Wesco Boots

Overview

West Coast Shoe Company, known as Wesco Boots, manufactures men's and women's boots in Scappoose, Oregon. The company specializes in durable footwear for linemen, loggers, wildland firefighters, arborists, motorcyclists, and outdoor workers, using full-grain leather and stitchdown construction. It offers stock boots, custom fittings, and boot rebuilding services, maintaining a focus on hand-crafted production in the United States.

History

Founded in 1918 by John H. Shoemaker in Portland, Oregon, after gaining experience in footwear manufacturing. Moved to Scappoose in 1933, where it became a major local employer during the 1930s-1950s. Produced specialized boots during WWII, including engineer boots for ship workers, and later adapted designs for motorcyclists and arborists while introducing boot rebuilding.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

All boots are manufactured in-house at the company's factory in Scappoose, Oregon, USA. Production involves 155 steps of hand-crafting with full-grain leather and stitchdown construction. Custom options include various leathers, threads, and soles.

Notable Products

• Timber Boots - Spiked logging boots originally designed for Pacific Northwest loggers with leather soles and hobnails.
• Jobmaster Boots - Versatile all-around work boot introduced for general rugged use.
• Highliner Boots - Lineman boots evolved for telephone workers and now arborists.
• Boss Engineer Boots - Buckle-style boots developed for WWII ship welders, adopted by motorcyclists.
• Big Boss Boots - Extended-leg engineer boots for motorcyclist protection since the 1970s.

Reputation

Wesco is highly regarded by boot enthusiasts, loggers, linemen, and motorcyclists for exceptional durability, custom fit options, and lifetime rebuild service. Professionals value the stitchdown construction and high-quality leathers that withstand heavy use. Some note higher prices compared to mass-produced alternatives and longer lead times for customs.