Stitchdown | Wear Better Shoes

Andrew Chen 3Sixteen Viberg Service Boot Harness Leather

The Full Story Behind 3sixteen Founder Andrew Chen’s Legendary Viberg Service Boots

In 2011, Andrew Chen, co-founder of seminal denim brand 3sixteen, met Brett Viberg at Bread & Butter, the Berlin trade show to end all trade shows (at that point in time, at least). Months later, he decided to order some boots—boots that many now... Read More...

Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week: Alden, White’s, Unmarked, and More

New thing: because knowing about every boot and shoe in the world is my job, not yours, every week I'm going to be putting together a roundup of new releases I've got my eye on, plus just some stuff I like and think is very worthy of your considerati... Read More...

Resole Report: Alden Indy Boots Get Fresh JR Leather Soles—and Metal Toe Taps—From Pekin Shoe Repair

403C Indy Boots were my first Aldens. I immediately feel so deeply in love that I literally walked out of Alden Madison wearing them. The Alden commando sole, with its combination of all-weather grip and slim profile, was a huge selling point. Which ... Read More...

The 19 Best Men’s Boots Under $300

Somewhere between $200 and $300 lies a sweet spot for boots. It's a range that provides ample options for good-looking, well-made, comfortable boots that just about any buyer could be happy with—if navigated correctly. Which is why for Stitchdown's i... Read More...

Ron Rider On: Serving Customers and Punching Managers

And we're back with more of the barnburner "Ron Rider On" series! This time, the owner of Rider Boot Company (be sure to check out the rollicking Ron Rider On: How Ron Rider Started Rider Boot Company) gets into the story that defines, maybe more ... Read More...

A Deep Look at Heinrich Dinkelacker, Germany’s Premier Shoemaker, and its Signature Buda Brogue

When faced with a decision of which pair of shoes to choose from Heinrich Dinkelacker—the 140-years-young German brand which creates some of the more unboundedly distinctive and specific footwear in the entire world—the mind can lock a bit. Heinrich ... Read More...

A Quick Tour of the CHUP Socks Factory

On a good day, each machine in the CHUP socks factory in Nagano, Japan makes 30 pair of socks. On a less-good day—and there are less-good days, as the machines CHUP deploys to create their uniquely kaleidoscopic socks are somewhere between "somewhat ... Read More...

Red Wing Moc Toe Boot Model 8138 In Briar Oil Slick Leather

8.9

Red Wing 8138 Moc Toe Review: an Absolutely Classic Boot in an Underrated Leather

If you conducted a widespread poll to determine the top five most iconic boots in all of bootdom, it's very probable that Red Wing would lock down two spots—one for their toe-capped beauty of a beast known as the Iron Ranger, and another for their Cl... Read More...

Stitchdown x Mark Albert Roadmaster Derby

Introducing: the Stitchdown x Mark Albert Boots “Roadmaster” Derby Shoe

I've been a big believer in Mark Albert Boots, and its founder Mark Barbera, since I first covered the Somerset, PA bootmaker earlier this year. Starting a shoe brand from scratch isn't easy work. Doing it the right way, in the US, is even harder in ... Read More...

Grant Stone’s Founder on Quality, China, and the Whole Alden Thing: The Stitchdown Conversation

Grant Stone founder Wyatt Gilmore makes great shoes in China, and he's damn proud of it. Named after a legendary Alden salesman whose Manhattan accounts Wyatt's grandfather took over when he retired—a "perfect gentleman who never swore in his life... Read More...