A brand-new boot from a storied Canadian cobbler-turned-bootmaker, Viberg’s first big release of the year, plenty of goodies from Nicks Boots and Russell Moccasin—we’ve got it all in the latest Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week!
Catch up on other weeks releases 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.]
DeVito Boot Co. 10″ Bobtail Boot in Black Smooth: $515 (Preorder)
Vince DeVito is a ninety-year-old shoe repair shop in Nelson, British Colombia, authorized by Red Wing and Viberg, among others. Now, the brand is branching out, opening preorders on their first ever boot: the Bobtail, a 10″ logger that’s Pacific Northwest through and through.
Because they’re doing plenty more than just making boots—and to get the price to the best place possible—Seidel uppers are closed and lasted in Leon, Mexico, then bottomed and finished in British Colombia by DeVito. The construction is double-row stitchdown, with Vibram V100 outsoles and a your choice of a “Block” or “Spring” heel standard and other sole options available upon request. We’re definitely looking forward to getting a better look at these when they start shipping in the spring.
Nicks Boots Robert in Wickett & Craig Cobalt Double Stuffed: $759
Nicks has done laudable work with OG Pennsylvania tannery Wicket & Craig’s excellent Double Stuffed tannage for a while now—but they’re now turning the dial up on the color scale with an unabashed cobalt shade on these dogger-heeled Robert boots…
Nicks Boots Falcon in Wickett & Craig Crimson Double Stuffed: $759
…along with the also new and, uh, slightly more subdued Crimson Double Stuffed, which makes its first appearance on Nicks Falcon pattern with a stacked block heel.
A Very Waxy Viberg Spring/Summer ’24 Release
CF Stead Waxy Commander is the overwhelming sentiment of the Canadian superbrand’s first major release of 2024—there’s a bit of Stead’s Anise shade sprinkled in, but no less than seven models—two Service Boots, Scouts, Pachena Bays, Rockland bluchers, Upland chukkas…slides!—are clad in Rawhide Waxy Commander, an article we haven’t seen before but promises to beat up quickly and wonderfully (see above). Beyond that, everything else is calf, spanning those same styles above. Give it all a look!
Sperry by Chris Echevarria
As we say in our full story here, the Blackstock & Weber founder has turned his attention towards handsewn moccasin construction footwear by teaming up with 89-year-old Sperry to create four unique made-in-Maine styles with all sorts of fun twists and turns.
Alden x Brogue Chiron Tanker Boot in Humus Suede: $715
It hasn’t been the easiest thing to get handstiched-apron Aldens the last few years—production has been limited. And from what we’ve seen, most of that production is going to LHS loafers and a few other boots…new Tankers have been tough! But man are these fun ones, with the flat-welted 1.5 oiled leather sole and the Indy stitch shooting backwards.
Russell Moccasin Backcountry in Chocolate Bison: $725 (Made to Order)
Russell’s Premier Build line, which offers made-to-order boots on a 8-12 week timeframe, has been growing rapidly since its inception. That growth continues with today’s addition of two new models, both in super textured Chocolate Bison. There’s a 5-eyelet/3-speedhook backcountry, with a Vibram Roccia outsole and hand-stitched, double vamp true moccasin build…
Russell Moccasin Zephyr in Chocolate Bison; $745 (Made to Order)
…and a Zephyr model, which uses the same double vamp construction but on a high shafted, front buckle, rear zip pattern with a Gumlite sole.
Nicks Ranger in Ash Grey 1964: $589 (Made to Order)
The Nicks Ranger that dropped this week isn’t just a new model in a limited run leather, its a new quick ship model in a limited run leather, and based on the photos they have out this stuff makes a seriously good looking roughout. And grain-side too! Like most Nicks’ quick ship boots, your options are (comparatively) limited–these come with V-Bar outsoles and black edge dye–but you still get your choice of three shaft heights (6″, 8″, and 10″) and three last options (HNW, 55, and 67).
Nicks Wood Butcher in Work Leathers: $569 (Made to Order)
Great stuff from Nicks all around this week, but these definitely take the “best named boots”. Wood Butcher? I mean come on. This tree-taker-aparter extraordinaire is a 6″, HNW-lasted moc toe with a Max Wedge sole. This time the full range of Nicks work leathers are on tap.
JK Boots Forefront in Canyon Bison: $575 (Most Sizes Made to Order): $575
JK’s Forefront in Canyon Bison, a six inch wedge sole boot which shares the tapered midsole of their O.T., has a 5-eyelet/3-speedhook harware setup, with four eyelets below the speedhooks and one extra pair at the very top for extra secure lacing. One interesting detail that I’ve only ever seen done by JK: the double row stitchdown passes all the way through the Vibram Christy outsole.
Truman Boot Company 79 in Cognac Shrunken Bison: $480
Truman has a couple of sizes left from their most recent run: a 79-lasted boot in Law Tanning’s Cognac Shrunken Bison. These are outfitted with a 270˚ flat welt and a proprietary commando sole. Like many other Truman models, the welt stitching is dyed yellow where it’s visible beneath the sole, and left white above the welt.
Caswell Boot Co. Eastman in Brown Russian Calf: $799 (Made to Order)
District of Colombia-based Caswell Boot Co. has been steadily expanding the made to order lineup that debuted with the Garrett model last July. They’re got a huge range of leather (Two kinds of goat? Check!), and they recently added this Eastman model in Brown Russian Calf. The pattern has a lot of boondocker-esque design choices, like the single piece backstay and the curved shaft tops and seemingly any imaginable customization option can be selected from one of many drop down menus. The construction on these, though, is always hand-welted.