PNW Boots

sroc112 · Dec 21, 2024

Anyone here a fan of or have any experience with PNW boots at all? (Pacific Northwest) brands like Nicks, Whites, JK, Franks, etc?

Just ordered a pair of JK Boots, had a question about QC as it relates to these style of handmade custom boots so wanted to see if amyone here happens to wear this style of boot.

Thanks

Jackalope · Dec 21, 2024

I’ve owned white’s, wesco and JK. They’re all pretty solid but I don’t think you can get a better pair of hard use boots than the JKs. What QC issues are you worried about?

sroc112 · Dec 21, 2024

I ordered the 10 inch Fire Inlanders. I've developed alot of feet issues the last few years and have found that the higher acrh and heel on logger style boots helps to alleviate some of the pain and discomfort I get by wearing normal style lasts on my other boots.

Anyway, I got the boots the other day, tried them on to confirm fit, oiled them yesterday, and was planning to wear them today for the first time. Getting them out of my closest this morning I noticed that the backstay on the left boot is sewn in severly crooked. While I don't think it will impact the use of the boot, it is a bit of an eyesore and disappointment to see on a pair of $600 custom boots.

I've read over their QC and warranty info, and for the most part, they state that minor imperfections, unevenness, stitching etc are normal.

My question - Knowing they are handmade, are things like this normal to some extent or should I really be as bummed as I am? I think maybe I was expecting imperfection on a handmade product where some extent of normal variances are to be expected. I already oiled them, so likely nothing I can do about it but trying to see the level of variances that can be expected with handmade boots.

DuneBoer · Dec 21, 2024

I have owned many pairs of Whites and Nicks. I liked the Nicks Hotshot best. Never seen that in any of them. 10 plus pairs. I would call and send them a picture to see what they say.

Jackalope · Dec 21, 2024

It’s pretty goofy dude. Your pants are gonna cover it, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want it fixed either.

powdahound76 · Dec 21, 2024

Thats over the top IMO.

A little off is one thing.

And honestly, really shouldnt be on $600 boots

sroc112 · Dec 21, 2024

Their site lists "oiled boots" as ineligible for exchange/refund. So think I'm kind of screwed since I didn't notice this on day 1.

However, it's their defect from the QC review so not sure if they would honor anything here. I don't want a refund, but think I'd be happier with a left boot thay matched the right.

EotS · Dec 21, 2024

They're all equally good. Picking one just comes down to the model/options you want. I have a pair of Wescos, but their lead times are absurd. Like over a year, which is basically like they don't exist, imo.

I hate to say it, but dispite me owning a pair, I don't think full custom WORK BOOTS are worth it.
Yes, they're absolutely worth the price, but it's diminished returns, imo.
It's VERY hard to bring yourself to throwing a $750+ pr of boots into a work environment where you know they'll be abused. Therefore, you'll be hesitant to wear them, and they'll end up sitting.

Myself, I think a usa made Redwing is the perfect balance of quality and value where you don't have so much invested that you're hesitant to wear them.

As to your original question, send them back. I had a super slight issue with my Wescos and rhe measurements I sent them Vs what I ordered , and they insisted I send them back. They rebuilt the entire upper to make it right.

sroc112 · Dec 21, 2024

So is that likely the solution they may offer, to rebuild that left boot instead of replacing with a different pair?

On a rebuild, how does that affect quality and longevity of the leather? I'd imagine if they are going to take it apart and resew it, going in and out of the same stitch holes may impact the strength of the backstay in that instance.

corey4 · Dec 21, 2024

How does the backstay line up when you put them on and lace them up? And how do they feel?

At first i was thinking "it's a Fing pair if boots bro, stop whining", then i took a closer look. Yeah, I'd call and ask.

sroc112 · Dec 21, 2024

Still crooked when the uppers are tightened and laced up. You can tell that it was not aligned correctly when they stitched it.

corey4 · Dec 21, 2024

Yeah, I'd call. It's the principal, not the functionality.

JJMoody · Dec 21, 2024

Call. Them.
No custom maker (IMO) wants their name on that.
I’m sure you already checked center lines in relation to your shin and opposing Achilles when laced. Pics can be deceiving, but that’s a lot of wonk there.
I’ve owned and worn Wesco (caulks), Hawthorn(made by whites), Nicks and others. There’s always imperfections when under a microscope, but that’s a lot.
ETA- this type of boot can be miserable enough to break in with things lining up properly. That misalignment is likely to cause problems

sroc112 · Dec 21, 2024

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Bummer, I really want to wear them this weekend but since I won't be able to get anyone on the phone there until Monday, I guess I'll need to wait.

