This is it. THE FINAL PAIR.
Crazy story about these ones. While clearing out our studio... we found a single pair of black '79 Harness Boots, partially finished. I honestly can't remember why we shelved them, but likely... the original customer had chosen a different zipper color or stamp, so... as would happen around here on occasion... this nearly-finished pair hit the cutting room floor. They were compete in every way - lasted/welted/soled... but... without heels. So, the person who's feet this final pair is destined for will not only get the final page of this chapter, but... they'll be able to customize the heel profile and sole color to truly make these their own.
These boots... are 1 of only 70 pairs of 1979 Harness Boots we made total (including prototypes) for our 9th limited-run boot release (March 2018 drop).
The original production run sold out in a single day, and we've never revisited the design, despite regular requests.
If this special final pair speaks to you, I'll cover the cost to ship wherever in the world you hang your hat.
The Harness Boot is a classic, steeped in American tradition. Inspired by cavalry soldiers of the Civil War, the Frye Company unveiled their classic square toed Harness Boot in the early 1960s to immediate fanfare. Many brands have followed suit with their own versions of the Harness Boot - from pretty rough and tumble silhouettes to those that are anything but "utilitarian". What defines the laceless style is the classic rivited three strapped, two "O" ringed harness, but otherwise (height, toe shape, heel style, pull-on vs. zip)... anything goes really. An interesting side note - popularity of the style appears to ebb & flow in near direct correlation with the winds of political discourse, reaching near fever pitch levels of consumer interest during times of significant political unrest & motivated social justice activism. I could speak further on why that is or when consumption spikes have occurred over time, but let's just leave it at... we considered the current state of world affairs when settling on the style for our latest limited release.
1979-57 Harness Boot Features:
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10.5/11 US Men's D (Standard). If you have concerns about sizing - I'm happy to refer to measurements you have with us on file, to ensure you're a perfect match. If you're new to us, please consult our Fit Form HERE.
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COLOR: Horween Leather Company's: 6/7 oz BLACK DUBLIN cowhide.
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HAND-WELTED: These boots, like all our boots, were welted (J. Rendenbach welting) by hand. This is the most time intensive, yet durable and long lasting method of sole construction. At the moment, the welting is dyed black, and outstitch thread white, but if you'd like your boots completely blacked out like those photographed here, the choice is yours.
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SOLE/ HEEL PROFILE: The construction of this boot is slightly different than those in releases past. Still hand-welted obviously, but we've designed the 1979 Harness Boot with a sophisticated tapered waist, visible outstitch from toe to instep and for the very first time a wooden peg sole construction. We'll have a few options of protective rubber half sole (or none at all) and heels to choose from, including those pictured. And of course, as always, our full-leather soles, midsoles, and heel stacks are sourced from the world renowned J. Rendenbach leather tannery.
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ZIPPER: This pair (1979-57) has stainless steel (silver) Riri zips, vs. the gold pictured.
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EMBOSSED ARTWORK: The outside right heel/ counter is stamped with our logo, while the outside left is stamped with a HORSESHOE & ALL-SEEING EYE designed by our good friend and forever collaborator MATT HOUSTON.
- This pair was the 57th (of 70) off the line and is uniquely gold foiled "1979-57".
- Each pair of shoes and boots that leaves this shop is accompanied by an in-house crafted logo'd dust bag and polishing cloth.
- We build to last a lifetime - these '79s are of course of course resoleable and heelable.
Thanks for being a part of our story.
If you have any questions or concerns please
contact us and we'll do our best to get back ASAP.
