Horween Black Chromexcel Horsehide
Two of my favorite attributes of these boots after six months are most obvious in this picture. I’m in love with the grain texture and shaft fades from pant leg abrasion right under the embossed Role Club logo. And the extreme fading and roll on the inside back of the left boot as it smooths out into that toe collapse.
Taken on April 6, 2024
2023-2024 Open Thunderdome, April submission
Role Club
Engineer Boots
Role Club
I am learning to make handmade boots and have been lucky enough to have been invited by Brian to sit in and learn a bit in his famed shop in LA. He is my biggest inspiration, so for my Dome boots I asked him to pick the spec he felt best represented Role Club and make that for me so I could represent his work proudly in the Thunderdome. He said 1940 last, black hand dyed cxl hh engineer with a leather sole was his favorite build. I asked him if he could slap an embossed deco anniversary sole on it for a little flair and away we went. Shortly after I received mine, he introduced this exact makeup as a limited edition run on his website. These boots have become a guiding beacon for me, a tower on the horizon as I move through the sometimes murky fog of learning this archaic but essential craft. Watching the beauty of these boots bloom as I wore them and being able to sit down with my hero and inspiration and learn from him has kept me focused and hungry to learn as fast as I can and hopefully be able to match his monolithic craftsmanship some day. When I get to that level, I dream of one day celebrating by collaborating on a make up with the man himself.
Brian sized me in person. He took a traditional size 29 1940 last and built out the ball area for me as my feet are in between a D and E. Brian sizes in cm.
I made an appointment with Brian and went to his shop and discussed my preferences in person.