Big Black Boots Wesco Boss
Engineer Boots
Stock & Custom 		Wesco

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- Big Black Boots is closed -


Big Black Boots has been selling boots since 1985 and online since 1995. We were the first boot store on the internet! But after 34 years we have retired.

We've closed our web store. But are keeping our web site up to provide you with much more detailed information than available at the manufacturers' web sites. And we also have exhaustive information on sizing and how to measure your feet and legs for tall boots.

We've removed pricing info since you can get more up to date prices from the manufacturer's web sites. But we're keeping the prices for the various options here since it's sometimes hard to get that information until you order a custom pair of boots. The options prices may be out of date but they don't change as often or as much as the actual boot prices.

We're also keeping the website order forms up because they contain lots of useful information which may not be available on the manufacturer's website. These contain a lot of information which can help when you order directly from Wesco or Dehner. Of course, the order forms no longer accept orders or payments.

Our email address at will be kept active so customers can contact us in the future.

Our customer lists and records are NOT for sale.

Thanks for being such great customers over the years. It's been a pleasure helping you get into great boots that fit well.

Ron & Rich

Big Black Boots



It's all on this page. Scroll down to see everything.

Wesco Boss
18 Inch Wesco Boss
Engineer Boot
2 Top Buckles
#100 Vibram Lug Sole
Black Oil-tanned Leather

Stocked in 16" height with double
buckles-- other styles made to order

Boot Top
Prices are further down the page

Features:

  • 16" two buckle and 11" one buckle configurations are usually in stock and can be shipped quickly. Other heights and options are custom made to order.
  • Many optional features... these boots can be
    highly customized
  • Heavy (7 Ounce / 2.8 mm) Oil Tanned Black Leather
  • Foot lined with heavy (4.5 Oz / 1.8 mm) glove leather
  • StitchDown Sole Construction
  • Hard Toe
  • Sturdy Steel Shank
  • Heavy Duty, 9 Iron Leather Mid sole and Insole
  • Vibram® Soles
  • Nickel buckles on black & slate leather - brass on all other leathers.
  • Soles stitched with heavy duty white thread
    Uppers with strong brown dacron thread
  • U.S. Men's Sizes 2 to 19½ - Widths AAA to EEE
  • 8", 9", 10", 11", 14", 15", 16", 17", 18", 19"
    and 20" heights
  • Production time for these custom made to order boots is
    currently about [an error occurred while processing this directive].

Options:

Note: we have two pages of more detailed information on Wesco boot features and options - click here
  • Steel or Composite Safety Toes - ASTM F2413-05 MI/75 C75 impact and compression class ratings.
    Choosing safety toes reduces other options which can be chosen.
    For full details -     click here.
  • Many choices of leather then the option for smooth side out or roughout
  • Leather Lining - Heavy 4 Oz. Leather: black, tan, brown, tobacco or platinum. All Wesco boots are leather lined in the foot area. This option adds leather lining to the boot shafts and gives the shafts more body and stiffness.
  • Straps & Buckles: Standard is one at the instep and one at top - other options are:
    • Two top straps
    • Three top straps
    • Omit the Top strap
    • Omit the instep / ankle / bottom strap
    • Substitute a Harness Strap and ring at the ankle
    • Choose from 8 buckle types and either nickle or brass if you choose harness straps and rings
  • Extra ¼ inch / 6 mm thick leather or EVA rubber midsole.
    Leather is stiffer, EVA rubber is more flexible and lighter.
  • Many Choices of Vibram® Soles
  • Sole and heel edges normally dyed black or brown to match the color of the boots but they can be left in the natural leather color.
  • Optional black stitching instead of the classic signature heavy white sole stitching and light brown upper stitching
  • Logger heels are 2" high.  Heels can be made lower by ¼" or ½" or higher by ¼" - going ½" lower than the normal logger heel height makes the heel the same height as a boot with standard low heels.
  • Custom orders can be made up to 20" in height.

The Boot:

The Wesco Boss Engineer boot is our signature boot. It's the classic pull-on boot worn by the surveyors and engineers who built the USA. These days it's one of the most popular and versatile motorcycle boots. Wear them while riding and use them at work or play. We can do many variations on the basic style, so you can have a pair for any occasion... make a statement... why wear anything else?

We also carry two relatives of this famous boot, the Wesco Harness boot and the Wesco Motor Patrol boot.

The Details:

We have two picture-filled pages which highlight all the features and options for the Wesco boots. You can follow the links from this page or simply click here for the Wesco boots features page with detailed pictures and information.

Wesco constructs these boots on anatomically shaped lasts expressly designed for producing comfortable, high quality work boots.

