Stridewise.com’s Expert Network comprises some of the foremost authorities in high-end and durable footwear and menswear. Each member of our Expert Network brings extensive experience to their respective industries, from design and manufacturing to brand leadership and retail expertise. Our network includes influential bootmakers, CEOs, journalists, and historians who have used their insights to improve the content on Stridewise.com.
Articles that have been Expert Approved are distinctly marked at the beginning. This badge highlights the experts who have personally reviewed and endorsed the content, ensuring our readers receive the most reliable and accurate advice available.
Global Product Design & Development Manager | Red Wing Heritage
Mike has spent over a decade learning from veteran tanners and shoemakers in Red Wing, Minnesota, and today manages product design and development for the USA’s most iconic boot brand, Red Wing Heritage.
CEO & Creative Director | Thursday Boot Company
After 10 years of developing hundreds of materials and lasts, Nolan has a profound understanding of footwear manufacturing and design processes and grown Thursday Boot Company into an industry leader.
Creative Director | Naked & Famous Denim
Bahzad Trinos has a wealth of experience across multiple areas of heritage menswear. This includes sales, merchandising, buying, product development, design, and general management at Naked & Famous Denim, where he’s responsible for many of the brand’s most memorable fabrics.
Leatherworker & Founder | Rose Anvil
Weston Kay is a professional leatherworker, boot surgeon, and the founder of Rose Anvil, a leather goods shop and a juggernaut of a YouTube enterprise with over a million subscribers across three channels.
Founder & Shoemaker | J. FitzPatrick Footwear
Justin FitzPatrick apprenticed in bespoke shoemaking under the late Stefano Bemer and then onto London where he continued studying under Gaziano & Girling. He launched J. FitzPatrick in Soho, Manhattan, where he offers “classic with a twist” dress shoes to anyone who appreciates unique yet classic style, along with writing for the Shoe Snob Blog.
Boot Photographer & Expert | Ticho Blanco
Ticho Blanco is the host of the excellent podcast The Stitchdown Shoecast and the feet behind the popular Instagram account @tichoblancoshoes.
COO & Co-Founder | Adelante Shoes
Mike Pelzer is the COO and co-founder of Adelante Shoes, a successful made-to-order footwear brand providing quality shoes and boots at any size and width.
Leatherworker & Founder | Dale’s Leatherworks
Dale Basista is a leatherworker, boot collector, and YouTuber who enjoys gathering boots of all builds and materials from all over the world.
Lecturer, Professor, & Founder | The Denim School & Endrime
Mohsin Sajid has spent 25 years in the denim industry, taught at over 40 universities, made denim documentaries, cut patterns, tailored, and launched the denim brand Endrime.