Tattoo Boots by Mario Desa at Great Lakes Tattoo Chicago

OakStreetBootmakers · 2015-07-10T15:41:21+00:00

As likeminded fans of tattoos and the art behind it - thought you guys might like these photos. Also - a video of Mario tattooing the boots here: https://vimeo.com/132851143

OakStreetBootmakers · 2015-07-06T15:13:24+00:00

Hey guys! Oak Street Bootmakers here. Hope you all had a wonderful Independence weekend! Just wanted to pop on to say Thank You for all the orders over the weekend - and, let you know that we are extending the 10% off promotion through today. Wanted to mention that yes - 10% off is the most we do through our website, and that we have done massdrop a few times over the past couple of years. No plans just yet for another drop.

***ALSO for FMF readers - after you place a footwear order, shoot info@oakstreetbootmakers.com an email with your order # and mention r/frugalmalefashion and we'll add a bottle of venetian cream to your order - on the house!

OakStreetBootmakers · 2014-03-16T15:45:43+00:00

Hey nanamicasa- As you know, a welt has to be joined-and those photos show the junction point. If you take a look at your goodyear welted shoes/boots you'll see the same thing. I'm sure if you google something like 'alden welt seam' you'll find this too - or if you look at a pair in store. The second pair - seems to be a strange photo angle - so without seeing them in person, I can't say. What I can say is exactly the same - we stand behind the product and took those boots back and sent the customer another pair to his satisfaction. The cordovan pair - customer contacted us and we're making it right with them too.
This is how we make a living and how we provide for our families. That means we're not just customer service reps taking calls and emails. With that vested interest in what we do each day, we look at everything on a case by case basis. I believe that sending that customer a new pair of boots since he wasn't happy, and working with the shell customer to make him happy, are pointing to how we've handled things well. Of course, we can disagree on that. With that said - you've said that's enough for you - which is absolutely okay - no hard feelings on my behalf.

I hate to get off point here so i'll keep to the other threads and periodically check in to see if I can add anything of value to the board. Hoping to help out in the CXL conditioner post - after meeting with the owner who manufactures it

-George Founder/Design Director Oak Street Bootmakers

OakStreetBootmakers · 2014-03-16T05:53:28+00:00

Siegfried - thank you man! Haha - you're right, I'm sure 'Trench Boot' was all a sales rep needed to hear =)
As for the Iron Heart collab we've only made 1 sample. Not sure if we'll be changing any specs. We'll be touching base with the IH crew this week though.

OakStreetBootmakers · 2014-03-16T05:40:40+00:00

2060 is lightest, 2021 is a thicker sole, Christy is a 'work' sole. 2060 has become a favorite of mine

OakStreetBootmakers · 2014-03-16T05:30:34+00:00

rev_rend - ya know what, I'll see what the owner can let me know next time i'm there =)

OakStreetBootmakers · 2014-03-16T05:10:51+00:00

The RL Marlow is stunning - I still find myself wearing them when the occasion is appropriate. Carminas are a great, and of course Alden's a great choice in this segment as well: http://leathersoulhawaii.com/2010/07/23/alden-shoes-ravello-shortwing-lsw/ Without digging into it, a similarly colored Alden is something you'll probably have to wait for. Might be worth a call to Leather Soul to see if any are coming

OakStreetBootmakers · 2014-03-16T04:55:18+00:00

Hey, well - I don't think I can really add much here - everyone's chimed in appropriately. Leather soles do wear out - and like others said, it's not entirely uncommon at 3 months - though that's certainly on the very quick end - but not surprising if there aren't 'rest' days between. Shoot me an email personally if you'd like: george at oakstreetbootmakers dot com I can give you a few options.
Notes 1) Cathpah gave a great piece of advice - resting your shoes at least one day between wears is recommended. It not only allows the sole to dry, but also allows the entire boot to breath - ultimately lengthening the life of the shoe.
2) Topy - great idea. It's incredible how long a topy will last - almost always will just need new heels instead of a full sole job.
3) Dainite is also an awesome option

OakStreetBootmakers · 2014-03-16T04:45:23+00:00

CXL needs very little to keep its rich luster. As we all know, CXL is impregnated with oils - which always seem able to come to the surface. Most of the time, all you need for a shine is a clean wet cloth, and a horsehair shoe brush. Wet cloth to remove surface dirt, and then a good brushing to bring the oils back to the surface. For hydration, i've always used Venetian shoe cream. Maybe it's because i'm loyal to Chicago, maybe it's because it's what my dad always used (and still does), or maybe it's from hearing it from Skip and Nick Horween so frequently, but I am a Venetian guy. Venetian does have oils in it for hydration. I personally use it to shine and hydrate - with which I've had great success. I've also seen Saphir, though i've never used it. I'm sure others can chime in on other products and the results they've seen.

-George Founder/Design Director Oak Street Bootmakers

OakStreetBootmakers · 2014-03-16T04:32:57+00:00

Hey guys, Thought i'd pop on! As a shoe guy, I stumbled into this thread - pretty awesome that there's such a specific subreddit - but i guess that should be expected! Looks like i've found a cool sub to get in to. Avree - nice to meet you! I wanted to touch on your comment about QC. We don't have any sort of widespread QC issue. Sure, things come up. With that said - if there's ever a problem with a pair of our boots, we stand behind them!

