Despite their recent excavation (check it out, it’s wonderful), Red Wing are far from the first people to bury their boots. They’re in the company of english mine workers, some extremely tall Romans, and the venerable iceman himself, among others. More details on that, as well as brand new models from White’s and Grant Stone below!
The roundup archives can be found 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.]
Red Wing Pecos in Hawthorne Muleskinner: $369
Red Wing turned 120 this year, and commemorating it by burying four core styles in front of their headquarters, to be opened in 2145. As a comfort to mortals, all four models are also available now. Two are the 8″ loggers we covered last month, while release alongside a new version of Pecos roper, with Hawthorne Muleskinner uppers on a low block heel and Chemigum outsoles…
Red Wing Engineer in Black Klondike: $549
…and a resurrected engineer, practically the default for decades and now back for the first time since 2019. They use Red Wings”original 1936 pattern for the uppers, steel hardware, and a corded neoprene outsoles. Unlike most of the modern Heritage line, they have a full midsole. Black Klondike is a teacore leather, so expect to see the brown core emerge as they’re worn and scuffed…although this stuff is tough so it might take a minute. Probably less than 120 years though. The 2966 was first launched in 2015, but this is the first time they’re available since before the pandemic.
Whites C350 Chelsea in Cinnamon Waxed Flesh: $590
The 350 Chelseas that Eric Kinney teased to Stumptown back in July are releasing this coming Tuesday (10/7). While Nicks has a very distinctive and quite cool pattern, and Wesco has their Romeo shorties, White’s combination of approachable, familiar styling and bomb-proof construction slots neatly into a gap in the market—these might be it for quite a few people. Built on the 55 last, the C350 is constructed with single row, machine sewn stitchdown. They’re available in Horween Cinnamon Waxed Flesh…
Whites C350 Chelsea in Black Waxed Flesh: $590
…black Waxed Flesh…
Whites C350 Chelsea in Distress Roughout: $590
…and Seidel Distress Roughout, though White’s may have told us there will be more outsole options soon.
Queen Lekha Choppers x Briselblack Keeper Type 3 in Overdyed Minerva: $865
This one’s not as widely available as most stuff we cover in these roundups, but the boots are just too cool to not get them out there. Briselblack is releasing a new version of its Keeper engineer this weekend at Kustomfest in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, a damned cool looking custom motorcyles and cars and more…fest.
The boots themselves have 9″ uppers in overdyed Minerva from Badalassi Carlo, which has three layers of water based dye over the cognac base color. That textured leather looks great but the hardware steals the show—we’ve got custom Queen Lekha x Briselblack buckles plated in either sterling silver or 18k gold. Should engineers be on a wedge sole? Some would yell at us just for posing the question, and we do love an expertly sculpted heel. But we also love these on a Dr. Sole Cushion Sportsman wedge (as do many bikers!). This weekend, the collab is only available in person, but it’s possible some pairs will be available to the general public after the event. We’ll keep you looped.
Engineered Garments x Cheaney Cairngorm EG in Burgundy: $670
Never to be outdone on collabs, Engineered Garments just released a new Cheaney makeup that adds an asymmetrical lacing system to the Cairngorm, with blind eyelets on one quarter and two rows of staggered D-rings to the other. They’re built with a 360˚ flat welt on Vibram Morflex outsoles in either Burgundy…
Engineered Garments x Cheaney Cairngorm EG in Black: $670
…or Black.
Attractions Biltbuck Lot. 269LTD Engineer in Heavy Weight Kidskin: $1,068
Kipskin is usually a lining leather on boots, but this is serious stuff—heavier than the steerhide on the default Lot. 269. They use the Freeman last, which is a bit wider in the toe than some of Attractions engineers, but still maintains a quite flat profile. The 270˚ flat welt secures Biltbuck half soles and heels. All in all the woodsman heel, last shape, and shaft angle give these an aggressive, almost italic look that strikes a happy balance for us.
Grant Stone Unlined Chukka in Bourbon Suede: $412
Grant Stone’s latest model is an unlined chukka. The uppers are clicked from CF Stead Janus calf butts, which should add a little extra helpful density on what is still a very flexible shoe. Built with a 360˚ split welt and oil-dipped leather outsoles. We happen to be partial to the “bourbon” color…
Grant Stone Unlined Chukka in Sand Suede: $412
…but there’s also “sand”, as well as an “espresso” version you can check out here.
Grant Stone Brass Boot in Black Waxed Deer: $435
Grant Stone has also restocked their limited release boots in Gallun Leather‘s waxed deer, a vegetable-retanned alum tannage with a strong pull up effect that uses hides from American white tail. The brass boot makeup has a 360˚ split welt and commando outsoles…
Grant Stone Garrison Boot in Black Waxed Deer: $435
…while the Garrison has a 270˚ flat welt and a Vibram cavity wedge.
Rivay x Alden Bedford Boot in Reverse Tobacco Chamois: $748 (Pre-order)
The Bedford is cap-toe jumper boot on Alden’s Barrie last from Westchester-based brand Rivay, with just a tiny bit of brougeing that almost blends in with the oily texture of the reverse chamois. Built with commando half soles and a 360˚ split-reverse welt.
City Workshop x Alden D2618H in Reverse Chamois: $738
Jersey’s City Workshop also has their own, more casual take on the reverse chamois cap-toe boot, this time with tan wedge soles and brass speedhooks supplementing the eyelets. The makeup is an homage to “Triple Nickels” who quite possibly wore Alden-made jump boots (we have no way of confirming this).
Carhartt WIP x Solovair 3-Eye Gibson in Dusty Hamilton Brown: $225
While we’ve yet to actually own a pair of Solovairs, we’ve been keeping an ever-close on the Northamptonshire based brand—once the primary manufacturer for Dr. Martens—for quite a while. The new Carhartt WIP collaboration models look pretty good… even if the welt is attached with a heat knife and not stitched to the outsole.
Carhartt WIP x Solovair Single Buckle Monk in Hamilton Brown: $235
The suede on the monk straps has a much lighter finish than the Gibsons; without the heavy top coat, there should be too much worry about creasing. For whats its worth, there are one or two places in the U.K. that resole these if you’re a die-hard fan of the style.