If anyone is curious as to why the thumbnail shows gray laces (but the video does not), it's because I didn't receive them until after the video was finished.
Andrew at Parkhurst is always awesome to work with and his boots deliver on quality and superior fit. I’ve had my Clover Kudu stitchdowns for about a week or so and they deliver on patina & the superior fit you get with Parkhurst’s lasts. Highly recommend!
Great comparison of the two lasts. I have one of the prototype stitchdown models from earlier this year but that last was still very much a work in progress. The sizing was very generous. Even going a full size down I'm still looking for ways to take up some of the extra volume (kilties and thicker leather laces so far). The 602M fits me better than the 602 which I have to wear thinner socks with. I think I would really like this final version of the 618.
Interesting. I saw Bootlosophy's video on the last in progress and I could tell it looked quite different from the final version. Having said that, I do fit better into the 602M last as well.
Great video! I have the Spruce and Cumulus kudu from Parkhurst and the asfalto horsebutt. Love the brand. I'd love to try one of the stitchdown versions, and this review was very informative.
There should not be such a thing as a "wide last" or a "narrow last". The differences between last types should be in the toe spring, the heel offset or height, and the toe shape forward of the ball. You could maybe argue the arch height and shape. The problem is that the industry does not measure feet with enough dimensions. It seems your boot was built on what we call a combination last. Typically a combo last will be have a larger letter size instep and yet another size larger ball. So, for example, a 9D combo is a 9 in the arch length, a D in the heel, a E in the instep and EE in the ball. When we choose a last, we select it based on the arch length and heel width. From there the the rest is modified accordingly.
Very nice review. I just received my Inferno Rambler pair today and yes this new last fits a little wide but I don’t mind. I wish, I would’ve known this before and ordered these a 1/2 size smaller.
@@chalkboardshoes Not yet but I’ll take that back, they fit perfect actually. I just wore them around the house and they fit great. The smell of the leather is amazing!
@Will-yp6ny yes I have B width foot and sized down a full size. There's some wiggle room in the ball, but with the waist and heel so secure, the slight bit of room at the toes is actually welcomed. Once the boot molds and creases to your feet, it's just a super comfortable boot. Mine are the tempesti veg tan which is very supple. I'm waiting for the inferno rambler as well.
Parkhurst are comparable to Grant Stone but they have very limited sizes and quantity. I love my navy blue Niagara so much I bought two pairs. They are crazy comfortable and extremely well made.
I like the shape of the new last. I, too, have been a little frustrated with availability. I have a pair of Grant Stones in the Leo last. How would the Leo last compare to the 618 last, in your opinion?
The Leo is more like the 602M last, but with a higher instep. The 618 wider than the Leo at the ball, but has a narrower heel for sure. Instep room is similar to the Leo. I take the same size in each of those lasts. That's my opinion. Edit: I meant to say the Leo has a higher instep, not lower.
618 has a tighter heel and waist than the Leo imo. Forefoot is wider than D width Leo, but the quarters on the Allen stitchdown are smaller than the Diesel and especially the Edward. So when laced up they don't reach the point of touching which is great for my low instep and skinny ankles. I prefer 8.5D in GS Leo, heel is very slightly loose, forefoot is just that bit snug which I like. I have also 8D Leo, but those are too short and snug at the ball, but heel is nice. So with Parkhurst, based on Andrew's sizing advice, I went 9. Was worried at first that it might be too big. But yeah just a day of wear and I could tell that this last really suited my feet. The low toe volume, snug waist and heel made the extra width a good thing. Secure yet no squishing of the toes. Not much more I could ask for. It fit so well imo that I purchased another 618 Allen Stitchdown. So will have the Tempesti Veg Tan and Inferno Rambler
@@chalkboardshoes Thanks for that. Ive been rocking some Grant Stones w/ the white Vibram flex soles coming in at only 1.25 lbs, these are my only 'utility' boots as I travel the world and put tons of miles down so weight is important. Having owned several 2030 service boots in the past I loved the look of those and feel these are their spiritual successors (they look more like the older version of that last), was just hoping they might come in at a bit of a lighter build. I imagine the commando soles are largely working against that, but the rubber used can vary that quite a bit.
@@chalkboardshoes Right? I own about a dozen boots and these ones were notably easier to walk with so I took them for travel. Even though a quarter pound isn't a lot, it probably adds up on days where I'm walking a good five miles or so. Still, I miss my 'bergs! Aesthetically I feel boots like this are really the best looking of them all.
If anyone is curious as to why the thumbnail shows gray laces (but the video does not), it's because I didn't receive them until after the video was finished.
Parkhurst is the best design and fit for me. 602M and 618 lasts are excellent! 👌
I followed Dale @ Dale's Leatherworks recommendation and went with the Saphir Creme Cuir Gras for Kudu leather. It works fantastic.
Andrew at Parkhurst is always awesome to work with and his boots deliver on quality and superior fit. I’ve had my Clover Kudu stitchdowns for about a week or so and they deliver on patina & the superior fit you get with Parkhurst’s lasts. Highly recommend!
This is definitely the last for me. I love a snug heel with lots of room across the toes. Sounds like the last I’ve been looking for. 😁👍
Some men will definitely appreciate it. Thanks
Yea my Alden 405’s in calf have a combo last. My Alden’s in Trubalance are the most comfortable boots I have.
