Quality. Class. Performance. These are three perfect words to describe Hydrogen-1 Brogue Lace Up Boots. Hydrogen-1 is a fantastic shoemaker for the guy who wants it all in a shoe–something that works as well on the trail as it does in the casual office. Focused around utilitarian values and simplicity in construction, Hydrogen-1 created a simple, sturdy, generic (in the good way), shoe that will hold up for years. I’ve had these shoes a while now, and I’ve worn them enough to know that these bad boys are here to stay for a long time.
The upfront cost of $295 sounds steep, but here’s the deal: these shoes are worth it. Yes, you can go snag some Chuck Taylors for a pittance these days, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but we’ve all seen shoes like that after a year or so–yikes. Hydrogen-1 brings you the highest quality genuine Italian leather from the Marche region, the main region for the legendary Italian shoemakers. You’re not going to have to worry about these shoes falling apart over the years, and if you get 5 years out of these shoes (and I see no reason why they wouldn’t hold up perfectly for that long), you’re going to make up the cost of buying multiple pairs of cheaper shoes–with the added benefit of wearing some downright sexy performance leather during that time; not canvas.
Now, look, I’m not saying you should go on a worksite or go on lengthy hikes in these shoes. There are steel-toed shoes out there for a reason. However, if you’re a guy who enjoys a good walk on a trail every now and then, the rubber soles and hearty leather will serve you just fine. In addition, the timeless wingtip pattern will turn your look up a notch from tennis shoe to business casual–and who doesn’t want that?
One of my favorite aspects of these boots is how light they are. I have other pairs of leather boots that can feel quite heavy after wearing them all day. However, perhaps because of the rubber soles of these, I don’t have the weighed-down feeling. They take a bit of stretching at first, but after a couple days the leather will form to your foot ideally without too much discomfort when you first take them out of the box.
This old-fashioned diamond style of shoe bottom is a tried and true design for traction and grip in even the roughest terrains. Unlike straightforward “dress” shoes which commonly have a smooth bottom, Hydrogen-1 decided to put the workman’s pattern into place because dressing nice doesn’t mean you need to fall over. A true example of utility and form merged into one.
It’s not all rough and tumble. These boots still feature the same wingtip pattern we all know and love. The leather on these is jet black, but they also have brown leather with black soles–it’s up to you. Same quality, different look.
Overall, I can’t say enough about how pleased I am with these Hydrogen-1 shoes. Don’t let the upfront cost scare you away if you can manage it, because these are truly a great wardrobe investment for the business casual enthusiast who has places to go and people to see. These are some of the most well-crafted, simple, no-nonsense shoes that I’ve ever used, and they’re perfect for a wide array of guys. For more information, check out their website and their other offerings.
