Bought my first pair of Whites in 1972 , Working as a lineman building a powerline between Aspen and Vail Co. Those were their Over the calf lineman boots . Hardest work I've ever done , working at altitudes up to 12,000 ft . Gaffing up 90' poles . Couldn't have done the work without them . Had them rebuilt many times and logged and built trail in them . Loved those boots and have always had a set of White's since then . 50 years kids . Just got my Whites Packers back from a rebuild , probably be buried in them . I'd like a pair of Nicks smoke jumpers but spend most of my boot budget on high quality motocross boots .
My first pair of Nick's arrives this week, I obsessed over them after watching Rose Anvil's video. I feel like I made the right choice by going with Nick's. Thank you for putting this video together and I truly hope you make a ton of money with this video and replace both boots you sacrificed for "science"
@@CarlMurawski They are here and I don't know if I can spend money on any other boots other than dressier office type boots. The videos are very helpful to get someone's interest but until you handle them you just don't get it. I love the heels, the beautiful layers of unfinished leather... I just keep staring at them same way I stare my watch (love my Tudor 58!) The Vibram soles are quite interesting as well, completely different feel than Dainite soles. They are very roomy as well, probably a desired feature for those who stand on their feet all day. So far I am beyond pleased with these boots! Thank you again for introducing great quality products to folks like me!
I was a Smokejumper for 20 years and only wore White's but I knew very well about the Nick's brand. In fact I've probably have a hundred hours of conversations about firefighting boots with all the firefighters I've met (that's one of the conversations we have along with what is the best knife; Buck, Gerber, Swiss Army, etc. ect.). So when I needed a new pair I went for the Nick's. Best boots I've ever owned and even though I've been off the fire-line for 5 years I'm thinking about getting another pair for more casual work and hiking. I don't need them but feel like I want to give Nick's another shout out for the quality they provided for all those years.
Nicks all the way, bought the builder pros when I was 18, going on 21 with over 6000 work hours, they still look great, went with the soft gummy vibram sole and haven’t needed to resole it yet. Break in time took 4 months of part time work at a UPS warehouse. Not a real heavy guy, but now they feel like slippers and have made my posture confuse many as former military.
Red Wing has been too commercial and the quality is not what it was back in the days.. I always see the $$$ when I hear the "Red Wing" name.. I own a lot of handcrafted American boots. None of 'em are "Red Wing" ng"..
On the MP, the lack of stitch-through on the cap toe prevents toe rub against stitching which would be worse given the low profile of the toe. I noticed the interior of the White's MP is very comfortable, if not for the narrow toebox.
i think my dealbreaker between the two was the fact that whites is owned by some other big conglomerate, and i dislike that. i would rather have a smaller company like nicks. i'd rather help someone live out their american dream so to speak.
That turns off a lot of people. It’s tough because once a company grows to a certain size they can definitely benefit from being owned by a larger firm. Then again worldwide brands like Carhartt have managed to keep private, so what do I know?
Thank you for making this… I had been leaning towards Nick’s anyways, but the clincher was two things: 1) White’s being owned by a big conglomerate. 2) The fact that the toe cap on the White’s was not truly double stitched… anything done should be done right… attention to detail… Again, thank you for making this, it helped me make a final decision!
Nick's makes an really great boot no doubt about that, but if you care about real customer service from a small family owned business JK'S is better and in my opinion they make a better boot, also their leather is thicker than any other name there in Spokane, I went there just to check it all of them out, but then again you can't go wrong with Nick's I just think JK's are better
Also if you go to the whites store they usually gives you a 10% off and free false tongues but you have to go to the store to get it as many times as you go
@@javierhernandez215 I purchased a pair of new jk boots last year and their stitching was so sloppy I was extremely disappointed, the leather was extremely supple and made for an easy break in period. I think they have gotten better since, judging from some pictures they post on Instagram
@@arthurbarrios888 thanks man I been really debating if Jk can make me a boot identical as the bounty hunter from White's i think it's best to just wait or order from White's, although my Jk work boots are really well built.
@@javierhernandez215 jk definitely makes a beautiful boot, but then again whites makes a badass bounty hunter. I recently got their bounty hunter in burgundy horsehide with liner and that good stuff, just bitchin’ man. You can go wrong, they even have 20-25% off if you order through bakers right now
thanks for this! I got really excited when you said that White's has women's sizes, but the vast majority of their collection doesn't go smaller than a 7, and I wear a size 5. Nick's stock boots go all the way down to 4, so they have my vote :)
20 minute video, but I only needed to listen to the first 40 seconds. Once he said Whites was owned by an overseas company and Nick's is still privately owned I was done listening.
I think both are quality leather but Nicks is American and seems to still be interested in the product. Once a company goes overseas, I have less interest. One reason I bought Origin boots.
I tried to wear Thorogoods but unfortunately they aren't quite wide enough for me. Most folks recommend Thorogood for extra width, White's are one of few companies that go wider.
My first pair of true work boots was White's. I'm born and raised in Spokane. I'm a Welder by trade, 20 years. 10 years of that was in a foundry and that first year I burnt through 4 sets of regular so called work boots, then I bought White's. I wore those for the whole time working at the foundry. I liked them, they did the job but they never did fully hold up. I finally got a pair of Nicks. I've been wearing them for almost a year now and I can tell a huge difference. Nicks for life
Hi. I am a welder by trade and I have an upcoming project on a shipyard (shipbuilding) can you please tell me what your boot model is so that I have a baseline in choosing what model I'd purchase in the future. Thank you
Carl Murawski on that note, in the video on the nicks builder pro, did adding inserts to your boots affect the way it fits or cradles your foot and can you wear the boots without your inserts and not affect comfort, also can you use 3/4 length inserts, I am in the process of building by boots and included the ability to add inserts
Carl is right. Never thought that much money spent would be wise but I scored my first pair of Whites off Ebay and they put my RW in the closet. Don’t have Nicks but 4 pair of Whites and 2 Wescos. I will say the MP and SD from Whites are more casual and use less robust leathers than my 2 Bounty Hunters. My LTT BH are insanely robust and heavier. One item not mention is White’s Arch Ease found on some models. Personally I absulutely love the support which is not found in my Wesco JM or any flat footed RW. Again, Wesco JM is another great boot with awesome fit and finish, but my White’s are more comfortable overall, even their MP with the Barrie last. Sizing, I’m a 12 D in White’s and RW IR and Beckham. Wesco seems maybe a hair smaller. I may have gone 12 1/2 but 12 fits. Don’t get me wrong, still wear my RW but you’ll know and feel the difference of the PNW boots once in your feet.
