Frank was the general manager at nicks for 30 years and worked for his dad and decided to start his own boot business when his dad “Nick” sold the business
Just ordered a pair of nicks builder pros 20 minutes before coming across this video. Makes me all the more anxious to get them in, I can’t wait to help my back. Broke it 4 years ago and I’m definitely feeling it now, it’s only gonna get worse as I age so in desperation I ordered nicks. I’m 23 and got miles and miles and miles to go. Usually once I find something I like I stick with it. Just like this old ass Chevy I have, I like it so every time it breaks of its old age I’ll fix it and turn the key again until I can’t no more. This video made me feel even more sure of my purchase, thank you sir.
Appreciate your videos man, keep up the great work and don’t listen to all those telling you how to treat your boots and do’s and dont’s. It’s great seeing how these boots are put through the ringer and the way they age and last to everything you put them through. Whether you condition them or not it’s your choice.
Just ordered my 1st pair of nicks hot shots in the 10 inch , still waiting for grant or someone to call me about the try on pair and can't wait to get the paper to trace my feet and get measurements
Franks should be calling me any day now. I do new construction hvac. T2 highlanders with a similar build to yours except a lineman shank because im on ladders a lot. Love my front range though. Now i want a pair of wedge ground pounders. I have called them A LOT. Almost once a week to change my order to fit the job i am doing.
Whats awesome is the before and after of what real boots are made of. And how they can still be re-sued. Fun content idea, buy some $100 Rockroosters, Dannders, Thorogoods and get them recrafted for the show. Great way to build on your boot content.
red x I believe is for extremely hot temperatures, if you're not a firefighter, it's completely unnecessary. Honey is noticeably softer but also wears down A LOT quicker..
Given the work you do, you may want to consider cleaning and Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP, ar least every 2 weeks...I know it's difficult to find the time. I struggle with it myself.
Around 8 months of daily wear on my type 1 commanders and I swear the soles barely look worn. I do work in a pharmacy but I'm on my feet all day and walk a lot. I'd imagine I'll be a while before a resole is needed.
It changes depending on lead times. I got both back with in a 2 month period of time but they both knew I was making a video and the build time for my boots got expedited ahead of schedule I think.
Was the wear on the ones that got rebuilt really that much worse you think? Couldn't tell from the footage in the box, granted, your boots usually look like you store them in gypsum dust 😆.
Yeah and maybe the boots not as wide as it was. Ive been wearing them solid for the last month and they are still the same. Very tight. I have to use thin socks. Can't use tough socks or anything like that.
I can't believe Nick's did a rebuild for you without cleaning up the shaft too. Would've been minimal effort on their part to make your unboxing experience much more satisfying. Granted they did give you a free tin of polish to do it yourself. And granted that tin of polish will last a long time for the leather & sole/heal stack, but still....
Nick's actually have an option on the rebuild form to request cleaning - it's an extra $30. Wesco charge a similar amount for cleaning during their rebuilds, and I read somewhere that they implemented the fee because they were sick of cleaning people's dirty boots for them. Like you say, it takes minimal effort, but it's really an effort that should be made by the owner of the boots, not the people charged with the repair. You wouldn't send a dirty garment off to a tailor and expect them to do your laundry before repairing your clothes.
@@JimKiralfy I get what you are saying......kinda If people sent me disgustingly dirty boots to resole or rebuild I'd be pissed. I'd want to build-in a f*ck you fee. So I get it. But if a customer sends in a pair of boots cleaned up, even if not cared for, I'd expect them to do the cleaning without charging.
@@jeffmitchell72 that's fair, but if you watch the above video around the 00:52 mark, you can see the boots boxed up ready to be sent back. It doesn't look like either pair had been cleaned first. Nick's sent out a tin of polish with the boots, and a Nick's rep has even commented on this video above, saying they can't wait to see the boots polished up. I think that's Nick's gentle way of saying, "maybe clean the boots _before_ you send them to us next time".
