Category Archives: Wesco Boots

Motor Officer Boots: Alternatives

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Continuing this week’s series on motor officer boots, I begin by exploring alternatives to the boots I blogged about on earlier days:

  • Chippewa Motor Patrol Boots
  • Dehner Patrol Boots

    • and

  • Chippewa Hi-Shine Engineer Boots


    • There are several alternatives available. Shown here are patrol boots     offered by Intapol Industries of New Jersey. One of the interesting features of these boots is a zipper along the seam of the boot shaft to facilitate putting them on and taking them off. They also offer various widths from stock, but do not offer custom sizing. They insert a plastic back stay to ensure the boot doesn’t “break bad” at the ankles. The “Amazonas” sole is about as goofy as the sole found on the Chippewa Motor Patrol Boot, in that it must have a low melting temperature and leaves black marks on hot motorcycle pipes. The boots shown here were made in Brazil. The current boot in production (with soft lug soles) is made in India. My opinion: a nice affordable alternative for a bal-laced boot but not really good for regular duty wear on a motorcycle. Quality is questionable. Fine for BLUF events when used with leather breeches.

    Another nice alternative bal-laced boot is the H-D Police Enforcer Boot which is made by Wolverine under the Harley brand. These boots were discontinued probably because motor officers wouldn’t think of going to a Harley store to buy boots. Also, the boots are made in China and it‘s unfortunate but true: Chinese-made boots lack a lot in quality. However, these are the most comfortable of all the patrol boots I own. The insole that comes with the boots is outstanding. They are also a bit wider naturally, so they accommodate a larger calf size well, including being able to have leather tucked inside them comfortably. The soles are somewhat soft, but haven’t left black marks on my bike’s pipes. I really like these boots, but since they were discontinued, they’re not available any more.

    Another beautiful boot is the Hartt Strathcona. It was made in Canada, but the manufacturer, the Hartt Shoe and Boot Company, went out of business. This boot is also exceptionally comfortable, and has a rugged, durable, lug sole. I got these boots in Vancouver, Canada, back in the ’90s and still enjoy wearing them. They have the widest calf of all of my motor officer boots, so I can wear them with the thickest of leathers. I am considering now looking at boots made by Rino of Toronto. However, because the U.S. economy is such a shambles due to mismanagement by this Administration, I’ll have to wait. Canadian prices for their products haven’t come down just because the value of the U.S. dollar declined by half in the last few years.

    The last boot I’ll blog about in this series is the Wesco Motor Patrol Boot. A photo of the boot from the Wesco website is shown here. I have a pair of boots that is sort of a hybrid between the Motor Patrol Boot and the Wesco Boss. That is, it has the design of a motor patrol boot but the sole of the Boss boot. These U.S.-made boots are rugged and work exceptionally well as designed. There are absolutely no flaws in construction. The leather is thicker than all other patrol boots I have seen, which is why the few cops I have seen wearing them have complained that they get hot while worn on duty. They are expensive, as well, competing in price with Dehners.

    There are other manufacturers of boots, too. I have yet to see a pair of All American Boots or some others, and I’ll keep looking.

    Hope you enjoyed this series on motor officer boots. I’m not sure what’s next. Tune in….

    Bama’s Boots Now a Biker’s Boots

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    This 18″ Wesco Harness Boot and its right mate just arrived today, sent to me by a buddy whose photographic skill and wit have become legend on “Boots on Line” — the infamous “Bamaboy.”

    “Bama” has taken these boots on lots of “adventures,” mostly in dirt, clay, and mud. One of Bama’s photos of these boots enjoying one of those “adventures” is below. But he cleaned up the boots well, didn’t he? I’ll have to go play in them sometime, so they won’t think they’ve missed much. But these boots will also go riding on my Harley, as well.

    I have enjoyed getting to know Bama. He is a smart, down-to-earth, and fun man with an engaging wit. I am honored to call him a friend, and appreciate that he gave me “first dibs” on purchasing a pair of his boots as he will be thinning his collection to make room for more that suit his current tastes and interests.

    Bama, I know you’ll read this, so let me say, publicly, thanks a lot! Your boots will live on long on this Biker’s feet.

    Wesco Boots on the Harley

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    I didn’t have to leave this morning at my usual early hour because I was going to a meeting that started later, but I arose at my usual 4:30am. Fixed my partner lunch, then kissed him goodbye, wishing him a good day. Turned around and leathered up, including my tall Wesco Harness Boots.