Good info. I've been wearing White's and Nicks boots for years. Currently I own a pair of Nicks Hot Shots, White's lace to toe Smoke Jumpers, White's Packers and Whites Smoke Jumpers that were rebuilt by JK Boots. JK Boots did an excellent job on the rebuild. I think anyone looking to spend $500+ on any pair of boots should do as much research as they can because it's a big investment. Having said that I think the construction and durability of a pair of Nicks or White's boots is exceptional. However, I have seen some of the White's boots come out of the factory over the last few years that don't appear to match up to the quality of the older White's. Nicks quality has not changed from the older to new boots. Food for thought.
I recently purchased two pairs of their custom smoke jumpers and the quality hasn’t changed, having said that my oldest pair is only 10 years old, I’m not sure how more robust they were built back in day
@@arthurbarrios888 Thanks for the info. I think the leather may have been a little thicker in the older White's Smoke Jumpers and I've seen some stitching defects in few of the newer boots. I don't think these issues will effect the durability of the newer boots, but I do see a value in buying the older boots if in excellent condition.
@@legalsolutions07 you might have a point, I actually just used my gauge to measure the smoke jumpers and they are btw 7-8 ounce, I have a used pair of nicks from 78’ I bought near new from eBay and the leather seems a bit thicker, however it seems Ike quality control sucked back in the day as mine have vein traces all around the right boot. I remembered frank saying veins can tear. All in all I think tanneries have changed as well over the years.
2 great boot manufacturers! Been great learning about these brands as we open up in the US. Love the history and following they’ve created. Great video
Very painful to watch but informative. I currently own 2 pairs of whites boots and love them but I still wanna try Nick's whenever I get enough money to buy a pair so im always interested in seeing how the compare against each other. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and sacrificing over a thousand dollars for our entertainment. 👍😃
I lived in Spokane and I own several pair of these boots. The Nick's builder pro is not the equivalent to the White's Smoke Jumper. The Nicks Hot Shot is the competitor.The White's SmokeJumper and the Builder Pro are tougher than anything I know of...except the HotShot. When putting my feet in a pair of HotShots the difference was dramatic, it isn't even close. It is NOT for everyone, Your break in time for all of the above will be in months, probably a month longer for the Hotshot than the other two.
I love my Nick's over Whites in the work boot category. The reason is the stitching. White's boot have their signature hand stitched souls, and it a nice look. But I work in dusty conditions and the machine stitch is actually tighter and keeps out the dust better when the boots get worn. Both great boots, but Nick's boots hold up better for longer.
the handwelted sole stitch on the whites is actually inside the boot and invisible from the outside. you can see it here: ua-cam.com/video/XwDZjO__B4A/v-deo.html the visible outsole stitch that can collect dust is machine made just like nicks. a handsewn stitch normally is tighter than any machine stitch could be. A bootmaker
I have been trying to decide between these two boots for the last couple of weeks. the decision is so difficult! I love them both for different reasons. I suppose I should get both eventually
For me it comes down to Whites being owned by a big corporation (ABC Mart) and Nicks being independent. I've also really come to like Wesco and they have some models Nicks doesnt have like lace to toe and sleek engineer boots.
@@CarlMurawski very great point. After watching the video that nick’s posted for the Falcon boot build I have fallen in love. I also don’t really see why the whites would cost approx. $90 more than the nick’s. The cork layer in the whites seems nice for comfort, but the longevity of having so many layers of leather under foot may make the nick’s last forever for me. There’s definitely something about a pair of Nick’s falcons that I can’t stop obsessing over
I still love white's boots , never trade my soul for another, but it is what people want and prefer. Good vid and helps people understand what it takes to owe one of these quality boots for the money, well worth it either choice 😊
Great dive in. Whats the weight difference, a weigh in would be cool..Heavy boots fatigue u faster moving and climbing around. I wear boots for work and play like many do.
Bought some custom nicks boots a couple years ago, the left boot was to short and the right boot had bulge near he ball of the foot. Tried to do a long slow break in, close to a year, and they never worked. Nicks offered to rebuild at my cost....nope, $550 down the drain...
Yeah, while we are in the business of making a customer for life, it can be tricky to resolve fit issues under warranty when too much time has passed. In your case, it looks like you purchased in June of 2017 and then reached out to us in June of 2019 about fit concerns. We try to handle issues that are outside of our warranty period on a case by case basis. Many times, we will do a full rebuild at a resole price, etc. I am sorry things didn't work out.
I'm wearing a pair of whites packers that are close to 20 years old and I love them. I also have a pair of Nick's builder pros that I work in and I love those to(I am an equipment operator in a copper mine,) the nicks are 3 years old. They will probably need a resole next year. And I'm waiting on a pair ofJKs. I wore Whites Packers for years cowboying and guiding hunters. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the PNW boots.
Having owned both, two Whites smokejumper and a nicks hotshot, the build is not a concern for me, the fit is. For some reason Whites Smokejumper fits me better, the arch is in the perfect spot and feels great.
@@rogerr.8507 the sole of Hawthorne is not attached with screws like the. You are getting a $300 factory fit boot instead of a $500 custom fit boot but after wearing the hawthorns all summer the far outshine an boots that are ready to wear right out of the box. My boots still have a few summers left in them where as the boots my coworkers bought were eaten by the rugged white mountians in a summer.
I ended up ordering the White's because their lead time is 8 -12 weeks as opposed to Nick's 16 - 20 weeks. Yes, it seems Nick's is built SLIGHTLY tougher, but both are more than tough enough for the demands of my job, anyway.
If my Iron Rangers ever fail - and they show no signs of it after 6 years of near daily use - the NIck’s Americana will be the replacement, based on your reviews.
I see you cutting the boots in half and I'm screaming nooooo!!! But I thank you because you are truly providing a service to those of us who choose to buy these footwear. I am waiting for my next 8'Urban lager which I got in the Brown waxed flesh, with a 55 last composite toe and the Honey vibram souls.
First, thank you. I heard of both companies, but often confused by the quality difference. Your video didn't help me understand the difference better, but at least I'm not alone. 😁 Seriously, it helped a lot. I was sad to see you destroy two loved pairs, but if it's any consolation you've gained a subscriber.
“slight thicccness advantage” was my girlfriends nickname in college. Love the video. I grabbed a pair of White’s GYW chukkas on sale in black suede. Love them. Best chukkas I’ve ever had and very supportive for my non-arched slabs. Got an order for an urban logger with nicks. Just happy those companies are churning out this level quality.
Watching you cut into a boot that I could never afford makes me cry inside, man how great it would be to have such a thing for these harsh northern winters, specially after breaking my ankle last march.