Grant from nicks boots is the one who leaves the comments from them. That's the manager. He called me directly to go over the resole and offered the rebuild at the resole price. On the rebuild and resole sheet it does ask if you want the boots cleaned. I checked no. Grant sent the Polish and offered the video idea of clean and polish on his own. Which was cool. Frank's boots I never asked them to clean the boots. They just know that these boots would be filmed and took the extra effort for free which was really cool too. As a boot owner I'm responsible for my boots being clean which I neglected for years. Nicks 1 month update and review coming this weekend? Maybe :)
@@NomadicINK excellent, that's really good of Nick's to offer that, and I'll be sure to check out the next video. I wasn't having a go at you for not cleaning your boots, in case that's how it came across. They're working boots, and they're going to get dirty. It was really just a response to the gentleman who thought it was disappointing Nick's didn't clean the boots for you, when that's not really what they're there to do.
8:00 why get a expensive leather boot if your not gonna constantly condition it to make it basically waterproof in case of paint stains or bad weather. Also if you look at nicks boots youtube channel they show that fire rated isn't ultra durable, in fact they break into chunks if your too rough
Id like to think I did it so I could show these videos of A broken down boot and then A rebuild but if I was being honest answer is I was lazy. But I have learned alot over the last few years of owning them and take better care of them. I'm going to just see how the fire soles wear and then resole them.
U can get a resole for them but you gotta go through the rubber options. The harder the rubber the more wear resistant they become but the less comfortable the experience feeling will be while on the opposite end if you get something like a crepe or foam mix sole then it becomes prone to breaking in chunks but it's very comfortable. Leather outsole has bad grip in wet or smooth surfaces
Stop wasting your money on red wings , go look for the video of them being cut in half , total failure of boot making. Thorogoods are just a better made boot just a step down from nicks and Frank's and jks.
@@NomadicINK I don't have the time right now but..I'm pretty sure you've already reviewed these against each other. Or it might have been the Nicks vs Franks, were the Nicks were not put together as well as the Franks. Even though Franks are a carbon copy of the Nick's, not mentioning that Frank previously worked for Nick's and that you feel shaded that you weren't immediately greeted by the Nick's staff. Granted, I stayed home without being able to work for most of 2020 so I watched a lot about boots. Either way Nick's are pushing out good product. I'm working nights gotta roll.
Frank was the general manager at nicks for 30 years and worked for his dad and decided to start his own boot business when his dad “Nick” sold the business
Just ordered a pair of nicks builder pros 20 minutes before coming across this video. Makes me all the more anxious to get them in, I can’t wait to help my back. Broke it 4 years ago and I’m definitely feeling it now, it’s only gonna get worse as I age so in desperation I ordered nicks. I’m 23 and got miles and miles and miles to go. Usually once I find something I like I stick with it. Just like this old ass Chevy I have, I like it so every time it breaks of its old age I’ll fix it and turn the key again until I can’t no more. This video made me feel even more sure of my purchase, thank you sir.
Great vid, James! Can’t wait to you polish up those uppers! - Grant
The bird and background music are great. I like the look of the honey soles and natural leather-color heel stack with black leather on top.
They both came out good. Looks like they are both are a solid company. I went with Frank’s for mine
Appreciate your videos man, keep up the great work and don’t listen to all those telling you how to treat your boots and do’s and dont’s. It’s great seeing how these boots are put through the ringer and the way they age and last to everything you put them through. Whether you condition them or not it’s your choice.
Shut up dude
I have my first pair of nicks coming in on Tuesday
Just ordered my 1st pair of nicks hot shots in the 10 inch , still waiting for grant or someone to call me about the try on pair and can't wait to get the paper to trace my feet and get measurements
Always love the bird. And nice boots. 👍
Rebuild both I should be getting my first pair franks in few weeks I can't wait.
