Best In Boots

Boot Hunter Top 10 Summer Boots

I have selected my top 10 boots for summer based on a few criteria…  Summer 2020 promises to be unlike any most of us have experienced, more of us will stay closer to home, traveling by car, exploring our regional and national environments, and I hope you enjoy it and will check them out.

1. Lightness of construct and materials  2. Versatility of wear from casual to work and more formal  3.…

An Ode To Oxblood…

History Of The Color

The first use of the term oxblood as a color name in the English language dates back to 1695–1705. The name is derived from the color of the blood of an ox. The ox blood was used as a pigment to dye fabric, leather and paint. It is most commonly described as a dark red with purple and brown undertones. The blood would change from a bright red to a darker, oxidized, more…

Due North… An Interview With Nordic EDC

Could you introduce yourself briefly? My name is Mano and I’ve recently started Nordic EDC making premium leather goods. What inspired you to start Nordic EDC? Its a bit of a story really. It all started for me with my obsession with shoes. I remember when I was a kid, I longed for the latest and greatest Nike or Adidas sneakers. However, with my family’s financial situation, it was never an option…

I sat down with Josh Hurd, co-founder and partner in Los Angeles’ newest menswear store, Proconsul Clothing. We discussed his background, inspiration, and goals for this new classic menswear destination that features such storied brands as Alden, Tricker’s,  Wolverine, and Bleu de Chauffee.

BH: When and how did you first start working in Men’s apparel?

JH: My first retail job was in the Men’s Sportswear department at Filene’s Department store in Massachusetts. It was the late 80’s (yes, that long ago), and it introduced me to every aspect of Men’s clothing: suits, shoes, casual, luxury brands, accessories and bags. From there I worked at the Gap, where everyone went to be trained… I learned a lot about how clothes were made and I just fell in love with retail. Every day is different and I like being in service to people. Men especially love knowing that they have a guy who gets it and becomes their go-to for their wardrobe.

BH: What inspired you to focus on menswear for your career?

JH: As a teenager I woke up one morning with this revelation that I didn’t like the way that I looked. I was always artistic and loved to draw. So I drew a picture of what I wanted to look like and went out and bought clothes that achieved that look. It always evolves. Over the years, I went from punk rocker in leather jackets to ‘emo’ guy in long black coats and combat boots to other looks too. Some of these looks have stayed cool and others not. But I realized that looking great in my clothes gave me confidence. When you work with a guy to outfit him, you’re not selling clothes. You’re providing confidence in the form of a look that makes him feel the best he can be. Life is too short to not look good. And it’s not about how expensive something is. The best Vintage leather jacket I own cost me $49 and fits like a glove. I get more compliments on that than almost anything else I wear out.

BH: What brand and model was your first pair of boots:

JH: I bought a pair of black combat boots in my teens at the Army/Navy store. Corcoran Jump boots. I wore them for like 10 years. I wish I still had them… No idea where they went! The first thing I bought when I moved to LA in the 90’s was a legit pair of UK made Doc Martens. I still have those!

BH: Can you describe the feeling you get when you put on a new pair of boots?

JH: I wear boots 99% of the time. I live in them. Partially because I have very wide feet in the toe box and very narrow at the heel. The right boots just make me feel good… confident. Especially if they are well made. I have some boots that I keep pristine and others that I beat to hell and then condition them to lock in the patina. I have a lot of boots!

BH: What inspired you and your partner to open Proconsul Clothing?

JH: When we met I was at a crossroads in my career. I really wanted to not go back into the corporate world of retail. Nothing wrong with it, but I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I spent years crafting a vision. I knew what I wanted and he made it happen for me. I love the brands that are built to last: Alden shoes, Tricker’s… A leather jacket that you put the miles on and build patina… Who doesn’t love something that will last for decades?

My business partner has many years of production experience in denim, owning a business that makes clothes. He understood the idea of having a store for people who wanted denim, leather jackets, shoes that were built to last. And the rare (like 12 of an Alden shoe made just for us) and special. And he loved the concept of a Men’s custom casual haberdashery where we either alter our clothes to fit you or make it completely custom to your specs. And for the price of going into a nice Men’s store or department store that does not do that.

