This week we’re honoring the triple digit temperatures with a thematically appropriate “desert fever dream” and an all together heat-laden roundup to boot. We’ve got a new collab from Unsung and Standard & Strange, a new White’s limited run leather, and a whole bunch of excellent Labor Day sales.
And on top of all that, you’ll find a link to 20% of Bootcamp VIP tickets in this week’s: Shoes ‘n’ Boots of the Week
Boil off your surplus free time reading all of our old 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.
Standard & Strange x Unsung House Desert Fever Dream Engineer in Maryam Rovescio Sego Horsebutt: $1,700 (Pre-order)
Ok these things are nuts. The secret here, (other than Unsung’s PBD last and engineer pattern), is Maryam’s Rovescio Sego Horsebutt. “Sego” (tallow) is the tannage, a veg tan with an extra high concentration of oils and waxes to make for a softer and glossier leather. “Rovescio” simply means “reverse”, in reference to the flesh-out shafts of the boot—though the vamps, straps, backstay, and shaft binding use the grain side of the leather. Variations in the fibre structure of the hide (particularly around the shells) produce the crazy and varied striation, though most pairs should be a little more subdued than those pictured. S&S says they look like the strata in desert rock formations—personally, they remind of the swirling atmospheric formations of gas giants like Jupiter. The specs don’t disappoint either; the Unsung’s U-22 is hand welted, with a 270˚ flat welt and Brown Supergrip half soles and heels.
Viberg Chelsea 2030 in Cigar Vocalou Vitelli: $1,057
Meanwhile Lost & Found was apparently leafing through Viberg’s mainline options and decided to order everything they had in Tannerie D’Annonay’s Vocalou Calf, a dense and finely grained full grain calfskin. Combined with a 360˚ scalloped welt and leather soles it makes for an atypically dressy (but very smooth) take on Viberg’s 2030 lasted Chelsea…
Viberg Service Boot 2030 in Nero Vocalou Vitelli: $966
…but you can also get it on a totally blacked-out stitchdown service boot, configured with Ridgeway soles and not one, not two, not three, but four speedhooks so you take your boots off really, really fast. (There’s also an identically spec’d brown colorway to check out here.)
White’s 350 Cruiser in Gallun Whiskey Shrunken Calf: $750 (Made to Order)
You’ve probably seen plenty of shrunken bison, but shrunken calf? The mechanics are basically the same, but the resulting grain in the Gallun leather, while still intense, is slightly shallower and more subtle. It’s available made to order on what are probably the flagship models of the current White’s legacy line: the 55 lasted 350 Cruiser, with 270˚ handsewn stitchdown and a Vibram V-Bar outsole in either Whiskey (shown here) or black cherry…
White’s MP-Sherman in Gallun Black Cherry Shrunken Calf: $750 (Made to Order)
…and the Sherman, built with a cap toe and lower heel on the sleeker MP last, and fitted with a mini lug sole or block heel, which is available in the same colors. The lead time? Not years, not months, just 8-10 weeks (okay, so technically that’s two months—you get the point though).
Leffot x Alden PT Boot in Brown Chromexcel: $730 (Pre-order)
Leffot cycles through preorders on a few stalwart makeups that, while neither brand new nor shocking, comprise a sort of safely wearable best hits list of genuinely good boots. Right now, preorder are open on two new models that fall firmly into that category, the first being a plain toe boot (classic), in brown Chromexcel (classic), on the Barrie last (classic), with a 270˚ stormwelt and commando half sole and heel.
Leffot x Alden Chukka in Tobacco Chamois: $730 (Pre-order)
We wrote about the whole Chelsea-undercover-as-not-quite-chukka deal of the Alden 874 a while back, and the second new Leffot preorder makeup is a pretty good illustration of where the great 874 convergence ended up: a casual chamois upper, a relatively rugged commando half sole and heel, and a 360˚ storm welt, all on a very straightforward, comfortable, utilitarian platform.
Brogue x Alden Handsewn Mocc Tassel Loafer in Coffee Nubuck: $705
Alden has a good thing going with the whole “sleek shell loafer deal”, especially considering they have some of the best patterns in the game on that front. But this new Brogue makeup is a different beast. The combination of a little extra height from a handsewn apron, a tassel, and the brown nubuck uppers makes the Van last feel square and unpretentious—we quite like the effect. Underfoot though, is a pretty familiar combination: a 360˚ flat welt and a single waterlock leather sole.
Truman Service Boot 79 in Gallun Cognac Horse Rump: $560
Truman’s latest service boot droop is interesting because, among other reasons, it uses horse rump tanned by Gallun. We wrote about the rebirth of the tannery way back in 2022, and since then they’ve continued to expand and scale their offerings (which include the Teton stag used on the tongues of the boots in question). The hides are dense, with varying degrees of subtle but visible striation and figuring, and here they’re teamed up with 270˚ flat welts and proprietary rubber soles.
Additional 20% off Sale Styles at Grant Stone
That’s right—Grant Stone already has a really nice lineup of discounted boots, loafers and more. And with code “laborday20” you’ll get an extra 20% off, which knocks a bunch of stuff down to around just $250. Lots of sizes and widths across the sale spectrum!