The foot area is lined by a smooth inner leather layer which contributes to the strength and comfort of the boot. This extra layer of leather complements the careful fit and excellent arch support.  The leather lining is thicker than the outer leather in many other boots.  The outer leather in these boots is 7 oz full grain leather.

The stitchdown construction helps keep this boot drier during wet weather and keeps out dust and dirt which can shorten the life of boots. In stitchdown construction, the inside layer of leather is secured under the foot while the outer layer of leather is folded out and sewn to the sole. This technically challenging construction method yields a sturdier boot which is less likely to be damaged during its life.

These boots can be re-soled by any competent boot repair shop using traditional re-soling techniques. You can also send them back to Wesco to be re-soled or re-built.


Stock Boss Engineer Boots

Click here to see the difference between stock and custom made boots.
( No Options -- "off the shelf" boots -- usually ship quickly )

Style Height
Inches		 Top
Strap &
Buckle		 Midsole Outer Sole Toe U.S. Men's Sizes
in stock
Standard 11"
"Classic" Boss		 11" one standard
single		 #100 standard
hard toe		 7 D - 12 D and 13 D
7 E - 12 E and 13 E
11" Wesco Boss
11" 'Classic' Boss


Custom Boss Engineer Boots

( You choose height, leather, soles, lining, etc. }
Prices for Options
Not up to date -- these are 2019 prices
Steel or Composite Safety Toes
Choosing safety toes reduces other options which can be chosen.
For full details - click here. 		$16
Standard Round Boss Toe, Square Harness Boot Toe
 No charge
Heavy Weight 7 Ounce / 2.8mm Oil Tanned Leather:
  Black, Redwood, Brown
- Black now meets NFPA standards for fire and water resistance
- These are the only leathers which can be used with safety toes		 No charge
Medium Weight 6.5 - 7 Ounce / 2.6 - 2.8 mm Leather:
  Black Pebble
- This is an oil tanned leather with a pebble surface
- This leather cannot be used with safety toes		 $34
Medium Weight 5.5 - 6 Ounce / 2.2 - 2.4 mm Leather:
  Black Tie Domain, Burgundy Domain, British Tan
- These leathers have a silky surface which takes a great shine
- The texture and character of the leather shows through the color
- These leathers cannot be used with safety toes		 $34
Medium Weight 5 - 5.5 Ounce / 2.0 - 2.2 mm Leather:
  Burlap Explorer
- This is the leather used for desert boots - usually "roughout"		$34
Roughout: entire boot made with rough/suede side of the leather
on the exterior of the boots
Boots are normally made with the smooth leather side on the boot
exterior, but can also be made using the other rough/suede side
on the boot exterior		No Charge
Two Tone Leather: two leather types
Leather "type" is one of the nine leather choices with either the smooth
or rough side out - so there are 18 leather types to choose from		$43
Multi Tone Leather: three or more leather types
Great option if your having a pair of clown boots made 		$79
Leather Lined Legs:
  black, tan/buckskin, brown, platinum or tobacco
The foot is always leather lined... this extends the lining up the legs 		$67
Extra Top Strap & Buckle (in addition to standard)
( 1 strap standard up to and including 18" - 2 straps standard 19" and up )
up to 3 top straps & buckles
1 @ $17
2 @ $38
Top Straps or Instep Straps 1", 2" or 3" longer than standard
$25 per pair of straps (i.e. $50 for two sets of straps)
1" = 1 inch = 2.54 cm 		$25
Choose from 8 buckle styles on Top Straps / Instep Straps
Nickel or Brass rings on optional Harness Straps at ankle
(default is nickel with black leather and brass with all other colors)
 No charge
No Top Strap & Buckles or Pull Straps like those on harness boots
 No charge
Buckled instep straps at ankle or no instep straps
 No charge
Harness Straps at ankle on these Boss boots$27
Extra EVA rubber midsole - ¼ inch / 6 mm thick $26
Extra leather midsole ¼ inch / 6 mm thick
Stiffer than EVA option - not recommended for pull-on boots like these.
The extra stiff sole makes it more likely that your heel will pull up as you walk. 		$26
Standard Vibram® Soles: #100, #430, #700
No charge
#100H Honey Vibram® tan version of the #100 Soles $13
#100F Fire Resist Vibram® version of the #100 Soles $15
#705® Vibram® Half Soles
$33
Dark Brown leather outsoles with rubber heels
(Caution - leather soles are slippery and wear quickly)		 $36
Vibram® "Raptor" cushioned wedge soles: single piece uni-soles
only with low heel boots
Black, Chocolate, Camel, Malt
 No charge
Multiple choices of thread color and type. Details on order form. 
Boot shafts made larger / smaller than standard
( ±1" / 2.54 cm - see shaft / size table below )		$49
Lower heels by 1 lift (¼" / 6.4 mm) $12
Lower heels by 2 lifts (½" / 13 mm)
this is a low heel like a dress shoe. requires different last
fits differently - see more info here		$12
Raise heels by 1 lift (¼" / 6.4 mm) $12
Raise heels by 2 lifts (½" / 13 mm) $22
RUSH fee - your boots will be completed in about half the
current production time
 $125


Size / Width Tables for Custom Boss Engineer Boots

Sizes available when using Wesco's standard "new" last ( #9165 ) with the sleeker toe
and 2" / 50mm logger heel.

