This week’s roundup has a whole load of shoes and boots from the likes of Tricker’s, Viberg, and Addict Boots, but not nearly as many as Stitchdown’s very own quality footwear mega-expo Boot Camp with maker and tannery exhibitors from around the world. If you’re thinking of taking on the windy city this November, tickets are now available. Just saying.
Check out our previous roundups here.
[Ed Note: while we never choose anything specifically because of them, some of these recommendations contain affiliate links—the price is the same for you, but Stitchdown gets a small commission if you make a purchase. It’s essential to keeping the site alive, so we really, really appreciate it.]
Division Road x Tricker’s Kilsby Derby in Timber Chromexcel: $695
Division Road and Tricker’s have teamed up once again—this time on a funky split-toe derby in red-brown Timber Chromexcel. The Vibram 2060 wedge sole really plays up the toe spring on the 4479s. Constructed with a 360˚ storm welt, it’s been a while since we’ve seen anything like this from Tricker’s, and it works.
Addict Boots Short Chelsea in Brown Horsehide: $568
The CL-LW is Addict’s thinnest, with a unique, shallow but squared-off toe box and lowered heel, often favored by Addict founder Satoshi Ishijima. It feature’s heavily on the Brand’s latest restock, utilized on a trio of cap-toe models, including the “Short Chelsea”—a pared-down shoe-height model that is perhaps the worlds sleekest take on a Romeo?
Addict Military Shoes in Black Horsehide: $568
All three models are built on a Dainite sole and 270˚ flat welt, and all three have uppers clicked from lustrous horsehide in brown or black. The military shoes have six, closely spaced eyelets that add details to the otherwise sparse uppers…
Addict Military Boot in Brown Horsehide: $709
…whereas the Military boots use more traditionally spaced matching hardware. Additional leather insole ship with all three models.
Check out our visit to Addict in our SOLE SEARCHING: Tokyo series below:
Viberg Service Boot 2030 BCT in Black Hatch Grain Shell Cordovan: $1,980 (Pre-order)
Hatch Grain is one of the rarer shell variants—especially as far as footwear goes—but the texture, rolls, and crisp embossing are hard to beat. Viberg is currently running a preorder for stitchdown service boot on the 2030 last in black, with Ridgeway outsoles and fine brass eyelets. They’re available in both E and EE widths, but likely not for long.
Viberg Unlined Uplands Boot in Peanut Papillon Suede: $1,115
Part of the draw of Viberg’s shoes and loafers is that they’re built to the same all-business standard as their boots, but the new unlined makeups from Withered Fig offer a lighter, more breathable, and more flexible option. Anchored by a 270˚ flat welt and leather sole, the Uplands Chukka features three blind eyelets and uppers in Peanut Papillon Suede.
Viberg Unlined Bristol Loafer in Peanut Papillon Suede: $1,115
While the Bristol loafer shares the same leather and outsoles. The advantage of using full grain suede is that smooth side of the leather offers many of the same benefits as a line, without adding any weight stiffness.
Brooklyn Clothing x Wesco Mister Lou in Mahagony Chromexcel: $860
The Mister Lou, a sleek MP-toed variant of Wesco’s Boss Boot, helped kick off the engineer resurgence, making it an appropriate boot for Brooklyn Clothing’s ongoing 36th anniversary series. Double row stitchdown construction attaches the Chromexcel uppers to Dr. Sole Supergrip half-soles and heels. Two solid brass buckles secure the uppers.
Brooklyn Clothing x Wesco Hendrick in Calvados Chromexcel: $895
Joining Mr. Lou are three variants of the Hendrik boot. Wesco’s six-inch lace-up model errs on the “work” side of the work boot to service boot continuum (at least aesthetically), but the Vibram 269 Western soles slim down under the arch, adding some shape to the sole stack. Constructed using double-row stitchdown and available in Calvados…
Brooklyn Clothing x Wesco Mister Lou in Timber Chromexcel: $895
…or Timber Chromexcel, as well as an Olive version you can check out here.
Nicks x Heat Straps Upper Ducker in 1964 Tan Roughout: $679 (Made to Order)
Just a quick five hour drive inland from Scapoose, Nicks has been cranking out new models at an impressive clip—including the new UpperDucker which takes Overlander model and adds 20oz canvas panels to the shaft. That canvas comes from ever-impressive US manufacturer Heat Straps, who make some truly heavyweight outwear out of the same waxed cotton duck. At present they’re only available in Tan 1964 Roughout, on a Vibram Honey Lug sole, though Thurman last variants are available. We can’t help but note that this opens the door to Nicks making what might just be the best Jungle Boot out there if they put this stuff on their Tactical Boot.
Franklin and Poe x Oldspeed MFG Keystone Boondocker in Navy Traditional Harness: $750 (Pre-order)
Oldspeed MFG’s boots are now available at Franklin and Poe for the first time, and the partnership is kicking off with a boot that’s hard to miss: a stitchdown boondocker in some very blue Traditional Harness from Wickett & Craig. Despite their home base in Media, Pennsylvania, Oldspeed is a very offline operation—a one man shop run by Dave Corey, all of their boots are hand lasted, and constructed with stitchdown vamps and Blake-stitched waists and heels. Cut to a 6″ height, the vamps are lined with pigskin, while the shafts are unlined. The outsoles are Raw Cord full soles from Dr. Sole. Expected to ship at the end of summer.
Brick + Mortar x Alden “Ballard” Indy Shoe in Snuff Suede: $710
Wedge soled shoes with some kind of toe stitching seems to be plotting to dominate the boot space, and this is a good one. Snuff suede is paired with brass eyelets and moc-toe stitch, all sitting atop a 360˚ split reverse welt. They’re equipped with a wedge sole and built on the Trubalance last. Extra points because the binding on the mouth and quarters matches the finish on the welt.