Endurance Leather Co. Unlisted Model

Oh dear, what a ride. I’d say these are the second pair of boots I’ve made which I’m actually proud of. The nice thing about making one’s own shoes is that experimentation is super low risk—and with these I experimented a lot. I made up a new pattern, which is based on the ammunition boots worn by Canadian soldiers in WW2. I experimented in other ways with overdying Chromexcel horsehide. That process is still a work in progress because the dye didn’t take very well to the leather, but I suppose that was a happy thing because I think the tea core on these boots is turning out pretty well, especially on the heel stay. I also got the chance to try out some new soles too! I started out with a Gerberei Martin leather sole, the toe of which unfortunately wore out within the first two months. I switched that to a Vibram Christy sole which I immediately regretted as it turns out I don’t like the feeling of standing on a wet sponge (I will say, however, that the wedge sole is quite nice for ladder work). The third and final sole is a Vibram Eton, which has been perfect for me. I’m a gas fitter by trade, installing residential furnaces, so as I’m going in and out of people’s houses, it’s nice not to be tracking too much dirt everywhere. I’ve worn these boots nearly every day of the dome. To work mostly, but also to church, weddings, graduations, bbqs, etc., and I’m not planning to stop wearing them any time soon. I think that if I had to reduce the collection to just one pair, these would be it. I didn’t expect to be so fond of these boots. I thought they would get beat up and destroyed at work, but they’ve resiliently endured, and I’m pleased to lace them up each morning.