Here in the U.S., today, Saturday November 26, 2011, it is “small business Saturday.” While this “event” is sponsored by American Express, the intent is to encourage people to make purchases at small businesses over big-box retailers.
Why do I support small business?
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Being a biker who is also fond of cowboy boots and the various types of skins that may be used to make them, I was intrigued to find a pair of Chippewa harness boots that have an ostrich foot and traditional leather shafts, along with good-quality Vibram lug soles.
So when I saw them on a website back in March, (continued after the jump)…
I contacted the seller and negotiated a good price on a pair of these beauties in brown. (I don’t take list price for an answer… there is always wiggle-room if a seller wants to move product.)
I wore these boots throughout the past summer while riding my Harley. Even good-looking enough to wear with dress clothes to work. They are very comfortable, well-constructed, traditional tough-looking harness boots.
Chippewa also makes these boots in black. I have a lot of black motorcycle boots, so I thought I would “take a pass” on spending US$360 to buy them in black. The ostrich skin makes these boots more expensive than if they were made of all-leather.
However, come November, what did I see on eBay but a pair of these ostrich boots in black. My size! Okay… I’m no fool when it comes to snatching up a quality. I bid and got them for only $30. Amazing… they retail for more than 11 times that amount. They guy selling them lived up the road from me, so the day after I won the bid and paid, I met him at a mutually-convenient public location (I never invite strangers to the house). Double-amazing on the quick delivery (but it was a Saturday, so it was convenient for both of us).
The seller said that he bought them and, in his opinion, thought the ostrich foot was “too much” and some of his friends made snide comments. He wore them a few times, but when I inspected them, they were practically brand new. Triple-amazing.
Well, his loss and my gain. They go great with dressy clothes that I wear to work, as well as with leather… versatility in boots is a good thing (LOL!)
Who gives a frig about what other people say about the boots on your feet? If people feel compelled to make snide comments, it’s probably because they are insecure and feel better putting other people down. Hell with it… the boots are fantastic. I will wear these boots often — throughout the winter with dress clothes to work, and when I ride my Harley, too.
More photos of these black ostrich harness boots.
Life is short: know quality and wear it!
Recently, someone sent me an email asking about the current boots made under the Frye boots label. He noted that a new pair of Frye 12R harness boots were already falling apart after just one wearing. One boot pull was not sewn on completely and was coming off.
His original question was whether those Frye boots are really made in the United States, despite the label saying, “made in the U.S.A.”
I replied by saying that yes, the boots are assembled (“made”) in the USA at a plant in Arkansas, in a location that Frye will not tell you where it is (which adds to the suspicion.) However, I assert, unless the owner can prove otherwise, that the leather and other materials from which these boots are assembled comes from inferior sources outside the U.S. Further, because the current owner of the Frye boot label is the Chinese company Li and Fung, known for producing the cheap clothing and footwear imported by Walmart, the boots are assembled by non-union labor using inferior lasts (boot forms) that were not from the original John A. Frye Company.
Current Frye harness boots have a cheap off-brand rubber sole. Further, you can see from this image from Frye’s website that they imprint a pebble grain on the boots to hide blemishes that otherwise would be noticed if the leather were smooth. That is a way to hide that the leather is not Top Grain, the best leather for boots.
I assert, then, that today’s Frye boots are cheaply made from inferior materials. While the going price for a pair of these boots is about US$300, the company and all the middle-men involved are making a huge profit from the well-recognized name, and are not purchasing quality materials to go into the boots in the first place. This is definitely where the adage caveat emptor (buyer beware) applies.
Chippewa harness boots are a fair comparison in today’s harness boot styles. The Chippewa company is owned by another conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway. (Actually, the U.S.-based Berkshire Hathaway owns Justin Brands, of which the Chippewa label is a subsidiary.)
However, in my humble opinion, Chippewa boots are made better. They still use the same lasts (boot forms) for their boots that they used before the company was bought out by Justin Brands. The boots are still made in the USA. From my direct observations of the materials and craftsmanship with which Chippewa boots are made, I feel that they leather and materials that they use to make Chippewa boots is of better quality. The boots are made of smooth leather. Blemishes are not observable. Double-stitching is used on stress points, including the boot pulls. Quality Vibram soles are used, which are far superior for a biker’s required traction (and will last long.)
And Chippewa sells a pair of their “Street Warrior” model 27868 harness boots for about $100 less per pair than Frye. Go figure — are you getting what you are paying for with Frye? I don’t think so. You are paying for a label, not quality.
