Camp Boot

The boot features handsewn construction using natural Horween Chromexcel leather and is available with multiple sole options including SVIG Cortina Cork and Vibram Christy. Built on the 555 Last, the classic New England moccasin last, the Camp Boot provides medium-width comfort suitable for nearly all foot types. All Oak Street Bootmakers footwear is 100% recraftable, allowing repeated resoling for decades of use.

Oak Street Bootmakers was founded in 2010 by George Vlagos to preserve the tradition of American shoemaking. The company emerged from Vlagos's personal quest around 2008-2009 to find a "clean and simple" boot design when market trends favored over-embellished styles with decorative elements. His prototype design became the foundation for Oak Street's approach to heritage footwear, leading eventually to the development of the Camp Boot as part of their everyday boot collection.

The Camp Boot represents Oak Street Bootmakers' commitment to updating classic American boot styles while maintaining their essential character. Drawing from Maine Guide and Hunting boot traditions that served outdoorsmen for generations, the design preserves the water-resistant construction and practical features of these working boots while incorporating modern comfort and construction techniques.

The Camp Boot utilizes handsewn construction, a method evolved from Native American moccasins introduced to New England settlers during the Fur Trade. This construction method provides flexibility and comfort compared to other boot construction techniques while maintaining durability for outdoor use.

The boot's upper is crafted from Horween Chromexcel leather, made using proprietary techniques and formulas developed over 100 years ago in a factory still owned and operated by the Horween family in Chicago. Chromexcel is characterized by a rich pull-up in full aniline, hand-rubbed finish, comfort, and durability. The leather develops patina—the distinctive darkening and color variation that occurs with wear over time.

Key construction features include water-resistant seams bound by waxed natural handsewn thread and tone-on-tone stitching, an unlined form-fitting inner for enhanced comfort, rawhide laces for authenticity and durability, and low-profile pulls anchored by box x-stitch construction. The boot incorporates a gusset tongue design to prevent water penetration during outdoor activities.

All Camp Boots are built on the 555 Last, described as the classic New England moccasin last with medium width and broad toe. This last shape provides comfortable fit for nearly all foot types and represents a design well known to generations of outdoorsmen from Down East.

Oak Street Bootmakers offers the Camp Boot in two primary leather configurations, each with distinct styling elements. The Natural Chromexcel version features a single-vamp classic upper with pull-ups and antique brass eyelets, providing a cleaner, more minimalist appearance suitable for both outdoor use and casual wear.

The Brown Chromexcel version incorporates a double-vamp mudguard upper with pull-ups and polished brass eyelets. This variant includes a 360-degree mud guard that encircles the upper with a drum-tight handsewn moc toe, offering enhanced protection against water and debris. The brown version also features a gusset tongue in glove-soft brown Seidel leather for additional comfort and weather protection.

Sole options include the SVIG Cortina Cork lugged sole, a durable but lightweight rubber-cork compound molded in Italy with lugs that provide traction and shock absorption. Alternatively, the Vibram Christy sole from Vibram's Italian-made Heritage Series offers a lightweight blown rubber construction that provides sneaker-like comfort and good traction on natural terrain and pavement alike.

The Camp Boot retails for $368 and represents Oak Street Bootmakers' philosophy of creating high-quality products that customers can afford while maintaining traditional American construction methods. Like all Oak Street Bootmakers footwear, the Camp Boot is 100% recraftable and backed by their Factory Guarantee.