Boots made with this last can have heels made 1 lift (¼" / 6.4mm) lower but no lower.
To achieve a "low heel" which is 2 lifts (½" / 13mm) lower, you need to choose the
"low heel" #65 last which is designed for "low heels" instead of logger heels.


2 ½ 3 ½ 4 ½ 5 ½ 6 ½ 7 ½ 8 ½ 9 ½ 10 ½ 11 ½ 12 ½ 13 ½ 14 ½ 15 ½ 16 ½ 17 ½ 18 ½ 19½  
AAA         • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •               AAA
AA     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •               AA
A     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •             • A
B     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •       •       B
C • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •               C
D • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •   •   •     • D
E     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •   •   •   •   E
EE     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •               EE
EEE     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •               EEE

2 ½ 3 ½ 4 ½ 5 ½ 6 ½ 7 ½ 8 ½ 9 ½ 10 ½ 11 ½ 12 ½ 13 ½ 14 ½ 15 ½ 16 ½ 17 ½ 18 ½ 19½  

The table above shows the U.S. men's size range for the custom Wesco Jobmaster, Highliner, Boss and Firestormer boots built with the standard "new", "sleeker" #9165 last. The boots can be made in any size / width combination shown in green.

Sizes available when using Wesco's traditional "old" Last ( #9109 ) with the "bump" toe
and 2" / 50mm logger heel.

This is the last we use if possible unless you request the new "sleek" toe last or a low heel.
Boots made with this last can have heels made 1 lift (¼" / 6.4mm) lower but no lower.
To achieve a "low heel" which is 2 lifts (½" / 13mm) lower, you need to choose the
"low heel" #65 last which is designed for "low heels" instead of logger heels.


2 ½ 3 ½ 4 ½ 5 ½ 6 ½ 7 ½ 8 ½ 9 ½ 10 ½ 11 ½ 12 ½ 13 ½ 14 ½ 15 ½ 16½ 17 ½ 18 ½ 19½
AAA                 •   • • •                                              
AA                 • • •       •                                          
A     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                          
B     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                          
C     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                          
D     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                          
E     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •                  
EE     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •   •                  
EEE     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                          

2 ½ 3 ½ 4 ½ 5 ½ 6 ½ 7 ½ 8 ½ 9 ½ 10 ½ 11 ½ 12 ½ 13 ½ 14 ½ 15 ½ 16½ 17 ½ 18 ½ 19½


The table above shows the U.S. men's size range for the custom Wesco Jobmaster, Highliner, Boss and Firestormer boots built with the traditional "old" #9109 last. The boots can be made in any size / width combination shown in green.

Sizes available when using Wesco's low heel last ( #65 ) with the sleeker toe
and 1½" / 38mm low heel.

This is the last used when you request a low heel. Low heels are 2 lifts (½" / 13mm) lower
than Wesco's standard 2" logger heel. Boots made with this last fit about a half size large.
So you need to order boots made with this last ½ size smaller than you would normally
order for a Wesco boot made with the normal logger heel.


 2 ½ 3 ½ 4 ½ 5 ½ 6 ½ 7 ½ 8 ½ 9 ½ 10 ½ 11 ½ 12 ½ 13 ½ 14 ½ 15 ½ 16
 ½ 17
 ½ 18
 ½ 19
 ½
AAA         • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                      
AA         • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                      
A         • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                      
B         • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                      
C         • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                      
D         • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •                      
E       • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •                  
EE                 • • • • • • • • • • • • •                              
EEE                 • • • • • • • • • • • • •                              

2 ½ 3 ½ 4 ½ 5 ½ 6 ½ 7 ½ 8 ½ 9 ½ 10 ½ 11 ½ 12 ½ 13 ½ 14 ½ 15 ½ 16½ 17 ½ 18 ½ 19½

The table above shows the U.S. men's size range for the custom Wesco Jobmaster and Boss boots built with the #65 low heel last.
The boots can be made in any size / width combination shown in green.