Just because boots are made in the USA does not mean that they are all made with quality materials and craftsmanship. Look closely and compare, and be a well-informed consumer.
Life is short: do your research before making a purchase.
Someone searched the internet with a question, “why are Chippewa boots so expensive?” which directed the visitor to this blog. But the post to which the question was directed did not answer the question.
The answer is simple: Chippewa motorcycle boots are still made in the USA, and are made with quality materials and craftsmanship. While the boots are not hand-made, the steps in their assembly and construction are supervised by humans. U.S. humans.
Then compare that process with boots made in China, for example: X-Element, Joe Rocket, River Road, and even some of the best-known U.S. labels: Red Wing, Frye, Harley-Davidson. Boots made in China are made with inferior materials and are assembled almost exclusively by machine. The quality is poor, and there is no “craftsmanship.” You are paying more for the label (license) than for the product.
Boots made in China are inexpensive. The manufacturers use very cheap labor and low-end materials to offer their U.S. retailers a lower price. But believe me, they’re still making a lot of money on the deal.
Compare these differences:
Chippewa Motorcycle Boots — most are fully leather-lined; Vibram soles; soles stitched on; some have steel toes; hardware is resistant to oxidation (rusting); leather is top grain, smooth, and unblemished.
Chinese Motorcycle Boots — mostly unlined; neoprene or other cheap rubber soles; soles are glued on, not stitched; steel toes are rare; hardware is not treated so it rusts easily; leather may often be a bottom of a cowhide split (see explanation here) so it is blemished, uneven, and lacks lustre.
So why are Chippewa boots more expensive than these Chinese-made knock-offs? Now that you know more about how the boots are made and what they are made of, as well as where they are made, you understand that it costs more for better materials and craftsmanship, and to support U.S. workers who are paid a decent wage and benefits. I support U.S. labor. I would far rather pay a little more to keep a fellow American employed than export the labor to China. (And I know that no one in China will read this blog post, because China still blocks Blogspot through internet censorship.)
I really did not mean for this post to go on the tangent to promote American labor and sound like I am bashing China. But facts are facts. Quality is quality. Workers need good jobs, and I support my fellow countrymen.
Life is short: know quality when you see it, and invest in that quality while supporting U.S. labor.
Someone sent me an email asking, “if you could only get one pair of motorcycle boots, what would it be?” He complimented my boot collection and suggested that I make a video to demonstrate my response to his question.
This is a very hard question to ask a guy who has as many pairs of motorcycle boots as I have.
I narrowed it down to three choices, which all happen to be made by Justin Brands under the Chippewa Boots banner here in the United States:
1. Traditional Chippewa Harness Boots — Style 27868
These boots are rugged, solid, well-constructed, and a great value for the money. They have a Vibram 430 lug sole which provides decent traction. Harness boots are about the most ubiquitous (common) boots that bikers in the U.S. wear. Chippewa harness boots are made in the USA, and bargains for them abound — usually around major holidays. (If you haven’t seen it already, check out my video where I do a comparison of four different makes of motorcycle harness boots).
2. Traditional Chippewa 17″ Engineer Boots — Style 27909 with steel toe; 27908 without a steel toe
Engineer boots are also a very common choice that bikers wear. These boots are also available in a shorter (11″) version, but I prefer the taller variety because tall boots provide better protection for the whole leg, instead of only the lower leg and ankle. The boots come with a regular nitrile (rubber) sole, which provides moderate traction. They are also unlined, so they will sag at the ankles, but that adds (in my opinion) to the overall character of the boot.
3. Chippewa Firefighter Boots — Style 27422
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the boots that I like to wear often when I ride my Harley. Chippewa Firefighter boots are not often considered by bikers, but they should be. They are very solid and sturdily built, as their primary users are wildland firefighters. What I like most about these boots is that they are very comfortable — suitable for an all-day ride. While they are leather-lined, they don’t get hot. Their Vibram 100 lug soles provide superb traction. I have been recommending them for years, and stand behind that recommendation. Great boots — a bit more expensive than their traditional biker brothers listed above, but to answer that email — if I had to pick only one pair of boots for use while riding my motorcycle, what would that be? Chippewa Firefighter Boots, feet-down (I would use the American expression “hands-down,” but I haven’t found a pair of boots to fit my hands and still let me type LOL!)
Here is the video that I produced that puts what I wrote above into a visual explanation:
Google directed a question to my website that asks, “why are biker boots so tall?”
