Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Kreosote Boots

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
So we have some super cool boots and footwear around here. But there’s one American Maker I don’t see get enough attention and reviews and wanted others opinions and input if anyone actually owns any.
The owner makes super limited quantities as it’s literally just him alone on an oldschool work bench and bare minimum old machinery. I discovered them as he did a limited run with Left Field about a year ago. Was called MyG Handmade and now rebranded as Kreosote.

The boots are expensive. Much more than other American boot makers making similarly designed products. Around what a lot of Japanese brands charge.
Edit: should specify while the price is very very high I’m not judging the cost. If you go to his site you’ll see he only uses the absolute highest quality products, and he’s an absolute pro at stitching and finishing. His skill level and manhours that goes into doing this all by hand is worth it. My question is more anyone ever owned or handled and is it worth it compared to other similar brands? Not is it worth it cause of price.
I’ve seen one or two reviews on YouTube and they have raved about them.

Here’s the link To explore his work https://www.kreosote.com/shop-boots

and pictures of my two current favorite models. The Nail Shank, in which the shank is an old railroad spike. It’s a roughout leather hand dyed and sealed with a walnut oil combo.

second is a variation of a teacore called called Eight Ball

Been on my radar since I saw that Lefit Field Collab. Haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but with some feedback/input from here just may do so.

10A26F85-746B-4CDD-8EEC-3B44B969A46A.jpeg
35C0FBA6-4B6A-4561-B8B8-A9A6DB24FE54.jpeg
.
 
Last edited:

ctdair

New in Town
Messages
11
I like what I see. Too bad the KillSwitch 13 is a ladies boot. I like the look and would want a pair in mens size.
72929f_fa3b894ab50f488e96cae0da9e580609~mv2.webp
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
I like what I see. Too bad the KillSwitch 13 is a ladies boot. I like the look and would want a pair in mens size.
72929f_fa3b894ab50f488e96cae0da9e580609~mv2.webp
Ive heard the owner/maker I believe his name is Gabbard has been receptive in the past to doing mods and custom builds as long as youre willing to pay and/or provide materials. I would think tweaking the pattern on this wouldnt be that crazy. If that is true that hes open to it, I would shoot him an email.
 
Messages
16,402
I like these a lot, thought I can't tell the difference between all the models. Cool shape! It's essential to make these as interesting looking as possible or they won't stand out in the crowd.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
7C3EB922-5036-4F3D-9206-12A37FF2A8AA.png
0217D029-3126-428A-AA76-1165F41CB13F.png
I like these a lot, thought I can't tell the difference between all the models. Cool shape! It's essential to make these as interesting looking as possible or they won't stand out in the crowd.
Agree mostly. His thing is more about how he makes them. Like making his own walnut oil dye and seal, or using a rail road spike. Most of his models have something unique about the build more than the look. But I agree in the sense you can’t have like 6 models and 4 of them look the same, even if build is different. I think besides the nail shank boot his most unique and stand out boots are his motorcycle specific boots. They come in a couple colors but they are made with a thicker 5.5oz leather and the toes have 4 strips of harness leather to shift with, and protect from heat and scraps.
 

lina

Practically Family
Messages
973
Location
Washington DC
I corresponded with him a bit about possibly getting a pair, and he was very friendly and helpful. But I never pulled the trigger, partly because of the price and partly because at the time he didn’t quite have the materials I was looking for.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
I corresponded with him a bit about possibly getting a pair, and he was very friendly and helpful. But I never pulled the trigger, partly because of the price and partly because at the time he didn’t quite have the materials I was looking for.
Good to know. From the few reviews and things I’ve seen, Carl Murawksi has a review of the Nail Shanks actually if you take the time he has an order sheet with a map of how to measure a bunch of parts of your foot and ankle and he will literally make the boot exactly to your dimensions. If I do pull the trigger I am definitely doing that. When spending this kind of money it’s a super nice option to know they will 100% fit. That’s a check mark in his column for value for money. And again makers charge what they charge, so it’s no slight on any other making 1,000+ boots. Materials, import/export cost and labor all go into. But at this range it is a cool bonus.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Just finished reading the description of one of his pair of boots... wow
Yeah the leather is one thing. But if you actually read about the shank, the footbed, the stitching, the heel stacks etc.. that’s where the bang for the buck is. That’s what puts this on a different level from me. Any company can have Horween, cf stead, wicket and Craig etc.. but not everyone puts that much into everything surrounding it. That’s the sell to me. It’s pretty crazy actually.
 

Ernest P Shackleton

One Too Many
Messages
1,219
Location
Midwest
I love me some toe caps. Even a little ornate detailing around the edge of the leather can be sharp, but I can't do those extra ripples on the top of the cap. I also like the shape of the toe, that is headed toward the shape of a Packer, but not quite there. Not sure about the squaring of the cap as it comes up and over, though. For $1200, I'd fly myself to the west coast and have Westco or Nick's build boots exact to my feet. Once any handmade boot gets north of $600-650, they lose me. I'm sure they are very nice boots, but...
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,028
Messages
3,026,678
Members
52,533
Latest member
RacerJ
Top