Club Obi Wan

Who has bought a pair of Coyle's "Outdoorsman's" Boots, and what's your opinion of them?

I don't own a pair, but I've seen some in person and just assumed they were Aldens until I was told otherwise by the owner (for the record, I do have Aldens)! They belonged to RC Halliburton. Maybe he'll chime in, but I think he's a pretty busy feller, usually. They definitely look great though!

Shane

i have a pair and i love them

Personally, after reading this post: http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=33803 I'm planning on getting a pair of Todd's. Quite frankly there's some good opinion and info there and I just can't afford a pair of Alden's. But it'll probably be another few weeks until he gets my size 12 clunkers in stock. Until then I'll just pace around and get antsier as time goes by...

Todd's boots...

I got a pair for Christmas and I've worn them EVERY day since. I've never seen a pair of Aldens so I can't compare the two, but for the price Todd's boots are great. Now, much like his jacket, could you drag behind a truck in them? Mostly likely not. But for normal everyday wear they're great. I would definitely recommend a pair.

After reading these comments and those on the other thread I went to Todd's site to order the boots. Low and behold he is sold out of size 13!

So ... I sent an Email asking when he would have more in. The response I got was "as soon as possible." Could he have been more nebulous? Surely he could have told me something more specific? We will reorder in the spring, or in 2012 or even that they do not plan to reorder. Geeeee, anything but the ubiquitous ASAP!

i have numerous pairs of 405's. todd's boots aren't built as bulletproof as those and the materials are ......well......respective to the price you pay......but good god are they comfy once you get them broken in. they're also my 'beater boots' so i don't take very good care of them and they've seen the worst dirty, slushy, crudd that a canadian winter can throw at it. they've held up like a true champion. if they did bust now (which i'm sure they won't), but if they did........they were still worth every penny imo.

alphared6 wrote:After reading these comments and those on the other thread I went to Todd's site to order the boots. Low and behold he is sold out of size 13!

So ... I sent an Email asking when he would have more in. The response I got was "as soon as possible." Could he have been more nebulous? Surely he could have told me something more specific? We will reorder in the spring, or in 2012 or even that they do not plan to reorder. Geeeee, anything but the ubiquitous ASAP!

I wasn't aware that he had even gotten any in at all?! The last I had heard was that he was looking at adding the size and would make an anouncement when they were going to be available.

Pitfall Harry wrote:

alphared6 wrote:After reading these comments and those on the other thread I went to Todd's site to order the boots. Low and behold he is sold out of size 13!

So ... I sent an Email asking when he would have more in. The response I got was "as soon as possible." Could he have been more nebulous? Surely he could have told me something more specific? We will reorder in the spring, or in 2012 or even that they do not plan to reorder. Geeeee, anything but the ubiquitous ASAP!

I wasn't aware that he had even gotten any in at all?! The last I had heard was that he was looking at adding the size and would make an anouncement when they were going to be available.

I'd heard that too. For the longest time there was no size 13 among the options. Boots or no boots, there is now.

Well, yeah.....He added the "option" for 13 a while back but I remember reading somewhere on here that he didn't actually have them in stock yet. So even though it was on there that still meant even IF you ordered some there would be a wait.

I got an email from Todd two days ago saying boots would be in stock in about 14 days.

RaiderZee

Pitfall Harry wrote:Well, yeah.....He added the "option" for 13 a while back but I remember reading somewhere on here that he didn't actually have them in stock yet. So even though it was on there that still meant even IF you ordered some there would be a wait.

Seems to me that's rather important information, he should mention that on the site! And, had he responded that he'd order the boots upon my order with a delivery date, I'd have ordered them. The response I got was not very endearing.

RaiderZee wrote:I got an email from Todd two days ago saying boots would be in stock in about 14 days.

RaiderZee

I'm gonna keep my eyes open!

RaiderZee wrote:I got an email from Todd two days ago saying boots would be in stock in about 14 days.

RaiderZee

So, does that mean that we should go ahead and "pre-order" them or wait 14 days and then he'll make an announcement they're up for sale?

I'd think it wouldn't hurt to get a jump on things and preorder.

Todd is really cool about that stuff. If you preorder now and they still aren't in stock in 14 days, he will give you your money back no questions asked.

I purchased a pair an couldn't have been happier with them. My only nag though is that the heal wears down very quickly and I might have to get the heal replaced at some point. Otherwise they are brilliant. Nice soft supple leather comfortabe and not too bad to look at.
Cheers
Geek

I bought a pair the day Todd started selling them and am happy. The pair I recieved was a bit snug at first but with wear the leather has stretched to the proper sizing.