It is a rather simple answer: for safety. Tall boots that bikers wear come from a long tradition where men want their legs protected from two main hazards — heat from the engine and exhaust pipes, as well as from stuff that comes flying at the legs from the road. It’s amazing how much junk gets kicked up from the front tire, striking the legs at high speed. Gravel and rocks really hurt and can do a lot of damage when they strike the lower leg through thin cloth of denim jeans. (That’s also why many bikers wear chaps or leather — to protect the legs). The lower leg has a rather thin layer of skin over the shin bone. That thin skin is easily damaged and injured when struck by even a small piece of gravel, pebble, or stone that comes flying at you from the front tire.
Plus, in my opinion, tall boots look cool.
So that’s your answer to this question — tall boots provide protection to the fragile skin of the lower leg, and they also look cool on a biker.
Life is short: real bikers wear boots (not sneakers, sandals, or flip-flops).
I really can’t believe this, but some asked via Google Canada, “What Footwear Do Guys Wear on a Motorcycle?
Well, the footwear is called, “motorcycle boots.” These are nifty, cool-looking things that protect your legs and feet, while providing traction. They make a real biker look cool. Here is a recent blog post that gives an overall review of motorcycle boots.
There are many different styles of motorcycle boots. Harness boots are the most common boots worn by bikers, followed by engineer boots. Short tactical boots are also quite common, especially in warm weather.
What a biker needs is function — protection, security, and that “cool factor.” Motorcycle boots offer that.
Now, what footwear do some guys (going for the Darwin Award) wear sometimes on a motorcycle? — Sneakers (trainers), sandals, or (the worst), flip-flops. These things offer no protection from injury and heat, and are the most stupid footwear to consider wearing while operating a real motorcycle.
Okay, now you know (as if you had to ask.) What footwear do guys wear on a motorcycle? Motorcycle boots!
Life is short: wear boots on a motorcycle. Nothing less.
I have been a motorcycle operator for more than 33 years. During that time, I have also acquired, tested, worn, and worn out many pairs of motorcycle boots.
The harness boot has a rugged, masculine design. It has harness straps wrapped around the instep and across the back of the heel, attached to brass or nickel rings on each side. The harness straps serve no other purpose but to add an interesting detail to what is otherwise a plain boot. The boots present a solid appearance. Many men like to wear harness boots — about equal to the bikers who choose to wear engineer boots. (And choosing to dismiss the kids on crotch-rockets who wear sneakers.)
I have many pairs of harness boots and choose to wear them frequently. This blog post presents my opinions about traditional 12″ (common height) harness boots made for bikers to wear while operating a motorcycle. (I should note that because I am talking about shorter harness boots, these boots are worn by bikers with jeans or pants over them, not tucked into them.)
1. Chippewa Harness Boots (Style number 27868)
By far, these boots present the best value-vs-quality of 12″ harness boots. They are fully leather-lined, yet the boots remain flexible and thus comfortable to wear all day long. The boots have Vibram 430 (“mini-lug”) soles, which provide good traction. They are made in the USA, and have many features that demonstrate quality construction. While not designed to be water-proof, they will resist water from rain or puddles quite well (I know from experience.)
I have worn Chippewa harness boots for a lot of years. They are durable, rugged, and look great, even after years of wear. The soles are stitched, so it is possible to have a cobbler replace them if you wear them out (unlike soles that are glued on which cannot be replaced.) I highly recommend these boots if you’re looking for a pair of good quality, durable, traditional motorcycle harness boots.
2. Boulet Harness Boots (Style number 6082)
Boulet boots are made in Canada. The quality of manufacture is superb. The boots are leather lined, though the lining is a bit less thick than found on Chippewa harness boots. Therefore, these boots flex a bit more, but do not flop over. The boots have a typical and traditional nitrile oil- and acid-resistant sole, which provides moderate traction (not as good as a Vibram sole, but decent.)
One thing to note: apparently they specify measurements of boots differently in Canada than in the U.S. Boulet lists these boots as being 14″, but the height of the leather from the top of the heel (where it meets the sole) to the top of the boot is 12″. I guess they include the heel in their measurements. Also, the boots come in only “E” and “EEE” width. However, the Boulet “E” is equivalent to a US “D” with, and a Boulet “EEE” width is equivalent to a US “EE” width.
These are good boots and also present good value-vs-quality.
3. Wesco Harness Boots (Model: standard short [11″] harness boot. Wesco does not use stock numbers.)
The West Coast Shoe Company (“Wesco”) of Scappoose, Oregon, USA, has been making exceptional-quality boots for a long time. These boots are the most rugged of all boots that bikers may wear. They’re built like a tank, and will last forever. But because each pair of these boots is made by hand to high standards, the cost to buy them is the highest of all similar-designed and similar-height harness boots. A new pair of these boots costs US$475 from the manufacturer.