Franks just sent out a new pair of Front Range to me today, my rough out High Landers from Frank's are a beast of a boot!
I have the front range and waiting for my highlanders. Should be getting a call any day now. Love my front range boots.
How do you like those Highlanders? What do you use them for and for how long? I just got fitted for the same but I was told 12-16 weeks out.
Franks should be calling me any day now. I do new construction hvac. T2 highlanders with a similar build to yours except a lineman shank because im on ladders a lot. Love my front range though. Now i want a pair of wedge ground pounders. I have called them A LOT. Almost once a week to change my order to fit the job i am doing.
I might get some ground pounders too. Look sweet
Whats awesome is the before and after of what real boots are made of. And how they can still be re-sued.
Fun content idea, buy some $100 Rockroosters, Dannders, Thorogoods and get them recrafted for the show. Great way to build on your boot content.
Currently breaking in a pair of nicks 6” builder pros, they are not kidding about the break in
How'd the break in and sizing work out for you?
What are your thoughts of 8” vs 10”? Also Honey vs Red X? Think you can really tell a difference in comfort?
red x I believe is for extremely hot temperatures, if you're not a firefighter, it's completely unnecessary. Honey is noticeably softer but also wears down A LOT quicker..
@@sonderevokingbuns I went with Fire & Ice, White X
Given the work you do, you may want to consider cleaning and Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP, ar least every 2 weeks...I know it's difficult to find the time. I struggle with it myself.
steel toe?
if yes, how long did the toe leather last?
for the Nicks
Steel toe in the nicks. Its never worn through the leather. I also added a leather cap.
Both boots have never had the leather wear through.
Around 8 months of daily wear on my type 1 commanders and I swear the soles barely look worn. I do work in a pharmacy but I'm on my feet all day and walk a lot. I'd imagine I'll be a while before a resole is needed.
What sole is on them?
@@johnnyb6067 vibram black soles. Not fire rated but plain. Been phenomenal boots. Just now getting close to resole
Both came out great
Imo
How long was the turnaround from when they were sent into you getting them back for each company
It changes depending on lead times.
I got both back with in a 2 month period of time but they both knew I was making a video and the build time for my boots got expedited ahead of schedule I think.
@@NomadicINK thanks for the reply James
Was the wear on the ones that got rebuilt really that much worse you think? Couldn't tell from the footage in the box, granted, your boots usually look like you store them in gypsum dust 😆.
They were pretty beat up. They offered me a good price on a rebuild I couldn't pass up.
@@NomadicINK if the price is right, ya can't beat a deal.
1:15 before you send them in, is that the best you can clean them?? lmao 😆
whats the size difference compared to the ariat and other big brand logger??
What does he do? What trade?
Yea I also buy Redwings only because the store is 10 minutes from my home
Hopefully in the near future I'll buy a pair of Franks boots.
Ok, definitely different makers, I got the Franks Commander's, now which one do you think is more comfortable? Let me know!
I personally like the Frank's to be honest. Very comfortable and the break in time was fast
Does that toe cap look smaller?
Yeah and maybe the boots not as wide as it was.
Ive been wearing them solid for the last month and they are still the same. Very tight. I have to use thin socks. Can't use tough socks or anything like that.
I say Franks won by a mile! They cleaned your boot AND didnt get your order wrong (roughout)
are your nicks a 6 inch boot and your franks a 8 ?
Nicks are 8 inch and the Frank's are 10
bro's been hitting the gym
I can't believe Nick's did a rebuild for you without cleaning up the shaft too.
Would've been minimal effort on their part to make your unboxing experience much more satisfying.
Granted they did give you a free tin of polish to do it yourself.
And granted that tin of polish will last a long time for the leather & sole/heal stack, but still....
Nick's actually have an option on the rebuild form to request cleaning - it's an extra $30.
Wesco charge a similar amount for cleaning during their rebuilds, and I read somewhere that they implemented the fee because they were sick of cleaning people's dirty boots for them.