Ive owned two pairs of Smoke Jumper Whites over the last ten years working as Wildland Firefigther on a Hotshots, Helitac, Engine crew. I call them my " 4 Wheel Drive Boots", because when i have them on I cant be stopped...lol .... they fit like a glove, of course that was after the two week plus break in time. (4th day break-in hurts but once i got there they were more comfortable than my skate tennis).. they got hot a once on a fire but that's because I was standing on the hot embers and i wanted to see hot long before it was too hot.. (Close to 5 mins) and that's due to the all leather center support vs. The metal Nicks has. But I'm gonna try Nicks out this next summer... just to switch it up while I'm getting my Whites refurbed.... its worth the money especially if your hiking in rough terrain
Just bought first pair of whites but I got the millwoods I wear size 11.5 in thorogoods and ordered myself a 11.5 in the whites I hope my flat foot fits in just as nice
I had a bad experience with White’s. I placed a custom order of the MP Sherman’s, measured my feet, and even followed up the order with a phone call. I heard nothing for five months before calling. I received no information on the order until they showed up on my doorstep a week later. When I opened the box, the boots were not made to the custom order. I suspect they grabbed a pair of boots close to the size and shipped them. Customer support was not good, and I needed to contact my credit card company *even after* returning the boots with White’s prepaid shipping label. The MP Shermans are beautiful boots, and I still jones for them, but I ended up purchasing boots from Oak Street. Granted this was one bad experience, but if you put in a custom order with White’s, follow up every few weeks-it will likely save you a good deal of frustration.
I can’t speak on behalf of nicks but for anyone that is interested in a LTT, specifically the smoke jumper when whites calls you back after they have received your tracings and measurements you can add steal toes to the boots and it’s at a reasonable cost.
I' stopped buying white's when they sold out to Japan. I like the Nick's but they're so tough that they're a bear to break in. I had a pair for 4 years and they still hurt my feet. The White's never did that.
My god man you have committed Treason! Great Video it’s always great to see the PNW get props in Boot Making, I remember watching your Iron Ranger boots and think man This guy needs a Pair Of Nicks or Whites boots. I would like to suggest Wesco as another Option they make some Bad@ss Engineer Boots.
The main issue here is price. If nicks makes a boot more heavy duty than whites for the same price, that’s a problem. Whites can’t just downgrade the toughness of a boot (because they think you don’t need it) and charge the same price as the better built pair.
I think we can all agree all Pacific Northwest boots are the most heavy-duty well-built no matter what company it comes from as I just purchased my first pair of Nick's the other day and wait with anticipation
I have a pair of whites hunters with the leather liner and I wore them for two years every day before the sole wore out, sent them back to get rebuilt and wore them for another two years. Trying a pair of nicks fireball tool versions now, if the whites can take four years of very hard use as a mechanic, I can't wait to see how the Nick's hold up!
will i still wear my custom orthotics or will the fitting process accommodate my high arch? great video! my feet hurt in cheap shoes......i wear Crocs stepping out of bed....
Thanks for getting me started in the Bison's Carl!! Now I'm off to order the Travelers in Burgundy!! Dang you Brother!! Haha, gonna be a looong 20 week wait!! Great video Brother!
Dang it was hard to see you cut these boots. Lol i just got my first Nick's boot's two months ago. Great boots. Thinking about getting the Roberts next or the travels.
I love my dress boots, from Whites and Nicks, but they are a pain in the Airport. The nails in the heels trip the metal detectors every time, and lacing them back up is tedious...I like them so much I still wear them through the airport!
Dang. Im not sure about wearing them in the airport. I wear slip on's or pull on boots for the airport. Just to much wearing lace up boots for how much i used to travel. Lol
“What if I wanna use casual looking boots as work boots?” That’s why I go with Nick’s. For my job it’s a coin toss if I’m standing doing warehouse work or driving for deliveries but I will say the days I’m standing my feet basically are screaming at the end of the day. I wanted to get red wings but I watched UA-cam videos of people who work much harder jobs than I do say that they tested both boots for about a month each and 100% of them say if you have the money get the Nick’s.
After watching your video, you should compare apples with apples vs the smoke jumpers not the casual, I looked at my whites about the double stitching that must be something new they are doing because the stitching goes through on all rows of my Whites, or its because it is a causal you are comparing
I own a pair of the Whites MP Sherman's in that Burgundy Chromexcel, and they are quite comfortable, and can confirm they feel how Carl describes their build: sturdy, but not as robust as the Americana would seem to be. My job is in the office, so they aren't a work boot, just a walk around the city boot. The features discussed here about the comfort, the sturdiness and somewhat lightness are a benefit in the situation I use them in. The break in was shockingly fast, as I'm use to blistering up my heels in boots during the break in.. I'm planning on one day getting the Nicks Americana or Falcon, but that is a lot of boot for my needs, which is why the White's made more sense to me. I also prefer the look of Dainite soles, and these are my Autumn to Spring boots for daily life. I do recommend them as a good looking heritage boot.
Same here lol. Want a pair of nicks, because heard really good thing about them. The problem is they are just too rugged for my need. How i wish they had a service type of boot with a sleeker profile. It's okay. We have more than enough company with service boots. Grabbed myself a pair of Viberg Service boot in brown chromexel today. Wonder how they will compared to my white's. I guess break in is also very dependent on the leather. My white's mp boots in thick ass brown oiled smooth leather was a nightmare to break in, but now they're my go to boots.
@@jiafei6833122 Agreed, the service boot has a profile and look that can match the needs of a good day to day boot, whether in town or country. I love the various types of boots out there as everything really matches a need or a style, just have to find one that fits your needs. For my day to day, where I work in an office, and live in a city, and not spending much time out of that area, the Service type boots from Whites, or something like a Stone Rambler C 55 last from Truman, work best with the clothes and profile I have, very casual. I do like my Iron Rangers, but upgrading them to the Americana is almost too much, but damn I'd like to buy a pair and find out for myself.
I wish they would make a Coyote Brown boot that adheres to OCP/Multicam uniform policy. I work in aircraft maintenance and would love a pair of high quality boots.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the MP on the Barrie Last? Which I believe is a dress shoe last. The Americana on a 55 last. I think comparing the bounty Hunter and the Americana would’ve been a better comparison.
Well thank you. The reason I didn’t use the Bounty Hunter was because it’s not a stock option and was a custom deal from Bakers. I really should have used the 350 for a closer comparison but man, these things are $500 a pop. Maybe a future comparison one day.
2 pairs waisted, made by hand, with love, just to discover that they are both very good. Too good if you ask me. The leather is way thicker than necessary for most daily use, makes the boots very heavy and difficult to break in. My 1907 Moc Toes took me month’s to break in, so imagine how these boots will torture your feet. You talk about how robust boots are, did you ever destroy a pair of Red Wings? All these boots are fashion boots nowadays. Anyway thanks for the effort you took to show us the quality and possibilities.
@@CarlMurawski yes very interesting assessment and I completely agree. It's all about the product that suits your needs. That's why there are so many levels of products out there. Personally I went with the Urban Loggers from Nick's simply due to the ability to customize them to be my own.
