The John Lofgren Bootmaker Ludlow Boots in Shinki Hikaku Horsebutt are some of the sexiest boots out there. Just look at them.
Inspired by USN legend officer Augustus Ludlow, these stompers are built on Lofrgen’s 120 boot last which is based on the U.S. Army’s type II Service Boot. It’s not every day you see leather this high in quality used on such a sophisticated take on the original service boot but the Ludlow’s vintage counterparts weren’t crafted from Shinki horsehide leather. If you aren’t familiar with Shinki Hikaku, they’re a Japanese tannery that specializes in meticulously tanning horse hides with a beautiful grain and minimal blemishing and waste.
While they are indeed a reproduction boot, they aren’t without Lofgren’s notoriously modern made-in-Japan detailing, edging them toward the higher end of any boot in our niche that you can find. Details like single/double/triple/quadruple stitched seams, Goodyear and USA-made storm welting, Japanese steel shanks, Vibram 700 cork soles and cork heels — and an embossed leather heel pad — all of which roll up into one of the most gorgeous boot packages we’ve seen in a minute.
Every pair ships with a Lofgren branded box and dust bags.
Available for $979 from Lost & Found.
