Making Boots

[Graeme]

Hemi, I was chatting to Danny about your boots whilst at Rivet and Hide earlier today, and your lack of sole options and the price of Vibram units.

In one of your earlier posts you mentioned being able to get Topy soles. They do a cleated half-sale called the Granit. It's a bit different to the usual Vibram fare, but I rather like them.

Here they are on a pair of replica Fallschirmjagerstiefel.

And a better shot of the toe section.

[mclaincausey]

Almost an Art Deco vibe to those.

[Hemi]

Graeme, there are a couple of Topy soles I'm looking at using and the Granit is one of them. From what I've seen their quality is really good.

[Graeme]

I'll be interested in hearing how you get on with the Granit soles. I'm tempted to try them myself.

I've heard good things about the Dainite Ridgeway. There's a poster on SuFu who prefers them to the Commando sole. They are available with the split leather / rubber heel too, especially for Trail and Arrow.

The studded Dainite sole is apparently lethal in the wet or icy conditions, according to Giles an Emceeq. That's ironic given it's sold as an all weather replacement for leather.

Dainite also do a half sole called the Logger, but I've not heard good reports.

[Hemi]

I like the Dainite soles but they aren't available in New Zealand and cost a lot to import. I think the rubber we're making and the Topy soles are the best solutions right now.

[Maynard Friedman]

I've just discovered this thread as I don't visit this site too often and would like to add my admiration for what Hemi is doing. I've actually been following the progress on the Wakefield Hotel journal pages since the beginning but am glad to see it has a wider audience here. If I hadn't recently bought a pair of WL Dundas I'd be ordering a pair from Hemi, but if I make it back to Wellington I'll be contacting him in advance for a pair.

Well done Hemi!

[footandmaff]

Wow, those oxfords and two tone boots. Incredible.

[tmg]

Hemi, any more news as to when you'll start selling these?

[Hemi]

I've been working like a dog getting everything ready to go live… should be up and running in a couple of weeks.

I also had some suggestions from Giles that I'm trying to incorporate and I'm looking at some very promising sole options that will really lift the boots.

The website is being built right now... by me... mostly because I have no money and Shopify makes it easy for dummies!

Here's a few more boots we've made recently.

[simonc]

Great stuff Hemi, keep going!

[Schlunta]

That black on black is amazing

[Cutlasshound]

Very nice dude. Look forward to seeing the website go live

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[irishexpat]

just found this thread….those roughout oxfords from a few pages back are bonkers.

I'll definitely be watching this thread to see a web address

great work!

[ironateng]

I fell in love with that oxford. Keep us updated, Hemi! Beautiful work.

[Hemi]

Check out the latest sample boot.

We've made it without the celastic toe box and used a new cork/recycled rubber sole, upgraded to better quality solid brass gold plated eyelets and adjusted the stitching slightly (as suggested by Giles)… It's the most solid boot we've made and my feet have taken a hammering trying to break them in.

The website is just about finished so all of our stuff will be available very soon.

[Giles]

Hemi, I'm biased I know, but I think the stitching looks better…....

[Hemi]

Thanks Giles! It's hard to tell but we've also used the heavier stitch on the outsider quaters stitch.

[Finn666]

way better without the celastic toe profil imo…sth. i can see myself wearing in the near future. super well done hemi!

[injunjack]

must disagree, celastic is the way to go. I hope both versions will be available….(like I need new boots...doh)

[Anesthetist]

Man, I like these a lot! Nice work!