Parkhurst Allen Stitchdown Boot in Chestnut Veg Tan Unboxing and Initial Impressions

[@DavidsGarage1972]

*Parkhurst uses a steel shank* its listed on the boot page under specifications, missed that originally

[@tony_r_pierce]

I enjoyed this video, thank you for making it. I have the Cognac version of this boot and am wearing it for the Stitchdown patina thunderdome contest. I really like the Tempesti leather, but it surprised me. If I didn't know, just from the feel I would have thought it was either a chrome tan or a combination tan. I like everything about this model, and Parkhurst is one of my favorite brands. I hope they keep making boots on this 618 last, and in an assortment of leathers.

[@DavidsGarage1972]

I really wanted the cognac but they were out of my size. Good luck in the contest, the patina on those should be beautiful!

[@tony_r_pierce]

@ Thank you!

[@kingofthenoobs]

Yea the cognac was super supple. The other colors feel closer to other veg tans in terms of temper

[@The_Other_Matt]

That chestnut veg tan looks really nice. Picked up a pair of these in brown waxed flesh. The 618 last is definitely less roomy in the toe box than the 602M. The 618 has a more pronounced almond shape so the outside starts to taper in towards the tip of the boot sooner. With the shape of my feet this results in my toes touching the outside of the vamp. I don't have this issue with the four pairs I have on 602M last in the same size. Adding a pair of the delta arch half insoles from Nicks seems to help. The arch support helps pull my toes back a bit and keeps my foot from sliding forward in the boot. If I were to get another pair in the future I might try going true-to-size rather than my usual half size down.

[@DavidsGarage1972]

The delta arch is a great idea!

[@EDHBlvd]

Got some of those shipping dings a la Whites 😂. Their stitchdown models look nice. Worried the 618 would be more narrow than the 602M.

[@DavidsGarage1972]

Definitely is tighter in the toe box, maybe I'm use to the height of the 602M but the 618 is definitely a dress shoe like last with that pointier toe that eats up the extra length and height that the 602m gives me. My toes aren't squished but it's not as roomy as the 602m

[@EDHBlvd]

@@DavidsGarage1972 great info. Thanks for saving me from a headache. 🫡🙏

[@ryanpiyo98]

618 is actually slightly wider than 602M at the ball. But the taper at the toe box is significantly more. If your toes don't extend too far to the tip, it's actually fine. My Cognac Allen stitchdown has about an inch of space in front of my toes, and the ball of my foot aligns with the widest part. So no issues based on my experience. It's definitely a sleeker last.

[@EDHBlvd]

@ toe box taper is my enemy.

[@umbertosmith7014]

@@EDHBlvd No you wont believe it...True to size or ask Andrew. Compared to the HNW last the pinky toe has room the ball of the foot isn't compressed like the HNW last... Try the 618 last you might really enjoy it. Although it looks pointy its very much comortable just order as close as you can true to size. Don't fall for the dogma of the ball of the foot must always be at the apex of the widest point, you'll get squished toes and bad posture. Treat these as a dress casual city boot, you can do light trails if you want but out of the box the Tempesti leather is quite supple and breaks in with less than 5 wears. Its just a nice boot overall. The only con of this boot is the proprietary lugged outsole, I don't think a vibram 430 would work as a replacement. Its such a unique shape.

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

I went true to size for the 618 last to make room for my spreading toes. In the 602M last I go down half a size.

[@umbertosmith7014]

I'm true to brannock...slightly less than a thumbs width.. Great fit.

[@chefrichh]

Great review Dave, I'm a huge Parkhurst fan. I agree with your assessment on the 618 last.

[@DavidsGarage1972]

Thank you!

[@stevecrawford7814]

They look nice.

[@averyj.steele1074]

I love my Parkhursts and I'd really like to make their Allen stichdown my next boot purchase. Sounds like maybe I need to go a half size up to account for the slightly more snug last? I don't like super tight boots and I don't like stretching out a pair like these, either with my feet or otherwise.

[@DavidsGarage1972]

I would send an outline to Parkhurst and see what they say. I think if you fit the 602m last your foot will fit the same size in 618. For me my foot fits the same size but it's definitely not as roomy. The pointier toe eats up the extra room and the height is lower. So if you wanna put in an insole or don't like the low height of the toe box may need to go up half a size

[@EDHBlvd]

What is up with the “bend midsole”? It looks to have a welt joint on inner side of boot. If it was a piece cut from a bend of leather, why does it have a joint? It’s almost like a welt strip. Odd.

[@EDHBlvd]

At 2:40 you can see the “welt joint” in the supposed “bend midsole”. Curious construction. Maybe Weston can cut one up.

[@DavidsGarage1972]

When I look at the boots, I only see the marks are on one boot and appear to only be on the outer edges where the thread stops. So looks like something from the machine may have dug into the edge of the midsole when they started and stopped the stiching

[@EDHBlvd]

@@DavidsGarage1972ohh ok. So it’s not a joint after all, just a trench or cut. Still wondering why they call it a “midsole bend”.

[@kingofthenoobs]

@@EDHBlvd Bends are a part of the hide, like shoulder or butt. Generally the nicest, thickest part.

[@umbertosmith7014]

I suspect that they cut bulk production pre glued pieces and just leave whats leftover...I have that look on my heel stacks of my boots. The boots are very much a huge downgrade compared to PNW boots. But they are the most comfortable knock around city boot, go to the store, walk a dog etc...Think sneakers with stylish boot look. I stopped caring about the peculiar nature of the wimpiest "insole/midsole" and just realized its freaking comfortable out of the box. I'm debating on getting a third pair. The Tempesti veg tan is really soft stuff. Its not a dense veg tan like wicket and craig, not even close... Andrew said something to do with the cows, so probably slightly younger, hell they might be Veal boots :)