Another year, another Met Gala, and we’re still waiting to see the 55 last hit the red carpet. Timberland though, did make it—with some stratospheric heels and no shortage of speed hooks. Back in welt-land we’ve got a some new two-tone Clinch at Standard & Strange, one of our favorite Engineered Garments collabs yet, a new White’s model, and more…
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.]
Clinch Gary Boots in Dark Green Overdyed Horsebutt: $2,450
A lot of Clinch’s output is fairly buttoned down—good leathers, great design, very serious—but, as with the recent DITWOL boots or the Hi-liner, they’re also willing to follow an idea as far as it takes them. The newest makeup for Standard & Strange sits somewhere in between. The quarters will get darker to match the toe as the overdye wears off, and in the meantime the contrasting tongue bridges the difference. Built on the CN-Wide last, these are hand welted with rubber outsoles from O’Sullivans.
Engineered Garments x Alden Algonquin Blucher in Color 8 Shell: $1,010
It’s always fun to see a younger, style-oriented brand collaborate with an old name like Alden, because without the capacity for pattern modifications offered by a more flexible maker, they have to push the standard configuration options as far as they’ll go. That often mean the specs themselves are nothing outlandish. Case in point: these Algonquin’s have a 270˚ flat welt, Alden’s standard V-Tip pattern, and commando half soles on the 379x military last. Definitely nothing wild, but the combination is dialed in and they look great.
Engineered Garments x Alden Algonquin Blucher in Black Shell: $1,010
And while the black is also really solid, we have to admit that we’re all in on Alden’s darker, more uniform version of Color 8 on this one.
John Lofren Combat Boots in Black Shell: $1,650 (Pre-order)
In other shell news, Logren’s fall/winter preorder at Franklin & Poe includes two blacked out models in Shinki shell: a combat boot with a 365˚ storm welt, Vibram 700 outsoles, and a cap toe…
John Lofgren Monkey Boots in Black Shell: $1,650 (Pre-order)
…as well as their lace-to-toe Monkey Boot model, with the same outsole and welt combo. You can check out the rest of the (many) available models at Franklin and Poe here. Expected delivery is December, before Christmas.
Iron Heart x Wesco Foot Patrol in Burlap Roughout: $893
I hate to say it but peak “freezer-full-of-tapered-selvedge” was definitely before my time. Still, our corner of the internet is definitely sleeker and more aggressively marketed than it was a few years ago, so there’s something decidedly refreshing to this collab. They’re neat and well finished, but not unnecessarily polished. The MP95 last, the natural roughout uppers, and the double row stitchdown construction all would’ve fit and and looked good at any point in the last decade, and Wesco retains their wonderfully clunky (decidedly influencer-free) website—though we certainly don’t mind Iron Heart’s high-res photography. Shoutout to the kilties and the stitched contrast binding on the shaft.
Iron Heat x Wesco Guildsman in British Tan Domane: $893
Compared to the Foot Patrol, the Guildsman adds an external counter-cover at the heel, a perforated true cap toe, and twice as much stitching on the quarters. These are based on the Hendrik model, and clicked from Seidel’s heavy duty Domane leather.
Grant Stone Diesel Boot in Tan Essex: $435
Grant Stone just restocked a few of their heavy-hitting leathers. Horween’s Essex is surprisingly soft for a veg-tan, and the patina dosen’t suffer a bit for it. It’s back in stock on the Leo-lasted Diesel Boot, with a 360˚ flat welt and micro-stud rubber outsole.
Grant Stone Diesel Boot in Walnut Bison: $435
Also restocked, and also on the Diesel boot is Seidel’s American Bison, a heavily waxed and oiled tannage with that characteristic super-coarse grain pattern. These are casual leaning for sure, and they’re paired with a heavier sole stack to match: a commando outsole attached to the upper with a 360˚ split welt.
White’s Millwood in Brown Distress: $360
The Millwood is the latest addition to White’s more affordable, Goodyear-welted lineup, joining the Perry models and the Chore Boot. They share the 1972 arch-ease last and the Vibram Christy wedge with he Perry, but lack the mocc-toe stitching. Available in Brown Distress…
White’s Millwood in Black: $360
…and a similar leather that’s simply called “black.
Thursday Boots The Builder in Blue Denim Effect: $349
The Builder boot is Thursday’s moc-toe model, complete with a squared off last and sprung toe. As part of their “Black Label” lineup it has upgraded internals, including a thick veg-tan midsole and vachetta insoles, as well as a 360˚ single-row stitchdown construction. What’s new here is the leather: a mid-blue shade embossed with fine diagonal lines that approximate the twill weave of denim.
Palomo Ernest Cap-Toe Boot in Whiskey Chromexcel: $350
Last but certainly not least is an entirely new line of boots. Palomo is the new in-house brand of the Duramas shoe factory in El Salvador, who specialize in handsewn moccasins and Goodyear-welted footwear. Duramas has manufactured for some very big names over the years, and teamed up with former N.D.C. Made By Hand founder (and UGG design lead) Enrique Corbi for the Palomo collection. The current lineup consists of three models: a Chelsea, this cap-toe boot…
Palomo Edmund Plain Toe Boot in Brown Chromexcel: $350
…and a plain toe Boot. The latter two feature 360˚ storm welts, Vibram outsoles, and Chromexcel uppers. At present, the lasts are still a little awkward, or perhaps lacking distinct character, to our eyes—especially through the toe—and they face stiff competition from the likes of Parkhurst, Grant Stone, and Red Wing in this price category. That said, we should have hands on/feet in a pair before long here to get a more complete take, and we’re quite interested to see what comes of this in future.