Nicks does have a wider range of sizes and widths on their made to order boots (at least from what I've seen), depending on the model with each brand (it does vary on each model at whites).
Late watching this, but I have a few comments. First, I’ve been chasing quality my whole life and have found many of the same makers that you have: White’s and Filson, as well as a few you haven’t mentioned (as far as I’ve seen): Viberg, Vanson, etc. I like how you put quality first. Second, try the White’s Work Packers - once you get used to the high heel, nothing - nothing - feels better after a long day on your feet. Yeah, East and West have different aesthetics, but White’s knocked it outta the park with those. I wore Dress Packers (no longer catalogued) to my daughter’s wedding with a bespoke boot-cut suit. Third, I’ve followed and unfollowed you, repeat, a few times as I perceive you as variously hipster and serious. C’mon - man purses? Now I figure you can review whatever, and I’ll watch those that are interesting to me - boots (ok, probably a fetish), trousers (cheap-ass Wrangler 13MWZs forever!), and outerwear (leather is terrible for anything other than dumping a bike!). Fourth - there is no fourth. I enjoy the work you put into the channel and respect your pursuit of quality (there’s that word again). Keep it up.
Don Nelson I have a couple pairs of White's bounty hunters ( smokejumpers on semi dress last) but I am thinking of ordering a pair of Packers. Should I order original packers or pointed toe packers, packers are on 690 last while pointed toe packers on 695.
@@chicagoan6342 As far as I can tell, the difference between those lasts is only the toe. Pointy toes and riding heels are distinctly “cowboy,” and both can take some getting used to if you haven’t worn them before. The original packers have outstanding construction and foot support too, and depending on your choice of heel, are more useful all-around while still clearly being “western.” Pointy toes and riding heels are great if you actually spend time in a saddle (I don’t anymore), while the originals with a semi-riding or a flat heel are more practical for everything else. White’s can put a lugged Vibram 100 on either, but on the pointy boots in particular that’s kind of like lace on a parka. I recommend the mini-lug. Either way, wear the kilties with ‘em. They confuse some people, and that can be entertaining. (Since the original comment, I’ve ordered a pair of 350 Cruisers with the Vibram 100s, and am patiently waiting…)
One thing I’ve learned through other videos is the guy that started Nicks boots actually worked at White’s before starting his own company and kinda “ripped off” techniques from them. That’s why the smoke jumper and the builder pro look so similar. That being said I have a pair of smoke jumpers and the quality does seem to have taken a hit versus the nick’s. I’m going to assume that is due to the change in ownership versus what would still be considered a small business in Nick’s. I’ve invested a lot in my white’s so I probably will end up staying with them unless I can swing the money for a pair of builder pros
@@CarlMurawski just submitted tracings to whites and nicks for a pair of casual bounty hunters and builder pros for the power plants. Your channel has inspired me a lot to up my game in the heritage workwear area as it fits in well with my lifestyle. I’ve caught the americana bug bad and am already scoping out what boots might be next!
Maybe the fact that White's is no longer family owned had something to do with the thinner heel cap, or cork midsoles or the fact that only one of the double stitching on the toe cap goes through?
FYI. I ended up ordering a pair of Nicks under the impression it would take 18-20 wks. Week 21, no progress. I emailed them. They said it now takes at least 30 WEEKS (7 months). Would've been nice if they mentioned that on the website. At least Whites keep their word.
Bought my first pair of Whites in 1972 , Working as a lineman building a powerline between
Aspen and Vail Co. Those were their Over the calf lineman boots . Hardest work I've ever done , working at altitudes up to 12,000 ft . Gaffing up 90' poles . Couldn't have done the work without them . Had them rebuilt many times and logged and built trail in them .
Loved those boots and have always had a set of White's since then . 50 years kids .
Just got my Whites Packers back from a rebuild , probably be buried in them .
I'd like a pair of Nicks smoke jumpers but spend most of my boot budget on high quality
motocross boots .
Are you riding dirtbikes?
@@bassheadlife492 interesting that you ask ! Yep pushing 75 y o and still on the throttle ,
My first pair of Nick's arrives this week, I obsessed over them after watching Rose Anvil's video. I feel like I made the right choice by going with Nick's. Thank you for putting this video together and I truly hope you make a ton of money with this video and replace both boots you sacrificed for "science"
Congratulations! I’d love to hear how you like them!
@Mr. Frank 'forever 40' Garret I'm afraid I didn't since I don't know what that is
@Mr. Frank 'forever 40' Garret Thank you for the explanation! I guess l'll just have to tough it out 😔
True story! I have that in the Builder Pros and it’s excellent
@@CarlMurawski They are here and I don't know if I can spend money on any other boots other than dressier office type boots. The videos are very helpful to get someone's interest but until you handle them you just don't get it. I love the heels, the beautiful layers of unfinished leather... I just keep staring at them same way I stare my watch (love my Tudor 58!) The Vibram soles are quite interesting as well, completely different feel than Dainite soles. They are very roomy as well, probably a desired feature for those who stand on their feet all day. So far I am beyond pleased with these boots! Thank you again for introducing great quality products to folks like me!
I was a Smokejumper for 20 years and only wore White's but I knew very well about the Nick's brand. In fact I've probably have a hundred hours of conversations about firefighting boots with all the firefighters I've met (that's one of the conversations we have along with what is the best knife; Buck, Gerber, Swiss Army, etc. ect.). So when I needed a new pair I went for the Nick's. Best boots I've ever owned and even though I've been off the fire-line for 5 years I'm thinking about getting another pair for more casual work and hiking. I don't need them but feel like I want to give Nick's another shout out for the quality they provided for all those years.
Nicks all the way, bought the builder pros when I was 18, going on 21 with over 6000 work hours, they still look great, went with the soft gummy vibram sole and haven’t needed to resole it yet. Break in time took 4 months of part time work at a UPS warehouse. Not a real heavy guy, but now they feel like slippers and have made my posture confuse many as former military.
What a glowing recommendation! I agree, the Builder Pros are fantastic!
Making me think it’s about time I upgrade from my Red Wing collection...
You will not regret it.
YOU!?? No way Mensch, I never thought I’d see the day!
Do it!!! Been eyeing the americana boots
Red Wing has been too commercial and the quality is not what it was back in the days.. I always see the $$$ when I hear the "Red Wing" name.. I own a lot of handcrafted American boots. None of 'em are "Red Wing"
ng"..
@@charlesbronson240 I second this. I own a pair of Nick's, the Charley boot. Built just for me. Going on 3 months, and breaking in very nicely.
On the MP, the lack of stitch-through on the cap toe prevents toe rub against stitching which would be worse given the low profile of the toe. I noticed the interior of the White's MP is very comfortable, if not for the narrow toebox.
No! Don't! Leave the cutting to Rose Anvil you monster! Thank you for taking your time to make this vid.
