want a $2,400.00 leather jacket.. so, so, SO nice. Those macro pan shots are buttery smooth too. It's a little funny how cult-like the Whites / Nicks boots guys are...( I drank the Nick's koo-laid myself) another great review though as usual!
Wanted to let you know some boot makers cut the corners on the heel on purpose so when you move lateral it doesn't catch. I wear cowboy boots and can't stand a high square heel for this exact reason. I stick with the traditional heel. Which goes along with your thinking about ease of walking. A large heal can add extra weight and cause the heel to ride up and down and give you a blister.
Just sent my order forum and measurements into whites. Was going to go with a MP boot, but after talking with them they recommended the 350 cruiser. Similar style, a little wider toebox and the 55 last would provide great arch comfort. Did eye Nick's, wescos, and Truman's but after calling and finding out I could get the vibram lug vs V bar and mini lug (wanted a commandoesque look and great traction for outdoors) I decided to lock my order in. Debating on if they can do a 8 inch for me, but have decided on going nickel hardware as I think it'd go great with the dark brown waxed flesh leather. I'll have to do my own review on them when I finally get them but so far I am excited. P.s I have a set of red wing 2231s that have the date 12/14 on them that I've worn almost daily since I got them in 2015 until now. Leather still looks pretty good, but the poron insole that's glued to the boot has finally given up any form of heel and toe cushioning. Great boots, and definitely say red wing makes a good boot, I just desired something different and a bit better without compromising too much on diminishing returns.
I’ve owned 4 pair of whites in my life. My first pair I got back in 88, they were custom cowboy packers with 17” tall uppers. I outgrew those. Then in the 90’s I got a pair of smoke jumpers, a pair of 8” cowboy packers and a pair of rough out smoke jumpers. I let a friend have the rough out ones, but I still have the smooth smoke jumpers and 8” packers. I want to send them in to get re built but Ive been leery of it since lacrosse bought them. They are still useable so it’s not a huge priority.
JK Boots in Spokane and Drew’s Boots(Baker’s shoes) in Eugene OR can rebuild them for you exactly how White’s would if you’re concerned with the quality
Lacrosse owns them now, sure, but White's is still a family run business. Far as I'm aware, the new owners are letting the company be run exactly as before. Your boots are still being made by Americans, in America. Or you can look at Baker's Boots, also American, who builds and repairs American boots
Dude, if I keep watching your videos, I'm afraid I'll be dropping $600 bones on a pair of boots soon. How about this. Next year I celebrate my 35 work anniversary. I can't think of a better way to honor the occasion than with the purchase of a pair of quality new boots!
I love the raw hide laces on my Frye boots, but I’m always afraid they will snap. In contrast, the waxed laces that come with my 1000 Mile Wolverines seem incredibly strong.
My only problem with my Packers is the stitching on the bottom of the sole is not sunk in so it wears out crazy fast. They need to cut a groove around the rim of the sole and put the stitching in that. It's simple to do and makes the stitching last years longer.
Hey Carl! I'm super stoked we have a new old store that moved away several years ago comeback to town and they're a big mens work wear outfitter that is local to my state in Oregon its called Coastal farm & ranch store which I need new work clothes so I'll get to pick out some quality goods along with a new pair of Danners since I got a nice credit waiting for me from warrantied boots. I been looking at Whites and Nicks along with all the others but I really like the whites hiker boots or even the biker boots for working on concrete in a shop.
I have some Nicks Boots that I love. But I really want a pair of Whites and Wesco just because I appreciate them so much. It's so hard to justify that sort of thing, though, because I work an office job and getting a near-identical pair of boots seems silly to me.
Wanted to tell you that DC Martin has issues. I've had 2 pair. Both the glue separated from the midsole and peeled half way back. One time while going through the airport security check line. I was the only one walking with it flapping all the way across the tarmac to the plane. These were worn less than 6 months. You get what you pay for.
Jacket is a killer Carl 🔥, and those boots actually look sweet. It would have been a deal breaker if those laces snapped on me too 🤦🏻♂️ for that price.
Carl Murawski: I enjoy your videos about boots, specifically about Nicks and Whites, these two companies are my favorite! I thought that the LaCross company was purchased by ABC-Mart in July of 2012... Anyway, there is a comment on the Amazon website(they sell/sold Whites boots) about Whites boots, specifically the Smokejumber model that since it was bought by the Japanese company the quality went down......I don't know if this is true or not, I just thought to put out there. Cheers!
Nice boots! I personally never liked White’s leather laces .. I get my leather laces from a company called Guarded Goods .. If you’re reading try them out .. they have different color leather laces great quality
You should look up Frank's boots! Pretty much all the main people at Nick's gave the new management the finger and started the new brand at around 2013.
Great video! What a shame. I like that horse strip leather and the medallion cap it offers. However that little bit of quality control kind of drives me off. Would buy a pair of nick's if they offers that style of toe cap and horse strip leather.
Not at all put off by the fact that a Japanese company owns them. I wish they were still family owned, but it's not a big deal since the boots are made the same way, with the same level of craftsmanship, they've always been made.