Once our customers get into our clothes they want to go deep and get every color or fabric in what fits. They want the Alden or Tricker’s MTO boots that only we have because they know the quality and probably collect them, too. We wanted a place that had what we wanted to buy and wear. And a beautiful store that’s not cool for cool’s sake but a place that you actually want to spend time in. We have seating areas, leather club chairs. We want you to come and hang out.

I named it Proconsul because I am a huge Roman History buff. A Proconsul was previously a Consul, the man that co-ruled the Roman Republic before (and technically after to some extent) there were emperors. Then after his year of leading, he was given a province or country to run as if he were a Consul, which is what Proconsul means. This guy was successful in life, well traveled and had access to the best of everything. That’s our customer.

BH: How did you go about selecting and curating the selection of apparel and footwear that you offer?

JH: At this point in my life, I am obsessed with clothing and footwear that is well-made, special and hard to find. Items that are made by someone I could actually meet. I tell people that when they try on our denim. I could introduce you to our tailors and production team because they are 25 minutes away. Growing up in Massachusetts, I did know about Alden but really got to know them years later. Any brand that is over 100 years old has it down. I want our clothes to feel like we have been doing it for 100 years as well. Classic fits in jeans, jean jackets, shirts and t-shirts. I’m not interested in fashion. For example, why do people keep going back to Steve McQueen as an icon? Because he looks timeless. Many stores reference him because they get that aspect of Men’s clothes. You shop at Proconsul because you get that. That’s what we make and do. I love vintage, especially leather jackets and I think everyone should have at least one of those. But I also love the idea of being the one who puts the miles on yourself and creates future vintage for the guy down the road. Whoever gets my leather jacket collection will be a very happy person!

BH: What does a heritage brand represent for you?

JH: The best ones have stayed true to the right way of doing things. Made the best possible way and they are value propositions. Yes, I will spend $600-800 on boots because I’ll have them for decades. Or thousands on a leather jacket for the same reason. When I first started, I saved up for those things in order to afford them. And you feel good about it. Again, I think that leads to confidence in every respect.

BH: You feature American, French and British made goods, what are the common attributes between these brands?

JH: I just keep going back to built to last, well-made goods. When I have a customer who finds his “unicorn” boot that no one else has, I mean you yourself know that feeling. It’s just so good. Special. I wanted either limited representation or no representation in LA for the brands we selected. You either want to or have to come to us.

BH: What trends do you see in the local Los Angeles market when it comes to menswear?

JH: A lot of street wear. But similar to an Alden special makeup, much of their footwear is collectible. I like that. But there’s also a lot that isn’t great. Some stores have a clear understanding of their customer and some don’t. It seems like we are at a crossroads with fast fashion vs. slow, built to last. You know where I stand on that. Where we are on La Brea, we have lots of flavors. That’s good.

BH: What’s your opinion of the future of retail, I mean what will change or must change in the face of online and in what ways do you think brick and mortar have an advantage?

JH: It’s a great question. Brick and Mortar is not dead. But only if you give customers a reason to go there. People want experiences. And they want someone who cares, knows their stuff and genuinely wakes up in the morning to deliver the best service possible. If I walk into a store and some employee is on their phone and doesn’t care whether I’m there or not, well I just walk out. In anything important to you I think you want a connection with someone who is an expert, a pro. I love pros, whether they are chefs, bartenders, lawyers, seriously whatever profession where you actually strive to be the best. And products where you know you’re getting something good. Retail has to excel at that.

We had a trunk show for Bleu de Chauffe. Now they sell online of course. I was so happy to see new customers come specifically because they wanted to touch the bags, to see how they felt on their shoulder. And our job is to build a relationship with them and continue to give them access to the best stuff that they love. All that being said, people are busy and online is quick. I get that. I only buy online when I know exactly what I’m getting into fit or style-wise. And I have the relationship with that brand or store and want to give them the business. That’s my goal for our website. You bought that shoe before and we have another color you like, or it’s time for another jean. I have customers all over the world. They would love to be in the store, but it’s not always possible. So the website gives them access on their schedule. That’s where online works well. But you can’t beat being there if you can. Have amazing product and make it a place that you also want to hang out in and you’ll be in business.

Proconsul Clothing … Passion For Style

I sat down with Josh Hurd, co-founder and partner in Los Angeles’ newest menswear store, Proconsul Clothing.

