I first got this pair of Taft boots over three years ago and when I first typed that out I had to double check to make sure it was the case. As many of you know, I’ve been testing different boots from all over the world. I had a friend ask about these, well when you wear Taft you’re bound to get lots of questions but she specifically asked how they hold up performance-wise, and that’s when I decided I’d write a quick review. 

There is so much to say about Taft, but they’re a big name now so you might know it and if not you can find it online. They’re an awesome company, started in Utah by my friend Kory, and use some of the most talented and sweetest artisans to handmake their boots in Spain. What I’m gonna focus on though, is my personal experience with them. 

On May 21st, 2016 I swung by the Taft warehouse to have a chat with Kory and pick up a pair of boots. I was excited about the possibility of a pair of boots that stood out a bit. Taft was doing something called Taft30 in which a few menswear aficionados were testing out a pair of shoes for 30 days straight. That might not sound like a lot of fun if you’re breaking in a pair of shoes, but they were pretty comfy from the jump. At the time I had had a pair of shoes made in Italy and a bespoke pair of boots made in Mexico, and both of those required a bit more time to break in and be comfortable, so the initial comfort was a pleasant surprise.

My life is all over the place, so my Taft30 was going to be a little more exciting than 30 days of wearing the same shoes to an office job. Day one was Topgolf and then going Latin dancing with some friends, so a more active start than what you’d normally do in a brand new pair. Over those first 30 days, I would end up taking trips to LA, Mexico, and a mini road trip to Texas. I wore the boots when I hiked Rustic Canyon outside of L.A. and when I dressed up for business meetings. They were comfy, they were stylish, they were bold, so as far as I was concerned they had proved themselves with the #Taft30 challenge… but it didn’t stop there. 2016 is the year I moved to New York, so they were with me for the day to day of city life, they went with me to fashion week in Italy, and I wore them on our first shoot when we started the brand Giorgio Verdi. 

Even though I don’t wear them every single day, they’ve become a staple in my wardrobe. I got them shined on the street in Mexico City in 2017 and the guy made the leather a lighter color(I was salty at first but grew to love that now they’re even more unique), the rubber soles are also pretty worn but still solid. With the right love and care is pair could pass for new. Most boots these days don’t make it to 3 years, definitely not looking this great once they do. I’ve replaced the laces a few times, but it’s honestly a pretty great feeling to know your shoes are outliving the shoelaces that way. When they need it I can re-sole them, and for now, I can just continue loving them and traveling in them just like I have the last few years.