About this product
From Victorian era curiosities to early 20th century equestrian and motorcycle wear to rare WW2 era items - Black Sign garments are beautifully constructed, with a shared identity and aesthetic cohesion running through the collection to a degree we rarely see in brands focusing on reproductions & recreations.
Inspired by a vintage sample of aviator's engineer boots, these are based on footwear from the 1930s, having originally developed from pull-on roper boots issued to soldiers during the first World War. These were among the first wave of what that would go on to be known as Engineer Boots, born from a need for sturdy and secure boots that could be put on or removed quickly and easily, without requiring tedious lacing.
The Black Sign Aviator Boots are hands down some of the most handsome Engineers we've ever carried. This edition comes in at the more contemporary 11" height, with some of the more classic "biker" details that came to define the style, specifically the logger heel, thick backstay, and 270 degree flat welt. Unlike other more modern boots, these lack a traditional heel counter, being finished with an internal seam where the vamp meets the rear half of the boot - imbuing a sleeker and more antique aesthetic throughout, but increasing the time and effort it takes to produce each pair.
They're made from a black, tea-core horsebutt leather, with a semi-gloss finish and a thickness of between 2.3mm and 2.5mm - dense, but not overly stiff, these will break in to the shape of your foot with wear. This vegetable tanned leather is sturdy, with natural scars and blemishes across its surface, and the subtle grain texture of a high quality horsebutt. Over time, the black dye will scuff and wear down, revealing the natural brown core beneath, developing a classic and highly sought-out vintage patina.
The hardware is as impressive as the design and material selection, with solid cast iron (not die-cut) buckles, and O'Sullivan's Biltrite rubber half outsole and heel combo - an excellent pair both in terms of historical accuracy, but also in regards to traction, durability, and comfort. The outsole leather is sourced from England, having been slow tanned in oak bark, resulting in a leather that both is more supple and durable than other chrome-tanned alternatives.
These are a standard heritage boot fit, meaning they run large when compared to sneakers. For the best fit, we suggest taking 1 size smaller than your brannock device measurement.
- 2.3mm - 2.5mm Japanese horsehide leather
- Vegetable tanned
- Glossy finish
- Tea core leather
- 11" shaft height
- Oak-tanned outsole leather
- Goodyear flat welt
- Partially structured flat toe
- Gusseted shaft opening
- Logger heel
- No heel counter
- Vintage construction details
- O'Sullivan's Biltrite rubber half sole and heel
- Custom iron hardware
- Custom last
- Size down 1 from Brannock
- Resoleable and recraftable
- Made in Japan
Description supplied by Standard & Strange through its current Shopify listing. Product, performance, and health claims are the seller’s and have not been independently verified by StorkScout.