BootHunter talks with founder of Mark Albert Boots, Mark Barbera, here is some of the story behind this growing American footwear company.

BH – What would you say were the greatest benefits of Launching through Kickstarter? 

MB – Kickstarter allowed me to start Mark Albert on a true shoestring budget. I had worked as a landscaper for a couple of summers, and I used $300 of money I had saved to hire my buddy to make the video. The reason behind the Kickstarter itself was to fund the first run of Chelsea boots because the factory had set an initial order minimum that was about $10,000 which I clearly did not have as a 19 year old college student – so Kickstarter was really my only option.

BH – You were inspired at a young age (6th grade) to customize shoes and it was your great grandfather who inspired you. How would you finish the statement, “A fine handcrafted pair of leather boots represents..?“ 

MB – Not only creativity, but also incredible craftsmanship that cannot be learned overnight. Making a pair of shoes from the ground up requires the know-how to expertly operate machines in over 150 steps from the cutting of the leather to the finishing of a pair. 

BH – As with the growth in popularity and completion in the denim market, boots are having a renaissance of sorts. Why do you think this is the case? 

MB – It’s interesting because when I got into this industry, I was not a boot guy. I had no idea what the difference was between Goodyear Welt or Blake Rapid, etc. I think that today because of Instagram and platforms like Reddit, many consumers are more informed than ever before about boots and those who appreciate any craft can really become enthusiasts once they realize just how much of an art form boot making is. However, today, a lot of brands are popping up left and right following the likes of Taft. To be completely honest, anyone can fly to Portugal or Spain, choose a stock pattern from a factory, pick some stock leathers and call themselves “designers.” Conversely, the barrier to entry in the domestic footwear industry is much much higher – many of the remaining factories do not have the resources to accommodate small private label brands, and I literally am only in the position I am because I live 5 minutes away from the factory where I design, prototype and assemble each pair in real-time, rather than just waiting a couple weeks for samples to arrive. 

BH – You focus more than anyone we know on the workers who craft your boots, what influenced you in your desire to integrate their story in your brand and products? 

MB – The factory I work with is such a hidden gem, in that most people in our small town (population 8,000) do not even know it exists. This is completely intentional. The owners and workers have been doing it the old school way for so long that it is truly like a family, and it takes time for an outsider to come in and feel comfortable with everyone. To me, it is completely genuine and natural to highlight these fine men and women because I spend each day, 7-4:30 with them as I also work full-time running design and sales for the factory’s in-house brands. I feel that it is so important to tell their story mainly because they do not realize how incredibly badass and skilled they actually are – for example, I am pretty handy and the first time I tried running some machines, I completely butchered the boots I was working on. I just think its so cool what they do day-in and day-out and they deserve to be recognized as artisans, not just factory workers. 

BH – You work with influencers such as BootHunter, how important and why do you consider these types of relationships in your growing your brand awareness and sales? 

MB – Much like the factory, the “boot community” if you will, is a lot like a family. Today, the value that engaged followings on social networks like Instagram and Facebook brings to a business is unparalleled. Having real relationships with influencers is worth its weight in gold and it also should be genuine – a lot of brands just assume that sending random products to influencers will make them get behind your products, but its cool because consumers can totally tell when influencers actually support a brand or are just being paid to advertise. Those influencers who I work with are genuine dudes who appreciate quality, so I appreciate their expert feedback alone without the added value of the advertising they do on their profiles. I think that with how quickly retail is changing; brands that grow these types of relationships will have far more staying power than those brands who neglect leveraging influencer networks. 

BH – I see that you were inspired to develop your first boot, a Chelsea, by your own search for an affordable and well-crafted example on the market. How do you develop your design ideas such as the Outrider Boot? 

MB – Almost all of my newer designs are inspired by the past. I have piles of catalogs from our factory dating back to the 1980s, so I usually find a boot silhouette I like, scour the factory for the paper patterns or the cutting dies, cut my own pieces then meet with our head seamstress. She has worked in the factory for literally 53 years – she is the only one who remembers most of these heritage patterns and how to sew them. Once the framework is in place, I will run a sample pair to work out any kinks. Once the first sample is done, it’s usually a matter of me making the boot modernized with leathers, hardware and outsoles. It’s a truly hands-on design and development process from start to finish. As a designer, having this knowledge of the actual process gives me a huge advantage because I can tell which styles / components will work or give us trouble before starting which saves a lot of time and money. 