They're super comfortable, and I've not had any issues with slippery sidewalks and such.

Hasn't Todd corrected the sizing issue?

I agree they may not be the toughest boot you can buy, but having no real world knowledge of Aldens, I can't compare their toughness or lack therof.

Soon as I recieve it in the mail, I'll be dying mine to be more Raiders SA. I think the color [from photos at least] looks pretty dead on to current Aldens. BUT an Alden and Todd's owner can clarify that point.

Hope this helped.

Randy

The current Aldens is more of a "pumpkin color" (too much orange in it)....the Todd's look more SA.

Yea, but the pumpkin color goes away pretty quickly, especially if you put a little effort into it.

I am curious what is the sizing on these? Are they true to size or do they run big or small?

Mine ran small.

Randy

That's a great question. I no longer buy shoes without trying them on first, or dead on information.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the initial run was marked about two sizes off, i.e. a marked size 10 was in reality a size 8. I think Todd has said that this would be corrected in the next batch.

Now, do the actual sizes from the first batch run small? In other words, if you need a 10 and your boots are marked 12, how do they fit?

RZ

Here's what Todd says on the site:

"Please note that the size markings on the boot will not match the size you order. Manufacturer's mistake."

The whole first run apparently was mismarked. I ordered some right away and sent them right back. Two sizes too small. He sends out the right size now, if he has it, but it's still marked wrong.
The color looks very SA, and other than the welt going all the way around the heel, the boot looks like an Alden. Although the Leather Sole Vintage Indy also has this style welt!
I'm anxious to order some size 12's!

Not meaning to be critical of Todd at all but After having to send the boots back and racking up over $50 in shipping charges and another 25 in customs, I've already spent the value of the boot with nothing to show for it.
I really liked the boots and could feel the quality but like others it came two sizes too small.

Ordered 9's and really needed 11's. Mind you with one foot a size 9 and the other a size 9.5 according to the Brannock measuring device I can't be sure if even the 11's would fit right.

Has anyone had this problem with sizing? And any suggestions before I order again?

Cheers
Kilgour Trout

I thought Todd said after the first batch he'd have the size "issue" corrected? It sounds as if he's still getting shipments with the wrong sizes on them yet he's sending out the correct size boots. Talk about totally confusing.....

I don't know how many shipments Todd has received, but, making those kind of corrections in a high production facility in Asia may not be that instantaneous. They may have produced a very large run to start with. Yes, Kilgour, the shipping wasn't as bad for me, but it's a little salty, especially when you order the right size! But his prices are very good to begin with.
As far as sizing, and Schmidty can verify this, it's very common to have different sized feet. In fact, maybe more than people know, since few people use a Brannock anymore. Usually the left is larger. My left is a 12.5, and my right is closer to 11.5. Maybe because the heart is on the left? Anyway, Schmidty made the measurements.
If in doubt, go larger. Then get a good thick sock, like a Wigwam, if you have a little extra room.

kilgour, didn't todd comp you for the error as far as cost of the boot, shipping and customs? i thought he would do this as it was an error on his side (not personally of course but professionally). personally, i think you should pay once for boot, shipping and customs and have the correct boot....todd should comp you for that and you should have a correctly sized pair on your feet.

i'm sorry to hear about the costs you incurred. they are really cost effecive indy boots and the closest 'close nuff' you'll find.

Soory if this annoys. Mine were the correct size first time. I guess if it's a manufacturers problem then it's the luck of the drawer. I can't reccomend the boots enough though. Obviously these aren't Aldens (which I dnt have yet. One day) but they're not trying to be. But if you wnat a good quality boot for a low price then make these your next purchase.
Jeez I sound like Im on commision. Im not

Luckily I am not ready to order just yet as I am still breaking in my Red Wing Gentleman Travelers.

However, it would be nice to be able to guage sizing on these regardless of how they are marked.

My issue is that I am a 9 in Clarks Desert Boots and Red Wings, 9 1/2 in Aldens and typical dress shoes, 10 Chucks or Timberlands, and up to a 10 1/2 in Nikes.

From what I am gather from the posts above, I would need a 10 or 11 Coyle boot.

I find that the fit of my size 9 Red Wings are a bit roomy and they tend to rattle around on my feet, whereas the Coyles size 9's (marked 11's) are a perfect fit with a little room at the toe.

