We’ve got a couple a brand new models gracing the roundup this week, in addition to some notable releases—so without further ado lets get into Oak Street’s N-1 Boondocker restock, Division Road’s latest Tricker’s collab, the third Viberg SS24 drop, a new Lofgren model, and everything else we’ve got in store in this weeks: Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week!
To check out every shoe, every boot, and of course every week, click the link: 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.]
Oak Street Bootmakers U.S.N. Field Shoe (N-1) in Natural Chromexcel Roughout: $536
Last November, Oak Street dropped a painstaking reproduction of the WWII issued N-1 Field Shoe. A recent restock means that you can once again get your hands on these raw cord sole-equipped tributes that, like the first drop, ship with Coyote Brown milspec boot bags, a nod to the seabags issued to US Navy sailors. A couple of sizes are already sold (soled?) out and—yeah, we get it.
Division Road x Trickers Allan Boot in Horween Whiskey Predator: $685
Allan Pattern, with its pull loop and quarters terminating high up on the vamp, is about as British as its gets without entering full on country-brouge territory. For Tricker’s most recent Division Road collab, they’ve been rendered in Whiskey Predator, with wax-finished midsole and a 360˚ storm welt that slots neatly into D.R.’s paradigm. The model is a cap-toe pattern, on the w2298 last and a commando sole.
Division Road x Trickers Monty Chukka in Horween Cognac Predator: $675
But, you might be asking “what if you made that a chukka?”, to which we shall answer with the Monty, a (relatively) high shafted chukka with five eyelets and the same pull loop, here trading Whiskey for Cognac as the colorway, and the commando outsole for Dainite.
John Lofgren Donkey Puncher 8″ Boots in Burnt Dark Brown Ezo Deerskin: $1,375 (Pre-Order)
It’s John Lofgren preorder season at Standard & Strange, which means those interested in any of the twenty models on tap have till March 27th to preorder. One the most interesting offerings is inarguably the Ezo Deerskin Donkey Punchers, which combine a seriously hefty pattern–lace to toe, extra high 8″ height, and a substantial logger heel–with a soft and supple upper.
The lighteness of the deerskin is apparent from the fact the fact the contour of the heel counter is visible through the counter cover, but there’s still a ton of texture on offer (just check out the various Ezo Deerskin Engineers on the patina Project App). It’s a combination that, given the presence of Lofgren’s substantial rubber halfsole/leather midsole/leather insole setup and beefy 270˚ stormwelt, might strike an appealing balance to a lot of people.
John Lofgren El Capitan Boots in Black Chromexcel: $900 (Pre-Order)
We’ve also got two takes on Lofgren’s newest style the El Capitan, which, as S&S points out, is something of a cross between the M43 and Lofgren’s combat boot, with the flat toe of the former and the counter stitching and shaft of the latter. Here there’s a Vibram 430 mini lug under the typical Lofgren storm welt, and a three speedhook/four eyelet hardware setup.
Check out the whole lineup here. They’re available in Black Teacore Chromexcel…
John Lofgren El Capitan Boots in Dark Olive Chromexcel: $900 (Pre-Order)
…and Dark Olive Chromexcel.
John Lofgren Military Desert Boots in Japanese Sand Suede: $530 (Pre-Order)
There’s also what might just be the beefiest Desert Boote: Thick crepe soles, a serious veg-tan midsole with leather lined Japanese suede uppers and the obligatory single row, 360˚ construction. Subjectively, we find that the 140 last strikes the right balance of imposing but not unbalanced that makes for a chunky/cool boot-shoe. You can check out the whole lineup here. All models ship in December 2024.
Nicks Boots Doc Stewart in Work and Heritage Leathers: $569 (Made to Order)
With the Doc Stuart is lightening things up (literally). The new model, aimed at city-goers and urbanites, uses a new-to-Nicks ‘Snake-F’ unit sole, intended to be softer and lighter than heavy Vibram lugs, and thus more comfortable walking on hard concrete. This is also Nicks’ first offering to come standard at a 7″ shaft height, on uppers clicked from any of the current leather offerings, including the new Horween Shackleton leathers. The preservation of PNW-sturdy guts and double row stitchdown on a boot with a lighter outsole and four speed hooks to assist your everyday donning and doffing, might make these a more accessible model to people relatively new the to heavyweight world of the Pacific Northwest.
Russell Moccasin B-52 Loafer Premier Build in Walnut Timberjack: $535 (Made to Order)
With the release of the B-52. Russel claims to have built the “loafer to end all loafers”. We’re not weighing in on that one! But with Russell’s handsewn ‘overlap’ moccasin build and a Dainite sole, the construction is certainly there. As is the pedigree—in the 1920’s, Russell was briefly owned by the Bass brothers (of Bass Weejuns fame), with visible influence on their patternwork. The B-52 is based on an archival model from (get ready to be surprised) 1952, which has been brought back to life in thick Walnut Timberjack. Russell CEO Luke Kolbie told us “I’ve been dreaming of this loafer since I was a kid, and took all of the last two years to figure it out.” We tell him: bravo.
Viberg Uplands Boot in Gobi Regency Calf: $840
Viberg’s March SS24 release just landed, and it’s full of lighter and brighter uppers and soft Lactae Hevea soles. On the more understated side of things, that looks this Uplands Boot in Gobi Regency Calf. While the 360˚ pinked welt and LH sole combo are identifiably Viberg, you could also photoshop these into most parts of the 20th century without leaving anyone too terribly confused.
Viberg Slipper in Parchment Janus Calf Suede: $740
On the other hand, here’s the shadowless gopher of the footwear world. The new slippers feature the same pinked welt and Lactae Hevea outsole with a lighter midsole and a wholecut upper (excepting the narrow backstay). There available in the Parchment Janus Calf shown here (basically dirty bucks from the future, possibly the Italian future)…
Viberg Slipper in Dark Olive Janus Calf Suede:$740
…as well as Dark Olive Janus Calf with a darker sole and welt to match the uppers.