Great comparison of the two lasts. I have one of the prototype stitchdown models from earlier this year but that last was still very much a work in progress. The sizing was very generous. Even going a full size down I'm still looking for ways to take up some of the extra volume (kilties and thicker leather laces so far). The 602M fits me better than the 602 which I have to wear thinner socks with. I think I would really like this final version of the 618.
Interesting. I saw Bootlosophy's video on the last in progress and I could tell it looked quite different from the final version. Having said that, I do fit better into the 602M last as well.
Really nice vid showing off the 618. Much appreciated!
I think for you, it might be a good last.
Great video! I have the Spruce and Cumulus kudu from Parkhurst and the asfalto horsebutt. Love the brand. I'd love to try one of the stitchdown versions, and this review was very informative.
I'm jealous that you have the cumulus kudu boots. I don't know why I didn't buy them when I had the chance.
There should not be such a thing as a "wide last" or a "narrow last". The differences between last types should be in the toe spring, the heel offset or height, and the toe shape forward of the ball. You could maybe argue the arch height and shape. The problem is that the industry does not measure feet with enough dimensions. It seems your boot was built on what we call a combination last. Typically a combo last will be have a larger letter size instep and yet another size larger ball. So, for example, a 9D combo is a 9 in the arch length, a D in the heel, a E in the instep and EE in the ball. When we choose a last, we select it based on the arch length and heel width. From there the the rest is modified accordingly.
Very nice review. I just received my Inferno Rambler pair today and yes this new last fits a little wide but I don’t mind. I wish, I would’ve known this before and ordered these a 1/2 size smaller.
Did you already wear them outside?
@@chalkboardshoes
Not yet but I’ll take that back, they fit perfect actually. I just wore them around the house and they fit great. The smell of the leather is amazing!
@Will-yp6ny yes I have B width foot and sized down a full size. There's some wiggle room in the ball, but with the waist and heel so secure, the slight bit of room at the toes is actually welcomed. Once the boot molds and creases to your feet, it's just a super comfortable boot. Mine are the tempesti veg tan which is very supple. I'm waiting for the inferno rambler as well.
I did true to size successfully. Little extra room but not loose. I’m B width on Brannock but I usually wear D or even E because of toe rub.
Parkhurst are comparable to Grant Stone but they have very limited sizes and quantity. I love my navy blue Niagara so much I bought two pairs. They are crazy comfortable and extremely well made.
I wish I would have bought that navy Niagara moc toe. I guess I was hoping they would release a plain toe version of that navy color.
@@chalkboardshoes - I found my second pair on eBay. They were virtually new and I only paid $200.
@@howardbeale5303 Wow, that's a great find. I never see anything in my size on Ebay, but I keep trying.
@@chalkboardshoes - Parkhurst just released the Niagara in Spruce Kudu!
These soles are noticeably more grippier than other soles which is great
I agree
I like the shape of the new last. I, too, have been a little frustrated with availability. I have a pair of Grant Stones in the Leo last. How would the Leo last compare to the 618 last, in your opinion?
The Leo is more like the 602M last, but with a higher instep. The 618 wider than the Leo at the ball, but has a narrower heel for sure. Instep room is similar to the Leo. I take the same size in each of those lasts. That's my opinion. Edit: I meant to say the Leo has a higher instep, not lower.
618 has a tighter heel and waist than the Leo imo. Forefoot is wider than D width Leo, but the quarters on the Allen stitchdown are smaller than the Diesel and especially the Edward. So when laced up they don't reach the point of touching which is great for my low instep and skinny ankles. I prefer 8.5D in GS Leo, heel is very slightly loose, forefoot is just that bit snug which I like. I have also 8D Leo, but those are too short and snug at the ball, but heel is nice. So with Parkhurst, based on Andrew's sizing advice, I went 9. Was worried at first that it might be too big. But yeah just a day of wear and I could tell that this last really suited my feet. The low toe volume, snug waist and heel made the extra width a good thing. Secure yet no squishing of the toes. Not much more I could ask for. It fit so well imo that I purchased another 618 Allen Stitchdown. So will have the Tempesti Veg Tan and Inferno Rambler
@@ryanpiyo98 I was eyeing the Inferno Rambler, myself. I’ll need to act soon. Thank you for your insight.
Great review. Thanks for the information.
What size are these? Appreciate the weight measurement, I'm trying to figure out what the weight might be in my size (8).
These are 7.5 D, weight is about 1.55 pounds. Probably will be consistent with most boots in terms of weight.
@@chalkboardshoes Thanks for that. Ive been rocking some Grant Stones w/ the white Vibram flex soles coming in at only 1.25 lbs, these are my only 'utility' boots as I travel the world and put tons of miles down so weight is important. Having owned several 2030 service boots in the past I loved the look of those and feel these are their spiritual successors (they look more like the older version of that last), was just hoping they might come in at a bit of a lighter build. I imagine the commando soles are largely working against that, but the rubber used can vary that quite a bit.
Wow, that is light weight for Grant Stone! They won't be lighter than 1.25 lbs, but honestly won't be much heavier.
@@chalkboardshoes Right? I own about a dozen boots and these ones were notably easier to walk with so I took them for travel. Even though a quarter pound isn't a lot, it probably adds up on days where I'm walking a good five miles or so. Still, I miss my 'bergs! Aesthetically I feel boots like this are really the best looking of them all.
Looks like the 2030 last?
Perhaps it is based on that last, but I would not know.
Not really, it's its own thing which is good
@@BB-gl7zt As an owner of 2 pairs of 2014 2030 Vibergs, this boot looks more like the original 2030 Vibergs than the current 2030 Vibergs.