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B L O O D , S W E A T& S T E E R S

Making a Boot that Lasts a Lifetime

Black Bear Brand is a revival of tough and traditional

craftsmanship. We’ve pursued this engagement with

Dayton Boots because the men and women who work

there personify excellence.

P h o t o g r a p h y b y C h r i s R o l l e t t

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This place is alive with history. In seeing it, you immediately imagine the

people who invested a lifetime of passion into leather and machines. The

Dayton legacy is built on their shoulders and is being carried on today by

men and women who share that same pride in quality.

It’s with gritty determination and pride that Dayton Boots has established

a reputation for toughness. With one glance at their factory, it’s easy to see

exactly how that toughness is built in.

Dayton makes boots the right way. It starts with brilliant design, but it’s

the hand craftsmanship that truly sets Dayton Boots apart. The people

there are intimately engaged with the product, which also allowed us to be

hands on in the development of our boots.

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These boots are tanned, oiled, formed, and sewn by hand in limited

supply. Our design approach was to meld practicality with elegance.

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There’s something about the Soul of Dayton. Each pair is imbued

with a raw, tough character that is impressed upon them by proven

craftsmen, tarnished machines, and an enduring legacy.

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Time honored craftsmanship, quality leather, and classic design style

ensure that these boots are built to last. The wedge soles eliminate any

hang-ups, and the thick cut Horween leather provides a deep, rich finish.

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The Horween leather is thick yet supple; incredibly

durable, and ruggedly beautiful. There are no frills here.

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At Dayton, excellence has been a generational exercise bolstered by an

undiminished passion. Together, Black Bear Brand, Dayton Boots, and

Horween Leather have come together to produce unwavering traditions

that elevate excellence.

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We are privileged to have a close working relationship with Skip Horween

of Horween Leather. His knowledge and guidance for choosing the perfect

leather for each product is invaluable.

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We go to Horween exclusively for all of our leather products. For these

boots, we chose their Chromexcel leather in black and in Color #8.

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Horween’s Chromexcel recipe is more than a century old. Its longevity is a

testament to the quality with which it is still being produced.

From rawhide to finish, the Chromexcel process takes nearly a month.

The attention given to every detail, and the skilled labor invested in to

the leather, are absolutely apparent in the final product.

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This curation and cooperation between makers has defined Black Bear

Brand and produced a product that can be worn with pride.

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