However the Red Wings may be designed to be worn with thick socks, seeing as how they are work boots.

so that probably didn't help, sorry.

From what I've gathered from talking to Todd back around Thanksgiving, his first "batch" if you will, was very large. I asked him something about when he would get a new batch and he said it wouldn't be until the new year......at least. So.....it sounds like he is still selling boots from his first shipment (which would explain the lack of size 13 boots). However, it seems he knows he will be getting a new shipment in (which would explain for his putting size 13 as an option on his website), but he is unsure when exactly.

Just a theory.

My theory as well, Bogart. Keeping the boots inexpensive means larger production runs, that much I know.

78, you got lucky! I guess a few people were satisfied with the fit. When I got mine, I tried to justify keeping them, thinking I could 'stretch-em' or something. Some of the photos here of people wearing them looked as if they could hardly tighten the laces!! I figured if they say 12 inside, they gotta be 12's, right? I was caught up in the exuberance of such a great looking, affordable Indy-style boot, but I came to my senses!

I feel that a shoe should only need broken in if it is stiff: if it's tight, you got the wrong size, and size has more to do with interior volume than length, assuming you're trying on something close.

No matter the brand, I try the 12 and it almost always fits--work boot, dress, athletic, whatever. If my left foot feels cramped which actually measures closer to 12.5, I size up. I go with 12 so my right foot, a 11.5, isn't swimming in a 12.5.

I still say, measure BOTH feet on a brannock, and start with the larger of the two.

I have Alden's in 11.5, 12, and 12.5. The difference in the length of the 11.5 to the 12.5 outsole is only 3/8". But the interior volume of the 12.5 is much greater. The 11.5 was @ 5/8" longer on the outsole than the Todd's, so I knew they were way off.

Of course, I only referenced Alden's to another pair of Alden's (and a Todd's).

Why I have all these sizes is another matter! Let's just say, Imahomer is exactly right, that the best bet is to try on shoes at the time you buy them. The Todd's boots, are, however too good not to take a chance on! I just hope some folks aren't putting up with a size that's going to kill their feet just because there's finally an affordable alternative to our rather pricey Alden work boots. I wore shoes too small when I was a kid--I'm not doing that anymore!! If I have a little extra room, I wear a thick sock. The important part of fit is where the ball of the foot lies, mainly, aside from having the correct width. Ask Schmidty, our expert! Sure, eventually you may stretch small shoes out, but if you do that over and over with each pair of new shoes you get, you will wreck your feet.

Someone once told me, 'buy the best shoes you can afford'. So I say, get Alden's if you can, and buy Todd's whether you can afford Alden's or not!!

Still just a dig worker? Man, I gotta get busy!!

Seems to me that's rather important information, he should mention that on the site! And, had he responded that he'd order the boots upon my order with a delivery date, I'd have ordered them. The response I got was not very endearing.

I'm sorry if the reply you got was not very endearing, but the fact is that I learned long ago NEVER to guess at delivery dates. Manufacturer's delays, shipping delays, custom's delays are all unpredictable. Custom's release can take from 2 days to 2 months. And what if they get here and it is the wrong shipment? Or the shipment has been crushed by a forklift. The fact is that they will get here when they get here.

I've even had shipments refused entry three times because of incorrect paperwork. I wouldn't want to have to explain that to pre-order customers. That shipment sat in a warehouse in NYC for a month and a half.

For this reason I do not take pre-orders - just wait until they're here. When you take pre-orders and there are delays, all you get are a lot of impatient, angry customers, and it just ain't worth it.

For this reason I do not give projected arrival dates. All it leads to are 100 updates on all the delays. I don't have time to update the website twice a day with information like "the factory says they'll be done on Friday the 2nd." "Now the factory says they are waiting for boxes, so they won't ship until the 6th". "The monsoon has delayed the ship date until the 12th when they get power back." "The ship hit an iceberg and will be a week late getting to port". "My commercial invoice was incorrectly filled out, and it will be another day before they clear". "Customs has decided to fly the shipment to Columbus for an X-ray exam, so it will be another two weeks."

Like I said, they'll be here when they get here. I can't be more specific. It's really foolish to raise expectations and then have to make excuses all day long. Any information I would put out there would be meaningless. It just irritates people.

I put the 10-13 size boots on the site to minimize the constant e-mails and phone calls asking if we had larger sizes. Hopefully, the message people get is that we will have them, we're just out at the moment.

