In case anyone thought approaching this year’s halfway point meant we’d be slowing down, we’ve got a dense, dense roundup for you, complete with the first Østmo x Iron Boots ready-to-wear drop, some new collab brogues from Division Road and Tricker’s, a James Dean-inspired pull-on at White’s, and lots 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.]
Division Road x Tricker’s Burton Brogue Derby in Black Chromexcel: $735
We’re kicking off this week’s roundup with two very different derbies at Division Road. One is the heavily brogued and bog-ready Bourton, a four eyelet model with a 360˚ storm welt and ridgeway outsoles, clicked from black Chromexcel. Basically as Tricker’s as it gets.
Division Road x Tricker’s Daniel Tramping Shoe in Nut Brown Derby: $735
And the other is a much more incognito plain-toe derby in Derby (the veg-tan Horween leather), which is nonetheless given away by the extremely British toe shape of the 4497s last. They’re built with 360˚ split welts on Vibram Vi-Lite lug soles.
Østmo x Iron Boots Drop 15 in Pioneer Hatchgrain: $1,075
In case you’re unfamiliar, the now long-running collaboration between Lars Jensen of Østmo and Kai’s team at Iron Boots was originally conceived as a way to give more people access to Østmo’s patterns while making sure they were still executed in extremely consistent handsewn stitchdown. After fourteen made-to-order drops, they’re releasing a full size run of ready-to-wear boots in two widths, a generous regular (D-E) and an even more generous wide (E-EE). The uppers use Lars’ Type I pattern executed in Horween Pioneer Hatchgrain dyed and patina’d in Guangzhou, and they use Supergrip outsoles from Dr. Sole.
White’s The James Dean in Black Washed Chromexcel: $1,195 (Made to Order)
An extremely official tribute in collaboration with the Dean family estate, these conspicuously front-buckle-less engineers are an homage to (but not a direct reproduction of) tons of notable footwear worn by the actor—including the engineers from Rebel Without a Cause as well as his motorcycle and cowboy boots. They’re also White’s first pull-on boot on the 55 last. Underfoot, they’re built out with lowered block heels and leather outsoles, secured by a single row of hand sewn stitchdown.
Viberg Jungle Boot in Black Janus Butt: $1,575
The Viberg NYC store (and website) are running three pairs of their Jungle Boot pattern. Pros? A 360˚ split welt and a channeled leather insole are way, way better than injection molded rubber. Cons? Not necessarily spike proof. They’re available in black…
Viberg Jungle Boot in Coyote Janus Butt: $1,575
…coyote…
Viberg Jungle Boot in Mojave Janus Butt: $1,575
…and the slightly cooler-toned mojave Janus Calf Butts tanned by C.F. Stead, all built on the E-width 1940 last with Vibram Sierra outsoles.
Oldspeed Mfg. Boondocker in Brown Roughout English Bridle: $750 (Pre-order)
Oldspeed’s Standard Run boots are biannual preorder with set specs, in this case, Wickett & Craig English Bridle uppers in roughout…
Oldspeed Mfg. Boondocker in Brown English Bridle: $750 (Pre-order)
…or grain out brown, with raw cord outsoles from Dr. Sole and double row stitchdown construction. Despite being one of the oldest surviving tanneries in the U.S. and tanning some truly excellent harness and bridle leathers, there just aren’t a lot of places you can get Wickett & Craig leather on a boot. Dave has you covered though.
Nicks 365 Stitchdown Lace to Toe in Work and Heritage Leathers: $724 (Made to Order)
Nicks has offered 360˚ stitchdown for a few years now, but it’s finally available as a standard option on their lace-to-toe pattern. Construction and pattern aside, they’re a custom configuration boot, which means your choice of last (HNW or Munson-based ThurmanNW), height, leather, outsole, toe structure, and lots of other customization options.
Baker’s x Wesco Jobmaster in Marine Field Roughout: $850
Based in Eugene, Oregon—a short West Coast seven hours from the epicenter of PNW bootmaking in Spokane—Baker’s has been putting together dialed in Wesco makeups for a long, long time. And that doesn’t have to mean complicated: this week, they released two pairs of boots in Horween’s Marine Field Roughout, a 6″ lace-to-toe Jobmaster with a 430 Mini Lug…
Baker’s x Wesco Mr. Lou in Marine Field Roughout: $850
…and Mr. Lou with Dr. Sole half soles.
Alden Saddle Blucher in Color 8 Shell: $1,060
Alden Madison just released a Color 8 version of what should definitely be called the full-strap derby, but is actually called the Saddle Blucher. Leaving behind the name for a second to talk about specs, we’ve got a 360˚ split reverse welt and commando soles, all assembled around the iconic Barrie last.
Rancourt Read Boat Shoe in Napa Canyon: $288
Once upon a time, Napa meant leather tanned by the Sawyer Tanning company in the actually Napa valley, but like so many terms its use broadened over time, and today it refers to just about any soft full grain leather. Rancourt’s Canyon Napa is a hot stuffed pull up leather, and it’s also the most recent addition to the leather lineup for their boat shoe model, the Read.