Sizes and widths for Custom Harness Boots with the Square Toe last ( #98H ):


2 ½ 3 ½ 4 ½ 5 ½ 6 ½ 7 ½ 8 ½ 9 ½ 10 ½ 11 ½ 12 ½ 13 ½ 14 ½ 15 ½ 16
 ½ 17
 ½ 18
 ½ 19
 ½
AAA



































AA



































A                               •     • •                                
B                 • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •                          
C       •     • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •                          
D               • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   •                          
E                     • • • • • • • • • • •   •                          
EE             •       • • • • • • • • • • •   •                          
EEE         •                                                              

2 ½ 3 ½ 4 ½ 5 ½ 6 ½ 7 ½ 8 ½ 9 ½ 10 ½ 11 ½ 12 ½ 13 ½ 14 ½ 15 ½ 16½ 17 ½ 18 ½ 19½


Checking Your Calf Size:

Your calf is the large muscle in the lower leg below your knee. Find the widest point on your lower leg and measure the circumference (distance around the leg) at that point. The table below shows the maximum calf measurement for each size of Wesco boots in Inches and Centimeters. This is largest size calf which will comfortably fit in this size boot. If your calf is larger than the dimension in the table, please choose the option to have the boot shafts made larger. We can have the shaft made up to one inch larger or smaller in ¼" increments.

If your heel measurement is larger than the calf size, your foot will be too large to fit into the boot.

Using this table:

  1. First, determine your foot size. Wesco boots are designed to be worn with boot socks. Wesco boots run true to your US Men's size. Order your Wesco boots in your true size or ½ size larger or one width larger to accommodate multiple or extra heavy socks. Click here to go to the page which shows how to measure your foot to determine its true US Men's size and width. Enter the table with the boot size and note the maximum calf measurement for that size boot. See below for instruction on measuring the calf size.
    2. DehnerMeasureDiagram
    Wesco
    Boot
    Size
    Max Calf
    Size
    Inches
    Max Calf
    Size
    Cm
    2 13.25 34.3
    3 13.25 34.3
    4 13.25 34.3
    5 13.90 35.2
    6 14.25 36.2
    7 14.75 37.5
    8 15.00 38.1
    9 15.25 38.7
    10 15.60 39.7
    11 15.90 40.3
    12 16.10 41.0
    13 16.75 42.5
    14 17.10 43.5
    15 17.50 44.5
    16 17.90 45.4
  2. Next, measure the circumference of your calves to ensure that they will fit the shaft. This should be done while seated. If you will be wearing pants tucked into the boots (best way to wear your boots!), you should wear the pants or breeches you plan to wear with the boots and measure over the pants. You will need a measuring tape or you can use a piece of string then measure the length of the string with a ruler. Wrap the tape around the largest part of your lower leg (the calf). The tape should be comfortably snug but not tight. If this calf measurement exceeds the measurement in the table for your size, the standard boot shafts will be too tight for your leg to fit into the boots. In that case, please choose the option to have your boot shafts made larger.

    Wesco's bootmakers can add or delete up to 1 inch (2.54 cm) in ¼ inch increments. If you need more than one inch added or removed then we and Wesco recommend that you have the boots custom made to your specific measurements.

    Wesco charges $69 to adjust the size of the boot shafts on orders for custom Boss Engineer boots, harness boots and motor patrol boots. If you have had custom made to measure boots made by Wesco they will have your measurements on file and they can adjust the boot shaft size without charging extra.

    The shafts of these boots will NOT stretch as they break in... so if the boots are too tight in the legs, your calf muscles will be cramped. However, competent boot repair shops can stretch these boot shafts if necessary. The point is that the shafts are stronger than your calf muscle so mechanical help is needed to stretch them.

Checking the Boot Height:

Check the height you have selected to determine where the top of the boot will be on your leg. Measure up from the heel of your stockinged feet along the back of your leg. This should be done while in a seated position with the knee bent at a 90 degree angle. New Boss Engineer boots will initially be at that position. e.g. if you order a 16" boot, it will come up 16" from your heel, but the boots could be higher... see the note below.

As they break in, unlined engineer boots will drop ½" to 1½" (13 mm to 38 mm) depending on their original height. Lined boots will stay very close to their initial height.

Wesco warns that the initial height of Wesco pull-on boots, out of the box, can vary ±1" (±2.54 cm) from the specified height. In our experience, there's a higher probability that your boots will end up higher than specified. We have not seen any which were lower.

So, for example, if you've specified 20" boots with the expectation that they will be just at the bend in your knee, they could be up to an inch too high. So it's better to get your boots a bit under the maximum possible height.  If you aren't wearing the boots with tight breeches it's a good idea to have the boots made so the top doesn't reach all the way to the knee or the jeans/pants you're wearing will tend to bunch up at the knee.

Finally, measure around your heel as shown in the diagram. This measurement should not exceed the calf measurement from the table or your foot would not fit through the shaft.


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Last edited 23 June, 2023 at 18:04 GMT / UTC / Zulu | 23 June, 2023 at 11:04 California / PST