Clinch Boots / Brass Tokyo
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Starting up this thread since I've seen a few people post about these boots in the other threads and they really deserve their own spot imo. If you have a low volume or narrow foot, their lasts should be high on your list to consider.
Starting this thread off with a bit of a story and then can transition it to just sharing pictures of your boots from them.
On a recent trip to Japan, I tried on as many boots as I could to try to find "the ones" mostly focusing on engineers. Everything from Y2, Lofgren, Flat Head, Buco, and a couple of others. Nothing fit quite right for me, with most everything being too high volume in the instep. After two weeks we were ending out trip in Tokyo for a couple of nights, staying out near Shimokitazawa. The Bucos maybe were the closest, and I could easily get there on our last day if I changed my mind, but I still had one more place on the list to visit, Clinch.
We got super lucky in that our ryokan was two blocks away from them, so we swung by on that last evening in town. The walking directions took us down some stairs to a workshop front on a busy divided road. Everything looked closed up but there was a guy smoking out back. After a bit of discussion we learned about their opening times and how there wasnt one scheduled for another week or so. Feeling pretty disappointed, I thanked him for his time and explanation. Just as we were about to walk away, I asked if it would be possible to try on a couple boots just to know my size. He didn't sound hopeful, but went inside to go ask the owner.
He came out, "you got lucky, follow me", and took us back up the stairs an inside the storefront that had a "Closed Today" sign. From there, after a bit of confusion about Clinch vs. US sizing I finally got on a pair of Engineers.
Hope was pretty high that these would be perfect as these were the first engineers I've ever struggled to get on my feet. Tight through the throat as they should be.
The instep volume was PERFECT but the toes were too short/narrow at the side of my left foot. The half size up was great in length but now too high volume. An insole ended up crushing my toes. I asked if they had something wider, but no luck. He brought out another high lace up boot that was also not good. On a last ditch effort of "let me bring one more thing" he brought out a pair of horse butt Jodhpurs. He noted that these were the same last as the Engineers but that the upper might hold my foot in a different place.
After a bit of struggle, got them on, and I just knew. Finally boots that actually fit. There was a bit more excitement before we left, almost breaking my finger getting the boots off, a little more lost in translation confusion about not needing him to make me a box, and other fun oddities, but I was able to walk out with boots.
It's been a solid couple of months since then, having worn these at least 75% of the time. Break-in has been smooth with the only thing to note being the left boot had to find where to crease over my toes. It still pinches on occasion but it's settled out almost entirely. Still I dont have many good photos of them, but sharing what there is for now, including a picture of me leaving next to that Closed Today sign.
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@freepickin the quality was definitely top of the bunch as well. Beautifully made and finished. So happy with these.
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@pechelman incredible story, Phil!
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awesome story Phil
and glad someone started a Clinch thread !
Always wanted to do it myself .
look what I got yesterday
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will post more pics of them and my engineers later
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@Daniel-San nice!
So jealous that you can fit into their engineers too! Are both of your the standard cn last?
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@pechelman
the engineers are the CN wide last , the Jodhs are the standard CN .
hadn’t much time yesterday to check them, just tried them on . they are pretty long as I’ve sized up half a size so I hope it won’t be too long. -
unfortunately they are not working for me .
so I will return them .
If someone’s interested PM -
For the jodhpurs I’m an 11 brannock and wear 10.5 in them. The 11s were way too big. I tried on in the store in Tokyo. Bought the below from standard and strange in late 2025. Stretched well and broke in very easily.
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Yee-haw
These arrived today…..
fit is perfect and they just look awesome…
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@pechelman
they are from Clutch Cafe London . Last pair they had.
Standard and Strange have them too sometimes , but with embroidery called horned moon. they are awesome too , but I think I like the plain version more.
