Picked up a pair of Yanko's burgundy shell cordovan service boots. First impression is highly favorable. Fit great a half size down from normal dress shoe. The Maryam Italian shell isn't too tutti frutti color as I had feared. It mimics examples I've seen of Horween No. 8 without the deep "eggplant' Alden treatment. Thickness of the shell approximates what you get on Alden boots. Here's more details:
Insole: Real leather and comfortably supportive.
Outsole: Brown Vibram rubber studded sole. It's slightly softer than the Dainite version. Open channel Goodyear stitched.
Heel: Capped with rubber over a stack of either leather or fake leather. Can't tell which, but I suspect it's leatherboard based on modest price of shoe.
Midsole: Not sure there IS a midsole. Can't really detect seam between leather welt and rubber outsole. If it's there it's thin and probably leatherboard.
Laces: Flat brown of moderate quality, but better than what Alden provides on its boots
Lining: Soft "glove" leather of comparable quality to other makers.
Last: Yanko calls it 961w, which is almond shaped to my eyes. Toes don't rub with my medium width forefoot.
Best part of all, these cost only $355 from Skolyx with free shipping! I wanted to get a pair of Alden jumper boots, but these will scratch that itch just fine for less than half the price.
Insole: Real leather and comfortably supportive.
Outsole: Brown Vibram rubber studded sole. It's slightly softer than the Dainite version. Open channel Goodyear stitched.
Heel: Capped with rubber over a stack of either leather or fake leather. Can't tell which, but I suspect it's leatherboard based on modest price of shoe.
Midsole: Not sure there IS a midsole. Can't really detect seam between leather welt and rubber outsole. If it's there it's thin and probably leatherboard.
Laces: Flat brown of moderate quality, but better than what Alden provides on its boots
Lining: Soft "glove" leather of comparable quality to other makers.
Last: Yanko calls it 961w, which is almond shaped to my eyes. Toes don't rub with my medium width forefoot.
Best part of all, these cost only $355 from Skolyx with free shipping! I wanted to get a pair of Alden jumper boots, but these will scratch that itch just fine for less than half the price.