Updated Dec 5, 2024
The 6 Best Viberg Boot Collabs from a Fanatical Collector
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In this roundup, boot collector and all-around “bootsman” Ticho Blanco walks us through six of his favorite collaborations from the cult Canadian brand Viberg, spanning over a decade of the brand’s history.
Each pair comes with a tale of materials, partnerships, and a dash of obsession, as Ticho uses the opportunity to contextualize the history of this extraordinarily influential brand.
Whether you’re a Viberg diehard or just dipping your toe into the world of heritage footwear, these standout collabs will give you a glimpse into what makes Viberg boots so special — and why Ticho keeps coming back for more.
Why is Viberg Such an Influential Brand?
We’re going to make something that has appeal to fashion-oriented customers but with the history and DNA of a workboot company.
Few brands have left a footprint in the heritage boot world quite like Viberg. The brand has a cult following for many reasons and one of them is their long history of collaborating with stores, stockists, and sometimes individual customers to produce exclusive collaboration boots.
Sometimes, it’s their 2030 service boot with a little twist, like a brogued cap toe, but other times it’s something totally wild — like a wholecut lace up boot made of camel roughout.
1. Nigel Cabourn Collaboration (2012)
The Viberg x Nigel Cabourn collaboration is considered a pivotal moment for the brand. Designed alongside legendary British designer Nigel Cabourn, known for his military-inspired designs, this collaboration marked Viberg’s entry into working with high end designers outside of the niche world of bootmakers.
Materials and Features
This boot features antiqued rough-out leather, with all darker accents applied at the factory by hand, as well as acid-soaked eyelets for a vintage patina. The rugged yet refined service boots were sold exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman.
Significance
Regarded as one of Viberg’s foundational collaborations, this boot set the tone for their evolution into a premium heritage brand. Initially under the radar, it later gained iconic status among collectors.
Ticho’s Take
“These are my oldest pair, and they represent the roots of Viberg’s influence. They weren’t a big deal at the time, but now they’re a cornerstone in boot history.”
2. Lost & Found Perforated Cap Toe Service Boot (2016)
Toronto-based retailer Lost & Found put their unique spin on Viberg’s classic service boot, resulting in this timeless design. As Viberg’s signature leather, Chromexcel is the perfect leather for these boots, and they hold up tremendously even after years of usage.
Believe it or not, these are natural Chromexcel; they started out a golden tan and darkened like this with years of wear. Ticho is no pretender.
Materials and Features
Built on the 2030 last, this perforated cap-toe service boot is crafted from natural Chromexcel leather, a favorite for guys who really want their boots to express their wear and care.
Significance
This collaboration introduced one of Viberg’s signature styles that remains sought-after to this day. Its ability to bridge heritage and tidy finishing details set this boot apart.
Ticho’s Take
“I’ve had these since 2016 and worn them extensively. They’ve aged beautifully, and the natural Chromexcel has developed an incredible patina.”
3. Withered Fig 145 Oxford in Mushroom Chamois Roughout (2017)
Withered Fig, a boutique based in Virginia, collaborated with Viberg to create this versatile Derby, showcasing Viberg’s commitment to unique materials and craftsmanship. Made of a funky-colored and oily roughout leather, the profile is somehow both sleek and chunky at the same time — a feat Viberg is well known for pulling off.
Materials and Features
Made from Horween‘s Mushroom Chamois Roughout leather, the design includes an unstructured toe and a thick corded sole for a distinctive look.
Significance
Living proof of what happens when a great network of stockists is given the freedom to iterate and create something special, this Derby came from the vision of a small online store’s founder. The uncommon leather and design showcased Viberg’s ability to work outside the “confines” of the archetypal service boot while maintaining their heritage craftsmanship.
Ticho’s Take
“This pair balances rugged and refined perfectly. It’s one of the easiest-to-wear shoes in my collection.”
4. Milo Shop Waxed Deer Country Boot
Vancouver-based Miloh partnered with Viberg to create a boot that seamlessly blended British country aesthetics with Viberg’s rugged craftsmanship: a country boot with references to heritage PNW work boot aesthetics and double-row stitchdown, and a 2030 last.
Materials and Features
Crafted from waxed deer leather, the boot features a Ridgeway sole and blind eyelets, a touch more commonly found in dress boots. The leather is quite thin and incredibly flexible (it’s more common in gloves than boots) but Ticho attests to how durable and strong it manages to be.
Significance
This collaboration highlighted Viberg’s ability to reinterpret traditional British country type designs while staying true to their roots. It pulls from many different influences but exists in a beautiful gray area of its own creation.
Ticho’s Take
“These boots feel like leather socks, but are super durable. I’ve rewaxed them a few times, and they’re my go-to for winter.”
5. Whole-Cut Boot Design Contest Winner – Viberg x Ticho Blanco (2018)
The collaboration closest to Ticho’s heart originated with a design contest hosted by Lost & Found. The Toronto store offered a bounty for the best design submitted, which would then be manufactured and awarded to the winner.
Ticho flew to Toronto to participate with his wife in tow, riding on a dream to see his vision come to life — and won.
Materials and Features
Whole-cut upper made from waxed camel roughout leather with nickel eyelets and a commando sole.
Significance
A seamless design with an upper made out of a single piece of leather that offers sock-like comfort, Viberg’s technical chops are hot on display.
Ticho’s Take
“It’s super cool. They’re really comfortable, right, because it’s just one piece of leather that’s wrapped all around your foot. There’s no seams, no pressure points. I threw a bunch of nickel eyelets on it and this big commando sole. They ended up running them — and I got these for free!”
6. Viberg x Standard & Strange (2020)
This collaboration between Viberg and Standard & Strange highlights one of the most beloved leathers in casual boots: horsebutt from Italy’s Maryam.
Materials and Features
Constructed using Maryam Horserump leather, a richly textured material that brings depth and character. The boot features brogue cap-toe detailing, the familiar 2030 last, and double-row stitchdown construction.
Significance
These boots arrived after a pivotal point in Viberg’s history: when they altered their stitchdown construction to have even higher SPI (stitches per inch) .
This collaboration shows off Viberg’s evolution toward a more refined aesthetic and even more skillful craftsmanship. Plus, it’s a great example of their ability to keep their finger on the pulse of the boot community: in the 2020s, Maryam’s horsebutt became a favorite across the space, making up more than half the orders of Indonesia’s Briselblack and Onderhoud when we visited them in 2023.
Ticho’s Take
“This boot showcases Viberg’s unparalleled ability to execute machine-stitched footwear at an incredibly high level. The stitching alone is a work of art.”
But he doesn’t love everything about the direction Viberg was taking.
“As we’re talking about this combination of ideas — between heritage and more European higher-end dress shoes — it skews too far toward the dressy. It’s still a service boot, so it should be casual. To me, the math doesn’t add up.”
Reflections on Viberg’s Legacy
So, this is what happens when an iconic brand is open to collaborating with a network of downstream creatives. Harnessing the benefits of its enthusiast-driven space along with the nimbleness that comes from low production numbers, Viberg can be experimental and evolve rapidly.
“They pretty much invented this category,” Ticho says, referring to Viberg’s role in pioneering the “elevated” service boot. “Any work boot today that cares about the finishing of the boot owes that to Viberg setting the tone in this space. You still have something that’s heavy-duty, made with nice thick internals, resolvable, and water-resistant — but it still looks good.”
Whether you’re a Viberg newbie or a collector with a basement museum of boots (looking at you, Ticho), these collaborations remind us why Viberg continues to stomp all over the competition.
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