The boots are 11″ high (but can be made higher by custom order). The soles can be selected, but most bikers get Vibram 100 (big lug.) The leather is the thickest of all leather for boots I have ever seen. Even unlined, as my pair of these boots is, the boots do not flex very much. Due to the thick leather from which these boots are made, they are the heaviest of all in this category — they weigh twice as much as Chippewa or Boulet harness boots. Therefore, in my opinion, these boots are not as comfortable — because they don’t flex much and are so heavy. They have made my feet feel uncomfortably warm when I have worn them while riding on a hot day, so I reserve the times when I wear them for cooler weather.
While they say that these boots are not water-proof, I can attest that they are definitely water-resistant. I have walked through mud and streams in my Wescos and my feet have not gotten wet.
By far, these are the best harness boots on the market, but they also have their drawbacks due to their weight and less flexibility. If you are a typical biker who has one or two pairs of motorcycle boots, then I would rank Wesco boots lower on my list of recommendations due to the cost and that they can be uncomfortably warm and heavy on the feet. Don’t get me wrong — the boots are great, but they’re not as comfortable as Chippewa or Boulet harness boots.
4. Harley-Davidson (branded) harness boots (Various stock and model numbers, which change with whatever Chinese manufacturer that H-D has licensed to make boots using their name and logo.)
Okay, so you picked up on that — H-D boots are not made by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Think about it: Harley makes motorcycles; darn good motorcycles. They don’t make footwear, jackets, shirts, or helmets. The line of H-D “motorclothes” is farmed out to various third-party manufacturers to make these products on behalf of the Motor Company.
Because of that, boots with the H-D name are made by the cheapest sources that H-D can find — which these days is in China. The quality of the leather hides used to make the boots is poor. It is often blemished, thin in some spots and thick in others. The soles are rubber of some sort — don’t let the Harley “plug” in the sole make you think the soles are Vibram. They’re not. The boots are all machine-made, and often have soles that are glued on, not stitched (so the soles cannot be replaced.)
Note: Ad-tec, Guide Gear, and X-Element harness boots are made by the same company in China that makes H-D harness boots. Not recommended!
As you can tell, I do not recommend these boots. They present poor value-vs-quality. You are paying for the name, not quality. Don’t fall for that. If you’re looking for decent, typical biker’s harness boots, get yourself a pair of Chippewa or Boulet boots and you’ll be happy. Best yet, your feet will be happy.
The majority of guys with whom I ride motorcycles often choose to wear harness boots, though some could benefit from the information in this blog post (that is, the guys who bought H-D boots). I hope this post has given you information to make an informed decision.
And if that’s not enough, I created a video where I visually describe and demonstrate this information. The video is embedded below. Learn and enjoy.
Life is short: choose motorcycle harness boots well — and always wear boots and long pants while riding. Remember: boots for the bike; sneakers for the gym. Period (don’t be a Darwin Award Winner.)
Note: there are other manufacturers who make short harness boots, such as Durango, Red Wing, Double-H, Frye, and others. Believe it or not, I do not have them all. (For example, new Frye harness boots are way overpriced for the quality, even though they are U.S.-made. My 14″ vintage Frye harness boots of the ’70s do not compare with the cheap-o quality 12″ Frye harness boots made today.)
The opinions above are about boots that I actually own and wear. If you have shorter harness boots made by other manufacturers, please feel free to leave a comment with your opinion about them. Thanks.
On Saturday, I led an organized motorcycle ride. I enjoy doing that when I can; about once a month during riding season. I wrote about my concern about preparing for the ride in Saturday’s blog post. I mentioned in yesterday’s post that the ride went very well, despite trepidations. I’m no “map savant” as a good buddy is; he can ride on unfamiliar routes and never get lost. I am not as fortunate, and don’t know why.
Anyway, the ride went very well. I didn’t get lost and the two-dozen or so bikers who showed up truly seemed to enjoy it. We went in a direction and on roads that the group usually doesn’t travel, so it made the ride more interesting for many.
We stopped along the way to stretch, and allow some of the bikes with smaller tanks to be refueled. I forget, having a six-gallon tank that I do not need to worry about running out of fuel on a rather short ride. But I know that is important to some of the guys with bikes that have smaller tanks. I also felt that we needed a break as the group needed to stretch, get something to drink, have a smoke, use the bathroom, etc. So we did.
At that stop, a younger dude came up to me and said, “those boots you have on are awesome! What are they? Where did you get them? They’re cool!”