DeathBeforeDismount · Sunday at 2:06 PM

If you arent logging or a lineman I think they are terrible choice for most people. They are a bitch to break in, heavy and uncomfortable.

The modern boots from companies like salmon, zamberlein, crispi, ect give you lightweight modern materials that don't require a break in and are much less fatiguing wearing all the time.

As someone who served in the leather boot army and they completely fucked up my feet for life...I have no use for traditional leather boots anymore.

Threadcutter308 · Sunday at 2:26 PM

sroc112 said:
Thanks everyone for the feedback. Bummer, I really want to wear them this weekend but since I won't be able to get anyone on the phone there until Monday, I guess I'll need to wait.

Their website lists a "30 Day Money Back Guarantee" (bottom of page).

Fire Inlander - Brown

10” Leather Firefighter Boot Classic Logger

jkboots.com

Even though you want to keep them/a proper pair, you may have to play hardball with them and invoke their statement about the guarantee. The left boot is not correct and it never should have left their "factory" that way. So, what happens if you start wearing them and you have ongoing problems with the left boot ? I get what they're saying about "blems" and what not. This sure looks like it's beyond that.

Looks like their Spokane branch (the main one ?) is open today, tomorrow and Tuesday.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Their "Refund" policy sure is bloated. I'm not in the market for something like that, but if I were, I'd probably look for a manufacturer that was a bit more "customer friendly"

Refund policy

Handmade leather work boots from a family-owned business in Spokane, WA. Known for being the toughest and most comfortable boots for wildland, construction, fabrication, and the like.

jkboots.com

sroc112 · Sunday at 2:54 PM

DeathBeforeDismount said:
If you arent logging or a lineman I think they are terrible choice for most people. They are a bitch to break in, heavy and uncomfortable.

The modern boots from companies like salmon, zamberlein, crispi, ect give you lightweight modern materials that don't require a break in and are much less fatiguing wearing all the time.

As someone who served in the leather boot army and they completely fucked up my feet for life...I have no use for traditional leather boots anymore.

I own Lowas among some others. They are great, but the higher arch/heel and added support of the 10 inch thick leather really help to alleviate the issues I currently have.

sroc112 · Sunday at 3:06 PM

I got in touch with their customer service rep on Reddit yesterday. He is having a rep call me tomorrow and said these will most likely be an exchange. Only concern, is now my size no longer shows in stock so wondering how many weeks I'll have to wait to get another pair. Either way, sounds positive so far.

EotS · Sunday at 3:48 PM

DeathBeforeDismount said:
If you arent logging or a lineman I think they are terrible choice for most people. They are a bitch to break in, heavy and uncomfortable.

The modern boots from companies like salmon, zamberlein, crispi, ect give you lightweight modern materials that don't require a break in and are much less fatiguing wearing all the time.

As someone who served in the leather boot army and they completely fucked up my feet for life...I have no use for traditional leather boots anymore.

Agree 100%.
Also,boots should not be looked at as a lifetime purchase, even if you can rebuild them. They're consumables. About the time the soles get wonky, chunk em.

lonegunman762x51 · Thursday at 5:42 PM

I have a pair of 10 in White's Smokejumpers for work. Composite safety toes and all. They took a long time to really break in and are heavy. The upside is the fit perfectly.

I also bought a pair of the shoes for dress wear after I retired. The heel fit is pure crap and they kill socks. White's has had them for weeks trying to fix them. No idea if they'll ever get them right or if they'll even try.

I'll report back in a couple of weeks.

JJMoody · Thursday at 6:15 PM

My first pair of customs- wesco caulks were horrible at first. My feet were so blistered, I felt like a leper. Then it rained one night and I set chokers the next day, soaking them and running in em til they were dry. Best things I’d ever had on my feet from that day on.
Whites, Nicks and Franks are built a bit heavier than the wescos I had and Hawthorns (made by Whites) were easier to break in too. My current Nicks had the same nasty heel slip and a couple hot spots. I did my (now) typical break in of soaking them in hot tap water and wearing them til they dried. Then to help things a bit more, took some saddle soap and a stiff canvas and “slicked” the inside hot spots that remained. Aside from the typical torture of break-in, burnishing the heel and outside of the toe box really seemed to speed things up.

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