    I sat on my bike, contemplating what type of shot would look good. I took several. However, after looking at them just now, I realized how much junk I have in the garage! Political campaign signs, gardening stuff, trash and recycling containers, motorcycle gear, etc., etc. It was all in the background of all the photos I took, and was very distracting. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my good friend Bamaboy who is an excellent photographer, it’s to ensure the subject of your photo is the only thing your eye will focus on. So this cropped image is about the best I can do, for now.

    Actually, I’m “boot-ticipating” again. Bama has sent me a pair of his boots to wear while riding my Harley. He offered me “first dibs” on boots he is thinning from his collection. I really like the Wesco Harness Boots, especially to have some fun in ’em akin’ to Bama. The boots will arrive soon, and I’ll wear ’em with pride on this bike. Photos to follow. Stay tuned…

    Beautiful dawn stroll

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    While I’m not a city boy, and generally after working all day in the city I look forward to high-tailing it out to our suburban hide-away, I still recognize that I live in a very special place in the world. There’s nothing quite like Washington DC anywhere else in the world. I’ve been to 56 countries, and have seen many beautiful locations. I still feel quite a bit of pride in how pretty Washington is, especially in the Spring. When the ornamental cherry trees bloom around the city, it’s spectacular.

    Today, my partner and I got up well before dawn and drove into the city, found a place to park near my partner’s office, which is just a block from the Tidal Basin. Even though it was very early and very cold (35F), there still were a lot of people out — though I wouldn’t say that it was crowded.

    I leathered up from head to boot and we took a nice stroll. I posted a gallery of photos on my website. We enjoyed our short visit, though I was back home and back to work on my long list of things to do on the weekend by 8:30.

    Leather and Wesco Harness Boots

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    I’m so glad that conference I attended here in my home town is over. It’s hard to attend a very time consuming conference in the town where you live if you go home at night. Life doesn’t stop. Well, anyway, it’s over, so I’m back to my routine, which includes leatherin’ up and enjoying Wescos.

    Every now-and-then, I’ll step outside for a break, and sometimes when I do I’ll set up the camera to take some pics so I can update my website. It really is an avocation of mine and is fun.

    Wescos are good quality boots, and since these 19″ Wesco Harness Boots were made custom to fit, they feel great. But I have to admit, they’re not the most comfortable boots I own. But with leather, on the Harley, and when I don’t have to walk or stand too much, then they’re just fine.

    Great to be back in the ol’ routine. Lots to catch up on.

    Dirt Clods (oops)

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    I get home from work most days about a half-hour before my partner does. I go shed the work clothes and (especially in winter) put on the leather and tall boots. Some days I put food out for the birds and squirrels in the feeder in our back yard to save my partner the time, especially if it’s cold or wet, as it was yesterday.

    So here I am, in Wesco Motor Patrol Boots which have Vibram 100R non-marring soles. But I forget that it’s wet and before I know it, dirt and leaves get into the sole treads (as shown.) ooops…. What’s worse, I don’t have a way to hose off the boot soles since our outside water faucets are turned off to prevent freezing. Without thinking (sometimes that’s my middle name), I walk into the house and start dinner preparations.

    The dirt dries, falls out… ooops. Clods galore, wherever I have walked. My partner is none too happy about that, and makes pronouncements, “At this specific date and time, you will vacuum the basement stairs!” and continues to grumble. Well, he has a point. Perhaps if I feed the birds, I should go do that in my dress clothes with leather-soled boots so I won’t be as likely to pick up all the dirt in the soles of boots with big treads. Okay, BB, that’s my plan. Meanwhile, I’m sweeping, vacuuming… such is the life of a Bootman.

    Clearing the head

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    I remain saddened and am grieving for the loss of my dear friend who died unexpectedly on Feb. 1. But it’s no fun moping around the house, and my partner doesn’t know what to do with me when I get this way.

    Sunday afternoon was exceptionally pleasant and unusually warm for early February. So I booted up in my tall brown Wesco harness boots, leathered up my legs and body, and went for a ride. My partner filmed me doing some spins in a parking lot, which I’m using as a sales vid since I am selling my current Harley so I can get another one soon.

    I also shot a vid and posted it on YouTube of the boots on the bike. I had always fantasized about the “boots on bike” thing since CHiPs back in the ’70s. I got to do my own. A nice ride in boots and leather on a nice day helped clear my head and prepare me for a difficult week ahead.