Like rose anvil vids more
i think my dealbreaker between the two was the fact that whites is owned by some other big conglomerate, and i dislike that. i would rather have a smaller company like nicks. i'd rather help someone live out their american dream so to speak.
That turns off a lot of people. It’s tough because once a company grows to a certain size they can definitely benefit from being owned by a larger firm. Then again worldwide brands like Carhartt have managed to keep private, so what do I know?
I agree brother!
@@CarlMurawski carhartt is also made in china now, so its not like staying Private matters
My last pair of whites was in 2002... now Since they are abc mart.... looking at some nicks instead
Frank’s boots are way better than nicks or whites now
Thank you for making this… I had been leaning towards Nick’s anyways, but the clincher was two things:
1) White’s being owned by a big conglomerate.
2) The fact that the toe cap on the White’s was not truly double stitched… anything done should be done right… attention to detail…
Again, thank you for making this, it helped me make a final decision!
Nick's makes an really great boot no doubt about that, but if you care about real customer service from a small family owned business JK'S is better and in my opinion they make a better boot, also their leather is thicker than any other name there in Spokane, I went there just to check it all of them out, but then again you can't go wrong with Nick's I just think JK's are better
Also if you go to the whites store they usually gives you a 10% off and free false tongues but you have to go to the store to get it as many times as you go
@@javierhernandez215 I purchased a pair of new jk boots last year and their stitching was so sloppy I was extremely disappointed, the leather was extremely supple and made for an easy break in period. I think they have gotten better since, judging from some pictures they post on Instagram
@@arthurbarrios888 thanks man I been really debating if Jk can make me a boot identical as the bounty hunter from White's i think it's best to just wait or order from White's, although my Jk work boots are really well built.
@@javierhernandez215 jk definitely makes a beautiful boot, but then again whites makes a badass bounty hunter. I recently got their bounty hunter in burgundy horsehide with liner and that good stuff, just bitchin’ man. You can go wrong, they even have 20-25% off if you order through bakers right now
thanks for this! I got really excited when you said that White's has women's sizes, but the vast majority of their collection doesn't go smaller than a 7, and I wear a size 5. Nick's stock boots go all the way down to 4, so they have my vote :)
Nicks all the way
I believe White’s will customize any boot for any size foot. You just have to go with the custom boot option
It hurt my soul to see a perfectly good pair of boots be destroyed like that
It hurt mine to do it!
@@CarlMurawski Hey Carl, Could you talk about the rolled welt in White's vs Nick's. I think that is important point people should know about.
for Science!
Pulling an Rose Anvil on us huh?
Hahaha so true
Its because of the cat.
Nah Rose Anvil cuts his in half. This is more like a Trenton & Heath video.
So much respect on splitting those beautiful boots and analyzing the build qualities.
Lots of videos on UA-cam about Nick's & Whites boots. NONE come close to the production of this one. Good stuff!!
I appreciate that! Thank you so much!
20 minute video, but I only needed to listen to the first 40 seconds. Once he said Whites was owned by an overseas company and Nick's is still privately owned I was done listening.
I agree.
I think both are quality leather but Nicks is American and seems to still be interested in the product. Once a company goes overseas, I have less interest. One reason I bought Origin boots.
I tried to wear Thorogoods but unfortunately they aren't quite wide enough for me. Most folks recommend Thorogood for extra width, White's are one of few companies that go wider.
My first pair of true work boots was White's. I'm born and raised in Spokane. I'm a Welder by trade, 20 years. 10 years of that was in a foundry and that first year I burnt through 4 sets of regular so called work boots, then I bought White's. I wore those for the whole time working at the foundry. I liked them, they did the job but they never did fully hold up. I finally got a pair of Nicks. I've been wearing them for almost a year now and I can tell a huge difference. Nicks for life
Hi. I am a welder by trade and I have an upcoming project on a shipyard (shipbuilding) can you please tell me what your boot model is so that I have a baseline in choosing what model I'd purchase in the future. Thank you
For $600 each, nicks give you the best build for the buck
I agree if you’re looking for durability over comfort.
Carl Murawski on that note, in the video on the nicks builder pro, did adding inserts to your boots affect the way it fits or cradles your foot and can you wear the boots without your inserts and not affect comfort, also can you use 3/4 length inserts, I am in the process of building by boots and included the ability to add inserts
If you are spending $600 on boots they better be comfortable no matter what builder you choose to buy from. Im glad I chose Nicks
I drive semis but work in diesel shop and I have been wearing out boots....thanks to your videos I'm convinced Nick's will be my next pair
Sometimes more does not mean better. Love the review on those boots!
Carl is right. Never thought that much money spent would be wise but I scored my first pair of Whites off Ebay and they put my RW in the closet. Don’t have Nicks but 4 pair of Whites and 2 Wescos. I will say the MP and SD from Whites are more casual and use less robust leathers than my 2 Bounty Hunters. My LTT BH are insanely robust and heavier. One item not mention is White’s Arch Ease found on some models. Personally I absulutely love the support which is not found in my Wesco JM or any flat footed RW. Again, Wesco JM is another great boot with awesome fit and finish, but my White’s are more comfortable overall, even their MP with the Barrie last. Sizing, I’m a 12 D in White’s and RW IR and Beckham. Wesco seems maybe a hair smaller. I may have gone 12 1/2 but 12 fits. Don’t get me wrong, still wear my RW but you’ll know and feel the difference of the PNW boots once in your feet.
Good info. I've been wearing White's and Nicks boots for years. Currently I own a pair of Nicks Hot Shots, White's lace to toe Smoke Jumpers, White's Packers and Whites Smoke Jumpers that were rebuilt by JK Boots. JK Boots did an excellent job on the rebuild. I think anyone looking to spend $500+ on any pair of boots should do as much research as they can because it's a big investment. Having said that I think the construction and durability of a pair of Nicks or White's boots is exceptional. However, I have seen some of the White's boots come out of the factory over the last few years that don't appear to match up to the quality of the older White's. Nicks quality has not changed from the older to new boots. Food for thought.
I recently purchased two pairs of their custom smoke jumpers and the quality hasn’t changed, having said that my oldest pair is only 10 years old, I’m not sure how more robust they were built back in day
@@arthurbarrios888 Thanks for the info. I think the leather may have been a little thicker in the older White's Smoke Jumpers and I've seen some stitching defects in few of the newer boots. I don't think these issues will effect the durability of the newer boots, but I do see a value in buying the older boots if in excellent condition.
@@legalsolutions07 you might have a point, I actually just used my gauge to measure the smoke jumpers and they are btw 7-8 ounce, I have a used pair of nicks from 78’ I bought near new from eBay and the leather seems a bit thicker, however it seems Ike quality control sucked back in the day as mine have vein traces all around the right boot. I remembered frank saying veins can tear. All in all I think tanneries have changed as well over the years.
