CAROLINA
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- A rugged, versatile boot that’s also very comfortable. Its shovel-friendly steel shank and tough rubber sole provide all day support while a Poron® Permafresh® footbed and a soft Cambrelle® lining provide a healthy, comfortable environment for your foot. Also available in steel toe.
Black Full Grain Leather Upper
Cambrelle® Lined Vamp
Poron® Performance Cushioning Insole
Steel Shank
Welt Construction
Nitrene Outsole
MADE IN THE USA
Sizes:
R:5-12,13,14,15 W:7-12,13
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Well, you've asked for feedback on this boot, so here I go.
I've had two pairs of these boots. First pair was as a teenager in the 1980's.I wore this boot for EVERYTHING despite people telling me that a pull on boot was not good for it. I wore it hunting, fishing- including ALOT of wading- hiking. Yes, straight out hiking, up mountains. Wore it to school, then to work afterward.
Also, I took good care of it. If I remember correctly, I used snow seal or mink oil on it. As well as shoe polish. After wading in it, i'd leave it out in the sun to dry, pulling out the felted wool insoles ( wish they still made good ones) until they were dry, then back on my feet they went.
I wore them pouring cement, rinsed them off quickly, then put them in a closet. There they sat for years.
When I pulled them out later, I cleaned them off with saddle soap, put more snow seal and polish on them and they went back in to service.
By this time ( 20 or so years) they were showing the abuse- the nails in the heels were rusted through, numerous cuts on the uppers, and wear on the soles. I reattached the heels with cut down 8 penny nails, and soldiered on. The insides of the boot were about rotted, the steel shank dropped right out. I decided they had had enough.
BUT...once I broke these in, they were some of the most comfortable boots i've ever had.
They worked for what I used them for, but were les than ideal for some purposes. Youthful perseverance- and the fact they were well fitted to my feet from lots of wear- saw them through. The traction on ice and snow sucked. LUG soles would have been great.
Basically, I beat the shit out of these boots, for about 5 straight years nearly daily wear. Then intermittent use for another 15 years or so. THESE ARE THE ONLY BOOTS I'VE EVER OWNED THAT HAVE LASTED THIS LONG. I was wearing them to the last day. NO OTHER BOOT HAS PUT UP WITH MUD, WATER, FECES ( I grew up on a farm) AND SURVIVED LONG TERM. And ive owned some supposedly "durable" boots, from my issue bots in the Marine Corps, to the glorified "tactical" boots, and high end hiking boots.
And I got sick of spending $300 or so dollars every year or two to replace "durable" boots from LLBean, or some glorified black high top sneakers sold as a "tactical" boot, but could not last 6 months of daily wear.
So, when I got a motorcycle, I also bought another, new pair of 902's.
Still made by Carolina in the USA.
BUT..they are not as good a boot, I knew that instantly. The leather on the uppers is not as thick or as high quality, particularly the leg or stovepipe portion. My older boots had probably 9-10 oz leather, and reminded me of tooling leather, retaining its shape and stiffness into its old age. The new boot is much less substantial.
The upper leather is not as dense or as solid.
My old boot had brass buckles, the new one has nickel plated brass. I prefer the brass, as it accepted blackening better.
The soles are slightly different, though have the same flat, moderate traction pattern, the heel seems the same.
The fit in the heel is not as good, though this might not be fair as the first boots I was able to buy in person and try on, the new pair I bought online sight unseen.
Overall, I like the new boots, but they have not become the everyday wear boot the other were. Life is a bit different now I guess.
I still like engineer boots, and think they get a bad rap because people do not wear them enough for them to be fully broken in. That's why I think Carolina might have gone with a lighter leather on these boots, to make it easier for NON- boot people to enjoy. But they downgraded a great boot to do so.
Someday I'd like to try a pair of the Westco engineers boots to see if they are as solid as I hope they are. If so, i'd get a set with lug soles and wear them the rest of my life.
If you like engineers boots, wear them. They are not just a "biker boot". They harken back to a time when "boots" meant a pair of plain, black, round toe stovepipe boots with a flatter heel, worn by soldiers, miners, farmers, and everyone else the world over.
Thanks for the review Bootguy! I just discovered your channel, and am using it to shop for my next pair of boots.
WMDTVIDS I loved this story thank you and I would like the boots a lot more if they where a thicker leather and brass hardware like the first ones you talked about
Hi. Nice Write Up. Yes For the Price for these Boots that’s the Quality Leather your going to get. I guess to keep them Made In USA something had to give. Still a Very Nice Boot.
Loved the write up, man! I got me a pair of Lofgren engineers, by far my most expensive boot and I wear them every day and do everything in them. That’s a quality boot for everyone looking for a quality that harkens back to better times!
I’ve had my Carolina engineer boots for over 20 years. I’m sure of this because I had them before I got Married and I’ve been married for 22 years. I wear them every day and they’ve been resoled multiple times. They look pretty rough these days but I still love them.
My best friend and i have been wearing the 902 since high school early 1989
Hi, Made in USA in Martinsberg, Pennsylvania. I just ordered a Pair because of this Great Video. Thank You for doing a Review.
I just bought a new pair of these and they are my third pair since high school over 30 years ago. Two pair of Carolina and a high topped pair of Chippewa but the Carolinas have hands down been the better boot. Careful with sizing if you have a high instep, go a size bigger. These run totally true to size, and they wear like iron once you break them in good.
