Footwear to go with our jackets

[matchankh]

Flame Panda put out another batch of rtw and I found another pair in my size. They are in tan Horween CXL Tan. Oh man these are chunky.

I was expecting to go through the signature not so fun break in period of a pair of flame pandas but it came as a surprise that these boots are unlined. They are already very comfortable as soon as I put them on. I highly recommend to consider the unlined option if you don’t want to feel like wearing a pair of tanks for the first few months.

 

[ABCD]

I've been looking for a pair of chunky boots that are non-Americana for a while, which wasn't all that easy because most quality made European style boots can be categorized as dress shoes/boots. I finally found these Silvano Sassetti Chukka boots which I think are awesome.

Silvano Sassetti is an Italian maker that is unknown to many, probably because they mostly produce shoes for fashion labels such as Ralph Lauren (Purple Label) or Tom Ford. They've been in the shoemaking business since 1977 and produce high quality shoes using different construction techniques ranging from cemented to more fancy construction techniques like Goodyear Welt or Norwegian.

They also sell shoes under their own 'Sassetti' label at various boutiques around Europe and Japan.

In terms of construction techniques these Chukka boots are not the fancies (Blake Rapid) but that doesn't mean these are of lesser quality than let's say a pair of Goodyear welted boots. I own a pair of Blake Rapid Ralph Lauren Engineer Boots made by Sassetti which I've been wearing regularly for over 10 years now and they're still going strong. The uppers are made of (very thick) pull up calf leather but they also have horsehide options. Also check out their sustainable brandline which offers shoes that are entirely made out of natural materials.

 

[Will Zach]

They look very nice, Marc - old timey style but kinda dressy at the same time.

 

[Tom71]

I've been looking for a pair of chunky boots that are non-Americana for a while, which wasn't all that easy because most quality made European style boots can be categorized as dress shoes/boots. I finally found these Silvano Sassetti Chukka boots which I think are awesome.

Silvano Sassetti is an Italian maker that is unknown to many, probably because they mostly produce shoes for fashion labels such as Ralph Lauren (Purple Label) or Tom Ford. They've been in the shoemaking business since 1977 and produce high quality shoes using different construction techniques ranging from cemented to more fancy construction techniques like Goodyear Welt or Norwegian.

They also sell shoes under their own 'Sassetti' label at various boutiques around Europe and Japan.

In terms of construction techniques these Chukka boots are not the fancies (Blake Rapid) but that doesn't mean these are of lesser quality than let's say a pair of Goodyear welted boots. I own a pair of Blake Rapid Ralph Lauren Engineer Boots made by Sassetti which I've been wearing regularly for over 10 years now and they're still going strong. The uppers are made of (very thick) pull up calf leather but they also have horsehide options. Also check out their sustainable brandline which offers shoes that are entirely made out of natural materials.

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Very nice, Marc. They remind me a lot of my old Moma Boots. Also an Italian bookmaker, producing a lot of vintage inspired boots in a very nice calf leather. Only trouble (and the reason I eventually went back to British and American makers was) was the sloppy construction of the insides. All leathers too, but falling apart all to easily.

 

[marker2037]

Allen Edmonds Higgins Mill

 

[Will Zach]

^^
Are these shell cordovan? How do you like Higgins Mill boots? I am looking at them.

 

[marker2037]

^^
Are these shell cordovan? How do you like Higgins Mill boots? I am looking at them.

No, these are not shell, they are buccaneer leather (almost identical to chromexcel although the site now says that burgundy is chromexcel, however when they first came out Ashley at AE Charleston told me they were buccaneer).

The Higgins Mill is an amazing boot. Super comfortable, great last. One of my favorite boot designs in my collection. I have them in natty CXL as well. I rate them up with my Indys as my most comfortable, most versatile boots.

Only thing I would change on these is switching from the XL Extralight sole to a different commando like the Itshide when it's time to resole, or the standard Dainite. The XL sole is very light and not my normal preference, but it's also fine to mix things up as well and have a different feel. My natty's have the Dainite.

