This is going to be a “first” for the Made In The USA series: The Frye Logan boot is made right here in America, and after a couple of weeks using it to walk around and ride my Honda CB1100 I can attest that it’s a very nice item indeed.
There’s just one little problem.
Frye has had a remarkably troubled history that includes its recent purchase by a massive Chinese trading company. Its original Massachusetts factory was closed years ago. Today’s American-made Fryes are assembled in Arkansas, a fact alluded to by its Arkansas Prison Boot, which apparently comes complete with an inmate number on the heel.
In case you’re wondering, the boots issued to residents of Ohio penitentiaries are suede chukkas made nearly entirely from materials harvested within the prison system. They’re remarkably uncomfortable, or so I’ve heard. You’d really rather have a set of New Balances or something like that.
Back to the Fryes. Compared to my Allen-Edmonds Sturgis 2.0 boots, the Frye Logans are made from thinner, more delicate leather. They’re more comfortable and the fit is remarkably good. I’d be surprised if they lasted as long as the A-Es, but they are pretty nice and given that I got them for $214.99 at the suggestion of Michael, one of our commenters, I’m not going to complain.
I can’t deny, however, that I feel a little iffy about recommending them to all of you out there on the Internet, however. Yes, the boots are made here, but the ownership is Chinese. I’d really rather you buy a pair of boots where the labor and the management is American. With that said, I’m a bit of a populist at heart so the equation is going to go something like this:
US ownership/US labor (Allen-Edmonds) > foreign ownership/US labor (Frye) > US ownership/foreign labor (Ralph Lauren) > foreign ownership/foreign labor (Ugg)
I’ll keep all of you posted on my Frye experience. I bought a set of Danners when I was in Portland, and I have my Lanonas coming in the next month, so pretty soon we should be able to have a regular Boot-Out!
As my current pair of Irish Setters is close to failing, I’m in the market for a well fitted, recraftable work boot, preferably with an indoor slip-resistant crepe sole. I look forward to reading the results.
I’ve always been a Red WIng guy, but I’m very interested to hear about the Danners. I spent a lot of time (back when i was young, during the Gulf War) with an old (Vietnam vet) Navy Seal who only wore Danner Boots and swore by them. 25 years later and I still haven’t bought a pair, which is just silly. Maybe you can push me over the edge.
PS, back then Sears Die Hard steel toed shoes/boots were made in USA and I wore them exclusively except with dress uniforms. They were amazingly sturdy/comfortable, and then production moved to Korea or somewhere and they went downhill fast.
I’m partial to Whites Boots or Wesco for US made boots.
I’ll check them out.
Chippewa makes the best US-made boots I can afford. Almost all are made here, owned by good old Warren Buffet.
Most of the female Fryes are a product of Mexico and sold at the same price as a nice pair of AEs, which is very disappointing.
Jack,
I really appreciate what you are doing with your Made In The USA series of blog posts.
Here is another Made In The USA boot worthy of more than a look.
http://www.wolverine.com/US/en/1000-mile/?icid=M1000M
A little bit of history and how they’re made.
Interestingly enough, if you order your 1000-mile boots in proper shell cordovan…
…they’re actually built by Allen-Edmonds. Small world, huh? I like the blue-suede 1000-Milers, might have to give them a shot.
I bought a set of Danner Crater Rims a few years ago from Orvis. One of the few hikers Danner produces domestically. I’ve worn them while hunting, fishing, camping, shoveling snow, and any other yuppie outdoor activity you can think of.
They’ve never been anything less than excellent. I can stand in water for extended periods without issue. No water leakage. They’re breathable to the point that my feet don’t sweat and eventually get cold come nightfall (a big problem with lesser boots I used while camping).
They’re comfortable enough that I could wear them every day if needed, and decent looking enough that you don’t look like a hilljack wearing them to the office on a snowy day.
There not exactly a work boot in the way my Red Wings were, but good enough for doing work around the place up north and whatever.
The Crater Rim is Danner’s yuppie name for what they also used to sell as the Combat Hiker, other than the top eyelet they’re the same boot. Yuppies don’t know that so you can still find new Combat Hikers on Ebay for under a hundred bucks if you keep your eyes open.
I like them enough that I have two more pairs still boxed up in the closet.
I would recommend you try a pair of Roundhouse jeans. I wear the 182 cut, and based on my experience with this first pair, I will never buy anything else.
The inseam runs about two inches longer than on my overseas made Levis.
To paraphrase OJ, I would never wear those ulgy-ass shoes.
How’s that Hillside horsehide working out?
SO WELL.
The only way I could be happier would be if I’d had the foresight to make the body — but not the sleeves — an inch longer.
Jack, I’m sorry about the Chinese ownership issue with Frye. I hope you still enjoy your new boots.
On a related note my 13 year old clone is weeks away from his confirmation. I know he will outgrow his shoes and suit in a blink but the boy has a very high instep. Only Allen Edmonds has a last for him, number 201. Better yet he likes the walnut Rogue, a bargain for $157 for $385 shoes at the Shoe Bank. http://shoebank.com/FactorySecondInventory.php?STY=5044S&DIM=D&SIZE=085
Cheers, Michael
Gotta say that I like the look of those Rogues — and I’m enjoying the heck out of my Fryes. They really are very comfortable.