Stevens (Plain Toe)

Built with a five-inch full grain water-resistant leather upper and Dainite sole, the Stevens Plain Toe is designed for durability while offering a sleeker toe profile compared to White's traditional work boots. The boot maintains the company's signature arch support and hand-welted construction methods that have been passed down since 1853, making it fully rebuildable and resoleable.

The model is named after Stevens Street in Spokane, Washington, where White's Boots maintained their original downtown location until 1970, reflecting the company's practice of naming lifestyle boots after Spokane city streets.

White's Boots developed the Stevens Plain Toe as part of their expansion into lifestyle and heritage footwear markets while maintaining traditional construction methods. The boot represents the company's effort to create a more refined appearance without sacrificing the durability and craftsmanship associated with their work boot heritage.

The model incorporates the newly developed 5050 Arch-Ease™ last, which offers a lower arch profile for easier break-in compared to White's traditional work boot lasts while maintaining essential arch support. This design innovation addresses customer demand for heritage construction in a more accessible package.

The Stevens name follows White's naming convention for lifestyle boots, honoring Spokane's Stevens Street where the company's original downtown facility was located at the corner of Main Street and Stevens until 1970. White's relocated to their current Ferry Avenue facility in the mid-1990s but continues to honor their Spokane heritage through product naming.

The Stevens Plain Toe employs White's traditional hand-sewn stitchdown construction, a process that involves hand-lasting, hand-welting, and hand-bottoming by master bootmakers. During the hand-welting process, craftspeople use an awl and thread to stitch the vamp directly into the insole at three stitches per inch, creating a durable and water-resistant seam.

The boot features a five-inch full grain water-resistant leather upper designed to absorb high impact while maintaining flexibility. The construction includes a leather midsole and shank that provides custom fit and feel, with the leather components molding to the wearer's foot over time like a second skin.

Hand-sewn stitchdown construction eliminates the need for canvas welt strips used in Goodyear welting or adhesives used in standard stitchdown methods. This approach creates what White's considers the most durable construction type available, offering superior longevity compared to machine-stitched alternatives while maintaining full rebuildability.

The boot is built on the 5050 Arch-Ease™ last, which provides a sleek toe profile without sacrificing traditional arch support. The 5050 last features a lower arch than White's work boot lasts such as the 55, resulting in an easier break-in period while maintaining the company's signature foot positioning and comfort.

The Stevens Plain Toe is constructed with Horween Chromexcel leather, available in British tan and Natural CXL options. The boot features full leather lining throughout and utilizes thick leather sections cut from the best portions of hides for superior flexibility and durability.

The outsole consists of Dainite rubber with a block heel designed for light wear applications. This sole choice provides grip and durability while maintaining the dressy appearance appropriate for the boot's intended use. The combination of Dainite sole with the leather midsole and shank creates a balanced foundation suitable for various surfaces.

Construction specifications include model number W2100-D, with the boot being fully rebuildable and resoleable. The hand-sewn stitchdown construction allows for multiple resoles throughout the boot's lifespan, with White's offering rebuild services that replace everything except the quarter leather at half the cost of a new boot.

The leather components are sourced from American suppliers when possible, maintaining White's commitment to domestic materials and supporting the company's made-in-America heritage that contributed to their 2014 acquisition by LaCrosse Footwear.

The Stevens Plain Toe follows White's general sizing recommendations, with most customers requiring a half size down from their standard sneaker size or Brannock measurement. The 5050 Arch-Ease™ last accommodates various foot shapes while providing the company's signature arch support in a more moderate profile.

White's offers the Stevens in widths B, C, D, and EE, with wide sizes E and EE available through made-to-order options. The boot is available in sizes ranging across White's standard size range, with custom fitting services available for customers requiring special accommodations.

The 5050 last features a lower arch design compared to White's traditional work boot lasts, resulting in a reduced break-in period while maintaining essential foot support. Customers typically experience less of the "White's Bite" arch discomfort associated with the company's higher-arch work boots, though some adjustment period remains normal.

Due to the stitchdown construction method, the boot provides slightly more toe box width compared to Goodyear welted footwear. Customers with E-width feet often find that a half-size increase provides the additional width needed for comfortable fit.

The Stevens Plain Toe is offered as a made-to-order product with production time of approximately 14 to 16 weeks for handsewn stitchdown construction. The boot is priced at $729.95 through authorized retailers, reflecting the labor-intensive hand construction methods and premium materials used in production.

Some authorized retailers offer "Ready to Ship" versions of the Stevens Plain Toe for customers seeking immediate availability, though these typically represent limited size and leather options compared to made-to-order specifications.

White's provides customization options for the Stevens through their order department, allowing customers to specify leather choices, hardware options, and other details to meet individual preferences. All customization requests require consultation with the company's ordering specialists.

The boot represents White's position in the heritage lifestyle market, competing with other premium hand-constructed footwear while maintaining the company's work boot heritage and construction standards that have defined their reputation since 1853.