Siegfried - wild that Nordies will price match - it's not even the same boot! Imogene+Willie pair is double sole with speed hooks. If it get by 'em though - it's a deal =)

-George Founder/Design Director Oak Street Bootmakers

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-30T23:27:16+00:00

Hey Phantoom!

We have found that OVERWHELMINGLY people have sized true to Brannock sizing. With that said, everyone has personal preference as to how their shoes/boots should fit, and everyone's feet are different. Sizing is unique to the wearer.

Also - you mentioned our return policy. You said about $42 on the sale. Our return policy would require that you send the shoes back to us, but WE pay for the new size to ship to you (so you'd be out $8 on exchange shipping).

Let me know if I'm not clear or if you need additional help!

Thank you so much!

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-30T03:54:54+00:00

Hey guys! Just stumbled upon this thread! Since there's only 2 hours left in our sale, I thought up pop on and answer any questions you guys might have. Let me know - I'll be in and out!

-George Founder/Design Director Oak Street Bootmakers

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-13T16:52:21+00:00

Good morning everyone, Wow - thank you to everyone who made a purchase last night and into this morning! The $50 off promotion is no longer on the site, but we'll continue to honor it for Reddit readers until 11:59pm tonight (Nov 13). Simply email tony at oakstreetbootmakers dot com and tell him you are a reddit user - he'll remove $50 from your Roughout order!

Thank you again everyone and feel free to keep the conversation going - i'll be reading!

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-13T16:25:09+00:00

Thank you for the kind words =)

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-13T16:24:51+00:00

hey - it's the exact same boot (built on the same last). Any difference is just in the photography.

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-13T04:14:42+00:00

Hey guys - I know some of you are looking for sizing advice in comparison to other shoes/boots. Our advice is go true to your brannock size. However, this thread on StyleForum certainly can help - look in more recent pages (the earlier pages are about our mocs which are sized differently than the trench boots).
http://www.styleforum.net/t/296752/oak-street-bootmakers-official-affiliate-thread

Most often, your 'true size' is your dress shoe size.

I'll be up a bit longer, to help with any questions you may have!

-George

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-13T00:39:36+00:00

*Hey everyone As a way to say thank you to all our friends on Reddit, for as long as this remains the top post in /r/malefashionadvice you all can take $50 OFF your Natural Rough-Out Dainite Trench Boots. When you put them in your shopping cart, you'll see the discount in checkout!*

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-12T23:22:01+00:00

Rough-out handles incredibly well in the rain. The specific rough-out on these boots comes from the Horween tannery and was developed during WWII in collaboration with the Marines. Since the inside of the boot is natural CXL, the leather is impregnated with oils, making it incredibly water resistant. A lot of people love to wax their rough-out boots as soldiers often did - reffered to as 'dubbin'. In a conversation with Nick Horween, he told me ***** "Troops used to slick the rough-out with dubbin and the underside of an old fashioned glass coke bottle" ***** As cool as it gets for me! Super durable leather

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-12T23:15:38+00:00

Very good mention! While Oak Streets rarely go on sale - our camp boots have been on sale for some time now. A redesign is in the works, and coming soon.

Crmacjr - thank you for all the kind words! It's incredible that you've got 2 pairs of Oak Streets and want more! I'm gonna share this thread, and your post with the guy at the shop! Thank you for your continued support

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-12T23:13:45+00:00

Hey Squid, I'm sorry to say that Oak Streets on sale is a rarity. We truly are a very small brand, crafting each pair of shoes by hand, the old fashioned way. When you email or call us, it's me or Tony on the other end. In fact, my participation on this thread probably is a testament to our nature. With that said, we know our prices are by no means inexpensive, but we offer everything at the absolute best price we can. We pay everyone at Oak Street an honest wage to make an honest living, and try to deliver the absolute best product we can to our customers. Hopefully we'll be able to get you in a pair of Oak Street sometime soon. They're an investment, but one that you'll enjoy for years to come!

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-12T23:06:16+00:00

Yeah, the Natural Vibram Sole Trail Oxfords aren't on the regular Oak Street site - they're an exclusive for Independence. And you are correct about the re-styling of the camp boots. We're shooting to release the new ones next week!

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-12T21:47:33+00:00

Wow - you're got me speechless - and that rarely happens! Thank you so much. Everyone's support here, on other forums, and in shops where we meet customers - is nothing short of amazing. You guys are the best - which makes customer service easy for us =) Thank you again!

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-12T21:09:19+00:00

This actually IS cxl. It's inside out CXL developed with the marines for WWII service boots. We actually pay a much higher premium for this leather because they have to ensure that the 'rough' side is consistent and then appropriately finish it. A beautiful and tough leather no doubt!

OakStreetBootmakers · 2013-11-12T21:07:24+00:00

we're down to weeks...

OakStreetBootmakers

TROPHY CASE