The 5515 is a made-to-order military-inspired boot manufactured by Iron Boots in Guangzhou, China. Priced at $775, the model represents the company's approach to traditional handmade boot construction using modern materials and techniques. The boot is built on Iron Boots' new M43 last, which features a wide toe box and anatomical toe shape designed to provide heel grip and arch support.
The 5515 is constructed entirely by hand using channeled insole construction methods, with each pair taking five to nine months to complete depending on the season. Iron Boots offers multiple construction options for the model, including stitchdown and handwelt variations, allowing customers to customize their boots according to preference.
The 5515 utilizes Iron Boots' new M43 last, which features a wide toe box and anatomical toe shape designed to provide great heel grip and arch support. The company offers three construction options for the model: stitchdown, handwelt with plain welt, and handwelt with welt fudging. All construction is completed by hand using channeled insole construction methods.
Iron Boots employs distinctive material choices in the 5515's construction. The boot uses felt as filler material instead of the traditional cork commonly found in heritage footwear. The shank is made from leather rather than steel, and the toe and heel areas feature leather stiffeners. The insole construction involves hand-welting, hand-lasting, hand-bottoming, and hand-sewn outsole attachment.
The company sources most materials from Europe and North America, including high-quality leather lining described as comparable to luxury bag materials. This combination of traditional construction methods with modern material choices distinguishes the 5515 from conventional heritage boot designs.
The 5515 is available exclusively as a made-to-order product priced at $775. Lead times vary by season, with orders placed from March to October requiring five months for completion, while orders from November to February require six to nine months. The extended winter lead time reflects increased demand during the colder months.
Default sizing ranges from size 5 to 13 in widths D, E, and EEE. Custom sizes are available for an additional 15% charge beyond the base price. Iron Boots recommends sizing the 5515 the same as other United States Pacific Northwest boots such as Red Wing, Wolverine, Whites, Alden, and Viberg, typically half a size down from Brannock measurements.
Due to the made-to-order nature of the product, Iron Boots does not accept returns or provide refunds for the 5515. Customers are encouraged to use the company's sizing guidance and consultation services to ensure proper fit before placing orders.
The 5515 is handmade by Kai and five teammates at Iron Boots' studio in Guangzhou, China. The six-person team completes all construction processes by hand, including upper assembly, hand-lasting, stitching, polishing, and outsole attachment. This small-scale production approach ensures individual attention to each pair while maintaining the company's quality standards.
Iron Boots was founded in 2015 in Guangzhou and has maintained its focus on traditional handmade construction methods. The company's approach emphasizes smaller heel blocks and narrower waist designs compared to typical heritage boots, creating a distinctive aesthetic profile for the 5515 and other models in their range.
The manufacturing process reflects Iron Boots' commitment to traditional bootmaking techniques while incorporating modern material science. Each pair undergoes the complete handmade process from cutting to finishing, with quality control maintained throughout the production cycle by the small team of specialized craftspeople.
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"5515 Collection". Iron Boots. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
"Introduce Iron Boots". Iron Boots. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
"Size Guide". Iron Boots. Retrieved September 11, 2025.