Shoes 'n' Boots of the Week: Benzein's RTW Engineers Are A Keeper, A Helluva Lot of Vibergs, and More

I could hardly believe how busy the last couple of weeks have been for new shoe releases. This week’s list is relatively restrained—but still loaded with top-notch stuff. Read on to hear about some of the latest pairs from Viberg, Parkhurst, Alden, and more!

Find 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.]

Parkhurst Richmond in Natural Veg Re-Tan: $362

Late last week, Parkhurst dropped a trio of new boots that are all decked out in some fantastic re-tan (combination-tanned) leathers from Seidel. First up, the cap toe Richmond in a natural shade, built on the 602 last with a 360 storm welt and Ridgeway soles.

Parkhurst Allen in Henna Veg Re-Tan: $348

The Henna veg re-tan straddles the line between red and brown. This Allen boot is also made on the 602 last, with a 360 storm welt and Dainite soles. If you’re looking for a cap toe version…

Parkhurst Richmond in Henna Veg Re-Tan: $348

…you’re in luck!

Viberg 310 Service Boot in Camel Hair Waxed Kudu: $760

The weekly service boot drop from Viberg puts this C.F. Stead leather on the rockin-n-rollin’ 310 last. With antique brass hardware, Dainite soles, and a subtle logger heel, these boots are brimming with character.

Viberg Bastion Oxford in Chestnut Calf Suede: $730

Back for the ‘22 Spring/Summer collection, the Bastion once again makes the case for thinking outside the oxford box. This latest batch of models are all built on the 2020 last with a 270 flat welt and Dainite soles. You have the option of picking up a pair in three different C.F. Stead leathers: this lovely Chestnut Janus suede…

Viberg Bastion Oxford in Noix Eco Grain: $700

…walnutty Noix Eco Grain…

Viberg Bastion Oxford in Rock Eco Veg Suede: $700

…or the earthy look of this Rock Eco Veg Suede.

Viberg Service Boot in Veg Veldt Hummus: $760

Viberg also recently added another stockist to their roster, Seattle menswear mainstay Blue Owl Workshop, who have gotten first dibs on a few more seasonal offerings. First up, these 1035-lasted service boots made with a brown veg-tanned kudu leather from C.F. Stead, featuring a stitchdown construction and some Ridgeway soles.

Viberg Service Boot in Sweet Potato Eco Veg Suede: $780

Next, this reddish suede service boot is made on the 2030 last, and bottomed with a stitchdown construction and Dainite soles.

Viberg Service Boot in Bruciato Horsebutt: $820

Finally, another service boot made with Maryam’s Bruciato horsebutt, this time with a brogued cap toe on the 2030 last. Also with a stitchdown construction, plus Ridgeway soles.

Benzein The Keeper “Type 2” Engineers in Black Italian Horsebutt: $700 (Pre-Order)

2022 continues with yet another Indonesian bootmaker introducing ready-to-wear options. Benzein is starting things off with a run of their Keeper engineers, built on the Kapak last with a thick Italian horsebutt. This handsome pair comes complete with a 270 flat welt, a sharp-looking logger heel, and Supergrip half-soles from Dr. Sole.

Alden x Halo Shoes 6-Eyelet Chukka: $599

Halo Shoes borrows inspiration from one of the previous Alden makeups, taking that same combination of brown Chromexcel leather and pull loops and applying it to the 6-eyelet chukka pattern. This pair is made on Alden’s 379X last, and features a 360 flat welt with Sahara-colored cavity wedges.

Meermin Slipper in Bourbon Museum Calf: $230

These unlined slippers are made on the Rois last, which offers an almond-shaped toe and an extremely-forgiving instep. This bourbon museum calf from Conceria Zonta sits atop a 270 flat welt and some single leather soles. As always with Meermin’s special makeups, these will only be around to order for a limited time, so don’t wait.

Alden x Brick + Mortar “Bainbridge” Indy Shoe: $625

Brick + Mortar recently received fresh stock of their “Bainbridge” model, notable for being one of the only (maybe the only?) Indy shoe makeups out there with a neocork sole. Trubalance-lasted and featuring brown CXL leather and a 270 storm welt. Many of the sizes have already been snapped up, but you can inquire with B+M about pre-ordering from the next batch.

Grant Stone is Now Available at Standard & Strange!

It’s no secret that we’re quite fond of these two companies, so it was a delight to hear that Standard & Strange is now stocking a few different models from Grant Stone, including the Diesel Boots in Storm Kudu above. For the first time ever, you can go try on a pair from Grant Stone before you buy, as they’re currently available at S&S NYC. I think we can expect to see some interesting things come from this partnership…