December sure is marching on by. But what is it marching in, you ask? Good question. We’ve got a restocked Withered Fig classic, some Color 8 Aldens, shell from Thursday’s black label line, tall Trumans, and more, all in this week’s: Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week!
Step into the SBW archives 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.]
Withered Fig x Viberg Service Boot 2030 in Natural Chromexcel: $880
Viberg, believe it or not, dosen’t actually offer a standard, always available cap-toe version of the 2030 Service Boot (no, the shell Essentials boots do not count). Withered Fig though, has been keeping it locked down with what might just be their signature boot at this point: a brogued cap-toe 2030 in natural Chromexcel. In keeping with the slightly dressed up look we’ve got nine eyelets and a Lactae Hevea sole, all anchored by that double row stitchdown construction. Better yet, they’re available in three widths: D, E, and EE.
Rolling Dub Trio Griffin in Black Horsebutt: $1,206
Jodhpurs span a pretty broad range from hyper-sleek to “tanker boot but my tank is horse”. Somewhat unsurprisingly, we’re partial to the heavy duty stuff and RDT does not disappoint by any means. The Griffin is clicked from Italian horsebutt and Goodyear welted with a hand-cut channel. The nitrile cork outsoles and steel buckles are produced by the Boots Factory, RDT’s production wing.
Bright Shoemakers Vulture in Brown Chromexcel: $647
Bright Shoemakers latest boot is the product of a new last, a new partner factory, and 8 months of R&D. The Vulture’s last is lean, with an unstructured, square toe based on a vintage balmoral. It’s funky and it kind of looks like the model’s namesake, but it works. The wide backstay has decorative western stitching and ends in a pull loop. The same motif appears on the straps, which anchor brass roller buckles. Underfoot are Dr. Sole half soles, attached to the upper by a 270˚ flat welt. They’re available in Brown Chromexcel…
Bright Shoemakers Vulture in Natural Chromexcel: $647
…Natural Chromexcel…
Bright Shoemakers Vulture in Black Chromexcel: $647
…and Black Chromexcel. The Vulture is the first model in the new “extraordinaire” line from Bright Shoemakers, and after this we’re excited to see what else is in store.
Edward Green Newmarket in Dark Brown London Grain: $1,795
Leffot is now stocking another leather option for Edward Green’s Newmarket, a swept-back Chelsea with double pull-tabs on the round(er) toed 303 last. The model uses Brown London grain, and is 270˚ flat welted on a proprietary rubber sole.
Moulded Shoe x Alden Split Toe in Color 8 Shell: $990
Moulded Shoe’s latest Alden makeup is just the slightest bit less moulded than usual (read: built on the Barrie last, not the Modified last)—but we’re not complaining. In particular, we like that the last, the hand stitched split toe, and the 360˚ split welt all make this just a little extra imposing, and then the hardware and edge-finish match the shell, keeping you looking at the shape.
Brogue x Alden Bronco Blucher in Color 8 Shell: $915
Brogue is also wading back in to the color 8 game this week with a shell brouged cap-toe blucher. The 379x military last pushes the shell + BCT + blind eyelets combination from dressy towards clean, and the push is carried through by the 270˚ flat welt and commando half sole.
Thursday Black Label Builder in Olive Shinki Shell Cordovan: $549
Thursday’s Black Label collection is a upgraded version of their main-line offering complete with leather insoles, counters, toe-stiffeners, and shanks. The builder is a moc toe assembled with 360˚ of stitchdown on a Vibram Christy wedge. The upper leathers don’t escape an upgrade either: they’re available in olive Shinki Shell at an insane price…
Thursday Black Label Builder in Noche Minerva: $349
…Badalassi Carlo’s Noce Minerva…
Thursday Black Label Builder in Coach Rambler: $349
…or C.F. Stead’s coach rambler.
Truman Boot Co. Upland Boot in Stone Rambler: $520
Six inches is the de facto standard boot height, and absent the not-yet dormant engineer craze we think tall boots are due for a little more appreciation. The Upland has a lot in common with Truman’s shorter 79 lasted boots, but we’d humbly submit that the extra height balances out the proportions and you’ll get a little extra support to, um… boot. They’re constructed with a 270˚ flat welt and a proprietary lug sole with four speed-hooks to help them come on and off. Truman’s most recent releases are in Stone Rambler…
Truman Boot Co. 79 Upland Boot in Coach Rambler Upland: $520
…and Coach rambler.
Oak Street Bootmakers Trench Boot in English Tan Dublin: $524
Because it’s so heavily hot stuffed, Horween Dublin dosen’t have the same board-stiff feel as some other veg-tans, and that makes it a pretty great boot leather. Oak Street’s latest limited release boots are a pair of Dublin Service boots in a medium colored but warm English tan. The Trench Boot features a cap toe and spit welt, along with a little extra height…
Oak Street Bootmakers Field Boot in English Tan Dublin: $524
…whereas the field boot is a dead-simple (but well executed) plain toe with a 270˚ flat welt. Both models feature Dainite soles and antiqued hardware.