John Lofgren (Speedway)

[Dstauffer]

Anybody here have any experience with the Donkey Punchers?

I am looking at pre-ordering a pair in the natural CXL. I don't need another pair of boots, but I've had my eye on these for awhile and I am liking the new colorway.

Also, any input on sizing? I talked to the guys at Standard & Strange and they said based on my Wesco sizing to go with an 11D (my usual boot size pretty much across the board), despite the fact that the description says they run big and to size a full size down.

[rio]

I’ve got a black pair! Love them!!

Vey nice !!!!!! @J-diddy

[Bulatik85]

Received a new pair today...
Donkey punchers - Natural chromexel
this is my second attempt to buy the donkey punchers, first failed due to the wrong size, and then I failed to find my size. I had to wait for almost a year for new releases and finally found this boots in a different color(the first attempt was to buy burgundy).

this is size - 9, and Natural Chromexel color.
I have bought them from Standard and Strange web store, some description from their website:
*6" lace-to-toe boot
*Goodyear Welted
*Exclusive John Lofgren last
*Natural Chromexcel Horween leather
*Japanese horsehide lining
*Vibram 705 sole + 700 heel combination
*American-made brass eyelets and speedhooks
*Stacked logger heel
*Removable leather 'kiltie' toe cover
*Made in Japan

The Horween Chromexcel in natural used for these boots has not been dyed or treated in any way, and will have a range of tones out of the box. With wear, they will settle into a uniform color from use.

my own first impression is very positive, they are comfortable like bespoke boots, and very well made.

box


good packing


just out of the box


first try








closer look


horse hide lining, very soft and supple


vibram sole


sole edges has very nice finish




after initial treatment using some Saphir for chromexel stuff


probably would wear like that, without kiltie...




some photos with 777-XHS

[Manticore]

Beautiful boots and love the natural color. Congrats!

[mclaincausey]

Nice score @Bulatik85 ! John makes killer footwear.

[SLAB]

those look so good 

[mclaincausey]

Love em

[den1mhead]

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

[den1mhead]

Beautiful boots and love the natural color. Congrats!

Agreed they are beautiful

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

[PV/ATX]

So I've got a question for y'all, not sure if anybody's had the same experience but I'd love to hear about yours if so.

I've got a pair of Lofgren M-43s that I absolutely love, which led me to pick up a pair of their black engineer boots as well. I've had the engineers since October—they look absolutely killer, and feel great once I get them on. The problem, however, is getting them on. I have high arches, and for whatever reason, getting my right foot in (I guess it's the bigger one) is really, really tough.

I got a really long shoe horn off of Amazon that has helped a bit, and another tip that I picked up online is the ridiculous act of tearing a hole in a plastic bag, putting my foot in it, sliding it into the boot, then yanking the bag out.

I keep thinking that they're going to break in and this isn't going to be a problem anymore, but it hasn't happened. Frankly, the leather is pretty soft already and I think that maybe my instep is just too damn high. I don't get it—I'm relatively skinny and so are my ankles. What gives? Anybody else had this experience? I know sometimes we suffer for fashion, but this just seems absurd, given the price.

Been thinking very hard about posting them for sale due to my frustration—if I can't enjoy them, then hopefully someone with a more average instep can. That said, I'd of course like to hold onto them if anybody can provide any last tips. Thanks in advance!

[neph93]

I expect you’ve tried these but just is case:

1. If there is a removable insole, take it out
2. Loosen the insole strap
3. Take it to a cobbler and have them stretch the boot. They have machines for this.

[EastWest]

Go with no 3. From Neph above. I’ve advised customers do it a number of times and it’s worked for them. Just insist they do it slowly/ gradually. They should need them for a minimum of a few days. That few mm’s can make a lot of difference.


Good luck.

[PV/ATX]

Thanks to both of you! I've wondered about something like this. I know a good shoe repair place in town, so I'll hit them up later this week.

Hopefully it'll work. Seeing that beautifully evo'd pair above was getting me even more depressed thinking about letting mine go, haha. I'll report back.

I was also just thinking that one interesting thing is that the boots actually feel pretty loose once I get them on—the tight bit is really more of a bottleneck effect right around the ankle. So by wearing them a bunch, I'm not even sure I'm stretching out that part, rather just the brief (though not always so quite so brief, haha) moments I'm putting the boots on. I'll go over it with the cobbler and point out the trouble areas with the hopes that he can put extra focus on those.

[mclaincausey]

That sucks. Mine are somewhat tough to get on, then a bit loose when I do. I think the pattern needs to be reworked, since the strap should make it easy to get on and then snug when buckled. But then again maybe Japanese legs and feet are different.

[Chap]

Had the same problem with the Lofgren Engineers, hard to get in and then to roomy. Followed @EastWest advice and they are now after stretching and an extra insole a wearable boot but far away from the comfort of my Wesco Engineers...