Tricker's Stow Boot

“ Model: John Lofgren M-43 Service Boot Color: Black Teacore Leather: Unlined Shinki horsebutt with pronounced grain texture. Last: Original Munson – The OG service boot lasts Construction: Goodyear Weltwith USA made 360 degree storm welts. Unstructured toe box. Sole: Made in USA Vibram 705 cork sole with 700 heel Price: $1,125 USD Recovering sneaker addict here with past dabblings with Goodyear welt with Visvim Virgils, Irish Setters, and Paraboot Michaels. When I decided to invest in a good pair of proper boots, I went down the rabbit hole on this subreddit and it has been an absolutely incredible resource of information. Here is my contribution with my review of the John Lofgren M-43 Service Boots. I was exploring different brands, from Viberg to Trickers, for either a service-style or country boot. I was almost going to pull the trigger on some Division Road Trickers when I discovered the John Lofgren M-43 service boots. I have a long personal history with Japanese fashion and streetwear, and I have lived in Tokyo for 3.5 years, so I understand the meticulousness and craftsmanship of goods made in Japan. However, what pushed me over the edge was the incredible patina achieved by pallet_shots on Instagram on his pair of M-43s. The teacore wear from his participation in the Stitchdown Patina Thunderdome are a thing of beauty and he was helpful when I reached out with questions about the boot. Sizing The first thing I had to sort out was the sizing. I’m a US 7.5D on the Brannock device, and most of my past sneakers are size US 8. I have an Asian foot, so a wider forefoot and narrow heel. I went through the process of contacting both the customer service at John Lofgren and Standard and Strange. Both were extremely helpful in guiding me to go down my Brannock size to a US 7. S&S was very particular in informing me that the sizing of the M-43 was adjusted this past season to align with the Engineer Boots. In the past, guests were recommended to go a full size down, but in newer seasons of the M-43, they were recommended to go only a half size down. Given their great support and the assurances that they would work with me if they did not fit, I purchased from S&S. First Impressions From ordering to delivery, the boots only took three days to reach my grubby hands from S&S NYC. My first impressions of the boot blew me away, particularly the horse butt leather from the Shinki Hikaku tannery. The glossy leather upper almost has a stained glass- effect with the grain pattern. The tannery is considered one of the best in the world, and they take great pride in the fact that every mark from the horse’s life has been preserved in this batch. There are small marks and imperfections that purposely remain visible (eating horse meat is a thing I experience in Japan too, Circle of Life yo). Every boot will be unique and have a different grain texture making each a 1 of 1 Everything else about the boot is impressive: military grade eyelets, precise stitc”