I have to admit, the last thing I was thinking of on the morning of that ride is what boots I selected to wear on that ride. Because the weather was moderate and actually a little cool when I started out, I selected my old, comfy, well-worn Wesco Boss engineer boots to wear. They feel great, and look good with jeans over them. Real, honest-to-goodness, tough biker boots.
This younger guy just couldn’t get enough views of the boots, and wanted to know more. I sensed, though, that he was not ready for the full explanation of all the different varieties (and cost range) of tall engineer boots, so I kept it simple. I explained that the boots I had on were over 20 years old, and were made by Wesco. I added that new Wesco boots like that now cost in the range of over $500 at the 18″ height.
He explained that his finances are on edge with the payment for his bike alone taking most of his earnings, and that he was still living with his parents because he can’t afford to rent or buy a home for himself. (Still living with parents at age 32? Hmmm… my priorities would be different … spent whatever money I had on a home, build up savings, then buy a Harley, but that’s how I am. He seemed to be fine with his choices.)
So boots that cost over $500 were out of the question. He showed me his boots, which were, as usual, cheap Chinese-made Harley-branded harness boots. He seemed to be proud of them, so I didn’t say anything about my opinion of their relatively low value.
Instead, I explained that a very good alternative to Wesco engineer boots that is more affordable and U.S.-made are Chippewa engineer boots. I have several pairs of Chip Engineers, and like them. Durable, comfortable, long-lasting and well-made, and less than half the cost of new Wesco Boss boots.
I explained that he can get a pair of steel-toe or non-steel toe Chippewa engineer boots for about $200.
Later, when I got home, I received an email thanking me for leading an “awesome” ride, and thanking me for talking to him about boots. He asked me again for the “kind of boots you recommended,” and I answered him again with the information above. He replied with a genuine and appreciative thank-you. He said that he looked forward to riding with me again, perhaps in a new “awesome” pair of “real biker boots like you wear.”
Happy to help.
Life is short: be an “awesome” biker in engineer boots!
Another question entered into Google and landed here: “How much can a cobbler stretch a pair of boots?”
Good question. The answer to this question depends on what the boots are made of.
If boots are made of regular leather, then you need to know if the boots are lined with leather.
If boots are leather lined, a cobbler can usually stretch the shafts up to 3/8 inch (1cm) in additional overall circumference (which for those who are not math-inclined, is not the same as the diameter. Boot circumference is the distance around the inside of the boot shaft).
If the boots are not lined with leather, then the boot shaft can possibly be stretched even a little more, up to about 1/2 inch (1.3cm) if the cobbler takes his time and uses specialized equipment.
If the boot shaft is made from materials other than leather, like “Dehcord” (which is the synthetic product from which the shafts of stock Dehner boots are made), then it cannot be stretched. Attempting to stretch synthetic materials causes breaks in chemical bonds that form the product — what results is cracking and visible breaks in the surface of the boot. It ruins it.
Boots that are made of leather but coated with a plastic top coat, like Chippewa Hi-Shine boots, Chippewa Trooper Boots, Intapol Patrol Boots, or All American Patrol Boots, also will develop surface cracks if they are stretched, so it is not recommended to try to have those boots stretched.
If you need the foot of the boot stretched, that is possible, too, with the right equipment. A cobbler has a device that can apply pressure from inside the boot’s foot to stretch it. The amount of stretching that a cobbler can do for a pair of all-leather boots is about one width size wider (such as from a “D” to an “E”.) However, no boot can be stretched longer, such as from a size 10 to a size 10.5.
How does one find a cobbler with the correct equipment to stretch boots? While the Yellow Pages (business telephone directory) is quickly dying, if you have one, you probably can find a listing for a cobbler in it. You can also use an internet search engine to find a cobbler on-line. Consider additional search terms of “shoe repair” or “luggage repair” as well. Most shoe and luggage repair shops have the equipment to stretch boots.
And for the do-it-yourselfers, there are various methods described on the internet about how to stretch boots. Some of the ideas work (more-or-less) and some do not. For more details on how to do it yourself, See this article on the Boots Wiki.
A word of advice to the DIY types: do NOT be fooled into buying “boot stretching liquid.” This stuff is isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. No need to buy a product that has a label that proclaims magical results, when it actually is exactly the same stuff that you can find in any drug store for one-sixth the price. Just go to a drug store and buy a bottle of regular rubbing alcohol — then be sure to follow the instructions referenced on the Boots Wiki on how to use it.
Life is short: get your boots to fit!