Särmä Ankle Boots

Bullshit-free ankle boots made in Estonia to our specs. These are much like the US Army garrison boots from WWII with a modern sole construction. These aren't just for show but are made for real use. Available in black and brown.

No need to try to reinvent the wheel when you already have something as cool as this, taken straight from the books of history. What separates our ankle boots from the many other modern offerings is the amazing lack of bullshit features on them: no zippers or polyester padding, paper-thin leather, or a pre-worn look. These are honest classic boots. To keep the cost reasonable, these do have a glued-on sole, which does the job well. These are way above similarly priced fashion boots in the same price range.

Made in Estonia (EU), just South of Finland.

Features

Apart from the modern sole, the whole boot is modeled after the classic US service boot from WWII. This means the general construction is pretty damn solid. Reinforced toe box construction, but no safety features.

Thanks to the solid construction and grippy sole, these can actually be used outside city limits. For those looking for a traditional unlined leather boot for outdoor use, this might be the ticket. When you get back to town, just polish them up before hitting the pub.

The upper is made of colored smooth leather, the kind that actually soaks in polish and grease. It'll get a nice patina in use and will last a long time. The leather gets more supple with use! No lining or membranes whatsoever; these dry faster, and you can regulate warmth with your sock choices.

In the olden days, boots like this were often coupled with gaiters or puttees in military use. We have taken this into account with the fit of the shaft. So YES, wear them rags with these!

Glued on rubber sole with grippy tread pattern. Probably not the gentlemanliest one out there, but very practical. The sole has no specific cushioning added, but the material does absorb shocks quite well.

Cushion insoles included. These are pretty much the same as on the Norwegian M77 combat boots, which come from the same factory.

Natural Properties

Being mainly hand-crafted from a real animal, these might have occasional little signs of the manufacturing process and/or natural imperfections. These have not been covered with polyurethane coatings or such, and will blend in as the boots get some kilometers behind them.

The organic nature of leather means these may stain light-colored and white socks. You can easily avoid this by using dark socks – the only kind we sell in any case. In case you think we're pulling your leg, have a look here to see for yourself.

Size info

Sizes in the standard French/EU system. The last is about "regular" which fits most feet. Initially tight leather will fit much better once broken in.

Below is a chart with the size conversions and footbed/insole lengths for each size. Remember to leave AT LEAST 10 mm / 0.4" clearance for your toes!