Wesco Highliner rescue/rehab project

[Chevalier]

I found these Highliners at a vintage shop in SoCal. They kept making sad puppy eyes at me until I bought them and took them home

They cleaned up really well. I brushed off the dust and dirt. I limited myself to a dry cleaning with a boot brush and avoided saddle soap. I used a toothbrush to get rid of caked on dirt around the welt stitching. I also used these boots to experiment with Obenaufs oil. I have always used just Wesco oil on my new Wescos, but I have wondered if Obenaufs might work well to rehab secondhand boots. Here is the before/after pic.

Here is post cleanup for both boots. I was sad to lose the authentic grungy patina they had. However, I worry that dirty/dry leather is more likely to crack over time.

The tongue was in great shape and not really broken in. I could reform it for my leg. I ordered new insoles and kilties from Wesco. I figure I will get the mileage I can out of them, and then maybe send them for a rebuild from Wesco.

 

[Mickiemac]

I found these Highliners at a vintage shop in SoCal. They kept making sad puppy eyes at me until I bought them and took them home
View attachment 752048
They cleaned up really well. I brushed off the dust and dirt. I limited myself to a dry cleaning with a boot brush and avoided saddle soap. I used a toothbrush to get rid of caked on dirt around the welt stitching. I also used these boots to experiment with Obenaufs oil. I have always used just Wesco oil on my new Wescos, but I have wondered if Obenaufs might work well to rehab secondhand boots. Here is the before/after pic.
View attachment 752049
Here is post cleanup for both boots. I was sad to lose the authentic grungy patina they had. However, I worry that dirty/dry leather is more likely to crack over time.
View attachment 752050
The tongue was in great shape and not really broken in. I could reform it for my leg. I ordered new insoles and kilties from Wesco. I figure I will get the mileage I can out of them, and then maybe send them for a rebuild from Wesco.

i had a pair of these (lace to toe) Wescos about 50 years ago. Well built and comfy but I sold them several years later.
Since then I've obtained two pair of Jobmasters and a pair of Boss (engineer style) boots. All are still with me and the Boss boots (2021) are super nice. I paid about $700.00 for the them and they are now around $900.00 depending on options.

Someone will inherit my Wescos as they built like tanks and, when taken care of will last decades.

You did a fine job of resurrecting those Wescos - enjoy wearing them in good health.

 

[cbez]

The tongues come very soft and don't break in. They're meant to just be flexible.

 

[Chevalier]

The tongues come very soft and don't break in. They're meant to just be flexible.

Break in probably was the wrong term to use. I have noticed they sometimes adopt a folding pattern when the boot is laced up, and it can be hard to change if the folding pattern is really set into the leather.

 

[Mickiemac]

Break in probably was the wrong term to use. I have noticed they sometimes adopt a folding pattern when the boot is laced up, and it can be hard to change if the folding pattern is really set into the leather.

Yes, the folds develop a memory and can be challenging to realign. My Jobmasters (14" & 16" shafts) needed several wearings to get the tongues to conform properly w/o causing discomfort. When first putting the boots on it's like wearing concrete blocks on my feet but, soon thereafter, they settle in and become one with me. There are other premium footwear makers that may be better, but I like the looks and, along Wescos reputation and my personal experience, these are the best!

 

[Chevalier]

Yes, the folds develop a memory and can be challenging to realign. My Jobmasters (14" & 16" shafts) needed several wearings to get the tongues to conform properly w/o causing discomfort. When first putting the boots on it's like wearing concrete blocks on my feet but, soon thereafter, they settle in and become one with me. There are other premium footwear makers that may be better, but I like the looks and, along Wescos reputation and my personal experience, these are the best!

I am almost to the point you describe with my new Jobmasters. It does take a long time to break them in, but it worth it! One aspect of secondhand boots that I enjoy is that a lot of the hard work of breaking them in is already done, as long as they are not over-formed to a foot shape that is very different from mine. How do you like the taller Jobmasters? I like the comfort and support of a taller boot, but I have only never tried Jobmasters taller than 10”.

 

[Mickiemac]

I am almost to the point you describe with my new Jobmasters. It does take a long time to break them in, but it worth it! One aspect of secondhand boots that I enjoy is that a lot of the hard work of breaking them in is already done, as long as they are not over-formed to a foot shape that is very different from mine. How do you like the taller Jobmasters? I like the comfort and support of a taller boot, but I have only never tried Jobmasters taller than 10”.

The JM's shaft height is 12" & 14" respectively - total height (from base of heel) is 14/16 - my mistake in relying on my memory in posting above measurements.

They are very comfortable once on/laced up. I prefer the taller ones, not because of height but the cap toe lends a more unique appearance compared to the plain toe. Both have steel toes - neither pair have a lining. Not much wearing as of late, but snow in the forecast allows for employing the JM's as needed.

Attached is an image of the boots - a bit dusty/dirty but that's just part of what Jobmasters are for.

 

[Trouser Bark]

I have a set of lineman's boots that are around 50 years old. Stout and maybe not the best boots for driving in but I don't mind. If you don't already use this or a very similar method I'd recommend giving it a whirl. It does make the boots much less of a procession to put on and at least as quick to get off once you've mastered the method.

If you learn how to unlace w/out untying you can be even faster.