BH – How would you describe American heritage?

MB – Growing up, I was a history buff. I used to watch the History Channel for hours, particularly programs about WWII and what I consider to be the Golden generation. My grandfather is an example of this type of grit. Folks back then were just darn tough. They worked for what they had and things seemed to be very cut and dry. My grandfather on my Mother’s side was a butcher and immigrant from Hungary. He took pride in his work. In speaking with our older seamstresses at the factory, many of their mother’s were seamstresses as well; they were raised to take incredible pride in their work. Products back then were made to last because they were consciously crafted by folks who brought that pride into what they produced. I feel that this pride is true American heritage and I hope that my products can reflect the pride of the men and women who make them. 

BH – What makes an American Boot uniquely desirable? 

MB – Mainly, the construction methods and to men, the women and me who are making them. I do not feel that every aspect of foreign-made footwear is inferior. For example, I have seen Indian-made boots with almost perfect upper stitching – probably cleaner than some of my products. Most foreign factories actually have superior and newer machines than most domestic factories. However, it’s a shame because they take that upper and glue the sole on- which immediately makes that product inferior because it will fall apart. Most American-made factories still use the same techniques that were used in that Golden era, like the Goodyear Welt, which makes for products that truly last. This combined with the simple fact that domestic-tanned leather is usually better quality because of the selection of domestic hides being heavier weight creates products that are built to last. 

BH – Where do you see your brand and those who make them in the next two to three years? 

MB – I hope to be an owner of the factory in the next couple years and continue to push the limits of my creativity to create products that will continue to provide for my amazing family of workers at the factory. 

BH – What’s your definition of business success? 

MB – I have a lot of successful siblings and family members, and the most important lesson I have learned by watching them is that money does not equate to happiness. Sure, in order to be a business as a going-concern, you must be conscious of margins but I can almost guarantee that if you are solely profit-driven, you will not find happiness or meaning in your work. I am so lucky to be in a situation where I truly love what I do, I love the challenges, and I am used to the uncertainty by now. I suppose my definition of business success is pretty cliché but true, do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. 

THANK YOU MARK! … BOOTHUNTER

To Check Out Mark Albert Boots For Yourself, Click Here…

Leather Runs In The Family… Mark Albert Boots

BootHunter talks with founder of Mark Albert Boots, Mark Barbera, here is some of the story behind this growing American footwear company.

What Inspired You To Begin Crafting Boots? 

I lived and worked in boots 24-7 for as long as I can remember, my friends use to give me shit about wearing my dogs in July. I just didn’t own a pair of summer kicks. I was always on the hunt to visually study down a vintage pair of boots. I’m not sure why I took this approach to boots I’m not a collector and I couldn’t tell you every boot out there…

Claes Gören

When you think of boot design and manufacturing locations, Sweden would certainly not be one of the first places boot fans would think of. But the land of the midnight sun, as Sweden is known, is beginning to shed some light on innovative and iconic boot design and manufacture.

The Swedes are known for their open mindedness and free spirit, as well as their heartiness and innovative…

As part of our collaboration with our friends at Dixon Rand we held a first in a series Studio Night where we mixed denim, boots, and some our closest followers, collaborators, and customers. We’re happy to share our evening with you and so pleased that so many came out to enjoy an inspiring evening with other denim and boot lovers from across Southern California. 

We hope you enjoy the images…

INDONESIA’S BOOT MAKING RENAISSANCE

MEET THE MAKERS In this, our second brand article at BootHunter, we connected with one of the recent wave of boot manufacturers in Indonesia, Junkard Company, founded in late 2010. After reaching o…

Source: INDONESIA’S BOOT MAKING RENAISSANCE

In this, our second brand article at BootHunter, we connected with one of the recent wave of boot manufacturers in Indonesia, Junkard Company, founded in late 2010. After reaching out to the company, we were able to interview Junkard co-founders Tangguh and Hamzah.

We began by asking them to describe the company and their background as well as tell us how they got into the business of boots.

Junkard – We were inspired by men who want comfortable and long lasting shoes, beyond that, our customers are looking for boots that will give them confidence while being stylish and at the forefront of trend.

Bootstrapping a Boot Business.

