Crafted with a unique Shinki horsebutt leather, these engineer boots feature a sleek 1950s silhouette and a flat welt for an elevated look. With a durable Goodyear welted construction and quality materials like Japanese steel shanks and Vibram soles, they offer both style and longevity. The tea core leather ensures a distinctive patina develops over time, making every pair truly one-of-a-kind. Perfect for those seeking standout footwear that combines craftsmanship and elegance.
From the brand: The grain texture of Shinki Horsebutt is highly variable, and will differ immensely from boot to boot. We cannot ensure your boots will have more or less grain than what is photographed as all pairs will be entirely unique. Caveat emptor.
If you want the absolute best in engineer boots, this is it. John Lofgren debuted these in 2012, and every run has sold out as fast as he could produce them.
Every great pair of footwear begins with a good last, and these start from a custom made last designed by John to give a 1950's silhouette to the boot (no toe bump, with a nice taper to the shape).
These are a slightly modified variation on John Lofgren's iconic engineer boots, made from a thick red-brown tea core Shinki horsebutt. Being a tea core leather, the dye at applied to the hides does not fully penetrate the surface of the hides, leaving the flesh underneath undyed - over time, the surface dye will wear and scuff off, revealing the tan core beneath.
Unlike other John Lofgren Engineer boots, these are finished with a flat welt (instead of the usual storm welt) giving them a slightly sleeker and more dressy profile, & finished with a medium brown ("champaign") edge stain.
The finishing details are as exceptional as ever - Japanese steel shanks, British Goodyear welting, and nickel-coated steel buckles made in Tokyo. Even the labels are made on shuttle looms. All of this goodness is pulled together and turned into boots at one of the best footwear factories in Japan.
If you want to go really in-depth -
check out what John at Vintage Engineer Boot's has to say about them
.
Choose 0.5 size smaller than your Brannock device size.
Highly variable leather, texture may differ from what is photographed here
Built on the John Lofgren 110 Last
Dark brown Shinki horsebutt
USA-made Vibram 705 sole and 700 heel
Brown edge stain
Goodyear welted construction
Approx. 12.5" height
Choose 0.5 size smaller than your Brannock device size.
Made in Japan
