This week’s Roundup sees some Aldens taken in a more casual route, a quickly moving Rolling Dub Trio release from Burg und Schild, a western-leaning Mister Lou makeup from Franklin and Poe, GYW Feits, and several more releases for those who love boots ‘n’ shoes (and of course they love you back).
Gaze upon releases of weeks past, we’ve got ’em all 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.]
Alden x Rivay x ACL Ranger Mocc in Snuff Suede: $764
Michael Williams—the man behind rightly canonized menswear blog A Continuous Lean—has been busy this fall. Last month we covered a collab he did with Viberg, a revamped chukka in Snuff Suede. Well Mike is back, and he’s brought his suede with him for triptych collab with Alden, and Bedford, NY-based retailer Rivay. The result is a genteel take on what might be Alden’s most casual style—the Ranger Mocc. Built on the Van last, these shoes feature commando soles and a 360° pre-stitched reverse welt, adding visual weight and furthering the casual vibe of the Mocc.
Wesco x Franklin and Poe Mister Lou in Natural Roughout Chromexcel: $850
Philadelphia’s finest, Franklin and Poe, are back with a new entry in their ongoing partnership with Wesco boots. This make-up sees the much beloved Mister Lou—Wesco’s sleek, MP toed engineer offering—all dressed up in natural roughout Horween Chromexcel and green Dr. Sole’s Supergrip soles. The combo pushes the Lou even further away from motorcycle stylings of its roots, and towards landscapes of tumbleweeds, wide open horizons, and Sonoran hot dogs (I’m saying they look pretty Western to me). As a result of serious internet hype coupled with Wesco’s looooong lead times, in-stock pairs of Mister Lous tend to go quick. This collab is definitely looking like that’s the case, so fair warning!
Rolling Dub Trio Casper in Black Chromexcel: €815.08
A two-pack of Rolling Dubs just landed at Berlin-based retailers Burg und Schild. The Casper is an ultra clean whole-cut side zip boot. One of the brand’s most popular and hard to get models, the Casper is back in stock, but is already moving quick! Built from black Chromexcel from Horween, and lined with Italian kip, the Caspers are outfitted with full cork sole and custom AR heels.
Rolling Dub Trio RDT-A21 Skrik in Black Esprit de Chrome: €672.23
Burg und Schild also got their hands on some pairs of Rolling Dub’s RDT-A21 Skriks. The name Skrik comes from the Norwegian name for Edvard Munch’s The Scream—RDT founder Katsuta Tokunaga constantly transmutes artistic and musical inspiration and references into his boots—maybe because these boots are agonizingly good looking? A western style roper boot built on RDT’s A-series last, the Skriks feature clean lines and a slightly rounded toe. They’re built from Esprit de Chrome, a chrome-tanned French calfskin with a supple and slightly elastic feel. The leather is tea-core, so expect some awesome wear potential. Like the Caspers, the Skriks are finished with a full cork sole and custom AR heels.
Alden x Brick + Mortar Piers Indy Shoe in Brown Kudu: $740
It’s feeling like its casual Alden week! This make-up, the Piers, from Seattle’s Brick + Mortar pairs a low topped Indy silhouette with chunky soles and pre-stitched reverse welt. The leather is a unique tannage from Horween—Kudu. Not to be confused with the antelope leather that bears the same name, this “Kudu” is similar to Chromexcel but is more matte, with a slightly higher concentration of oils and waxes. Built on the Trubalance last, all the elements of the Piers combine to present a casual, hardwearing take on a classic Alden style.
Easymoc Rangeley in Black Grizzly: $799.99
The Rangeley is the beefiest boot in Easymoc’s lineup, inspired by New England’s rich history of outdoorsman and built with genuine handsewn construction. The Lewiston, ME bootmakers just released two versions of the Rangeley, both in Grizzly Leather. For those who’ve ever uttered, “it’s not a phase mom”, we’ve got a mean ‘n’ imposing looking pair in Black Grizzly.
Easymoc Rangeley in Chocolate Grizzly: $799.99
Leaning more into the outdoorsy side of things, this pair is mostly built from Chocolate Grizzly, but features Martexin waxed canvas in the quarters and on the tongue. The combo delivers a very classic woodsman/scouting look. Both pairs are finished with Blake/McKay construction and Vibram Middlebury lug soles.
