trenton and heath

Cheap vs Expensive Boots | 5 Areas to Consider When Buying

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People looking for their first pair of boots often likens the process to an odyssey. They are consumed by their goal of finding their dream pair, and hours — days! — of their time are consumed with research, forums, and store visits. The most mind-boggling questions that first-time buyers have are: “Are expensive boots worth it” … Read more

Unboxing $785 Viberg Service Boots

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If you know anything about the boot-collecting hobby, then you must be no stranger to Viberg. Founded in 1931 by Edwin Viberg, this Canadian boot company is famous for its made-to-order services as well as its annual sample sales that double up as boot meetups across America. 

Like many brands from the same era, Viberg started out as a workwear company that wound up taking the fashion world by storm. Their style-oriented collection boasts leathers from renowned tanneries, such as Horween from the USA, Maryam from Italy, and Shinki Hikaku from Japan. 

Today, Trenton from the famous cobbling duo Trenton & Heath will be unboxing one of Viberg’s most popular makeup: the Color 8 Service Boot. 

[SHOP THE VIBERG SERVICE BOOT HERE!]

What’s In The Box?

As soon as we tore away the packaging, we were greeted with a familiar black box with “Viberg” embossed in the middle.  Inside the box were two dust bags protecting the boots during its journey. In addition to the boots, Viberg also provided us with spare laces and a little bottle of  the brand’s own shoe cream. Manufactured by the same folks behind Venetian Shoe Cream is one of the best leather conditioners out there, this was a nice gesture from the brand that goes to show how Viberg believes its shoes — and its customers — should be treated. 

[Read Nick’s review of his old Vibergs]

Viberg Color 8 Service Boot

Here are the specs of Nick’s new boot.

  • Last: 2030
  • Upper: Horween Chromexcel 
  • Eyelets: Antique Brass 
  • Construction: Stitchdown 
  • Laces: Rawhide
  • Midsole: Natural 
  • Outsole: Danite 

Viberg Service Boot

Chromexcel Color 8

 The makeup that Nick chose is made from Horween’s Color 8 Chromexcel leather. Horween’s Chromexcel leather is a pull-up leather that is tanned by impregnating the hide with a secret blend of oils and waxes that make for a material that’s both beautiful and weather resistant. In natural lighting, the color 8 is typically a dark burgundy color with a slight purple undertone. Fashion-wise, this has the advantage of matching with both cooler colors (blue, grey, black) and earth tones. 

One drawback about this leather though, is that it tends to crease easily as it ages. Viberg knows this, so they are extremely meticulous about their clicking process, a term that refers to how they select the best part of the hide to minimize this effect. The amount of leather they must discard to achieve this is part of why the boots have such a considerable price tag. 

[Read more: Are Vibergs Actually Worth It?]

Viberg color 8 Service Boots on foot
Color 8 Service Boots on foot

Are Vibergs on your grail list? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to read more of our coverage of this unique brand: