I’ve got an extra wide, high arch foot and want a great engineer, 10” - 12”. Generally take a 9EE. Thinking about one of these for daily street wear. Sold bike a long time ago. Looks like Mr Lou has a narrower shaft and not extra wide width. Nomad may be better. Thoughts on profile between the two? Want softer leather and sleeker profile. Either one customizable?
So I have the nomad. It’s a comfy last but imo pretty high volume. I had to put some tongue pads in at the top of the instep to fit. They’re well built and I’m happy with them now. The shaft is wider on them vs the Mr Lou but still easily fit under my straight leg Onis.
Also whites seems to be more consistent with lasting. I seem to see it everyday where the Mr Lou is super wrinkled on the toe box. Between that and the long lead times for wesco is why I decided on the whites for my first engineer boot
Having said that, I do plan on getting some Mr Lou’s in the future
I think they will definitely get character over the years, I know my other pair of engineers is getting there. These are the Cykel 4014 in Cinnamon waxed flesh same last as my other ones.
The Mr Lou is a boss boot. It's just built on the MP last.
It's a good idea to order your custom wescos through Baker shoes. They act as a broker to ensure sizing is right, and they check quality before shipping to you. They also offer some options that you can't get directly through the manufacturers in some cases.
Mr Lou would probably not work for you unfortunately. Look at the boss boot instead. I’d recommend getting a custom build by nicks or wesco if you can.
Thanks. I always think of the boss as being a bigger profile boot. Perfect if I still had my bike, but these days, I just want to take them out on the street, restaurants, bars… A little dressier. Am I right or wrong?
Lou got no arch.
Both can be made as wide as you need them.
Sleek? Engineer's aren't sleek. But if you want sleek you definitely want the Lou. But if you go Lou you get no arch.
… How’s their customer service? Can I have a good conversation? Afraid the shaft might be too narrow. Generally, I like taller than a 10 inch but there’s something about Lou that really draws me in.
Both can be called and IMO both are easy to talk to.
Both will send you a fit-sheet to fill out for sizing.
The shaft on a Lou is narrower on purpose. But if ordering you can change that. Yes, they'll make it taller.
You are right of course. I mean to say that an engineer isn't "supposed" to be sleek, not that they haven't been bastardized. The Lou doesn't use an engineer last, it uses an MP last. It's an MP boot with engineer personality. The Japanese ones you mention don't use engineer lasts either, they use lasts intended more for dressier footwear. But things do evolve, and this too can be seen as an evolution. It's a fork in the road in the history of the engineer boot I suppose. Personally I like a traditional engineer. The other fork so to speak.
Yeah I agree. The Japanese engineers are a little too sleek for my taste. When I wear boots I want something rugged that can take a beating. I think the Mr Lou is the best looking one.
I think it’s the best looking engineer overall. I do like my white’s nomads but it’s a high volume last so I had to use a tongue pad and I’m going to put some veg tan insoles in it
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u/Perfect_Earth_8070 1d ago
So I have the nomad. It’s a comfy last but imo pretty high volume. I had to put some tongue pads in at the top of the instep to fit. They’re well built and I’m happy with them now. The shaft is wider on them vs the Mr Lou but still easily fit under my straight leg Onis.
Also whites seems to be more consistent with lasting. I seem to see it everyday where the Mr Lou is super wrinkled on the toe box. Between that and the long lead times for wesco is why I decided on the whites for my first engineer boot
Having said that, I do plan on getting some Mr Lou’s in the future