The Obtainer - 1/9/23, Monday
↦ The Best Boots Right Now
Monday, January 9th Edition
When’s the last time you got a new pair of boots? Now that we’re currently living in a post sneaker world, there’s no better time to level up. Plus, we’ve got a long winter ahead of us, right?
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
Buying Guide
The Best Boots
You might’ve heard (from your favorite podcaster or menswear insider) that we’re in a “post sneaker world” —I see no lies in the statement. Sneakers can still be tastefully worn today, but the sneaker industry is no doubt overly saturated. People have to go through an online retailer to pay double because the bots purchase all the size runs which leaves room for other shoes to come to the forefront. Like boots. They’re always accessible, offered at a range of prices, and the cost per wear will always be better than any pair of sneakers.
Maybe it’s the throwback #Menswear aughts creeping back into fashion today or people leaning heavily into workwear, but I love wearing boots at the moment. Chelsea boots, chukka boots, military and hiking styles, even Western ropers—but it’s up to you to decide which pair suits you best. Of course, for the colder months, a Vibram sole and Goodyear welted construction are a must for boots. They’re more durable with this feature and can be re-soled after some years of wear and tear.
A decade ago, boots were worn with selvedge jeans and buffalo plaid flannels, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but today’s guys are putting an updated spin on it. The silhouette of pants has gone from slim tapered to straight or relaxed, and more guys are wearing proper suits with some worn-in boots thanks to all the King Ralph mood boards on social media. Whether you’re looking for a new boot brand to round out your collection or want to step outside the sneaker world, we’ve rounded up four standouts that will.
4 of Our Favorites
A rugged handmade boot that’s cut from sturdy leather and will last for years to come. The triple-needle lockstitch construction and a lined leather insole give this boot extra durability.
$348 by Taylor Stitch
This is the boot you need for your next trekking trip. Viberg's terrain collection uses specific outdoor materials like a D-Ring speed lacing system and double rivet hooks to minimize lace maintenance while you're climbing. The single-piece upper eradicates water from infiltrating seams while creating a classic silhouette.
$835 by Viberg
A Chelsea boot is classic. They look sharp with a suit or dark denim. This pair is built with vegetable-tanned leather for the uppers and is grounded with a modern lug sole. Oh yeah, they're comfortable right out of the box, too.
$425 / $299.97by Allen Edmonds
Sunspel teamed up with Britain's oldest shoemaker, Tricker's to produce these beautifully made boots. The soft suede and a Dainite sole make this shoe worth having for a lifetime.
$750 / $450by Sunspel x Trickers
5 Stylish Items to Buy This Week
If you've ever been in a Sid Mashburn shop, you know the feeling. It's classy yet cool, and it's a place where you definitely want to hang out. Now, you can bring a little bit of that vibe into your place since the brand just launched a line of candles. There's three scents available, but No. 150 is definitely my favorite ($75). Housed in Mashburn-green glass, it's got notes of grassy vetiver, rich cognac and leather.
Test Drive
The Durable Denim Jacket
Several brands today use the word sustainability in their campaigns, but only a handful are being transparent about their clothes and how they’re made. One that comes to mind is ASKET—co-founded in 2015 by August Bard Bringéus and Jakob Dworsky. The Swedish business partners wanted to develop a product with a lasting impact that could be considered a capsule wardrobe for year-round wear.
I’ve been familiar with the brand for a few years, so I was excited to pick up their raw denim jacket. If you haven’t heard, menswear insiders are predicting that raw denim is making a comeback this year. Of course, if you ask me, it never should’ve left in the first place—there’s no better clothing story than a pair of jeans that you’ve truly broken in on your own. What drew me to this jacket though is that I’ve always wanted a sophisticated denim jacket that could be worn year-round, and this is the one.
The trucker jacket is cut from the label’s signature 13 oz., 100% organic cotton rigid mid-weight Japanese raw denim. It’s also fully lined in a black cotton twill, features two chest pockets with two invisible ones at the side, and the buttons come from recycled metal. There are no manufactured rinses, so the jacket is a blank canvas waiting on the wearer to write their own story.
I’ve had this jacket for about four months now, and it’s better than I expected. You won’t find too many twill-lined jackets, only blanket-lined ones, which can feel a bit heavy. This gives the jacket an added heft, but allows it to be worn every season. The jacket also fits true to size. On the website they offer length options—short, regular, or long—I went with a small in the regular length, and the jacket fits well on its own, and I can layer underneath with a hoodie or wool sweater. I’ve washed it once, and I’m already starting to see some light whiskering around the arm area. The two chest pockets are spacious enough to store your EDC, and discrete side pockets give the jacket a more contemporary feel. The price isn’t the cheapest, but it’s incredibly well made, and this will be the only denim jacket you need for a long time.
Raw denim jacket, $325 by ASKET
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
A made-in-USA beanie for this price is a steal. It's 100% wool and features a ribbed knit so you can adjust the cuff to your liking.
$48 / $33 byEngineered Garments
Noah’s sturdy corduroy pant will have you dressing like a literature professor—in the best possible way. The pleats give the pant a retro vibe, but the fit is incredibly modern.
$268 / $160.80(w/code WINTERSALE)by Noah
Wintertime calls for durable fabrics to layer with, and this heavyweight wool CPO jacket checks all the boxes. With two large front pockets and corozo buttons, wear this underneath your parka or by itself with a thermal.
$270 / $170by Sunflower
The three best stories from around the web.
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‘Style back then was STYLE,’ says Goya, fixing his tie and adjusting his crochet beanie, a glint of gold flashing from a front tooth.”
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There aren’t many brands that have this kind of perspective on tennis.”
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Gathering people around the table is, in a way, similar to cooking. Humans are the ingredients here.”
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Silk twill suiting.
January 3