HARNESS BOOT

Traditional harness straps and antiqued metal hardware over full-grain black leather — that is the whole look, and it has never really gone out of style. The shaft stands 11" tall and pulls on with the help of sturdy side tabs.

Construction is Goodyear welt with a single-row welt stitch, so the sole is stitched on and can be replaced rather than thrown away with the boot. A steel shank runs through the middle for support and stability. Inside, the side seams are taped and a Cushion Flex insole carries a flex forepart, which lets the boot bend where the foot bends while the insole absorbs impact and takes pressure off underfoot. The lining is leather, the toe is a snoot, the heel is a 2 inch Strider, and the outsole is a rubber that resists slips, oil and abrasion.

This is the boot that goes from the open road to a night out without a change of footwear, which is a rarer trick than it sounds. Black and hardware do most of the work, so keep everything else plain and let the straps be the loudest thing you have on.