These are my personal pair of John Lofgren M-43 Service Shoes (or boots, if you will) that I’ve worn for almost exactly one year. And I’m making them today’s Fade of the Day.

I purchased these boots back in, you guessed it, January, 2018 directly from Speedway, John’s store in Sendai, Japan. I immediately set about breaking them in, mostly in the ankles. Being made of Horween Chromexcel though, it didn’t take much coaxing to get these to soften up to a solid yet buttery consistency before I got to work on scrounging up some patina.

With everyday wear and travel came plenty of napping out of the rough out leather, scuffs, scrapes, and some indigo transfer soon followed. I wore these hiking in England, on trips to Japan, and all around Taiwan. Maintenance consisted of brushing with a suede brush, using a suede ‘eraser’ for a few deep oil stains, and restoring color with Columbus Suede Lotion for a dash of color. Rain, snow, or sun, no matter the weather they were on my feet.

John Lofgren M-43 Service Shoes

• Material: Cowhide leather, rubber, cotton, steel, etc.
• Material source: USA (Horween, Vibram), England, Japan, Australia, Germany
• Made in: Japan
• Additional Details:
  • Munson last
  • Horween natural Chromexcel roughout leather
  • Vibram full sole and heel, made in USA
  • Leather storm welt, made in England
  • Cotton laces, made in Japan
  • Steel shank, made in Germany
  • Tag woven in Japan on vintage shuttle looms
• Available at: Standard & Strange for $765