Oak Street Bootmakers
Trench Boot
Oak Street Bootmakers
Oak Street had a single pair of size 10 Trench Boots on their discount/sale page in late September, in a tannage called light brown “Seidel Mustang” leather. I wanted to join the Patina Thunderdome but didn’t have the budget for a new pair of boots so I grabbed the sale price pair in time to arrive by Oct 1. I didn’t know if I’d like Oak Street or the Mustang leather, but luckily I really enjoy the leather’s aniline finish and the look of the grain. Leather has a very stiff temper and break-in has been challenging but I really like the look. There is almost nothing online about Seidel Mustang so I bought these on faith that I would enjoy them and so far it’s worked out!
Phone call to the shop - Alex helped me pick a size 10 based on my fit in other brands and he was spot on. Fit is great!
Great experience. Alex at Oak Street spoke to me on the phone while packing my exact pair of boots into a box for shipping.
My regular wear includes ~5-7 miles walking per day, but no significant exposure to extreme elements. A few casual hikes, many days in the office and walking around Austin TX, and many long walks with my son and our dog in the country.
The Mustang leather began as a near orange-brown, with a soft dry feel. With use, the leather began to darken immediately, and is now a deep red-brown with sugary break in the quarters. After conditioning the boots are shiny and smooth, but within a few days return to their normal soft dry feel. The leather really displays burnish where constant friction is applied. For example, the areas under the leather laces are dark and oily looking. Scratches rub out with water and vigorous brushing, but the wax content is not nearly as “self-healing” as other leathers I’ve owned like Seidel Double Shot or Horween Dublin. Scratches take a while to buff out, but so far no scratches have remained permanent. I condition the boots periodically with Venetian Shoe Cream and brush them every day. They are stored with cedar boot trees every night. Break in was difficult for 3-5 days where the heel counters caused friction and blisters to form. After a few weeks wearing Mike skin, the boots are now extremely comfortable and flexible.
Fit is perfect for me! I think I have narrow heels and wide toes (for example, my Parkhurst 602M boots are extremely loose in the heel, and yet my pinky toes rub in the front). I’m a 10E on the brannock and the Oak Street 10 fits me great. Heel feels locked in and tight, shafting the boot grips by leg nicely, and the toe box is wonderfully wide for my broad toe spread. These are the first welted shoes in which I immediately enjoyed the fit. I will be replacing my existing collection with more Elston last boots from Oak Street in the coming months. Arch support is relatively minimal. This is not an issue for me, but these boots certainly lack the firm, high arch of a PNW boot. Boots feel great with thin or thick socks due to the generous toes box, but for snugly due to the nicely tight heels. Love the fit!
At first I felt the toe box looked a little boomy and broad, but after two months my other boots look dainty by comparison. These boots make your feet look longer and less stubby than a Truman boot, while less narrow or pointed as an almond shaped boot like Parkhurst or Grant Stone. Design looks great to me after a few weeks wear. Quality was good. One welt stitch hole missed but I don’t mind. Otherwise perfect stitching. The eyelets and hooks feel sturdier than some other brands. Clicking is unique. The quarters on my boots are VERY different colors and textures, but I love it. If you want 100% consistency maybe the clicking isn’t perfect. But if you want a piece of hand made gear with authenticity and individuality the clicking was PERFECT!
Vibrant 430 became my favorite heel design within 3 days of owning these boots. Sleeker than lugged soles and do not trap rocks and sticks inside the mini lugs. More slip resistant and durable than Dainite. This sole is the perfect compromise for me between form and function.
Heel looks great - nice profile with the all rubber bottom. Tread is super grippy; no issues with any slips or falls. Extremely comfortable. I think I prefer these to Dainite soles, and I DEFINITELY prefer them to lugged soles.
Absolutely love these boots. Would recommend. Already planning to buy plain toe trench boots in other leathers soon.