Solovair x JJJJound 3-Eye Gibson in Natural Suede: $220
Solovair—the sometimes UK producers of Doc Martens until the mid 90’s, and still in-Northampton maker of excellent boots that look a lot like the Docs minus some yellow—teamed up with JJJJound for two takes on the Northamptonshire based shoemakers 3-Eye Gibsons. Founded in Montreal in 2006, JJJJound is a mood-board turned design studio, best known for their minimalist approach to collaborations. Admittedly this collaboration dropped last month, so availability isn’t amazing, but the above pair in Natural Suede has a fair smattering of sizes.
Solovair x JJJJound 3-Eye Gibson in Black Pebble: $220
If you happen to have feet on the small end of the spectrum, and you’re looking for a pair of derbies with some eye-catchingly pebbled grain, then you might just be in luck! These were clearly the favorite of the collaboration, turning the clean silhouette of the Gibson into a showcase for a leather with a really pronounced tumbled texture.
Kleman Padror Oaxa in Mocha Suede: €183.33
The FW26 collection from Kleman has arrived. There a lot of options, so give their site a peruse, but we’re particularly fond of this funky take on their Padror. Their most popular style, the Padror is an apron-toed, 2 eye Tyrolean derby. The Oaxa variant of the shoe comes with a removable, scallop edged kiltie, and is built from a combo of Mocha suede and black, grain out cowhide. One note: Kleman is largely a cemented construction brand, but their price on classic and edgy versions of the French Tyrolean shoe, and continued family ownership, make them very worth the coverage.
FEIT Goodyear Back Zip Boot in Black Veg-Tan: $1,295
Most well-known for their minimalist, hand-sewn sneakers, FEIT just dropped a trio of Goodyear welted boots. Constructed in a small, family run atelier in Montegranaro, Italy, each of these three boots feature hand-sewn and hand-lasted uppers, finished with FEIT x Vibram Gumlite lug soles. The Back Zip Boot is a super clean, whole-cut, designed with a slight excess in the pattern to create dramatic folds as the boot breaks in.
Feit Goodyear Lace-Up Boot in Black Veg-Tan: $1,395
The Lace-Up Boot draws inspiration from classic work and service boots, but with a severely stripped-back execution. They sport an extended lacing system for a secure fit, and back pull loop for easy on. Like the other three boots, they’re finished with Goodyear construction and custom made Vibram soles.
FEIT’s Goodyear Pull-On Boot in Black Veg-Tan: $1,495
The Pull-On Boot is the most dramatic of the trio. Inspired by vintage motorcycle boots, the Pull-Ons have a tall, open shaft, but have forgone pull loops for a minimal, imposing silhouette. The blank slate, two-piece construction really emphasizes the slouchy, exaggerated shape of the boots. All three of these boots are built from FEIT’s “Semi-Cordovan”, a veg-tan leather that we suspect has little to do with, erm, Full Cordovan, but nonetheless offers a lot of depth and natural variation.
The 2 Monkeys Phantom Boot in Black Horsehide: $620.00
Japanese brand 2 Monkeys is an outfit that really likes to have fun with their historical inspirations. The Phantom is a shoe-boot that finds its roots in the boxing footwear of the early 20th century. Packing 12 eyelets into its compact size, the link between this style of indoor sporting shoe and lace-to-toe work boots is pretty apparent. The Phantom’s clean silhouette features two billboard-sized side panels, built from tea-core horsehide, and a McKay stitched thin, flat sole.
Red Wing Postman Oxford in Black Chaparral: $349.99
Red Wing’s Postman was introduced in the 50’s to keep actual mail carriers on their feet—and looking sharp—through long shifts. A cult favorite in the Japanese and European markets, you can now snag a pair from Chicago’s Mildblend Supply. The Postmans are built from Black Chaparral leather, an S.B. Foot Tannage with a subtle sheen and very smooth grain. Underfoot, you get a blacked out cushion crepe sole to keep those puppies from barkin’ all day long. If you need a little more ankle coverage than the Oxford provides…
Red Wing Postman Chukka in Black Chaparral: $359.99
…then they’ve also got the Postman Chukka. Built with the same specs as the Oxford, the 3-eyed Chukka makes for a friendly, taller brother to the low profile Oxford.