Kreosote Boots

[dannyk]

So we have some super cool boots and footwear around here. But there’s one American Maker I don’t see get enough attention and reviews and wanted others opinions and input if anyone actually owns any.
The owner makes super limited quantities as it’s literally just him alone on an oldschool work bench and bare minimum old machinery. I discovered them as he did a limited run with Left Field about a year ago. Was called MyG Handmade and now rebranded as Kreosote.

The boots are expensive. Much more than other American boot makers making similarly designed products. Around what a lot of Japanese brands charge.
Edit: should specify while the price is very very high I’m not judging the cost. If you go to his site you’ll see he only uses the absolute highest quality products, and he’s an absolute pro at stitching and finishing. His skill level and manhours that goes into doing this all by hand is worth it. My question is more anyone ever owned or handled and is it worth it compared to other similar brands? Not is it worth it cause of price.
I’ve seen one or two reviews on YouTube and they have raved about them.

Here’s the link To explore his work https://www.kreosote.com/shop-boots

and pictures of my two current favorite models. The Nail Shank, in which the shank is an old railroad spike. It’s a roughout leather hand dyed and sealed with a walnut oil combo.

second is a variation of a teacore called called Eight Ball

Been on my radar since I saw that Lefit Field Collab. Haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but with some feedback/input from here just may do so.

.

 

[ctdair]

I like what I see. Too bad the KillSwitch 13 is a ladies boot. I like the look and would want a pair in mens size.

 

[dannyk]

I like what I see. Too bad the KillSwitch 13 is a ladies boot. I like the look and would want a pair in mens size.

Ive heard the owner/maker I believe his name is Gabbard has been receptive in the past to doing mods and custom builds as long as youre willing to pay and/or provide materials. I would think tweaking the pattern on this wouldnt be that crazy. If that is true that hes open to it, I would shoot him an email.

 

[Monitor]

I like these a lot, thought I can't tell the difference between all the models. Cool shape! It's essential to make these as interesting looking as possible or they won't stand out in the crowd.

 

[dannyk]

I like these a lot, thought I can't tell the difference between all the models. Cool shape! It's essential to make these as interesting looking as possible or they won't stand out in the crowd.

Agree mostly. His thing is more about how he makes them. Like making his own walnut oil dye and seal, or using a rail road spike. Most of his models have something unique about the build more than the look. But I agree in the sense you can’t have like 6 models and 4 of them look the same, even if build is different. I think besides the nail shank boot his most unique and stand out boots are his motorcycle specific boots. They come in a couple colors but they are made with a thicker 5.5oz leather and the toes have 4 strips of harness leather to shift with, and protect from heat and scraps.

 

[lina]

I corresponded with him a bit about possibly getting a pair, and he was very friendly and helpful. But I never pulled the trigger, partly because of the price and partly because at the time he didn’t quite have the materials I was looking for.

 

[dannyk]

I corresponded with him a bit about possibly getting a pair, and he was very friendly and helpful. But I never pulled the trigger, partly because of the price and partly because at the time he didn’t quite have the materials I was looking for.

Good to know. From the few reviews and things I’ve seen, Carl Murawksi has a review of the Nail Shanks actually if you take the time he has an order sheet with a map of how to measure a bunch of parts of your foot and ankle and he will literally make the boot exactly to your dimensions. If I do pull the trigger I am definitely doing that. When spending this kind of money it’s a super nice option to know they will 100% fit. That’s a check mark in his column for value for money. And again makers charge what they charge, so it’s no slight on any other making 1,000+ boots. Materials, import/export cost and labor all go into. But at this range it is a cool bonus.

 

[Mich486]

Just finished reading the description of one of his pair of boots... wow

 

[dannyk]

Just finished reading the description of one of his pair of boots... wow

Yeah the leather is one thing. But if you actually read about the shank, the footbed, the stitching, the heel stacks etc.. that’s where the bang for the buck is. That’s what puts this on a different level from me. Any company can have Horween, cf stead, wicket and Craig etc.. but not everyone puts that much into everything surrounding it. That’s the sell to me. It’s pretty crazy actually.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

I love me some toe caps. Even a little ornate detailing around the edge of the leather can be sharp, but I can't do those extra ripples on the top of the cap. I also like the shape of the toe, that is headed toward the shape of a Packer, but not quite there. Not sure about the squaring of the cap as it comes up and over, though. For $1200, I'd fly myself to the west coast and have Westco or Nick's build boots exact to my feet. Once any handmade boot gets north of $600-650, they lose me. I'm sure they are very nice boots, but...

 

[Will Zach]

Darn, he only makes 50 pairs/year, that is not a whole lot of profit assuming 50% margin. I wish I had the dough to order and support a true craftsman like this guy.

 

[jonbuilder]

Kreosort boots now have a 42-month wait and cost 1850. 5 years ago they were 800 and I don't know maybe a 6-9 month wait

 

[BlueAltitudes]

Apparently Kreosote's wait list has gone up to 48-60 month wait and the cost is pretty steep at around $2000+ for one of his, admittedly, mtm handsome boots.

 

[Khilij]

Apparently Kreosote's wait list has gone up to 48-96 month wait and the cost is pretty steep at around $2000+ for one of his, admittedly, mtm handsome boots.

96 months!? That's actually bonkers. They're nice, but not that nice IMO.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

lol @ waiting 8 years for a pair of boots

 

[MrProper]

lol @ waiting 8 years for a pair of boots

View attachment 652776

Only to realise that your feet have changed and the new shoes don't fit

 

[Monitor]

Well, think of it this way - In 8 years, your fashion style evolved so much that it rotated back to service boots just in time.

 

[Marc mndt]

Apparently Kreosote's wait list has gone up to 48-96 month wait

Meanwhile he does have time to do a collab with Field Leathers. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great project and I'm sure the jackets will look amazing. But even though they will only produce ten jackets, the time and effort that goes into the project could also be spend on making shoes for his customers who have been waiting for several years and counting.

 

[Faux59]

His engineers look great but no way would I pay $2k upfront and wait 4+years. A lot can happen in that time. I saw on YouTube that he only makes about 30 or 35 pairs a year.

 

[Bfd70]

8 years. Gimme a break. We’ll be fighting the T1000 inside of 5. Style won’t matter.