Engineer Boots

Role Club produces approximately 150 pairs of these bespoke boots annually, maintaining a two-year waiting list as of 2024. The engineer boots follow traditional construction methods developed during the 1940s and 1950s, incorporating up to four rows of hand stitching, triple-stitched lined vamps, and quad-stitched counters. Custom pricing starts at $2,030 and varies based on size, detail, availability, style, and materials selected.

The engineer boots utilize hand-lasted and hand-welted construction on a leather footbed with no gemming, employing storm welt construction methods. The boots feature up to four rows of hand stitching artfully flowing up and down the leather surface, with triple-stitched lined vamps and quad-stitched counters providing structural reinforcement. Each boot includes hand-cut, hand-skived, hand-punched instep straps with teardrop holes designed to minimize buckle bulge.

Construction details include hand-shaped leather counters and hand-crimped toe tracks. The boots incorporate double-stitched Role Club halfsoles secured with brass rivets, supported by a triple ribbed wishbone shank and steel shanks. Hardware consists of solid brass roller buckles, while heels use 1940s woodsman leather stacked construction reaching a standard height of 1 7/8 inches, with an optional lower 1 1/2 inch height available.

Leather sourcing comes primarily from Horween Leathers in Chicago, though Role Club has recently begun experimenting with Italian leather from Maryam Tannery. Horsehide material is sourced from the thicker back half of the hide, positioned between the front and the cordovan shells, with strips handpicked to meet required dimensions. The bootmaking process employs antique sewing machines and hand-cutting techniques, with personal foot measurements taken for bespoke orders and custom wood lasts created for each customer's perfect fit.

Customers can select from four last options: RC1940 featuring a bulbous toe, RC2307 with a slimmer almond shape, RC1945 combining the 1940 rounded toe with the 2307 flat profile, and RC100 offering a slimmer overall profile. Toebox construction provides two choices: structured toeboxes use rigid material to maintain shape over time, while unstructured toeboxes follow historically correct methods that allow natural collapse with wear.

Heel height options include the standard 1 7/8 inches or a lower 1 1/2 inch alternative. Edge finish selections comprise dark brown, medium brown, natural, and black finishes. Leather options encompass CXL leather, super horsehide, and hand-finished black horsehide as standard choices, with shell cordovan horsehide available as a premium option requiring additional cost.

Custom pricing begins at $2,030 and increases based on individual specifications including size, detail level, availability, selected style, and chosen materials. A $1,000 deposit initiates the process and secures placement on the waiting list. As of 2024, the waiting list extends to two years, though during periods of high demand it has previously reached three years.

Brian Truong takes measurements in person for local customers at the Los Angeles workshop. For remote customers, a self-measurement guide is available on the company website to facilitate the made-to-measure process. The fit runs similar to Red Wing Iron Rangers, sizing large according to customer feedback. The ordering process requires measurements for each individual foot to ensure proper custom last creation.