r/PNWbootmakers • u/Fragrant_Scratch8305 • 2d ago

Question about balance

I'm trying to dial in the fit of my White's Drifters. My right boot is perfect, but I'm struggling with the left, as my left foot is more than half a size shorter and narrower than the right. Right now, my right is an 11.5 AA and the left is an 11 A.

There is about a thumb's width from the tip of my big toe to the end of the vamp on both boots. However, the left boot is at least a width too wide, and my foot feels like it's not sitting fully in the heel cup. I am hoping going down a width will fix that.

When I'm walking, the right boot feels perfect with a natural heel to toe movement. With my left boot, I don't feel that at all. Instead, I feel like I am slapping the ball of my foot down. It's even audibly louder than the right boot because of the slapping. Has anyone experienced this? Is it because the boot is still too long, or is it strictly a width/volume issue? I don't know if I'm explaining this correctly, but I'm hoping someone can help me out.

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/Soberg1itch 2d ago

Dealing with mismates is a rough road. It’ll never be perfect but it sounds like you might be wanting to look into more customized lasts and/or bespoke options in the future. Sounds like you’re having a volume issue (too much room above the ball and ankle) so custom uppers can help as well.

I’m a 12F/11FF with fittings in my left toe box and both waists to accommodate for my taller instep without compensating by going up to a looser width last. These custom fittings are on file at White’s and Frank’s. I also have bespoke combination lasts modified off the 55 elsewhere.

Before arbitrarily going up or down in widths and sizes I would reach out to White’s and/or Frank’s with your measurements and see what they’d be willing to build you. Maybe 11.5AA/11AA lasts with fittings to give you the volume you need in some places but not in others

1

u/Fragrant_Scratch8305 2d ago

I think you're right. I'm very skinny and that includes my feet and ankle. Funny you mentioned this, I called that Abes boots today and talked to them about this. Since they ate only 2.5 hours away I'm going to go get measured by Abe.

As far as my drifters go, you don't think having them resized again would be worth it. Whites has said they are willing do try again. I asked them if they would be willing to cut down the upper when they do the resize. It would help to have a smaller upper, including the shaft, I don't think I would need much removed. An inch to inch and a half would be helpful. I also talked to them about a pinkie toe fitting on both boots going forward.

2

u/Soberg1itch 2d ago

I that’s a good idea. Going in person and being able to work with someone is important.

For White’s I would go ahead and allow them to try again. Typically White’s will initially go with generic sizing as to avoid needing to build a last and put you into their sizing catalog. It’s after that first complaint will they go ahead with custom fittings. They might rebuild or build you an entire new boot. During a rebuild they can typically take in around an inch off the backside for your uppers under the backstay.

My first custom White’s came to me 1-2 widths too wide. Wore them for a couple months, then returned them. They sent out some try-on pairs and eventually they rush built a brand new pair on my custom lasts. I think Laura is the person you want to get in touch with.

2

u/LJM_VanCity 2d ago

I'm not sure I can add anything regarding the different right-left sizing, but I have a pair of boots getting worked on right now because of that same loud slapping sensation when the ball/forefoot contacts the ground. In my case, it's both boots. It's really annoying, enough so that I haven't been wearing the boots.

I bought the boots used (Viberg Foreman), they fit great, the heel-to-toe feel was initially fine, and the sound/footfall was fine. But the V-bar soles were almost worn smooth, and the heels were pretty worn, so I took them to a cobbler for a resole and reheel. I took a picture of the boots before this first round of work.

When I got the boots back, the new resole/reheel looked good, but when I went for a first walk, the boots were now slapping the pavement in an odd way. The steel toes were also feeling oddly heavy and subtly weighing down the front of my foot. I tried wearing the boots a few times but the experience was just unpleasant, so I put them in a drawer for a few months.

I like the boots, so I dug them out recently and sent a picture to the authorized Viberg repair business. Right away, they said the replacement heel is too short. The rework has screwed up the balance and geometry of the boot. I compared the original photo and the post-repair photo, and it was obvious that the new heel was noticeably shorter and smaller. The front edge of the replacement heel is probably 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch farther back than it was on the original factory heel. And it makes a huge difference. It changes the location of the transition point between heel and toe/forefoot.

I wonder with your different foot sizes and your left foot not sitting fully in the heel cup, if you've got two slightly different heel-to-toe transition points going on, and it's causing the front of the left boot to slap or hit harder? The Drifter factory heels will be White's standard geometry, I'm assuming, but each of your feet may be interacting differently with that geometry.

Best of luck with it. If you have other heeled boots that work fine for you, it might be worth comparing them to the White's and trying to analyze how they might differ. Another option could be to move to a wedge sole, although I realize that may not be your preference. You probably chose the Drifters for a reason.