I have worn the Carolina 902 Engineer type boots for 35 years. They have always been a good boot for me. I have even had a couple pairs resoled. Unfortunately Carolina has discontinued making an engineer boot as of 2022.
Great boot! I had to order them online (as they are not sold in this part of Europe). Too bad didn't have the chance to try before, so I got a bigger size. I usually wear 41-41.5 EU (8-8.5 US), so I ordered 9 US. But should have gone with 8 US. Still better little bigger than small.
Now I'm placing new order for 8 US. :) Wish me luck.
I have had a pair of these for 3 years. I actually had to buy two pair, one regular for my left foot and a wide for my right (this is a common problem for me. Stretching just doesn't work for the right). Took a long time to break in, over a year but they are comfortable now. Show no wear on the leather and use them every time I ride. Was a lace up boot guy for many years and had to get used to a pull on again. The soles are slippery and cause concern when riding that is my biggest complaint with these boots. Wish they offered more traction. Don't really want a lug sole as they are stiff. Over all, the boots are a good value. I tried chippewa's but sent them back. Insoles were just plain uncomfortable. I really would like to try a Westco but would want to be measured and fit at their factory, I hear they are very good. Can't go wrong with the Carolina 902's though.
The original biker boots.
I've been trying to find a pair of 10 and a 1/2 engineer boots forever online I can't seem to find any from Carolina boot company
What about size to buy this would be my first boot of this kind. I have a high instep.
Have had 2 pair of Carolina #115 (the steel toe version of the 902).
First pair was made in the late 90s and they were amazing boots. Unfortunately they were stolen several years later so I went back to the same boot store and bought the exact same boots in the exact same size (2004 or so) and they weren't at all the same. The quality was just bleh from stitching that wasn't trimmed to heels that were sloppy, to the Carolina logo barely even pressed into the leather. I'm pretty they were even made using a completely different last because they just didn't fit the same, never did. They are sitting next to me right now in almost new condition.
Looks like maybe Carolina finally pulled their head out of their butt just based on what I see in this video.
If only Carolina would still make the old 116s again with the 16 inch upper, steel toes, and the lug sole. The whole industry stopped making the Vibram 100 lug sole with stacked heel and steel toe combo about 10 or so years ago. That smooth, no tread slip resistant sole that everyone puts on their steel toes is not worth a d%&n, and not slip resistant. Heck, I'd be happy if they would bring back the 12 inch upper 115 steel toe with the Vibram 100 lug sole on it. They used to make both 16 and 12 in uppers in that configuration; I had a pair of each over the years after they bought out Double H which made my first pair like that. Carolina forced me over to Redwing 988s in 2015. Attractive boot, serviceable, but heel is too low, gives me some trouble, and the top was so narrow it would fit my elbow but not my calf. Had to hand-sew a 4 inch triangular patch into the back seam to get them over my calf with a pantleg stuffed inside. Good thing I can work leather. They have lasted me about 5 years. Don't want another pair of them. Can't wear boots with laces. Welding slag burns up the laces almost every day n gets down in the boots. I wear them 24/7, work, camping, hiking, everything. Only thing I can wear without being crippled. My quest for another lug sole steel toe engineer boot continues.... (one that doesn't come custom at $600)
As a kid I stomped around in cowboy boots, so later when I bought my first engineer boot a CAROLINA, it felt good. I had them for 15 years, resoled them once could again if I took better care at the last 5 years. Stopped mink oiling them and they got cracks in the leather, salt from winters does not help either. Great boot, looking to buy another pair here soon, but with knowledge to take better care of, to last even longer.
Hi. I had a Pair about 10 Years Ago. From what I Remember they Ran Big for me. But a Great Boot.
Thank You for this and other Great Videos!
Try on great, I'm fucked then I live in the UK!
I have a pair and I'm on my feet all day and all in all they are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned especially for working
Carolina, Redwing, Chippewa.. how do these compare with each other?
Every review seems to be, "these are the best.."
I think when you look at build they are all on par. But the 60.00 price difference really makes want to say go with the Carolina.
Now I wish I new where I could go try them on as you suggest unfortunately they seem to be only available online.
Hi. I would see if there is a Army and Navy type Store.
I'd like to see the boot. Can you light the area up?
Are they available in steel toe
yes but the model is #115 instead of #902
Does it have steel toe?
model #115 for steel toe
They’re not made in the USA. They’re made in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is USA !
You are an idiot lmfaooo
My question is what is an engineer boot designed for I mean job wise, because it doesn't have aggressive tread and what main purpose if it isn't a biker boot.
Mainly a oil resistant sole. You really do not need a deep tread pattern unless you are working in the woods. My auto tech 101 teacher and other teachers say on orientation day. That a logger outsole is not necessary. In my opinion I rather have more surface contact with the floor. So I opt for soles that have a horizontal cut on the boot. I could cut some diagonal grooves in the boot if i wanted. But not necessary.
4 years and no answer.
So sad
And I'm sure you no longer care...but...
These were designed for train engineers. For the guys shoveling coal and needing protection from the hot coals.
It's a combination of the rugged loggers boot & the cowboy boot.
Not real sure why, or when, they became a bikers boot. Not even sure they did? If this is a bikers boot, then what is a harness boot considered?
I've been into Harley's for 30+ years and I wouldn't call this style biker boots.
not made anymore by Carolina. extinct.