Review: Urban Shepherd's Old Timey Portuguese Boots (Discount Code)

DISCOUNT CODE IS NOW PROBTIMSW2020 FOR FREE CONDITIONING WAX AND THE PRICE HAS DROPPED TO $225 (FOR NOW!), BUY HERE:
https://www.urbanshepherdboots.com/pr...

FULL REVIEW + PICTURES: http://stridewise.com/urban-shepherd-...

Urban Shepherd is a company that specializes in handcrafted Portuguese boots, the types of boots that are modeled after the footwear worn by the Portuguese working class a hundred years ago: stonemasons, farmers, shepherds, and so on.

Designed by Portugal native Tiago Maximo, they're made at a small, fifth generation, family-owned workshop in Benedita, Portugal. Here's what they're like.

SEE MY 5 PICKS FOR THE BEST BOOTS ON THE MARKET:    • THE 5 BEST MEN'S BOOTS YOU CAN BUY - ...  

AESTHETIC
Natural calfskin
5.5 inches tall
Bright red stitching
Unusual oblong toe
Based on traditional Portuguese boots

These aren't like any American boots I've seen before, and not just because of the super waxy calfskin. The real standout featured here are the fluorescent red stitching and the unusual, angular toe. It's not sleek, it's not blocky, it's kind of oblong.

I didn't know what to make of it at first, but the more I wore it, the happier I was with it: it's a new kind of casual boot. Don't even think about wearing it with a suit or even business casual.

LIKE BLOCKY, CASUAL BOOTS? SEE MY RED WING MOC TOE REVIEW    • Review: Red Wing Moc Toes, 3 YEARS OL...  

LEATHER
Chrome tanned natural calfskin
Comes from Alcanena, Portugal
Waxed with Probtim
For an extra $150, they can be "fire aged"

Urban Shepherd picked calfskin because it's a bit more pliable than cowhide, but it still has a lot of firmness and tensile strength. Since it's natural (undyed) it shows dirt pretty easily, but it will still develop a nice patina as it ages.

An interesting tidbit is that the business owner will take a BLOWTORCH to your shoes to age them, if you like. Inspired by the fact that shepherds used to dry their boots off inside their furnace, "fire aging" your Urban Shepherds will make them look old and beat up. That's what most people want from their boots, and fire aging will get you there a few years faster, for an extra cost.

I REVIEWED THE JEANS I'M WEARING IN THE VIDEO    • Pure Blue Japan Review - My Neppiest ...  

LEATHER CARE

The facility that makes the leather also makes the only conditioner recommended for it: Probtim, a colorless, waxy conditioner that you should apply every three to six months to keep the leather from cracking, to maintain the water resistance, and to deepen the color.

SOLE
Very soft, not super durable Vibram outsole
Leather midsole and insole
Cork filling
360-degree Goodyear welt

The outsole is crazy soft and quiet, which is rare for a boot like this, but it makes for great shock absorption. It's not super durable, though, and I lost part of the heel and toe of these boots during my three week wear in. Not a big deal — there are no holes or anything — it's just a natural consequence of a sole being so delightfully soft.

There's also cork, a shank, and a 360-degree Goodyear welt to help with water resistance.

FIT & COMFORT
Size up at least one full size
Takes a few weeks to get comfortable

Unlike almost every boot company, Urban Shepherd makes you size UP. I'm an 11.5 on a Brannock device and they told me to get a size 13. That's the biggest size they make!

If your true size is a 12 they'd tell you to get a 13 too, but they don't do half sizes so, alas. So the issues here are:
You have to size up
There are no half sizes
There are no other widths
If your shoe is bigger than a size 12, you're out of luck

SEE MY 11 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON BOOTS: https://stridewise.com/best-boot-deals

PRICE
The price changes a lot. It's usually $260, but sometimes it's $190. And even when it's that cheap, you can use this discount for $50 off!!!!
50SW2019 - use the code here: https://www.urbanshepherdboots.com/pr...

PROS
Under $300 is pretty good for Goodyear welted boots
Unique aesthetic
Lightweight, quiet, comfortable

CONS
Not everyone likes how unusual they are
No half sizes or other widths
Outsole isn't super durable
Very casual