2 great boot manufacturers! Been great learning about these brands as we open up in the US. Love the history and following they’ve created. Great video
Thank you, my brother from SA!
Nicks Americana is my dream’s boot.
Funny, Red Wing always comes in a boot comparison.
Great video !
Very painful to watch but informative. I currently own 2 pairs of whites boots and love them but I still wanna try Nick's whenever I get enough money to buy a pair so im always interested in seeing how the compare against each other. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and sacrificing over a thousand dollars for our entertainment. 👍😃
Anytime! Well.... probably not ANY time
Those were wonderfully crafted boots and as much as I hated the part where you cut them in half , the information was invaluable. Thank you Carl
I can’t wait until I’m old enough to get an awesome pair of work boots like this
I lived in Spokane and I own several pair of these boots. The Nick's builder pro is not the equivalent to the White's Smoke Jumper. The Nicks Hot Shot is the competitor.The White's SmokeJumper and the Builder Pro are tougher than anything I know of...except the HotShot. When putting my feet in a pair of HotShots the difference was dramatic, it isn't even close. It is NOT for everyone, Your break in time for all of the above will be in months, probably a month longer for the Hotshot than the other two.
I love my Nick's over Whites in the work boot category. The reason is the stitching. White's boot have their signature hand stitched souls, and it a nice look. But I work in dusty conditions and the machine stitch is actually tighter and keeps out the dust better when the boots get worn. Both great boots, but Nick's boots hold up better for longer.
the handwelted sole stitch on the whites is actually inside the boot and invisible from the outside. you can see it here: ua-cam.com/video/XwDZjO__B4A/v-deo.html
the visible outsole stitch that can collect dust is machine made just like nicks. a handsewn stitch normally is tighter than any machine stitch could be.
A bootmaker
Thanks for the effort Carl. These topics and quality are what make your channel so interesting
I appreciate that!
I've been saving up to get a pair of custom wesco boots, and I cant wait to finally pull the trigger on them
I have been trying to decide between these two boots for the last couple of weeks. the decision is so difficult! I love them both for different reasons. I suppose I should get both eventually
For me it comes down to Whites being owned by a big corporation (ABC Mart) and Nicks being independent. I've also really come to like Wesco and they have some models Nicks doesnt have like lace to toe and sleek engineer boots.
@@CarlMurawski very great point. After watching the video that nick’s posted for the Falcon boot build I have fallen in love. I also don’t really see why the whites would cost approx. $90 more than the nick’s. The cork layer in the whites seems nice for comfort, but the longevity of having so many layers of leather under foot may make the nick’s last forever for me. There’s definitely something about a pair of Nick’s falcons that I can’t stop obsessing over
@@CarlMurawski I haven’t looked at many pairs of Wesco boots. May have to start a new obsession
Disassembly was difficult to watch. Thanks for bringing us such honest & detailed reviews! As for which boots... both!
Thanks for watching!
I still love white's boots , never trade my soul for another, but it is what people want and prefer. Good vid and helps people understand what it takes to owe one of these quality boots for the money, well worth it either choice 😊
@Carl Murawski Hey Carl, Could you talk about the rolled welt in White's vs Nick's. I think that is important point people should know about
I'd like to know your thoughts on the Frank's
Great dive in. Whats the weight difference, a weigh in would be cool..Heavy boots fatigue u faster moving and climbing around. I wear boots for work and play like many do.
Bought some custom nicks boots a couple years ago, the left boot was to short and the right boot had bulge near he ball of the foot. Tried to do a long slow break in, close to a year, and they never worked. Nicks offered to rebuild at my cost....nope, $550 down the drain...
Ouch
Yeah, while we are in the business of making a customer for life, it can be tricky to resolve fit issues under warranty when too much time has passed. In your case, it looks like you purchased in June of 2017 and then reached out to us in June of 2019 about fit concerns. We try to handle issues that are outside of our warranty period on a case by case basis. Many times, we will do a full rebuild at a resole price, etc. I am sorry things didn't work out.
I have 5 whites, (1 bespoke custom,) and 1 nicks, 1 drews, 1 franks. All excellent boots.
Beware, of ads on Facebook. Scam sites are posting stating 30% to 60% off regular price. It is very very well done so becareful
I'm wearing a pair of whites packers that are close to 20 years old and I love them. I also have a pair of Nick's builder pros that I work in and I love those to(I am an equipment operator in a copper mine,) the nicks are 3 years old. They will probably need a resole next year. And I'm waiting on a pair ofJKs. I wore Whites Packers for years cowboying and guiding hunters. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the PNW boots.
just got my Nicks. i want to order more Nicks. best i ever had
Been waiting all day for this!
I hope it didn’t disappoint!!!
Having owned both, two Whites smokejumper and a nicks hotshot, the build is not a concern for me, the fit is. For some reason Whites Smokejumper fits me better, the arch is in the perfect spot and feels great.
The video I was waiting for someone to make. Thank you!!!
On another note, I mentioned it on another one of your video, Nicks originated from Whites that's why you see similarities in their legacy lines
big help for a question i have had for a long time
bonus that you informed my decision on the two i was eyeing!
Happy I was able to help!
I do like the fact that whites has the Hawthorn line of boots which you're less expensive then they're custom made boots.
I agree!
are they built the same? i dont care about automated welt stitching but the whole upper shape looks very different.
@@rogerr.8507 the sole of Hawthorne is not attached with screws like the. You are getting a $300 factory fit boot instead of a $500 custom fit boot but after wearing the hawthorns all summer the far outshine an boots that are ready to wear right out of the box. My boots still have a few summers left in them where as the boots my coworkers bought were eaten by the rugged white mountians in a summer.
I ended up ordering the White's because their lead time is 8 -12 weeks as opposed to Nick's 16 - 20 weeks. Yes, it seems Nick's is built SLIGHTLY tougher, but both are more than tough enough for the demands of my job, anyway.
If my Iron Rangers ever fail - and they show no signs of it after 6 years of near daily use - the NIck’s Americana will be the replacement, based on your reviews.
I think you'll be blown away!
One of the best boot review videos on UA-cam. Thanks for sharing.
I really appreciate your willingness to tear these apart and compare. It was very informative!
I see you cutting the boots in half and I'm screaming nooooo!!! But I thank you because you are truly providing a service to those of us who choose to buy these footwear. I am waiting for my next 8'Urban lager which I got in the Brown waxed flesh, with a 55 last composite toe and the Honey vibram souls.
I like the nicks a little bit more, since if I want style, I probably would go for something else like the viberg may be
Yes, there are some incredible Viberg models for sure!
Great video Carl. Hopefully one day I can get a pair of the nicks. Thanks for doing that to your boots.
I like your whites smokejumpers. wheres the video on those?