 

[cbez]

I have a set of lineman's boots that are around 50 years old. Stout and maybe not the best boots for driving in but I don't mind that. If you don't already use this or a very similar method I'd recommend giving it a whirl. It does make the boots much less of a procession to put on and at least as quick to get off once you've mastered the method.

If you learn how to unlace w/out untying you can be even faster.

just did that and mind blown lol

 

[Chevalier]

The JM's shaft height is 12" & 14" respectively - total height (from base of heel) is 14/16 - my mistake in relying on my memory in posting above measurements.

They are very comfortable once on/laced up. I prefer the taller ones, not because of height but the cap toe lends a more unique appearance compared to the plain toe. Both have steel toes - neither pair have a lining. Not much wearing as of late, but snow in the forecast allows for employing the JM's as needed.

Attached is an image of the boots - a bit dusty/dirty but that's just part of what Jobmasters are for.

I REALLY like those cap toes! I don’t think I have ever seen them on Wescos before. They do really add character to the front of the boot. Do they only do that style toe on JMs? I’ll bet the laced side ******** Highliners would keep you from putting in a cap toe.

 

[Chevalier]

I have a set of lineman's boots that are around 50 years old. Stout and maybe not the best boots for driving in but I don't mind that. If you don't already use this or a very similar method I'd recommend giving it a whirl. It does make the boots much less of a procession to put on and at least as quick to get off once you've mastered the method.

If you learn how to unlace w/out untying you can be even faster.

It is a great way to lace up tall boots fast!

 

[Mickiemac]

I REALLY like those cap toes! I don’t think I have ever seen them on Wescos before. They do really add character to the front of the boot. Do they only do that style toe on JMs? I’ll bet the laced side ******** Highliners would keep you from putting in a cap toe.

The cap toe option is available on Wesco boots (Jobmaster, Boss) that have a more conventional toe box area. You're right - they wouldn't work on highliner/lace-to-toe styles since there would no room to apply the cap toe.

You can browse the Wesco site and test build boots - very comprehensive list of options.

The Boss (engineer style) boots I have are plain toe - no cap but you can order them that way.

 

[Chevalier]

Yes, it just clicked for me that a lace-to-toe style would not have room for those toe caps, which could be why they didn’t register for me before now. I think all my Wescos are lace-to-toe. I like your taller shaft Jobmasters. Those are all custom, right? Their stock height is 10”, I think.

 

[Chevalier]

I have learned that they changed the backstay on these boots during the time period that they have been using the script Wesco logo. The early 2000s pairs that I have came with a raw edge at the top of the backstay.

The later pairs have a folded over/finished edge at the top of the backstay.

They also finished the top of the backstay on the pair of Highliners that I had rebuilt, together with a backstay replacement. IMHO, it makes it worth it to pay a little more to replace the backstay as part of a rebuild.

 

[Chevalier]

I think the rehab project has been a success. The Obenaufs oil reconditioned the leather and left enough wax on the surface for a nice sheen to the boots. They are not shiny, though. The replacement insoles and kilties from Wesco are great. I am keeping shoe trees in the foot of the boot. I have noticed older secondhand Highliners sometimes feel like they curve up at the toes. I am not sure if it is the last or the leather midsole curves as it ages. I use empty 1.5 liter water bottles to support the calves to keep them from folding over like they were when I bought them. I am not sure what to do about those loose threads at the top of the boot. I could burn them off, but it is a pretty complicated area of stitching where the vertical and horizontal stitch lines secure each other in a box. There is also the folded leather at the top of the boot, and the attachment point of the tongue. A lot is going on there. It really makes you appreciate how they build these boots!

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Here are some posts I made asking about the age of my old Highliners.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/wesco-boot-thread.79304/post-3194897
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/wesco-boot-thread.79304/post-3195208
Never got any feedback.

I think they are a bit older than yours as they have the brand/label embossed in Silver on the right gusset. Sizing on this era is also stamped in ink on the inside of the leg shaft, not embossed inside the edge. Often these older stamps are faded and worn away. On one of mine you can just make out "10 E".

Here is a picture from that post showing the back.
As you can see it ends the same way as one of your examples so this must be how they did it for a few decades.

I always appreciate pull-loops, so I miss those but I like everything else about them.
I find the back spine piece interesting.
It seems to be wider at the heal than any other Wesco boots I've owned, including the previous set of these. I found these, saw that they were in better condition and sold my original 16" pair that also was from there same Silver Label era. Again, that first pair had the same back piece as others. This is the only one I've seen with this wider heal area. Maybe some kind of an option at the time? Who knows?

I cleaned them up and wear them when I need them; working, stormy weather, on the motorcycle, etc. They are not museum pieces. I am a little amazed at the great condition they are in considering their age.
What ever that is ... ?!?
Take care.

P.S. - It looks like I have another pair of old Wesco Boots coming, from the same era. These are shorter Jobmasters (10 or 12 inch high, I think) with soles different from what I have seen. I wonder if they were special for a specific job or industry like the Highliners. Can't say more until they show up, maybe next week.

 

[Chevalier]

I really like your boots! I checked my Wesco book for info about that date of your logo stamp. It looks like it was first used in the 1950s and used up until the end of the 1970s.

The way the back stay widens as it meets the heel is really interesting. Mine is definitely narrower.

If you like Wescos, the book is a worthwhile investment with a lot of history of the company (and family) and info about the boots.