I hope this explains some things. Just be patient. They'll be here when Big Brother lets me have them.

That's understandable. So, your last Email to me stating that you'd have the boots in stock in two weeks ... was that just an appeasement to a customer in order "to minimize the constant e-mails" or is the estimate accurate? Will you in fact stock larger sizes, or are the 12 and 13 just a ruse to reduce those annoying customer questions?

My retail experience tells me that being truthful with those I hope will spend their money with me is always the best policy, and one they find endearing.

Everything I have purchased from you I have been very pleased with. I hope as part of your business strategy you aim for customer repetition and satisfaction.

Mike

your last Email to me stating that you'd have the boots in stock in two weeks ... was that just an appeasement to a customer in order "to minimize the constant e-mails" or is the estimate accurate?

The person who told you that probably shouldn't have. The boots might be here Monday, but I can't count on it. Again:

I learned long ago NEVER to guess at delivery dates. Manufacturer's delays, shipping delays, custom's delays are all unpredictable. Custom's release can take from 2 days to 2 months. And what if they get here and it is the wrong shipment? Or the shipment has been crushed by a forklift. The fact is that they will get here when they get here.

Will you in fact stock larger sizes, or are the 12 and 13 just a ruse to reduce those annoying customer questions?

I think I just answered that.

Hopefully, the message people get is that we will have them, we're just out at the moment.

I do not engage in ruses. Sizes 12 and 13 were ordered. That's all I can tell you for certain. If we weren't planning to have them, we would just say so. That would really reduce the customer questions, don't you think?

Okay, I'm done being grilled about when the boots are getting here. I'll post an announcement when they're here and they check out okay.

I'm glad you are all so excited about these boots. Of course, we value each and every customer. There's no reason to get angry because I can't give you a firm date.

I just got around to redyeing my boots today. It turned out great! I took a photo but for some reason, it didn't do the finished product justice, the color looks a little funny but I assure you, it looks great in person. [plus I was in a hurry at the time and didn't get the best lighting.]

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CO ... directlink

I didn't bother to be super neat in my dye job so as to get the white stitching around the sole darker. Plus my gloves spread some to the soles before I realized it.

As always, the first time lets you know what you'd do different or better the next.

Randy



(Mod Edit: Lets see if the direct link works.)

Nice job Randy. So which color did you wind up using? They look great.

I added the direct link to the pic. If Picasso doesn't block the hotlink or bandwidth, it should stay up.

Now put some Picards on to reseal and protect them.

Dalexs

Hey Todd... first, let me tell you that I completely understand what you are saying about not telling people when you expect products to come in... I too have been burnt on that many times... so now I just tell people that it will happen when it happens. Nothing I can do about it. Sorry.

But I do have a question for you... if I were to order a size 13... will I get a size 13? Is that whole sizing problem fixed?

Dalexs wrote:Nice job Randy. So which color did you wind up using? They look great.

I added the direct link to the pic. If Picasso doesn't block the hotlink or bandwidth, it should stay up.

Now put some Picards on to reseal and protect them.

Dalexs

Thanks! I'm very pleased with them. Can't wait to wear them tomorrow.

I was logged into my gmail so I just uploaded it with picassa, I normally have trouble hotlinking from there. thus the link instead of pic. Thanks

Russet, which turned my hands yellow. I got some on me while opening the bottle. My only complaint is I got some on the soles by accident. I guess it makes them look more used?

Randy

Sorry for the silly question...where are todd's boots manifactured?

I don't really know. Let me go look at the box to see if it says..

[a minute later]

It doesn't say. I don't remember if Todd said where in any previous posts about them.

Randy

I was wondering if they are made in china or not

just got an email saying the boots were in, and I couldn't order my pair fast enough.. hopefully when it says that they're roomy, it holds true.. getting a pair in 11, when I'm usually 11 or 11.5.. my rockports are 11W and fit perfectly..

The boots are made in China like most shoes sold in the USA.

Announcement made in the Vendor Announcements section.

Piers wrote:just got an email saying the boots were in, and I couldn't order my pair fast enough.. hopefully when it says that they're roomy, it holds true.. getting a pair in 11, when I'm usually 11 or 11.5.. my rockports are 11W and fit perfectly..

I got that Email also! Almost broke my arm getting my credit card out of my hip picket! I ordered the size 13 (Yes, I'm a manly man!) I figure if the boots are in stock and ship within 48 houes, as advertised, I should have mine by the end of next week.