Jack Erwin Chester Boot Review - Why So Cheap?

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FULL REVIEW + PICTURES: https://stridewise.com/jack-erwin-che...

Jack Erwin was started when founders Ariel Nelson and Lane Gerson decided they wanted to build a brand “with prices we could relate to.” In other words, they make pretty inexpensive boots, partly because it’s mostly a direct to consumer brand. What’s the quality like?

FIRST GLANCE

Handmade in Spain from French calfskin, the Chester is Jack Erwin’s most popular boot and it's pretty darn dressy: toe cap, calfskin leather, low rise, and a sleek and streamlined appearance.

LEATHER

The leather is sourced from France and this boot is constructed in Spain.

We’re looking at full grain, calfskin leather that’s been slightly corrected for a nice, smooth leather. Full grain means it comes from the top layer of the hide of the animal.

Full Grain Vs. Top Grain – The Surprising Differences https://stridewise.com/top-grain-vs-f...

Calfskin is considered dressier than cowhide but it actually has more tensile strength and wrinkles more finely, however since it just looks a little more delicate than regular leather it often gets used on dressier boots.

LEATHER CARE

Venetian shoe cream should do just fine with these and you want to make sure you get a horsehair brush as well, because the hairs are very fine which makes it easier to push the cream into the pores of the leather.

If you want to waterproof these stick to products from Coach or Cole Haan, per Jack Erwin’s recommendation.

Finally, use shoe trees!

Compare with another dressy calfskin boot, the Frye Jones Lace-Up    • Frye Jones Lace-Up Review - Looks Gre...  

SOLE

This is a basic, medium density rubber sole that look like Dainite but it’s actually Jack Erwin’s own rubber.

After the rubber there’s a stacked wooden heel and a padded leather insock. I would have preferred some leather in the heel because the shock absorption isn’t great with these shoes.

These are Goodyear welted, which means they’re pretty water resistant and easy to resole, but the downside is the sole isn’t very flexible, it’s hard to wear in, and it’s not as comfortable as something like a Blake stitch.

These look pretty similar to Thursday’s Captain boot, but there are important differences:    • Thursday Captain Boot Review | Why I ...  

FIT & SIZING

These run form sizes 7 to 14 and they fit true to size. I found the last very narrow and even though it did stretch over the first week of wearing them, they never felt that great.

Note that I lent these boots to some friends who I thought had the same shoe size as me (they can wear all my other shoes) and about half said they didn’t find it to be too tight, so your experience may differ — but if you look around online, the width is a common complaint.

PRICE

$220. That’s very inexpensive for European made, Goodyear welted calfskin boots, which are typically closer to $350.

PROS

Super smart looking
Pretty versatile
Goodyear welted
Inexpensive

CONS

Tough break in
Bad shock absorption
Leather may not age well
Very narrow last

FULL WRITTEN REVIEW HERE: https://stridewise.com/jack-erwin-che...