About
The FiCTioN is a limited edition boot model produced by KREOSOTE, the one-man bootmaking operation of JD Gabbard based in St. Louis, Missouri. Released in two colorway variations—FiCTioN-bLACk (2022) and FiCTioN-bLUe (2023)—each version is limited to 10 pairs and features an 11-inch top height with a distinctive backstay incorporating 13 ornate cubical sewn shapes. The boots are constructed using traditional European and American cordwainer methods with Wickett & Craig Harness leather and require a 4.5-year wait list with full payment at ordering.
About
The FiCTioN is a limited edition boot model produced by KREOSOTE, the one-man bootmaking operation of JD Gabbard based in St. Louis, Missouri. Released in two colorway variations—FiCTioN-bLACk (2022) and FiCTioN-bLUe (2023)—each version is limited to 10 pairs and features an 11-inch top height with a distinctive backstay incorporating 13 ornate cubical sewn shapes. The boots are constructed using traditional European and American cordwainer methods with Wickett & Craig Harness leather and require a 4.5-year wait list with full payment at ordering.
Construction
The FiCTioN employs German hand-stitched welt construction with a hammered flat metal nail shank. The in-sole uses veg tanned 12 iron with 360-degree German handcut holdfast and channel construction. The boot features structured 3oz veg tanned heel counters and a beveled, straight-cut leather heel measuring 1.5 inches, capped with a half-inch KREOSOTE rubber heel cap.
Materials
The uppers are constructed from Wickett & Craig Harness 5.5oz full grain veg tanned leather in Natural Russet with grain side out. The FiCTioN-bLACk version is hand-dyed by Gabbard with a base color of red-rust, then over-dyed in jet-black. The FiCTioN-bLUe version features hand-dyed oil ink over-dyeing in velvet-blue over a natural base color.
The FiCTioN-bLUe colorway draws design inspiration from DillonJamesWyatt (1845-1948), though specific details about this historical reference remain limited.
Availability
As Made to Measure (MTM) boots, each pair of FiCTioN boots is constructed from the client's personal foot calculations following KREOSOTE's standard kustom-built process. With only 10 pairs of each colorway produced, the FiCTioN represents one of the most exclusive offerings from the maker. The current wait list extends to approximately 4.5 years, with full payment required at the time of ordering. Pricing aligns with the maker's typical range of around $2,000 or more for made-to-measure boots.
References
"FiCTioN-bLACk 2022". KREOSOTE. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
"FiCTioN-bLUe". KREOSOTE. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
"St. Louisan J.D. Gabbard Crafts Footwear to Last a Lifetime". Ladue News. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
