Secondary pair but beautiful start to aging nonetheless
See specs
Maker
Role Club
Model
Engineer Boots
Leather
Last
US Men's Brannock: 12.5B/C
1945 Last: 30.5
Customized based on measurements.
Minimal heel slip out of the gate without adjusting straps and wearing medium-thin wool socks. Decent arch support and fits well all around my feet, which is rare for my narrow, low volume and instep feet. I like my shoes to fit more snugly, so Brian’s sizing is spot on.
Sole
Heel
Purchased from
Role Club
Order info
Availability: Custom
Lead Time: 5 months
More about this item
Got sized by Brian at his shop in LA. Believe this is size 30.5.See background
Why did you choose this item?
First off, I think Role Club makes one of, if not, the best designs for engineer boots. I absolutely love his design in the Italian brown horsehide, and I wanted a custom fit. I’ve struggled to make pull-on boots work because of my narrow, low volume feet, but he did a great job with sizing. I really love the passion and subtlety behind his boots, such as the unique soles and Role Club stamp. The design is perfectly balanced. I prefer to save for and buy the best if I can. Hoping I can wear these for the rest of my life.
How did you determine your size?
Sized by Brian at his shop in LA.
What was the ordering process?
1/2 down deposit followed by a store visit for sizing (option to send in measurements as well). Originally quoted November 2025 delivery, but they arrived about 2 months early.
Use & wear
Been babying these a bit, but more wear to come! Don’t own a motorcycle, but they work great for bike riding.
Leather
Not enough wear to say too much yet, but the horsehide is stunning, especially in the sun. It was extremely supple and comfortable from the first wear.
Fit
The fit is quite good, but I got measured in shop by Brian. Bit extra volume in the heel and instep, but a 3/4 pedag insole and thicker socks fill it up. Wish they were a bit more secure in the instep and heel so I could wear thinner socks, but the fit is the best I’ve had in pull-ons and getting better with wear. Hard to say definitively yet.
Craftsmanship
I think Brian makes one of if not the best engineer designs. These are my grail design in every way. Stunning construction. Beautiful stitch work, excellent clicking shown through the selection of leather for vamps vs shafts. Hardware is lovely and they feel built to become ever more beautiful.
Sole & heel
Solid durability and traction. Maybe the coolest sole design out there.
It’s a high heel and can be a bit tiresome to stand still for long periods (concerts), but this is the trade-off. Otherwise the heel is perfectly balanced in appearance and has good traction and comfort while walking.
Final thoughts
My grail engineer boots. The design and execution are flawless. I love the rich, orange brown horsehide, and the details are the perfect mash of vintage stylings. I love these so much that I babied them and didn’t want to rush the wearing process, so they still have a long way to go! Now just to compare to the other grails from Clinch and Unsung ;)
