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Home › Archives for Mel Compo

Mel Compo

Mel Compo is a writer, editor, and general word-geek from Brooklyn, New York. When they’re not writing about the finer side of men’s footwear they can be found lurking around the streets, trains, and museums of NYC, ostensibly doing something urgent but actually just looking around for menswear style inspiration.

Mel Compo

How Should Cowboy Boots Fit? Fitting Tips for Fashion and Comfort

Howdy, are you wondering how should cowboy boots fit or planning to pull the trigger on that cowboy look? Whether it is your first time buying a pair of

rhodes dean boot top view

7 Ways to Soften New Boots ASAP

Are you on the lookout for new leather boots? Heading out to your local shoe store to get a new pair of boots can be quite exciting. Retail therapy is

naked famous milk selvedge review

Jeans Made With 23% Milk!? A Look at Naked & Famous’ Milk Selvedge

The discovery of Naked and Famous’ Milk Selvedge had me spiraling. Denim that's 77% cotton and 23%... milk?! As in cow juice? Wild as it sounds, it

helm boot front view

Goodyear Welt vs Blake Rapid – Which Is Best for Resoling and Water Resistance?

So, you’re serious about boots. You’re looking for the highest quality, the ones that will really last, and it’s got you asking the real questions like, “I want

Suede vs roughout leather

Suede vs Roughout Leather: Does One Make Tougher Boots?

Expert Verified By: Michael Batson, Vice President, North Star Leather Company There are countless ways to make different leather products, and while the

leather vs suede vs nubuck

Leather vs Suede vs Nubuck: Which Boots Should You Get?

Leather terms like full grain, suede, and nubuck are common when you start research high-quality boots. It'd be superficial to say one is "better" — for

best leather tanneries

The Best Leather Tanneries on Earth

Everyone knows that a great boot starts with great leather. But where does that leather come from? It starts with the expertise of the tannery, where raw

Alden mahogany shell cordovan

Is Cordovan Worth It? A Complete Guide to the Fanciest Shoe Leather

Many guys love fine leather footwear and will engage with it as a hobby for years before learning about the existence of shell cordovan. Most brands won't touch

studio d'artisan jeans

How to Break in Boots – 12 Expert Tricks for Tough Boots

Expert Verified By: Trenton Potter, Cobbler & Footwear Expert Stiffness is the ultimate paradox with a brand-new pair of boots. Sure, one day in the

ostmo boot shank

3 Reasons (Most) Boots Should Have a Shank

What exactly is a boot shank? Simply put, the shank is a load-bearing piece of steel (or another hard, inflexible material) that is sandwiched between the

different boot soles

Types of Boot Soles You Should Know About: Rubber vs Leather vs Crepe

If you’re dropping real money on your boots, you want to make sure you have the best type of boot soles for your style and use. Just like you wouldn’t wear

armstrongs all natural

Does It Matter If Your Leather Conditioner Has Petroleum?

If you’ve already invested in a pair of quality leather boots, you probably know how important leather conditioner is. A good conditioner will do a lot for you:

grant stone ottawa boot review

The Pros and Cons of Kangaroo Leather

Kangaroo leather, sometimes called K-leather, is what most people would call exotic leather, though that term typically brings endangered and exalted animals to

nubuck vs suede

Nubuck Vs Suede: A Tanner, Leatherworker, and Bootmaker Weigh In

Expert Verified By: Michael Batson, Leatherworker and Vice President at North Star Leather Company To start, let’s be clear: both suede and nubuck are forms

vegetable tanned leather

Vegetable Tanning Vs. Chrome Tanning Vs Oil Tanning Vs Combination Tanning Leather: What’s Best For Your Boots?

How your leather is made matters a lot for durability and aesthetics, but for people, how their leather is made is a bit of a mystery. In the world of boots,

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This site started to help guys find the best boots for their dollar and has since expanded to cover the highest quality casual menswear, from leather jackets to selvedge jeans to canvas bags — the kind of simple, fashionproof classics that help you get dressed without overthinking your “style.” Read more

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