I actually completely changed my order right before it went into production: originally ordered 1964 smooth/RO Tan Builder Pros w/ 10” shaft and Red-X sole to wear at work…but by the time I reached my place in the queue I was within 6 months of changing careers. I decided that I wanted something more casual that can still be worn to work in, but also works well for camping /hiking, looks nice worn casually with selvedge jeans, etc. After seeing Evergreen Organic’s Spokane Honey HD Rangers on YouTube, I knew that was essentially the boot I wanted.

How did you determine your size?

55 Last: 10DUS Men's Brannock: 10.5E

Other

Before ordering my first pair of Nick’s boots (steel toe builder pros), I did Brannock sizing, foot tracing, and electronic foot measurement at Fleet Feet (running store). I had all sorts of data and reached out to customer service: Based on my Brannock 10.5E and foot tracing data, Nick’s CS recommended 10E. The 10E seemed to fit okay, but as I gradually broke them in, I became aware that, while the width felt right, there was too much volume in my forefoot area. My foot is wide at the ball area, but rather thin and bony (not meaty). I corrected that in by adding insoles…and when it gets colder, I can remove the insoles and wear extra heavy socks, so that works fine for my work boots. When I ordered this second pair of unstructured toe Rangers, I wanted them to fit well with medium cushion Darn Tough boot socks so I went with a 10D and the fit feels great

What was the ordering process?

Purchased from Nicks Handmade BootsTotal cost: 580 USD

Online Store

Customer Service

Online ordering process was easy. Wait took FOREVER (or at least it felt that way). Completely changed my order via phone prior to production and CS was very friendly, helpful, and accommodating.

Use & wear

Physical Work

Leisure

Travel

Outdoor Activities

Wet Conditions

Snow

Extreme Conditions

Wore these for casual wear, lawn work, shoveling snow, at the worksite (I’m a demolition foreman), and for international travel.

Leather

Spokane Honey

Color Change

Patina Process

Break-In

Durability

RO Spokane ages much like Horween waxed flesh. It gets scuffed up and the wax wears off. It’s easy to restore with VLB and a semi-stiff brush; even deeper scratches. It definitely darkens over time. The smooth out did gouge rather deeply when I caught it on the corner of a piece of metal in my garage. Break in for the uppers was virtually non-existent…a completely different break in experience from my Max Support Builder Pros.

Fit

55 Last: 10DUS Men's Brannock: 10.5E

Toe Box

Socks

Arch

Comfort

Length Feels Right

Ball Feels Right

Satisfied with the Fit

Too Little Volume

I’m a fan of the 55 last and the arch support. I will say that I did experience foot fatigue if wearing these walking on concrete and pavement all day…but that’s just the nature of uncushioned soles. Only thing I would do different next time is size up to a 10E in the 55 last, or go with the T55 to provide a little extra toe box width. My Builder Pro steel toes are a 10E and feel like there is too much volume in the toe box, requiring me to add a leather insole or wear super-thick socks. I sized down to a 10D on these and found that they fit well with a lighter casual sock, but feel a bit snug with mid-weight boot socks.