Dehner
Tank Boot (Strap)
The Dehner Company, Inc.
These Dehner's are my third pair of tanker boots. I have the Eastman/John Lofgren version and the Nick's heritage version as well. After learning a bit about their history, I came to find out the Eastman/Lofgren ones were actually based on the orginals made by Dehner. So I had to get the originals. Previously, being a big engineer boot guy, which I still love, tank boots have become my new all-time favorite boot style. The block heel and overall military aesthics give these boots a tough yet oddly elegant look. And the way the straps uniquely wrap around the tall shaft, preventing heels slip and creating a slimmer silhouette, are features that really do it for me.
Dehner has you take about eight different measurements of your foot, including ball, instep, length, ankle, calf, and heel. They even have you submit a tracing of your foot. On top of all of that, they also want to know your brannock measurement as one more additional data point. This way, they can customize a made-to-measure last for you. This offers the customer the best fit possible.
So Dehner is old school. They do not have an e-commerce website where you point, click, and submit payment. Think ordering circa 1995. It's quite literally like ordering from a catalog with the physical order forms and mailing in a personal check. I love it. This is probably why nobody really has these cool boots! So you can score some hipster points there if that's your thing. That being said the customer service is very helpful and accommodating. For example, when they received my order form via snail mail, they gave me a call, as I request, and I was able to make some customization that they don't typically do, such as having a unstructured toe. Also, sizing was very thorough. They also ask for you to submit about 8 different measurements of your foot, plus a tracing in order to get the best fit they can offer. Overall a great ordering experience.
These tank strap boots were my everyday work boots for the past 6 months. As a laborer, I did almost everything you can imagine in them. Crawled under houses, did dump runs, dug holes, got wet, walked the aisle of Home Depot. I also wore them casually from time to time because who wants to run home to change your boots after work everytime. Especially when you have such cool, stylish boots like these Dehner tankers.
There was virtually zero break-in with this soft calfskin roughout. It merely molded to my foot, ankle, and calf. I never had a single hot spot or wear area in these boots, and I think that's due to the modified last Dehner adjusts for each customer. The roughout leather held up incredibly good on the job sites, resistanting lacerations, scuffs, and stains. With this leathers low maintenance, I don't see choosing another leather type other than roughout for my line of work. As for patina, this roughout leather soaked up the indigo from my jeans like a sponge. It also darkened slightly over the course of 6 months but still maintained that light golden tan color that I love. The nep of the roughout leather became more raised and fluffy month my month from normal wear and tear.
This is thee best fit I have ever had on a boot. It's also my first made-to-measure boot, so I'm sure that is playing a roll. My foot feels locked in and is not scrunching my toes the slightest. The shaft hugs my calf and fits as it should. I will say my one complaint with the wearability is the rubber midsole. I feel a leather midsole would help take a more solid imprint of my foot, giving me more stability and comfort. I also think if the heel stack was leather instead of a composite material, the comfort level would also improve.
The design of this boot is a classic. I believe it is the same pattern they originally used in the 1930s when General Patton and Dehner came together to create it. This is 100% the reason why I bought this boot. The heritage, the history, and the originality. Objectively, the Eastman/Lofgren verison is a better boot. But the Dehner is the original. I would have preferred if Dehner used a few different materials such as the rubber midsoles, composite heel stacks, and celastic heel counters, but that's why it isn't priced like the Eastman/Lofgren. The stitching is spot on and is just as good as the repro versions, with laser straight, high SPI stitching.
Overall, it's a good sole. I've definitely had better, grippier, more shock absorbing soles. But it held up well over the past 6 months. It didn't wear down too quickly or start chunk off like you sometimes see. And it kept me from slipping and sliding around on the job site. That said, I will probably resole it with a Dr. Sole and truly upgrade the boot.
I think my favorite style feature on these boots is the unstructured toes. It gives them a sleek and unique look. Making an already stand-out boot stand out even more. And who could forget about the indigo crocking that has happened on these tankers over the past 6 months. Truly beautiful. These boots will go on to live a full life after the Patina Thunderdome as they are just getting started... but I'm already thinking about their resole.