Portland-based brand Ship John teamed up with Oregon bootmaker Wesco to offer a ’30s-style engineer boot in rough-out leather. Designed to take a beating, the Rough-Out 1930s Boss boot features a brown Domane leather upper, a Vibram 700 sole and copper roller buckles. The MP toe and 10-inch shaft give the style a sleek silhouette which is complemented with depression-era stitching details.
Compared to Wesco, Ship John is a relatively new brand on the market. Known for producing hard-wearing jackets, shirts and bags, the brand developed a cult following in recent years. Wesco, on the other hand, was founded in 1918 and originally made boots for loggers in Oregon. Based in Scappoose, Oregon, it continues to make some of the most hard-wearing boots available.
These Rough-Out 1930s Boss boots are available in sizes 6 to 13 and widths C, D and E. They cost $658 — a $200 non-refundable deposit and $458 upon completion — and take 12 to 14 weeks to make. And while they’re definitely an investment, they’re made in America and sell for a fraction of what other engineer boots cost.
Gear Patrol also recommends:
Wesco x Ship John Brown Boss Boots ($658)
Flat Head Engineer Boots ($950)
John Lofgren Engineer Boots ($975)