I have a pair of each of these on order. I will be happy with BOTH of them. Nicks has a LTT now.
You made me a Nick's fan boy and I'm never going back!!!!!!!
Welcome to the obsession
First, thank you. I heard of both companies, but often confused by the quality difference. Your video didn't help me understand the difference better, but at least I'm not alone. 😁
Seriously, it helped a lot. I was sad to see you destroy two loved pairs, but if it's any consolation you've gained a subscriber.
After watching you’re last post about getting rid of some things this kinda makes sense
Well this definitely isn't what I had in mind, but not a bad way to get some good content out of it!
My Whites are fully gusetted, hand stiched, basically built like a tank ... On the fireline boots are important ...
“slight thicccness advantage” was my girlfriends nickname in college.
Love the video. I grabbed a pair of White’s GYW chukkas on sale in black suede. Love them. Best chukkas I’ve ever had and very supportive for my non-arched slabs. Got an order for an urban logger with nicks. Just happy those companies are churning out this level quality.
Lol sounds like a good woman!
We are really living in a golden age of boots and high quality gear, but you’ve just gotta dig to find the brands.
Watching you cut into a boot that I could never afford makes me cry inside, man how great it would be to have such a thing for these harsh northern winters, specially after breaking my ankle last march.
Ive owned two pairs of Smoke Jumper Whites over the last ten years working as Wildland Firefigther on a Hotshots, Helitac, Engine crew. I call them my " 4 Wheel Drive Boots", because when i have them on I cant be stopped...lol .... they fit like a glove, of course that was after the two week plus break in time. (4th day break-in hurts but once i got there they were more comfortable than my skate tennis).. they got hot a once on a fire but that's because I was standing on the hot embers and i wanted to see hot long before it was too hot.. (Close to 5 mins) and that's due to the all leather center support vs. The metal Nicks has. But I'm gonna try Nicks out this next summer... just to switch it up while I'm getting my Whites refurbed.... its worth the money especially if your hiking in rough terrain
Just bought first pair of whites but I got the millwoods I wear size 11.5 in thorogoods and ordered myself a 11.5 in the whites I hope my flat foot fits in just as nice
I had a bad experience with White’s. I placed a custom order of the MP Sherman’s, measured my feet, and even followed up the order with a phone call.
I heard nothing for five months before calling. I received no information on the order until they showed up on my doorstep a week later.
When I opened the box, the boots were not made to the custom order. I suspect they grabbed a pair of boots close to the size and shipped them. Customer support was not good, and I needed to contact my credit card company *even after* returning the boots with White’s prepaid shipping label.
The MP Shermans are beautiful boots, and I still jones for them, but I ended up purchasing boots from Oak Street.
Granted this was one bad experience, but if you put in a custom order with White’s, follow up every few weeks-it will likely save you a good deal of frustration.
I can’t speak on behalf of nicks but for anyone that is interested in a LTT, specifically the smoke jumper when whites calls you back after they have received your tracings and measurements you can add steal toes to the boots and it’s at a reasonable cost.
I' stopped buying white's when they sold out to Japan. I like the Nick's but they're so tough that they're a bear to break in. I had a pair for 4 years and they still hurt my feet. The White's never did that.
Nicks sold out too. Wesco and Frank’s are still family own PNW boots
@@wolfandkitty7848 What do you mean they sold out?
@@HisLostSheep they got bought out by a bigger company and aren’t family owned. The company that owns Lacrosse footwear I believe.
Nicks went hipster I know that.
My god man you have committed Treason! Great Video it’s always great to see the PNW get props in Boot Making, I remember watching your Iron Ranger boots and think man This guy needs a Pair Of Nicks or Whites boots. I would like to suggest Wesco as another Option they make some Bad@ss Engineer Boots.
The main issue here is price. If nicks makes a boot more heavy duty than whites for the same price, that’s a problem. Whites can’t just downgrade the toughness of a boot (because they think you don’t need it) and charge the same price as the better built pair.
I think we can all agree all Pacific Northwest boots are the most heavy-duty well-built no matter what company it comes from as I just purchased my first pair of Nick's the other day and wait with anticipation
I have a pair of whites hunters with the leather liner and I wore them for two years every day before the sole wore out, sent them back to get rebuilt and wore them for another two years. Trying a pair of nicks fireball tool versions now, if the whites can take four years of very hard use as a mechanic, I can't wait to see how the Nick's hold up!
will i still wear my custom orthotics or will the fitting process accommodate my high arch? great video! my feet hurt in cheap shoes......i wear Crocs stepping out of bed....
Thanks for getting me started in the Bison's Carl!! Now I'm off to order the Travelers in Burgundy!! Dang you Brother!! Haha, gonna be a looong 20 week wait!! Great video Brother!
Hahahaha
Congratulations man! And I’m sorry
Dang it was hard to see you cut these boots. Lol i just got my first Nick's boot's two months ago. Great boots. Thinking about getting the Roberts next or the travels.
Yeah man, it hurt to do it. I love the Robert in predator orange
Ya that would be the leather i would go for. I like it as well. Look like it would age well.
I love my dress boots, from Whites and Nicks, but they are a pain in the Airport. The nails in the heels trip the metal detectors every time, and lacing them back up is tedious...I like them so much I still wear them through the airport!
Dang. Im not sure about wearing them in the airport. I wear slip on's or pull on boots for the airport. Just to much wearing lace up boots for how much i used to travel. Lol
This breakdown is very helpful, thank you Carl!
“What if I wanna use casual looking boots as work boots?” That’s why I go with Nick’s. For my job it’s a coin toss if I’m standing doing warehouse work or driving for deliveries but I will say the days I’m standing my feet basically are screaming at the end of the day. I wanted to get red wings but I watched UA-cam videos of people who work much harder jobs than I do say that they tested both boots for about a month each and 100% of them say if you have the money get the Nick’s.
I work at whites boots! Best Job ever 🤘
Have had the White Oxfords for about 2-months and love them. Do to a future job change I may need to purchase another pair with a steel toe.
White's being owned by some company in Japan was the deciding factor in my choosing Nick's.
After watching your video, you should compare apples with apples vs the smoke jumpers not the casual, I looked at my whites about the double stitching that must be something new they are doing because the stitching goes through on all rows of my Whites, or its because it is a causal you are comparing
I own a pair of the Whites MP Sherman's in that Burgundy Chromexcel, and they are quite comfortable, and can confirm they feel how Carl describes their build: sturdy, but not as robust as the Americana would seem to be. My job is in the office, so they aren't a work boot, just a walk around the city boot. The features discussed here about the comfort, the sturdiness and somewhat lightness are a benefit in the situation I use them in. The break in was shockingly fast, as I'm use to blistering up my heels in boots during the break in.. I'm planning on one day getting the Nicks Americana or Falcon, but that is a lot of boot for my needs, which is why the White's made more sense to me. I also prefer the look of Dainite soles, and these are my Autumn to Spring boots for daily life. I do recommend them as a good looking heritage boot.
