You may have read that, last month, I took ownership of a Wested Indy jacket and I really love it, even though Wested didn’t pay 100% attention to the order and made it with D-Rings instead of buckles.
But that’s OK; I didn’t flip out in the slightest and just let it go as I wasn’t seeking full screen accuracy anyway. Wested’s apology and offer to send replacement buckles went a long way to making things right, too. All good and, indeed, in a show of support I then ordered a pair of its ‘Adventure Boots‘, which arrived recently and which I’ve even been wearing ‘undercover’ at work, and really loving them.
This post was going to be all about those boots and my experiences with them in this first week. Instead, I find myself here talking about a topic that might seem ‘small potatoes’ to some, but there’s a principle at hand that I just can’t let go. You see, after receiving the boots, I got the typical email to leave a review and, having done just that for the jacket I got recently, I was happy to do it again and left this review:
True to size and extremely good value
Although the goodyear welt is false (see the Rose Anvil video on YouTube where they cut one of these boots in half), the overall boot is very well made and solid, for this price point. They are also true to size. I wear a UK 12 in Doc Martens, and these fit exactly the same. A really great boot – again, at the price point. Can recommend for people who don’t want to go crazy and pay for Aldens (which are definitely not worth their price tag in 2024).
Anyone think that review is unfair? It seems someone at Wested did because, a couple of days on, I notice it’s been removed (or at least hidden), from its Adventure Boots page. Why? Did I touch a nerve by pointing out the goodyear welt on the boots is false? I notice Wested never corrects people who refer to the goodyear welt in their reviews (even though it really isn’t an actual goodyear welt). So I’m guessing that might be it because, frankly, the rest of the review is absolutely glowing. Someone on the Club Obi Wan forum speculated it might be due to my mention of Aldens (which the Adventure Boots are based on), but I see other reviews talking openly about Aldens in their copy, so it’s not that.
I find this situation quite staggering. What brand DOESN’T want a review with a customer voluntarily giving comments like, “the overall boot is very well made and solid” or “a really great boot” or “can recommend for people who don’t want to go crazy and pay for Aldens”? These are all things I said. But no, it seems Wested can’t see the wood for the trees and is hiding the fact I “revealed” the goodyear welt on their boot isn’t real. Guys, no one is expecting a goodyear welt at this price point. It’s hardly a state secret that the boot doesn’t have one and covering it up just looks weird. No other word for it.
Frankly I’m a bit disappointed by this censorship – ultimately that’s the issue; censorship – because the review was honest and factual. I think potential customers would have more respect for Wested allowing a review that talks about the boots in their totality, rather than just things it wants to hear. At a time when, “the fans are doing the best work” (hello Steele & Jones for starters), and fandom is increasingly wary of businesses (even small businesses like Wested), this isn’t the way to treat customers. It just confirms all the worst things some people already think. Meditate on that a little.
To close, let me be 100% clear: I’m happy with these boots. At this price point, whether you’re getting the boots for cosplay, or intend to wear them as day to day footwear in an homage to Indy, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed even though the boots don’t have a real goodyear welt. However, can I tell you this on the Wested website? Sadly not. So, I’ll leave these comments here and hope it helps someone.
And if you want to see the Rose Anvil video which literally dismantles the Wested boot: