Best fitting boot I’ve tried

manco8 months ago
Oak Street Bootmakers Trench BootSeidel Light Brown Mustang
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Use & wear

Office Work
Travel
Humid Climate
Outdoor Activities
Leisure

My regular wear includes ~5-7 miles walking per day, but no significant exposure to extreme elements. A few casual hikes, many days in the office and walking around Austin TX, and many long walks with my son and our dog in the country.

Leather

Seidel Light Brown Mustang
Patina Process
Care Routine
Break-In
Color Change
Durability

The Mustang leather began as a near orange-brown, with a soft dry feel. With use, the leather began to darken immediately, and is now a deep red-brown with sugary break in the quarters. After conditioning the boots are shiny and smooth, but within a few days return to their normal soft dry feel. The leather really displays burnish where constant friction is applied. For example, the areas under the leather laces are dark and oily looking. Scratches rub out with water and vigorous brushing, but the wax content is not nearly as “self-healing” as other leathers I’ve owned like Seidel Double Shot or Horween Dublin. Scratches take a while to buff out, but so far no scratches have remained permanent. I condition the boots periodically with Venetian Shoe Cream and brush them every day. They are stored with cedar boot trees every night. Break in was difficult for 3-5 days where the heel counters caused friction and blisters to form. After a few weeks wearing Mike skin, the boots are now extremely comfortable and flexible.

Fit

Elston Last: 10US Men's Brannock: 10EE
Toe Box
Comfort
Heel
Arch
Socks
Length Feels Right
Volume Feels Right
Ball Feels Right
Satisfied with the Fit

Fit is perfect for me! I think I have narrow heels and wide toes (for example, my Parkhurst 602M boots are extremely loose in the heel, and yet my pinky toes rub in the front). I’m a 10E on the brannock and the Oak Street 10 fits me great. Heel feels locked in and tight, shafting the boot grips by leg nicely, and the toe box is wonderfully wide for my broad toe spread. These are the first welted shoes in which I immediately enjoyed the fit. I will be replacing my existing collection with more Elston last boots from Oak Street in the coming months. Arch support is relatively minimal. This is not an issue for me, but these boots certainly lack the firm, high arch of a PNW boot. Boots feel great with thin or thick socks due to the generous toes box, but for snugly due to the nicely tight heels. Love the fit!

Craftsmanship

Oak Street Bootmakers Trench Boot
Design
Construction
Finishing
Stitching
Hardware
Clicking

At first I felt the toe box looked a little boomy and broad, but after two months my other boots look dainty by comparison. These boots make your feet look longer and less stubby than a Truman boot, while less narrow or pointed as an almond shaped boot like Parkhurst or Grant Stone. Design looks great to me after a few weeks wear. Quality was good. One welt stitch hole missed but I don’t mind. Otherwise perfect stitching. The eyelets and hooks feel sturdier than some other brands. Clicking is unique. The quarters on my boots are VERY different colors and textures, but I love it. If you want 100% consistency maybe the clicking isn’t perfect. But if you want a piece of hand made gear with authenticity and individuality the clicking was PERFECT!

Sole & heel

Vibram 430 Oil-Resisting Mini-Lug Full SoleLess than a day, current sole
Durability
Traction
Comfort
Design

Vibrant 430 became my favorite heel design within 3 days of owning these boots. Sleeker than lugged soles and do not trap rocks and sticks inside the mini lugs. More slip resistant and durable than Dainite. This sole is the perfect compromise for me between form and function.

Vibram 430Worn for less than a day, current heel
Comfort
Durability
Traction
Design

Heel looks great - nice profile with the all rubber bottom. Tread is super grippy; no issues with any slips or falls. Extremely comfortable. I think I prefer these to Dainite soles, and I DEFINITELY prefer them to lugged soles.

Final thoughts

Good Value
Would Recommend

Absolutely love these boots. Would recommend. Already planning to buy plain toe trench boots in other leathers soon.

Written by manco
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