As fun as the thrill of chasing the next big sneaker release can be, the release schedules of the industry's key players have become increasingly intense, leaving most lost, exhausted, or having given up altogether.
If your interests remain rooted in footwear, despite the chaos, why not expand your horizons? A pair of boots is a fitting place to start, and if you're seeking the gold standard, see REESE COOPER's "Lamier" boots.
It's safe to say that many have "grown out" of sneakers. That's not to say that they have an age limit, of course not, but many have fallen out of love with the process; the many steps living between seeing a pair you like and securing them.
Between the frequency of releases, heavy-handed quantities of collaborations, bots, resellers, and declining quality, it's easy to see why conversations concerning a "post-sneaker world" are such a hot topic. When sneakers stop being fun, what comes next?
Thanks to the style-savvy, such as Tyler, the Creator, it was loafers that became the easy answer to that question. There is plenty a slick option, from Our Legacy to DUKE + DEXTER, Gucci, and Paraboot, and, get this, they're wearable in summer, too.
While loafers are great and all, they lack the impact of a boot. There's a real strength to boots; from their physical weight to imposing stature, they offer style with functional purpose – keeping you rooted to the ground.
Boots, for many of us, are synonymous with uniform. You throw a pair of steel toes on if you're working the warehouse floor or on-site, though, at the same time, styles such as Dr. Martens 1460 have served as the finishing touch to subcultural uniforms across generations.
We all have our favorites, be it classics like a pair of Docs, "Wheat" Timbs, or a fine-tuned effort from Our Legacy, Acne Studios, or Alexander McQueen, but REESE COOPER's most recent effort is one to behold.
While the "Lanier," introduced less than a month ago, isn't REESE COOPER's first foray with boot styles, it's easily its most considered, inspired, and note-worthy design to date.
As per my previous statement, these boots pack all of the bells and whistles that make boots such a desirable footwear style – they're physically imposing thanks to their five-eye high structure, weighted with a 3-piece lug sole which boasts the comfort and durability of Vibram, and offer both without making any sacrifice on aesthetic.
Inspired by traditional duck and work boots, the Lamier feels like a love letter to every style that came before, blending their best elements to deliver a finish that's wearable across work and casual style rotations – which, if you ask me, is the most beautiful part of any good boot.
Now, I'd wager that most would wince at the thought of wearing their LOEWE or Celine boots in a physical work environment, the same way you could with a Timberland, and; while those same Timbs are accepted as casual dress, you may not pair them with suiting.
That level of backwards compatibility, for want of a better phrase, is afforded by REESE COOPER's Lanier. Handcrafted in Italy using Italian suede and leather, the craftsmanship of the pair speaks for itself, delivering a clean-lined finish that, especially in black, you could muck through fields, give a wipe, and pair with a two-piece at a Champagne soiree.
Cross-functionality is arguably the tradition of boots. For that, it's hard to argue that REESE COOPER's Lanier isn't the gold standard. At the very least, they're a damn good pair of boots.