Like you say, it takes minimal effort, but it's really an effort that should be made by the owner of the boots, not the people charged with the repair. You wouldn't send a dirty garment off to a tailor and expect them to do your laundry before repairing your clothes.
@@JimKiralfy I get what you are saying......kinda
If people sent me disgustingly dirty boots to resole or rebuild I'd be pissed. I'd want to build-in a f*ck you fee.
So I get it.
But if a customer sends in a pair of boots cleaned up, even if not cared for, I'd expect them to do the cleaning without charging.
@@jeffmitchell72 that's fair, but if you watch the above video around the 00:52 mark, you can see the boots boxed up ready to be sent back. It doesn't look like either pair had been cleaned first.
Nick's sent out a tin of polish with the boots, and a Nick's rep has even commented on this video above, saying they can't wait to see the boots polished up. I think that's Nick's gentle way of saying, "maybe clean the boots _before_ you send them to us next time".
Grant from nicks boots is the one who leaves the comments from them.
That's the manager. He called me directly to go over the resole and offered the rebuild at the resole price.
On the rebuild and resole sheet it does ask if you want the boots cleaned. I checked no.
Grant sent the Polish and offered the video idea of clean and polish on his own. Which was cool.
Frank's boots I never asked them to clean the boots. They just know that these boots would be filmed and took the extra effort for free which was really cool too.
As a boot owner I'm responsible for my boots being clean which I neglected for years.
Nicks 1 month update and review coming this weekend? Maybe :)
@@NomadicINK excellent, that's really good of Nick's to offer that, and I'll be sure to check out the next video.
I wasn't having a go at you for not cleaning your boots, in case that's how it came across. They're working boots, and they're going to get dirty. It was really just a response to the gentleman who thought it was disappointing Nick's didn't clean the boots for you, when that's not really what they're there to do.
8:00 why get a expensive leather boot if your not gonna constantly condition it to make it basically waterproof in case of paint stains or bad weather. Also if you look at nicks boots youtube channel they show that fire rated isn't ultra durable, in fact they break into chunks if your too rough
Id like to think I did it so I could show these videos of A broken down boot and then A rebuild but if I was being honest answer is I was lazy. But I have learned alot over the last few years of owning them and take better care of them.
I'm going to just see how the fire soles wear and then resole them.
Ohh yeah you boot content gets 5k to 13k viewers. So def do more of this content. Even a short phone video in your car would really work.
😎
I've been wearing redwings. Man the sole is already showing wear. Heard thorogoods are better for work.
U can get a resole for them but you gotta go through the rubber options. The harder the rubber the more wear resistant they become but the less comfortable the experience feeling will be while on the opposite end if you get something like a crepe or foam mix sole then it becomes prone to breaking in chunks but it's very comfortable. Leather outsole has bad grip in wet or smooth surfaces
Stop wasting your money on red wings , go look for the video of them being cut in half , total failure of boot making. Thorogoods are just a better made boot just a step down from nicks and Frank's and jks.
Bruh what's your boot size
I think I'm a 10.5 E
Re-Post.....
What's up? Are you asking me to re post it or are you saying I've reposted this?
I mean I'll work on an update for ya lol
@@NomadicINK I don't have the time right now but..I'm pretty sure you've already reviewed these against each other. Or it might have been the Nicks vs Franks, were the Nicks were not put together as well as the Franks. Even though Franks are a carbon copy of the Nick's, not mentioning that Frank previously worked for Nick's and that you feel shaded that you weren't immediately greeted by the Nick's staff. Granted, I stayed home without being able to work for most of 2020 so I watched a lot about boots. Either way Nick's are pushing out good product. I'm working nights gotta roll.
This is after the nicks rebuild and Frank's resole I had each company do for me.
I really meant no harm, you're one of the reasons I got their boots in the first place.