Junkard – We financed the business start-up ourselves without investors, it involves some sacrifice, but the reward and our commitment to our consumers is all ours.

Competing in an Increasingly Crowded Marketplace.

Junkard – We are prioritizing a foundation of great service because it’s the most important thing for a successful business to prioritize. A significant element of this is the development and maintenance of superior product quality.

Prioritizing Workplace Safety, Employee Satisfaction, and Sustainable Sourcing.

Junkard – We put those matters first. We guaranteed the health of our employees including improving work conditions. By doing this and building a culture where there is pride in the products they make we feel this will help us grow and expand our sales through North America and Europe.

What’s Driving the Dramatic Growth in Boot Manufacturing in Indonesia?

Junkard – When we launched in 2010, there were very few local brands focused on making leather shoes, however there is both a heritage and a cultural tendency towards the manufacturing and wearing of fine leather goods, particularly boots. There are now many Indonesian brands that are making a mark in the field and building a name and reputation for themselves as well as Indonesia.

BootHunter Analysis – We did a bit more digging and found that Indonesia is one of the world’s top footwear manufacturers, on a broader scale, it is a major producer and exporter of leather goods, as an example, more than 70% of leather gloves sold in the US market are manufactured in Indonesia. The foundation for this leather goods manufacturing boom can be traced to the 1980s when the Indonesian government introduced a ban on exporting leather in a raw state, requiring it to be processed first. Even half-finished products were prohibited and a 25-30% export duty was imposed as a deterrent.

What’s Your Favorite Boot?  Favorite Leather?  Favorite Sole?

Junkard – We are keen on Alden, Danner, Viberg, Grenson, Wolverine, and Redwing in particular, primarily American and British manufacturers. We love leather makers such as Horween and Shinki, of course both manufacture very different finished products. In terms of outsole manufacturers, we prefer Vibram and Dainite.

What Makes Junkard Unique?

Junkard – We offer great service and fast response, as we believe these elements beyind great products are the key to gaining the trust and loyalty of our consumers. In terms of product, we have our own shoe last which differentiates us from other brands in a time when being unique is so important. Beyond that, we offer signature ‘Norwegian’ construction, also a unique and increasingly sought after value for boot and footwear consumers.

What’s Next at Junkard?

Junkard – Our short-term plan in the next six months is to increase our sales including expansion to the North American and European markets. As a strategy for long-term growth, we will look for an international supplier or a retailer(s) in the US and/or European markets.

INDONESIA’S BOOT MAKING RENAISSANCE

MEET THE MAKERS In this, our second brand article at BootHunter, we connected with one of the recent wave of boot manufacturers in Indonesia, …

Kicking It with BootHunter – Chippewa Boots: USA Made Pitstop Logger Work Boots 29437

“The burly woodsman who attacks the diminutive pine of the east must experience remorse, as would a strong man who made war upon a boy, but [the Redwood] is something to compel his respect; he must feel that in grappling with these monsters he is doing the work of a Hercules.” ― Jared Farmer, Trees in Paradise: A California History

Inspired and in fact necessitated by the logging industry of the…

At BootHunter, one of the first vintage boots we purchases was a pair of hiking boots crafted by Fracap 1908.

Soon after, we ordered a pair of their hiking boots and a pair of their oxfords.We worked with Fracap selecting the leathers and colors of the upper, lining, midsole, outsole, lacing hardware, and laces. We’ve included pictures of the manufacturing process. We’ve worn both pairs across three continents, in Vietnam, the United States, and in Denmark, where they’re being put to the test by some of our BootHunter contributors.  (See Photos Below)

We just finished an in-depth interview with Fracap 1908 and learned a great deal which we are sharing with you on this iconic Italian boot brand.

The Founding

Fracap 1908 is, as many Italian companies, a family affair, founded in 1908 by Antonio Cappello. The company was initially known as Cappello, and focused on the design of boots for use in agriculture.

The Origin of the Name

In 1948, the name Fracap was adopted, a contraction of two words, “Fratelli Cappello” (Cappello Brothers). The name Fracap referred to the two sons of founder Antonio, who took over the factory that year.

