Sagara Cordmaster

After winning the pair, I spoke to Neil on the phone and he led me to the Cordmasters on the website. My first pick would have been the same boot, but in Black, as my previous Dome boots are the only other brown boot in my wardrobe. However, they were sold out with an uncertain restocking date. I selected the Toscanello Horsebutt instead, but requested reverse medial quarter panels. I personally love mismatching shoes (that are still clearly a pair) and knew that I wanted to get something that felt “like me”, if possible. Plus, I have a soft spot for roughout and it’s one of my favourite materials to watch age/patina. Stylistically, I was excited to try out a monkey boot for the first time and they didn’t disappoint! They’re not subtle, and definitely not a common fixture in women’s fashion (especially not in this shape/last). I love em.

With the help of a friend (who is a shoemaker!), I sent my foot tracings and measurements to S&S, who passed them along to Sagara. Bagus made a sizing recommendation, which made sense with my brannock size, so I confirmed the sizing and we went ahead. It was my first time having boots made for me, beyond ones I made myself, so I’m grateful that the sizing has been spot on.

I don’t have any real complaints! I connected with Neil in June 2022, after having won the pair through the first year of the Stitchdown Patina Thunderdome (#17). I got my sizing sent over in September and we confirmed it in November. At the time, I was quoted about “4 months but could be sooner”. They ended up arriving at my apartment in August 2023. Perhaps because I work in the industry, or own a small business, but none of this phased me. I’m grateful to have won a pair, and felt like I was in good hands with the S&S team. My intention was always to wear them in the next Dome (since I buy a new pair of boots every 2-5 years usually), so I wasn’t chomping at the bit.