I was initially looking for a pair of lace to toe boots in natural horsebutt since I really liked the pattern and aged look of the pair that took second place in last year’s contest. I reached out to Bagus and he happened to have this pair in stock so I went for it.
Standard & Strange recommended true to brannock so I trusted that and it was dead on.
Fast and easy. Arrived 4-5 days after purchase.
This pair has been my go to for every type of casual outing. Hikes, errands, yardwork, snow removal, and lots and lots of dog walks. I received this pair right before my wife and I closed on our first home. I had to rush my opening dome photos to meet with painters and floor guys and broke them in as we were getting the house ready for move in. Pretty much everything I did at the house for the first time, I did with these shoes on. The handmade artisanal quality has been a joy to experience. There is so much more potential to be explored within these boots.
It’s taken on a subtle irregular patina as the TPR finish has gradually worn away, a little bit like a teacore or a marbled effect. Gashes and scrapes gradually blend.
Darkened with use and absorbed plenty of dirt and indigo. The orange aspect really pops in direct sunlight and the grain pattern is interesting as well.
Fit is great. Works with thick or thin socks. I love the locked in fit you get with lace to toe. Toe is pretty bulbous, but it works well for this type of boot.
Top notch. I’ve worn these almost every day for the past 6 months. The heel and sole will need to be replaced at some point but the rest of the shoe feels bullet proof. The braided welt and the dense stitching on the upper are eye catching. The different shades of brown that Bagus combined for the upper become more complimentary as the leather ages. The design has a lot going on, but still feels well integrated. The only real downside of these boots is they are heavy and extremely chunky. Not ideal if you need to be light on your feet. This pair was conditioned twice. Once half way through the dome, and again at the end. Brushed 2-3 times a month or whenever they got covered in dirt.
It’s a game changer for me. Enough grip to do everything you’d want to do in a rubber soled shoe with a nice low profile, and it’s durable as well.
I’d highly recommend Sagara as a maker, and I feel like the Indonesian bootmakers (some Chinese as well) offer an amazing value proposition if you are able to navigate the ordering process and the wait times. I was lucky that these were available as ready-to-wear.