Face it. You aren't going to get just one pair of HELM Boots.
Fall is here in Minnesota, and my Helm Lous are fitting right in. I wore them on a walk with my dogs yesterday, and now that I’m at the four-month mark of using them, I can confidently say that this is a comfortable and stylish pair of boots.
Quality Materials Just Get Better In Time
The leather on these boots is fantastic. It is soft, thick, and it develops a beautiful patina. There is no need to worry about nicks and scrapes spoiling the appearance. Yes, I could have conditioned them and brushed them up already, but I happen to like how they look with a fine jacket of wear. It reveals the quality of the leather, as cheaper material shows unnatural scrapes and cracks, and makes funny folds. Over the past four months this leather has just started to patina and has begun to take on its own intriguing character.
The sole is another feature of this boot that I’ve come to love. It is extremely comfortable and I find myself returning from a hike to make dinner only to keep them on while I cook. They feel like they are meant to be on my feet.
I mentioned in the initial post that Brad Day sent these along after he joined the On the Dogwatch Podcast so that I could get a sense for Helm and what they offer. This first pair was the Lous, but I would suggest being careful in getting your first pair of Helm Boots. If you are anything like me, you’ll quickly find yourself back on the website and ordering an additional pair. Or two. And a belt. Which is what I did.
I purchased the silver buckle wide Helm belt in brown. It matches the leather of my Lous, and it has just started to break in over a summer of wear. I’m not sure if it will, or I will, wear out first.
I also bought a pair of the Whalen boots in chocolate suede. These have a gum rubber sole and are moccasin-like chukkas that are less structured than the Lous. They were great this summer with chinos in stone, light blue, and coral, and I’ve started wearing them this fall with denim. They are more appropriate for the porch or the pub than the dog park, but I have gotten a lot of use out of them in leisurely environments.
As if this wasn’t enough, much to my wife’s chagrin, I pressed “order” on a pair of the Declans in brown. These are a more structured chukka, and they have required a break-in period. While at first I only wore them in places where I wasn’t walking as much, these are a fantastic shoe on the dress shoe end of the chukka spectrum. The Declan has a relatively sleek silhouette, which I like, in contrast with many chukkas that tend to have a more rounded and blunt toe. Overall, I love these for work and dinner out.
Metamorphosis: Declan to Hynes
The Declan line has metamorphosed into the “Hynes” with a new softer leather and a padded collar around the heel. These updates are sure to reduce the break-in period and provide additional comfort, although I’m good with the old-fashioned Declans. They are settling in just fine.
I’m only 160 days into my Helm experience, and the Lous are batting at the top of the lineup. Given their quality, and the clear style that they display, there are now additional pairs added to cleanup.
There is a lot to love at Helm, and I would definitely suggest checking out their offerings.