Same here lol. Want a pair of nicks, because heard really good thing about them. The problem is they are just too rugged for my need. How i wish they had a service type of boot with a sleeker profile. It's okay. We have more than enough company with service boots. Grabbed myself a pair of Viberg Service boot in brown chromexel today. Wonder how they will compared to my white's. I guess break in is also very dependent on the leather. My white's mp boots in thick ass brown oiled smooth leather was a nightmare to break in, but now they're my go to boots.
@@jiafei6833122 Agreed, the service boot has a profile and look that can match the needs of a good day to day boot, whether in town or country. I love the various types of boots out there as everything really matches a need or a style, just have to find one that fits your needs. For my day to day, where I work in an office, and live in a city, and not spending much time out of that area, the Service type boots from Whites, or something like a Stone Rambler C 55 last from Truman, work best with the clothes and profile I have, very casual. I do like my Iron Rangers, but upgrading them to the Americana is almost too much, but damn I'd like to buy a pair and find out for myself.
I wish they would make a Coyote Brown boot that adheres to OCP/Multicam uniform policy. I work in aircraft maintenance and would love a pair of high quality boots.
Ask for their roughout
Great video! I really loved everything about it. Video quality, content, even speech pattern and cadence! Thanks for the hard work, keep it up!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the MP on the Barrie Last? Which I believe is a dress shoe last. The Americana on a 55 last. I think comparing the bounty Hunter and the Americana would’ve been a better comparison.
But still loved your video
Well thank you. The reason I didn’t use the Bounty Hunter was because it’s not a stock option and was a custom deal from Bakers. I really should have used the 350 for a closer comparison but man, these things are $500 a pop. Maybe a future comparison one day.
2 pairs waisted, made by hand, with love, just to discover that they are both very good. Too good if you ask me. The leather is way thicker than necessary for most daily use, makes the boots very heavy and difficult to break in. My 1907 Moc Toes took me month’s to break in, so imagine how these boots will torture your feet. You talk about how robust boots are, did you ever destroy a pair of Red Wings? All these boots are fashion boots nowadays. Anyway thanks for the effort you took to show us the quality and possibilities.
Very helpful, exactly what I needed to see
totally thought you were about to say "just kidding" before cutting those up. too painful to watch
I know, I know. I’m sorry! I hope it was interesting though!
@@CarlMurawski yes very interesting assessment and I completely agree. It's all about the product that suits your needs. That's why there are so many levels of products out there. Personally I went with the Urban Loggers from Nick's simply due to the ability to customize them to be my own.
Im crazy about urban logger though i cant afford to have it, just enjoying your videos to see my dream boot. Watching you from the Philippines.✌️♥️🙏
Excellent video, thanks for doing what none of us can.
Nicks does have a wider range of sizes and widths on their made to order boots (at least from what I've seen), depending on the model with each brand (it does vary on each model at whites).
Late watching this, but I have a few comments. First, I’ve been chasing quality my whole life and have found many of the same makers that you have: White’s and Filson, as well as a few you haven’t mentioned (as far as I’ve seen): Viberg, Vanson, etc. I like how you put quality first. Second, try the White’s Work Packers - once you get used to the high heel, nothing - nothing - feels better after a long day on your feet. Yeah, East and West have different aesthetics, but White’s knocked it outta the park with those. I wore Dress Packers (no longer catalogued) to my daughter’s wedding with a bespoke boot-cut suit. Third, I’ve followed and unfollowed you, repeat, a few times as I perceive you as variously hipster and serious. C’mon - man purses? Now I figure you can review whatever, and I’ll watch those that are interesting to me - boots (ok, probably a fetish), trousers (cheap-ass Wrangler 13MWZs forever!), and outerwear (leather is terrible for anything other than dumping a bike!). Fourth - there is no fourth. I enjoy the work you put into the channel and respect your pursuit of quality (there’s that word again). Keep it up.
Don Nelson
I have a couple pairs of White's bounty hunters ( smokejumpers on semi dress last) but I am thinking of ordering a pair of Packers. Should I order original packers or pointed toe packers, packers are on 690 last while pointed toe packers on 695.
@@chicagoan6342 As far as I can tell, the difference between those lasts is only the toe. Pointy toes and riding heels are distinctly “cowboy,” and both can take some getting used to if you haven’t worn them before. The original packers have outstanding construction and foot support too, and depending on your choice of heel, are more useful all-around while still clearly being “western.” Pointy toes and riding heels are great if you actually spend time in a saddle (I don’t anymore), while the originals with a semi-riding or a flat heel are more practical for everything else. White’s can put a lugged Vibram 100 on either, but on the pointy boots in particular that’s kind of like lace on a parka. I recommend the mini-lug. Either way, wear the kilties with ‘em. They confuse some people, and that can be entertaining.
(Since the original comment, I’ve ordered a pair of 350 Cruisers with the Vibram 100s, and am patiently waiting…)
Nick’s are the GOAT of work boots!!!👏🏼🙌🏼
One thing I’ve learned through other videos is the guy that started Nicks boots actually worked at White’s before starting his own company and kinda “ripped off” techniques from them. That’s why the smoke jumper and the builder pro look so similar. That being said I have a pair of smoke jumpers and the quality does seem to have taken a hit versus the nick’s. I’m going to assume that is due to the change in ownership versus what would still be considered a small business in Nick’s. I’ve invested a lot in my white’s so I probably will end up staying with them unless I can swing the money for a pair of builder pros
Carl, big fan of your channel. Your roughout smokejumpers look incredible. What are the build specs on those (they appear to be custom build) ?
Good eye! They were a custom build, pretty gorgeous huh?
@@CarlMurawski just submitted tracings to whites and nicks for a pair of casual bounty hunters and builder pros for the power plants.
Your channel has inspired me a lot to up my game in the heritage workwear area as it fits in well with my lifestyle.
I’ve caught the americana bug bad and am already scoping out what boots might be next!
Putting away my red wings. Nicks being built now!
Thanks for the info. Reason to buy another pair.
Glad to help!
Maybe the fact that White's is no longer family owned had something to do with the thinner heel cap, or cork midsoles or the fact that only one of the double stitching on the toe cap goes through?
FYI. I ended up ordering a pair of Nicks under the impression it would take 18-20 wks. Week 21, no progress. I emailed them. They said it now takes at least 30 WEEKS (7 months). Would've been nice if they mentioned that on the website. At least Whites keep their word.
Got a pair of Whites smoke jumpers I've had since 03. Destroyed a pair of redwings in one fire season.
Big homie Carl, can you please review Thursdays’ Diplomat model?
Sure! I just got their Cavalier boots so that will be coming soon too!
I second this request! 😉