Radical Boots
Published: 09 June, 2009
The smell of a shoe isn't the first thing I look for (or smell for), but it was certainly the first thing I noticed when I opened the huge white box my size 11 Phoenix Brown & Orix Radical Boots came in. The aroma that greeted me hit me like a raging bull, running by me so close you could almost taste the leather. It was like being thrust into the very Mexican factory where these boots are hand crafted.
Then, I noticed just what a good-looking pair of boots they were. The poet John Keats said "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever" and he was right. These boots, made from finest quality leathers, are actually too beautiful to wear. But, don't be fooled by their appearance, these boots are made to be used. It reminded me of people who buy classic cars and keep them in their garage, never to see the light of day again, afraid something will happen to them if they ever did leave the safety of the garage.
But all those fantastic machines, the old Aston Martins, Ferraris and Bentleys want to be driven - they need to be driven. All the work that went into making the cars, the care and attention, the blood sweat and tears, means that it's a crime these cars don't ever get used. It's very much the same with Radical Boots.
A short dress boot, the outside is made from Grade A leathers, the inside from calf leather for extra comfort. It has a Grade A shock absorbing rubber sole as well as durable cushioning comfort inlays. The seam is full Goodyear Welt for that solid boot construction and the outsole that is both slip and oil resistant. You put these elements together, all these different parts and you have one hell of a boot. Like the classic cars there is no time scale for making these boots, no rush to get them off the production line and out to the punters. These boots are hand made.
The next question, where do I wear them? Do I wear them for work and show them off in the office? Do I wear them to the supermarket? Do I wear them for my trip to London with the better half? The truth is, any of these would have been suitable. My choice to put these boots through their paces was a Saturday night out on the town. What better way to test a new pair of boots, I could test for comfort (on my feet all night at the bar, dancing etc.,) and for style: how the boots looked with my glad rags on.
Frankly, I didn't have to step out of my house before I knew the answer. The degree of comfort was apparent from the moment I put the boots on, the durable cushioning comfort inlays made me feel like I was wearing slippers. I knew they looked good, but I was not expecting the response they attracted.
In the past, I've had maybe three or four comments about my shoes (usually after asking: "Do you like my new shoes?"), but nobody needed prompting with these boots. Before I'd even left my house my flat mate and her friends had all commented on how great they looked, I was even stopped in the street by a passer-by asking where the boots were from and where he could buy them.
After mochas tequilas (the boots are made in Mexico, I thought when in Rome...) and a lot of dancing later, the boots came through with flying colours. The morning after the night before my feet felt fine, not what you'd expect after wearing new shoes on a night out, no pain or any blisters. The boots looked like they hadn't been taken out of the box, still fantastic. I on the other hand did not look so good, but I blame one of Mexico's other great exports TEQUILA!!!!
Paul tested the Phoenix Brown & Orix Radical Boot (item #34w). Sizes available: Gents UK 7 - UK 12.5 Ladies: UK4 - UK 7. Price: RRP: £220
Contact: Tel. 01423 504444 www.radicalboot.co.uk
