The Natural Heritage Boot

This is round two in the Heritage Quality Goods partnership with Frank’s boots to bring to market a new boot design.  Yet again, I cannot say enough about the Frank’s Boots company, brand, quality, and customer service.  I think we have really hit a grand slam on our second release.  To say I am excited would be a colossal understatement.  You will not find a better boot crafting company than Frank’s Boots and I’m proud to partner with them. 

For this second round, we wanted to do something that perfectly contrasted the first design, the Maxon Boot.  Where the Maxon Boot has gray and black tones, the Natural Heritage Boot has natural, tan, and olive tones.  Where the Maxon Boot has a toe cap in front, the Natural Heritage Boot has an extra layer on the opposite end on the heel counter.  Where the Maxon Boot has a full outsole, the Natural Heritage Boot as a half outsole.  Where the Maxon Boot has traditional lacing, the Natural Heritage Boot has semi-lace to toe lacing (the Wilson model).  You get the idea; the Natural Heritage Boot and the Maxon Boot are the perfect yin and yang, so you do not need to worry that you are getting the same or a similar boot if you happened to buy the limited edition Maxon Boot.  Instead, you will have two boots that are very different and complement your daily wear combinations perfectly in your work or casual wardrobe.  

Leather Details:

Details, details, details, where do I begin?  Well let’s start with the leather, shall we?  Or should I say leathers?  The new Natural Heritage Boot uses Badalassi Carlo leather.  This Italian tannery in Tuscany is renowned for its prowess, in particular its vegetable tanning prowess.  Tree barks are used in a recipe that dates back 100s of years.  Badalassi Carlo is a member of the Pelle Vegetale Consortium which certifies they use strict traditional vegetal methods.  The Pueblo leathers are their top grade veg tan leathers and are a new specialty leather for Frank’s Boots with natural and cognac only available for this limited collaboration design.  There are two leathers used in this boot, Natural Pueblo for the majority of the boot upper, and also Cognac Pueblo for an extra leather layer on the heel counter, we call it a heel counter patch.  This creates a subtle two-tone leather boot for a unique look.  The two-tone design is inspired by a vintage work boot using this same extra reinforcement on the heel counter.  Over time as the leathers patina, they will subtly darken, and eventually, the natural will start to appear even more similar to the cognac for an even more subtle two-tone patina.  These are 5-6 oz leather hides used in conjunction with 3-3 1/2 oz leather liner, for a very robust total of 8-9 oz of leather.  While this is a beautiful leather with exquisite patina potential, it will also by very durable to use for any activity you can throw at it.  Wear them hard!!

The Soles:

The sole is a Dr. Sole Original Super Grip half-sole in subtle olive shading.  This creates essentially a three-tone boot between the two leathers and the out sole.  Super Grip soles are a nice combination of a flatter hardened rubberized sole that have excellent traction on smooth and even wet surfaces.  It performs well in any condition, while having good durability from a wear perspective, considering it is rubberized. It will not wear quickly, necessitating an early resole like many typical rubber soles do.  The half-sole also creates a more flexible overall bend in the boot if flexing the foot a lot in your activities.  The midsole is thick leather (9 iron) and has the arch support built in with the heel base angle.  The finish on the midsole is natural. 

Some finishing touches include olive colored thread for the upper sewing, a rolled top with matching Cognac Pueblo leather, robust antique hardware, and a pull tab in the back of the boot.  It is all finished off with the Frank’s Boot stamp and the Heritage Quality Goods stamp on each side of each boot.  The boots include false tongues with matching Natural Pueblo leather.

Sizing Guide and Recommendations:

The 55 is a common last and was also used on the first design, the Maxon Boot.  If you have Maxon Boots, use your same size for an identical fit. If you do not have Maxon Boots but have other boots using the common 55 last, you can also use the same size. Or if you have a White's 4811, you will be the same size on the 55.

If you have an HNW last from Franks, Nick's or Whites, you will you only go up one width but stay the same size as the 55.

If you have the Franks 1977 or the Nicks 11067, you will keep the same width, but you'll go up a 1/2 size to the 55.

If you have never worn a 55 last or similar lasted boot, you will need to work directly with Frank’s Boots for the fit and sizing process. See their fit sheet process here:  Downloadable Fitsheet – Frank's Boots

Frank’s Boots is the most meticulous bootmaker I’ve come across for customer service on proper fit.  This is critical. The best boot in the world will not be worn if it does not fit properly.  So please contact Frank’s Boots if you have any questions regarding the fit sheet process, or to nail the sizing if you do not own any 55 last or similar lasted boots and do not know your proper size.

These boots are not available for purchase on the Heritage Quality Goods website.  All purchases must occur on Frank’s Boots website – please use this link to make your purchase:  The Natural Heritage – Frank's Boots

This is a limited release special edition boot.  Buy yours while you can, once the collaboration completes, these will not be available for purchase in this exact design specification.  Also, please note, this is a very light color shade of leather, and every hide has its own unique characteristics.  These are hand crafted boots (literally, no factories involved) and as such, may have slight imperfections in the crafting process. Every pair of boots will be unique from a leather and crafting perspective.  Due to nature of the lighter color of the Natural Pueblo leather, please note there may be some crafting process marks (these will be subtle--if there are marks on the boots).  This is what makes your boots unique, wear them with pride!  Also, please know that within 1-2 wears, if there are slight build process character marks, they will fade quickly with wear and patina and will be imperceptible very quickly.  Do not stress or fret!  Wear them hard and age them beautifully!

Specifications:

• Heritage Quality Goods Brand Leather Stamp
• Frank’s Boots Brand Leather Stamp
• The Wilson, a Semi Lace to toe boot
• Badalassi Natural Pueblo 5-6 oz
• Heel Counter Patch Badalassi Cognac Pueblo 5-6 oz
• Pull loop
• Antique hardware
• No insulation
• 3-3.5 oz inner leather lining
• Celastic Toe
• Roll top Cognac Pueblo leather
• Brown leather tongue
• Army green Dr. Sole 1/2 soles (larger/wider sizes may not be available)
• Stitching – olive color
• Kiltie false tongues included
• 55 last
• Available in 6” or 8” height options
• No customizations to this configuration will be accepted
• This leather is exclusive to this collaboration and cannot be used on another boot configuration

Estimated Lead Times:

The estimated lead-time is 12-16 weeks to hand craft, if size is known and no fit sheet fitting process is necessary. Please be advised, the fit sheet process can take an additional 10-16 weeks to assess, depending on backlog, but is mandatory if you do not have another PNW boot last to compare and transfer over sizing. Sizing is critical to proper wear and longevity of the boot and your feet. If you have questions with regard to sizing or other PNW lasts, please message Frank's Boot Company via Instagram or Messenger. Or call them at 509-309-2903.

Price - $875