Up to 30% Off Everything at Oak Street Bootmakers
This week had a couple sales that were too good to pass up, including this one: up to 30% off an incredible amount of stuff at Oak Street Bootmakers. Main line boots? Check. Limited Release? Still included. Moccasins, camp shoes, and the like? Most are discounted!
Up to 40% off Dozens of Models at Meermin
The Meermin summer sale closes at midnight tonight (8/30), and 40% off Meermin is an almost unfathomably good deal. You can get a pair of very respectably made good year welted shoes or boots, in some cases in a name brand leather like C.F. Stead’s Waxy Commander, at a price that’s less than retail on some Nikes. One very lucky person with size 11 feet is going to bag a pair of service boots in Horween shell for sub-$400. What more is there to say?
20% of Stitchdown’s Boot Camp VIP Tickets
And of course because we’re swell, we’re also offering 20% off VIP tickets to the most miraculous boot event we know about, our second Boot Camp expo-and-more going down this October 12th and 13th in Brooklyn, NY.
VIPs get early access to the main expo floor, a loaded gift bag, free beer (!), entry into a raffle that includes a pair of custom Role Club boots and plenty more—just use code “summer” to check on out. Can’t wait to see you in October!
Extra 25% Off Last Call Items at Division Road
The discount is applied at checkout and hits some wonderfully robe-like wool coats from De Bonne Facture, as well as a pretty decent selection of boots and Derbys from Tricker’s and Crocket & Jones. The sale ends at 6pm on Tuesday, September 3rd.
20% Off the Sale Collection with Code LABORDAY20 at Grant Stone
Grant Stone’s sale collection consists of samples, B Grades and models that aren’t going to be restocked, so if you’re eyeing something and need a little extra push, this is it. There’s a single sample pair of incredible penny loafers in brown scotch grain (give us a full run of these!), the last of the sky Kudu, and a whole bunch more that are worth a look. Ends midnight Monday!
Deeper Discounts on Markdowns, Buy 2 Get 1 Tees, and other deals at Naked & Famous
This is one’s a bit complicated so we’ll break it down. Naked & Famous is running four deals right now: Items that were already marked down are marked down an extra 10% for labor day—they snuck in some new markdowns here too, including the entire SS24 collection. Naked & Famous sweatshirts are 50% if you purchase at least one other item. Circular Knit T’s are buy 2 get 1 free. Finally, some 3rd party brands at Tate + Yoko (which shares a founder with N&F) are 15% off. Check out the Sumi Ink denim if you’re a dye nerd, and peruse the 60% off section if you need to restock on shirts. Just make sure you get there before Wednesday, September 4th, or you’re out of luck.
10% Off 365 Stitchdown Boots at Nicks
…as well as 15% off accessories and 20% of Like New boots and Factory Seconds. If you have 7F feet (or you’re an 8.5D that likes trying new things) there’s gorgeous pair of factory seconds in 1964 Brown Double Shot on the Thurman55 last. Otherwise, this is a good chance to spec out a custom configuration boot with 365 Stitchdown.
40-50% Off Shirts and Flannels at Freenote Cloth
Check out the Benson Ivory Wool Plaid – British Wool dyed and woven in Japan and then cut and sewn in the U.S., antique bone buttons, and double needle stitching – at $200 off, or the cotton version in brown plaid for something a little lighter weight. Freenote hasn’t published an end date for the sale, so I would definitely check these out by Monday.
25% Off Sitewide at Helm
The title pretty much says it all on this one—Marfa 6″ derby boots, Finn Chelsea Boots, and quite literally everything else they make is 25% off. Check it out by Monday!
$125 off all MTO Orders with Code AUG24MTO at Quoddy
One of the shops keeping the whole Maine Moccasin tradition alive. Check out the Camp Boot or Grizzly Boot for a guide-boot style option or maybe restart the ring boot craze from a few years ago?
15% Off Full Priced Products at Rancourt
Make sure to use code LABORDAY15, valid through Monday (September 2nd) to get the discount. Rancourt has one of the best Beefroll-style penny loafer patterns out there, but you should also check out their funky Venetian slippers and the full 6″ Harrison boot. They’re also running a summer sale right now, for up to 30% off select models.
20% of Select Models at Blackstock & Weber With Code THEWEEKEND
Don’t wait till labor day to browse this labor day sale, which ends at Midnight on Sunday, September 1st, but if you’re looking for Loaferchonk, this is definitely the place. Check out the Ellis Penny (or the spectator version?) or the Clásico Tassel Loafer.
10% Off Seconds and Samples at Parkhurst With Code LDSS10
A slightly deeper discount on already discounted boots. Parkhurst separates their samples and seconds out into two grades so you can get a better sense of what you’re ordering.
20% Off Site Wide at Tellason
Tellason’s basic straight fit denim is made in San Fransisco with 14oz. cone mills denim, and until the sale ends Monday night they come in at $100 even. Not bad at all!