 

[Jin431]

Scored this fairly new common projects for half the the msrp. It's more comfy than my daily chuck taylor or adidas campus. The leather upper is okay, I thought it would be nicer though. I'll most likely get an all black pair but will not buy it new.

 

[Jin431]

Benzein Black Badalassi Chelsea

 

[Mich486]

Old Joe HH engineers

 

[jglf]

Santalum derby shoes in natural cxl with white stitching and Dr. Soles. I chose them because they are the only Indo maker I found that uses 5+oz leather for the uppers and don’t line the shafts.

Pros:
*Quality and stitching are comparable to other makers I’ve seen.

*Uses thick upper leathers that don’t need lining.


Cons:
*Midsole they use is pretty thin. Funny how they use thicker upper leathers than other makers but thinner bottom leathers.

*They skive the vamp leather all the way down to nothing where it meets the shaft on in the inside of the boot which I don’t like although it is quadruple stitched.

*Sizing is about 1 width too wide which is a common problem I have when I send in tracing and foot measurements.

*The tongue is way too thick 6+oz leather and is fully gusseted which prevented me from tightening the shoes and made them very uncomfortable where it folds. I had to cut the tongue to a half gusset.


Pricing and communication was all par for the course. Overall, not bad but I think I’m done with Indo makers and will stick with PNW makers as their lasts, materials, and styling are more to my liking even though their finishing *****.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Those flame pandas are stunning @matchankh !
@Marc mndt I'm not a chukka boot guy, but those auit you well. I dig them more than most chukkas

 

[Turnip]

Dry and not too cold today => Something comfortable and rugged from Hungary for a long walk with the girlie today...

 

[hughesovka]

Anybody have any experience with Jim Green Razorbacks? I need a good pair of durable boots and I hear these are iron tough and are used extensively in South Africa

 

[Turnip]

I’d rather go for a pair of Bertls instead. Mid weight mountain boots, 3.5mm - 4mm strong Russian leather, double stitched construction, Made In Germanski.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Some Nick's Falcon's with cap toe for today. Mini-Vibram sole so a little more capable in snow.
Very comfortable boots once broken in.

 

[lina]

Some Nick's Falcon's with cap toe for today. Mini-Vibram sole so a little more capable in snow.
Very comfortable boots once broken in.

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I’d be interested to see a straight on side shot of these if you have a chance. They look good!

 

[lina]

Santalum derby shoes in natural cxl with white stitching and Dr. Soles. I chose them because they are the only Indo maker I found that uses 5+oz leather for the uppers and don’t line the shafts.

Pros:
*Quality and stitching are comparable to other makers I’ve seen.

*Uses thick upper leathers that don’t need lining.


Cons:
*Midsole they use is pretty thin. Funny how they use thicker upper leathers than other makers but thinner bottom leathers.

*They skive the vamp leather all the way down to nothing where it meets the shaft on in the inside of the boot which I don’t like although it is quadruple stitched.

*Sizing is about 1 width too wide which is a common problem I have when I send in tracing and foot measurements.

*The tongue is way too thick 6+oz leather and is fully gusseted which prevented me from tightening the shoes and made them very uncomfortable where it folds. I had to cut the tongue to a half gusset.


Pricing and communication was all par for the course. Overall, not bad but I think I’m done with Indo makers and will stick with PNW makers as their lasts, materials, and styling are more to my liking even though their finishing *****.

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Yeah, seems odd to have fully gusseted derby shoes..

 

[Walter Neff1940]

I looked at the Higgins Mill shoe, but who can afford the 445.00 price tag?

 

[AeroFan_07]

I’d be interested to see a straight on side shot of these if you have a chance. They look good!

Thanks Lina - it just so happens I had some photos of these when I first received them. I took quite a few detailed shots as they appear to have been "damaged" in the cap toe area - like someone had taken a small hammer to them and dented the surface of the leather a bit. I decided not to pursue an ebay case or ask for a refund - as they were only 50% of the original price and no waiting to receive them. Plus they fit me very well. So bear that in mind - this is not how Nick's boots typically look when new or even used.