I realized recently that my boot rack was missing something essential: a solid pair of black boots. Most of my collection consists of heavy-duty, overbuilt heritage boots in various shades of brown, but I did not have anything in black.
After seeing these featured on Happiness Carpenter’s YouTube channel, I was sold. I was not looking for another pair for hiking or heavy work; I wanted something for casual, everyday use. The Seven Twenty-Four Bristow 8 Inch in Oil Black Rough Out fit the bill perfectly, especially at a price point that is much easier to swallow than what I usually pay for PNW brands.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
| Brand | Seven Twenty-Four |
| Model | Bristow 8 Inch |
| Style | Moc Toe |
| Leather | Lefarc Oiled Black Rough Out (Mexico) |
| Construction | Goodyear Welt / Leather Midsole |
| Outsole | Black Foam Wedge (Non-marking) |
| Height | 8 Inches |
| Sizing | EE Width (Recommend 0.5 size up for wider feet) |
The Leather: Lefarc Character
The leather is a typical oiled roughout from the Lefarc tannery in Mexico. It is incredibly supple right out of the box, which makes the initial wear-in very pleasant.
If you have owned boots with Lefarc leather before (I used to have a pair from Urban Wolf Club), you will recognize the slight chemical smell that comes with the tanning process. It is not Horween or Seidel, but at this price point, you really cannot complain. It is a solid, functional leather that should hold up well and look nice over time.
If roughout is not your thing, Seven Twenty-Four also offers the Bristow in a smooth black leather, as well as a pretty striking green option for those looking for something a bit more unique.
Craftsmanship That Defies the Price
The most shocking thing about these boots is the stitching, especially on the moc toe itself. Honestly, it is excellent. I have looked these over closely, and the stitching quality is actually better than some of my boots from brands that cost three times as much. The lines are clean and the execution is top-tier.
Underneath the foot, they have included a proper leather midsole. If you pull up the stock insole, you can see the nails used in the construction, which is a reassuring sign of a traditional build. Speaking of the insole, it is a leather-topped foam. I am not overly picky with insoles, so I will likely run these until they wear out before swapping them for all-leather inserts years down the road.
Daily Driver Details
For a casual boot, the details on the Bristow are well-thought-out. The hardware is a highlight; the speed hooks are surprisingly high quality, solid metal and beefy. I have never seen a nicer pair on a boot. Even the laces are nice, dyed black all the way through.
The tongue gusset goes about halfway up the boot. While that might not be ideal for deep water or sand, it is perfect for a casual boot. It makes them much easier to slip on than a full-gusset boot where you are constantly fighting to fold the tongue correctly.
The Sneaker Sole
I decided to stick with the stock outsole rather than upgrading to the premium Vibram options. It is a no-name foam wedge, likely also from Mexico, and it gives the boot an almost sneaker-like feel.
It is non-marking and surprisingly grippy on wet concrete and wood floors. Since it is a foam wedge similar to a Vibram Christy, the maintenance is easy. Once it wears down, a cobbler can just sand it and glue a new sole on. Even Seven Twenty-Four offers this service. You will get plenty of life out of these before you ever have to worry about touching the Goodyear welt.
Sizing and Support
Buying boots online is always a bit of a gamble, but Seven Twenty-Four’s customer support was great. I actually sent them the fit sheet I used for my White’s Boots. For context, I am a 9.5FF in White’s and Nicks Boots, and I wear a size 10 in most sneakers.
They recommended a 10.5. These are an EE width, and that extra half-size up was exactly what I needed to accommodate my wider foot. I had a tiny bit of heel slip out of the box, but after just a few days of wear, that is already fading. There was virtually no break-in period otherwise.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a black, casual daily driver that punches way above its weight class in terms of construction, the Bristow is a fantastic choice. It looks great with jeans, feels like a sneaker on the pavement, and does not require the grueling break-in of a heavy-duty boot.
You can find them over at the Seven Twenty-Four store. For the money, you really cannot go wrong.
Pros and Cons
The Good
- Stitching quality on the moc toe and body is incredible for the price.
- Zero break-in period with very supple leather.
- Comfortable, sneaker-like feel for casual walking.
- Excellent customer support for sizing help.
- Solid metal speed hooks are some of the best in the industry.
The Not-So-Good
- Initial chemical smell from the Lefarc tannery.
- Half-gusset tongue is not ideal for water, sand, or mud.
- Stock outsole is unbranded rather than a name-brand Vibram.
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