Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots

Over the past year we have featured several heritage boots that go hand-in-hand with bearded lifestyle and rugged fashion. While I loved the Wolverine Kilometer boots ($250), I was dying to get my hands on their premium product, The 1000 Mile Boot ($360). Boot season never ends, and I’ve been rocking mine every day this summer.

A quick primer on Wolverine. G.A. Krause founded the company to make work boots in Rockford, Michigan in 1883. In 1901 he built a power plant that allowed him to support a factory to build the boots, and by 1903 they were making 300 pair a day. In 1914 the “1000 Mile Shoe” was introduced and promised to give you 1000 miles of wear.

Still based in Rockford and built in Big Rapids Michigan, today’s 1000 Mile Boots are inspired by those same archival patterns that embody the pillars of Wolverine’s heritage – comfort, durability, function, and style.

Let’s get to my 1000 Mile Boots. I was able to grab a pair in classic brown and Just opening the box was a treat. The smell of new leather came wafting and the boots were wrapped in a polishing cloth. They had a hazy layer of finish that hadn’t yet been polished off, which protects the leather during shipping and storage. I gave them a quick wipe down and they looked like a million dollars. I know I’m a bit of a boot junkie, but these are frigging sweet.

Like most high-end boots in its class, the 1000 Mile is made with Goodyear Welt construction from Horween Leather, but it’s the shape and personality that sets it apart. It looks like it came right out of 1914. Pure class. The outsole and heel also standout in comparison to other brands since they’re full leather and finished with a rubber heel. The waxed laces and antique brass eyelets finish it off making it one of the dressiest boots in the game.

Wolverine now offers a Limited Release 1000 Mile Liberty Boot ($400) with iconic paisley lining from renown haberdasher Liberty Art in London. The design is based on a traditional 1950’s scarf from Liberty’s archives. They’re available in light brown and rust but you better act fast if you want a pair. They won’t be around forever. My pal Brent Whaley (@whaleysworld) is wearing the Rust color on the left of this photo, I’m wearing the classic brown.

Wolverine has also released another limited edition 1000 Mile Boot that is perfect for this fall if you’re a football fan. The Pigskin ($400) is made with genuine football cowhide leather from the Horween company and has all of the nubs, texture, and color of a football. So rad. The white waxed laces are a perfect touch to pay homage to the gridiron.

Wolverines run a half size large, so if you normally wear a 10 be sure to snag a 9.5. Philosopher Lao Tzu said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Get yourself into a pair of The Original 1000 Mile Boots and start yours.