Stitchdown - Wear Better Shoes

jim mcfarland—america's cobbler—mcfarland shoe repair

The Cobbling Industry is in a Dire Decline. Jim McFarland Has Thoughts on How To Fix It.

They call Jim McFarland America's Cobbler for a darned good reason—the third generation in a line of cobblers that has run McFarland's Shoe Repair in Lakeland, Florida since 1918, Jim has repaired more shoes than you've ever seen. But the former p... Read More...

trickers division road bourton petrol chamois roughout

Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week: Division Road’s Bag of Tricker’s, East West Apparel Swings Big With White’s, And More

Two things January 21st is known for: National Hugging Day in the United States, and it’s also Grigori Rasputin’s birthday. What do these two things have to do with our roundup this week? Absolutely nothing. I think... Read on to learn the latest ... Read More...

Literally Everything You Need to Know About How Leather is Made, With Ashland Leather’s Phil Kalas

The leather tanning process is an ancient one—almost 10,000 years old. And yet, it can also be a massive damn mystery! So Ashland Leather's Phil Kalas—who put in over a decade at Horween Leather—stopped by the Shoecast to take us through the entir... Read More...

Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week: Open Road PNW Engineers, Iron Rangers Get A New Twist, and More

I hope y’all aren’t feeling that mid-January slump too much. Some of our favorite shoemakers don’t seem to be, at least. Read on to check out the latest releases from Wesco, White’s, Alden, Unmarked, and many more. Check out a bunch more of our we... Read More...

So Division Road Is Doing Crockett & Jones Makeups Now—Plus Two Required Classics

Crockett & Jones is one of the ultimate representations of British shoemaking royalty: the Northamptonshire maker has been crafting some of the world's finest Goodyear welted dress shoes and rugged-yet-damn-classy boots made to exacting standards... Read More...

The Quality Footwear World’s 2021 In Review—Plus Some Bold Boot Predictions for 2022

2021! 'Twas another extremely weird year! It really was. But man was it a wonderful one in in the world of boots and shoes. This episode, Ticho and Ben from Stitchdown.com review some of the most exciting, surprising, and inspiring quality footwea... Read More...

Atelier Buck is Hand-Making Made-to-Measure Rugged Boots—and One Day, Maybe Bespoke

In tomorrow’s Shoecast episode, Ticho and I take look back at 2021, and make a few (reasonably?) bold predictions about 2022 and beyond. One is something I’d absolutely love to see, and have a hunch will happen at some point before too long: the rise... Read More...

oakstreetbootmakers trench boot natural indigo chromexcel roughou

Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week: Beastly Winter Tallboys from JK Boots, a Cocktail Collab, and More

We're back! With shoes. And boots. Mostly boots, this time around. Josh is off this week, hanging out in a very warm place while I dig out of a foot of snow—while, believe it or not, wearing boots. Man the JKs below would be awwwwful nice today. A... Read More...

Kreosote’s JD Gabbard Is Here to Rewrite Engineer Boot History

The boot brand Kreosote is but one man—JD Gabbard—some wonderful vintage tools, a 1978 Airstream, and one of the most unique and curious spirits in all of the handmade footwear world. After decades traveling the world as a fine art photographer, G... Read More...

04Division Road x Whites Boots Distressed Roughout & Crazy Chief LTT Logger 375

Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week: A Special Chromepak Viberg, Nicks Chukka-Inspired Striders, And Division Road’s Annual Footwear Sale

Good tidings to you, dear reader. It’s Christmas tomorrow, but the boot train keeps chugging along regardless! Read on to learn about some new releases available now—including some excellent Vibergs at Standard & Strange—and some available throug... Read More...