If you order a pair of Whites boots from a authorized dealer make sure the person measuring your foot knows what they are doing. I had a custom set of smoke jumpers made for me. The person measuring my foot messed up on the measurements of the upper. Whites charged me extra because the uppers were larger than normal. When I received the boots the uppers would barely tighten because the eyelets were touching. I was not happy. This became a finger pointing match between the dealer and Whites. Whites insisted the uppers could not be adjusted. My new, unused boots sat at the shop for 3 months before I said F it. I needed the boots because my boots could not handle another day. It took about 6 months to fully break them in. They felt like a glove conforming to my feet. Unfortunately the uppers were junk. I’m still upset at the dealer and Whites. $550 not well spent. This was 7 years ago.
I had no idea White's was sold. That makes me really sad. I had two pairs in my years, the first one were originally my dad's. They're that kind of boot. Worked for the Forest Service for a long while and there was no other boot that delivered like these. Disappointed to learn about this. Hope their quality remains through the years to come.
I worked 6 years in Forest Service fire. 3 southern Cal and 3 northern Cal. Met lots of folks that wore nothing but White's. I couldn't afforf White's so had to go with Red Wings, I found the White's outlsted the Red Wings by a mile and the folks that could afford the Whites 's loved them. Of course this was in late 70's early 80's so things most likely have changed.
Hydrate your leather laces people. Dunk them in boot oil once in a while or they'll dry out and snap. Do this when they are new because they've probably been sitting on a shelf for a year just drying out.
Just want to give you a heads up (because I've noticed in another video as well) Spokane is pronounced Spo-Can. I know, all these PNW Native names are kinda strange 😉 Great video btw! 👍 my best friend bought his first pair of whites when he became a welder and loves them
Bit dissapointed with the review. Sad that you didnt mention the fit ( since you ordered from Baker"s) or the arch support, which is their trademark feature.
Well I don’t consider fit to be a good metric since everyone’s feet are different. Some people with high arches will want a taller heel, flat-footed another, etc.
Mostly White’s makes custom boots from a dozen measurements. Those fit perfectly. The signature arch support and its placement and height are what make White’s exceptionally comfortable, even for those of us with strong high arches. I think a review of off-the-shelf kinda misses the point, too.
Don Nelson Whites recently changed their policy away from custom fitting to pretty much off the shelf. They are selling with more retailers and you can only get the multicolor leather through Bakers. They used to go as small as a men’s 5 but now they start at 6 or 7. Look at their web page. The last pair I got from them was a mess in so many ways. To include cuts of chromexcel with loose grain is pretty sad.
Bought my Whites boots in 1983 for $200.00 when I worked in the saw mills in Coeur D" Alene Idaho. I was a Jack ladder Operator , In those days everybody owned them, and we practically lived in them. I resoled them about a dozen or more times. The uppers in the toe area started to develop holes back around 2000. I switched to Redwing Iron Rangers because as I got older the elevated heel was beginning to bother my back.
Very interesting! With all those resoles it's hard to argue that you didnt get your moneys worth! Does the lower block heel of the Iron Ranger tend to help your back issues?
Hey man great videos thanks for the good work. I looked through your videos and couldn't find reviews for any of the Role Club models. Do you have a link I missed? Thanks
I have Nick's and White's and probably because the leather is a tad less ticker, my whites are more comfortable, the Nicks natural flesh are hard, so so hard! I have 3 whites with the 55 last dri foort 360, semi dress and bounty hunters, I love the 55 last, holds you heel like nothing else.
Cool new logo, but I'm not sure it represents your channel accurately (too cartoon-ey). The title photo at carlmurawski.com is a better fit in my opinion. Yeah, I know I need to work on my avatar too....
I can't stand leather laces. Every brand I have ever tried have snapped after wearing a few times. Just got a new pair of Franks and they broke when I was lacing them up. lol My job doesn't require them so I just replace them with normal taslan laces.
Woooooow i didnt knew about Whites is not family business anymore.my brannock sizing is 11.5D. I own both Roberts by Nicks and Whites but i choose 10.5D for Nicks, due my living place (Monterrey NL México) it was imposible to go for measurement process with try on boots pair by mail with Nicks so 10.5D was not enough for my feet around instep, other way with Whites i went with 11D and is better
Just got my bouny hunters FINALLY. They are very comfortable and built like tanks. The QC is a bit lacking for a $500+ boot in my opinion (loose threads, inconsitent row spacing, ext). The worst part was the overall experience, which was pretty awful. I ordered (and paid) in June, boots arrived in September, were incorrect so had to send them back, got them back 4 weeks later, again incorrect. I didn’t want to wait another 4 weeks so I am just going to deal with it. I heard so many good things so i’m sure i’m the exception but for sure would not recommend.
was wondering if you can help.. I ordered and was sized for a pair of Whites Nomad boots,, my question is will all White's boots fit the same,, meaning a pair or Nomads vs say Bounty Hunter,,
Six months ago I bought a pair of Whites Centennial Walkers in brown chromexcel. Horrible. Horrible. Horrible. They will never break in. Not a walking shoe. The double thickness of the sole and metal shank means they don’t bend as you walk. The height of the back is higher than any shoe I have and cuts into my ankle. The hand stitched welt was so crooked I was in shock. Lastly I had to bring the shoes to the cobbler because there was 6 loose nails. Three in the lining and three under the inner sole.
Off topic question here, just got myself a nice pair of legit boots but I noticed that the leather is cracking in quite a few areas in quite a few different patterns. Is that normal to see such differences in pattern, and should I condition and clean it to help get rid of those cracks?