The Importance of the Fracap Brand Story

Today, the brand story is more important than ever. Michele and Antonio, grandsons of Antonio, explained to us that today’s consumers are looking for genuine and authentic stories more than ever. The brand story has taken on ever greater importance with today’s social media culture, story telling and sharing has opened a new era for small companies and family businesses in particular.

Italian Heritage

The company’s rugged homeland, The Province of Lecce, in the Apulia region of Italy is appropriately located in the ‘heel of the boot’ referring to the shape of the Italian peninsula. The brothers refer to the region as “a brave territory nestled between rocks, sand and sea.” The region is steeped in classic Mediterranean and Italian history, with Roman and Greek heritage. The Cappello’s say it also that history, legacy, and continuity that form the basis and inspiration for the brand.

The Continuous Art of Crafted Manufacture

Fracap manufactures in the same way they did back in 1908. There is an art and a passion to handcrafting each pair of boots personally in the workshop from the best leather on earth. The brothers, their employees, and customers alike enjoy sharing this process with the growing number of consumers across the globe who are interested in the story.

Beyond Trends, The Passion & Driving Force Behind the Brand

Fracap remains a small company that believes in quality and long lasting products. When taken care of, Fracap 1908 boots can be worn 20 years or more. That does not mean their consumers don’t put the boots to the test, for endurance is also key. The brothers operate with the belief that if you base your success solely on trends, you will die with those trends. Fracap believes in the design and manufacture of products that are appreciated for their qualities as a boot, in terms of comfort, material, design and durability. The Cappello’s said “when you have developed and maintain those qualities, the consumer who seeks great products will sustain the brand beyond trends.”

Fracap 1908 Fans are Unique

The men and women who love Fracap have a wild side, but are still elegant and sophisticated. They are people who are instinctively attracted by beauty in all of its aspects from nature to art esthetic is key.

Fracap’s Perspective on the Boot Renaissance

The Cappello’s also marvel at the emerging interest in leather boots and shoes as part of a global shift towards attention to natural products. The global challenge of sustainability is bringing consumers back to products that respect both the needs of consumer and planet. The base materials of all their boots are sourced through a natural process, their long lasting quality encourages owners to wear, cherish, and resole them rather than dispose of them.

The Fracap Future

The brothers say that the goal remains the same as at the founding of the company, crafting the finest boots and shoes by hand with the best materials sourced and manufactured in Italy and distributed across the globe.

The Fracap Legacy

The Cappello’s believe their legacy is a multigenerational business, family founded and operated, with manufacture in the same place where the company was born in 1908.

We agree with the Cappello’s that Fracap 1908 are genuine as no other.

    An Italian Bootmaking Legacy

For us it all started with the discovery of one beautiful pair of old hiking boots!

We’re Hunting Denim! Boots + Denim Collaboration with Dixon Rand

WHAT’S BETTER THAN DENIM & BOOTS ? 

Take beautifully milled & stitched denim & accessories and tailor them with iconic boots by Red Wing. 

We’ve joined forces with Dixon Rand in celebrating the history & heritage of Red Wing boots. 

BootHunter has teamed up with Dixon Rand to create a capsule of Chainstitch Embroidered patches & denim accessories. 

Produced in limited quantities with the limited…

A Bespoke Cobbler in Old Saigon

Check out these innovative bespoke shoe makers who begin the process of custom making shoes with a 3D scan performed after you’ve been on your feet all day.  That’s right, when your fee…

Source: A Bespoke Cobbler in Old Saigon

The concept for Veritas Bespoke was born from two entrepreneurs in Vietnam & Canada who wanted to solve the problem men faced when purchasing business or formal shoes and boots, sizing and fit.

Crafting some of the most elegant & well made shoes on the market, Veritas combines a focus on handcrafted leather working & 3D scan technology for the ideal fit & timeless style.

We visited the Veritas shop in District 1 of Saigon last fall and met co-founder Thanh Le who set us up with a pair of beautiful Norwegian welt books in oxblood (pictured above in the slide show) and a beautiful midnight blue dress lace up oxford.  Be sure to check these guys out online, and in store either in Saigon Vietnam or Vancouver Canada. We were so impressed that we published a @stellerstories visual story about them on Steller.

Veritas Bespoke Website

A Bespoke Cobbler in Old Saigon

Check out these innovative bespoke shoe makers who begin the process of custom making shoes with a 3D scan performed after you’ve been on your feet all day.