Hawkins boots - much like Doc Martens

dude, don't you have like a magical +3 Shield of Non-Forum-Switching, or a ring of invincibility, or something?

http://www.gt-hawkins.net/ Looks like it was purchased by Wolverine in 1999 and is now sold almost exclusively in Japan and Korea.

I assumed that Hawkins was the Japanese equivalent of Cole Haan.  I purchased 2 pair of Hawkins shoes in 1995 in Japan. They were corrected grain, leather soled,and made in South Korea.  I believe that they have gone down market since then, and offer even more corrected grain rubber soled wares. As far as I could gather, their Northampton image was entirely manufactured, and not based in fact, but there is no reason why they couldn't be supplied by Loake, Alfred Sargent, or Doc Martin. Bic

Hawkins were a firm of traditional English bootmakers. Certainly up unitll the end of the '70s they were producing high quality all leather walking boots in the UK. No idea whats happened to them since though. Rob

If you do indeed have a pair of Hawkins, please, for god's sake - don't use them as work boots.

Hawkins were a maker of Damn good boots - now no longer around, a good pair would quite literally last you a lifetime, withstanding many re-soles (if you can find someone with the skills in the colonies.. it is getting hard over here)

I bought a pair for an ex girlfriend 25 years ago, she had them until 5 years ago, when her daughter took them hiking around europe, and managed to lose them.

wow, cant believe I didnt see this thread before!!! What a find J...

Hawkins boots are rare as fuck. A pair just sold on ebay recently for 161 GBP. Hawkins was one of the original "skinhead" boots when Doc Marten started to license out the airware sole. Originally came in 6, 8 and 11 eyelet models. The Hawkins factory in Northampton shut down in 1994.

Here are photos of the ebay pair that sold for 161 GBP, these are in oxblood, tho the original color is a dark brown. 11 eyelet model

This is correct. Hawkins were a bona fide Northampton bootmaker and I wore their mountain boots for a number of years. They had real heritage and it was so sad when the factory closed.

What you've found will be good quality and will last you.

I'm sure the above is correct -- that they have closed. In the mid-80s the Hawkins company paired with Doc Marten to create a shoe called the Astronaut. It had 3-4 eyelets and was completely seamless. The most artistic oxford shoe I have ever seen. These shoes were made on 59 lasts in Wollaston, Northamptonshire UK. I bought them in the US in size UK 4. There must be a vintage shoe maven somewhere who sells these things. I wonder where...

I'm sure the above is correct -- that they have closed. In the mid-80s the Hawkins company paired with Doc Marten to create a shoe called the Astronaut. It had 3-4 eyelets and was completely seamless. The most artistic oxford shoe I have ever seen. These shoes were made on 59 lasts in Wollaston, Northamptonshire UK. I bought them in the US in size UK 4. There must be a vintage shoe maven somewhere who sells these things. I wonder where...

The former G.T. Hawkins factory in Northampton (2006). Hawkins made a variety of hiking and other field boots.

It breaks your heart.

The picture shows the appointment to Her Majesty the Queen sign on the Hawkins factory that was in the next street to where I once lived.

Trickers is just down the next street. I believe scenes for Kinky boots were taken there.

Incidentallly I used to work for Crockett and Jones mfg ltd. High class shoemakers in Npton.

It really is saddening to know that thousands of skills have been lost, to progress.
Long gone are the days when a pair of shoes or boots lasted a lifetime.