Engineer Boots - Black Overdyed Horsebutt - CN Wide Last
Product details
Clinch is made by BRASS, one of the first high-end shoe repair shops to open in Japan, owned and operated by Minoru Matsuura. They quickly evolved from shoe repair; to re-lasting to their custom lasts; to building incredible footwear around their custom lasts.
These lasts are where the magic is. Most modern lasts are optimized for mass-production. Wider, straighter, easier to pump through a production line, and easier to fit every single person into. Clinch's lasts start narrow, with a tight fit and a lot of contours to them, much like the lasts of the early 20th century. We chose their CN Wide Last, which is more suited to western feet than their standard last.
The shape of the last dictates the careful construction of the boot. The insole is soaked, then molded to the bottom of the last. From there, the boot is build around that insole. Every step of the hand-sewn welting process is done by hand, except for sewing on the outsoles, a task best done by machine.
The leather on these engineers is horsebutt from Europe, hand-selected by Minoru himself for the right qualities of density and grain. This part is exceedingly important, as there is tremendous variation in quality in the supply of horsebutt with less than 50% of the stock being suitable for Clinch boots.
The rest of the materials are of equally high quality. Brass hardware, welts, and nails all come from Japan; the insole and midsole leathers come from the best tanneries in the world; and the outsoles are custom-made just for Clinch.
The combination of carefully selected hides, truly hand-built construction, and unique lasts creates a boot that is as close to vintage as possible but with all the advantages of modern materials.
For a really deep dive into the brand, check out this detailed article on Stitchdown.
- European horsebutt, hand-selected
- Hand painted black overdye leather
- Natural edge
- Hand-sewn welted construction
- Custom nickel plated brass hardware from Japan
- Nails from Japan
- Welting from Japan
- O'Sullivan's reproduction soles
- 11" Height
- CN Wide last
- Resoleable and rebuildable
- Unstructured toebox
- Integrated pull straps
- Hand-made in Tokyo
The CN Wide last fits between a D and E width. The instep height is medium - if you have a taller instep, expect some difficulty getting the boots on and off until they are fully broken in. Once they are broken in, they are very, very comfortable. This last has a roomy forefoot, medium waist, and a snug heel.
If you have any questions about sizing - or are unsure of your size - please contact us before ordering.
Our sizing recommendations
D width feet - Take one size smaller than your Brannock size
E width feet - Take 0.5 size smaller than your Brannock size
EE or wider feet - Consult a qualified surgeon to shave down the bones in your feet
Shipping
Returns
Engineer Boots - Black Overdyed Horsebutt - CN Wide Last
Product details
Clinch is made by BRASS, one of the first high-end shoe repair shops to open in Japan, owned and operated by Minoru Matsuura. They quickly evolved from shoe repair; to re-lasting to their custom lasts; to building incredible footwear around their custom lasts.
These lasts are where the magic is. Most modern lasts are optimized for mass-production. Wider, straighter, easier to pump through a production line, and easier to fit every single person into. Clinch's lasts start narrow, with a tight fit and a lot of contours to them, much like the lasts of the early 20th century. We chose their CN Wide Last, which is more suited to western feet than their standard last.
The shape of the last dictates the careful construction of the boot. The insole is soaked, then molded to the bottom of the last. From there, the boot is build around that insole. Every step of the hand-sewn welting process is done by hand, except for sewing on the outsoles, a task best done by machine.
The leather on these engineers is horsebutt from Europe, hand-selected by Minoru himself for the right qualities of density and grain. This part is exceedingly important, as there is tremendous variation in quality in the supply of horsebutt with less than 50% of the stock being suitable for Clinch boots.
The rest of the materials are of equally high quality. Brass hardware, welts, and nails all come from Japan; the insole and midsole leathers come from the best tanneries in the world; and the outsoles are custom-made just for Clinch.
The combination of carefully selected hides, truly hand-built construction, and unique lasts creates a boot that is as close to vintage as possible but with all the advantages of modern materials.
For a really deep dive into the brand, check out this detailed article on Stitchdown.
- European horsebutt, hand-selected
- Hand painted black overdye leather
- Natural edge
- Hand-sewn welted construction
- Custom nickel plated brass hardware from Japan
- Nails from Japan
- Welting from Japan
- O'Sullivan's reproduction soles
- 11" Height
- CN Wide last
- Resoleable and rebuildable
- Unstructured toebox
- Integrated pull straps
- Hand-made in Tokyo
The CN Wide last fits between a D and E width. The instep height is medium - if you have a taller instep, expect some difficulty getting the boots on and off until they are fully broken in. Once they are broken in, they are very, very comfortable. This last has a roomy forefoot, medium waist, and a snug heel.
If you have any questions about sizing - or are unsure of your size - please contact us before ordering.
Our sizing recommendations
D width feet - Take one size smaller than your Brannock size
E width feet - Take 0.5 size smaller than your Brannock size
EE or wider feet - Consult a qualified surgeon to shave down the bones in your feet
Shipping
Returns