Taft Dragon 2.0 Boot in Tobacco Review - The Hottest Boot on Instagram!
Taking a closer look at the new Dragon 2.0 boot from Taft - the brand that’s killing both the style and Instagram games with Goodyear welted boots that will please even the snobbiest of boot lovers!
Check out the Mensch’s “How I Style My TAFT Dragon Boots” on YouTube at the bottom of this page!
Taft is probably the only brand on Instagram that frequently has celebrities and athletes, like NFL legend Deion Sanders, repping their boots without being paid
One of the top brands leading the charge in this men’s boot revolution is Taft. Not only are they making high quality and great looking boots, but they’ve been absolutely killing the Instagram game! Their boots can be seen on world class athletes and they’ve never seemed to “sell out” with a bombardment of advertisements and deceptive marketing like some other brands have. The results have been phenomenal and founder Kory Stevens even won Earnst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award! (Check out his emotional speech here)
The Mensch rockig the Dragon Boot in tobacco with a henley and jeans from agave denim
I think Taft has been so successful because they have managed to create a brand that is quintessential cool, but unwaveringly stands for high quality. The silhouette is slim and street style ready, but their construction and materials will please even the most snobby of boot enthusiasts.
Let’s take a closer look at the their flagship boot, the Dragon 2.0, in the new Tobacco colorway.
Leather:
The Dragon boot undoubtedly gets its name from this extremely unique and interesting leather that looks like Dragon skin, or at least what Dragon skin might look like! It’s actually a waxed “commander”suede from the famous Charles F. Stead tannery in England, which provides leathers to other prominent brands like Clark’s. The leather doesn’t really look or feel at all like suede due to the waxing process, which is good because the result is infinitely more durable and resilient than suede. Taft states that the leather is waterproof, but I surely wouldn’t wear boots like this in the rain despite their ability to repel it. My favorite characteristic of the leather is surely the way it ages. It shows scuffs and scratches much like a beeswax or horween chromexcel would which compliments the textured and rugged aesthetic these boots seem to own so well.
An up-close view of the incredible texture of the CF Stead waxed leather used for the Taft Dragon Boots
Sizing
Make sure the laces are not touching when lacing up your boots- it means they’re too big!
One major flaw in these boots is that they don’t come in half sizes which will be a problem for must. As I usually do, I would recommend sizing down. I’m a size 9.5 in Clark’s and a 9 in Red Wing and I fit a size 9 well. If you’re between sizes, definitely consider what kind of socks you normally wear when deciding on size. If you wear thick boot socks and plan to wear these throughout the winter, I would size up, but if you wear thinner, dressier socks, I would size down.
Fit
The slimmer profile of the Dragon boots helps make it versatile and mass appealing
The Dragon boot definitely has a slimmer profile than other winter-ready boots. This works for their advantage because it makes these boots exceptionally good looking! I need my boots to fit snug against my heel and instep and these do so. One personal pet peeve I have with boots like Doc Martens is when the vamps are tall enough that the two sides of the laces touch when tightly tied. These are on the verge of touching which for me isn’t the most secure fit I’ve had in a boot. Nevertheless, I don’t experience any slippage or discomfort with the Dragon boot as I do with my Doc Martens.
Style
The Dragon boot in tobacco steals this look with chinos and a denim shirt
Comparing them to other brands competing in this fashion forward boot market, I think these are the most easily paired with slim jeans and dressier looks. They also come in a number of different colors and fabrics. Another gorgeous boot from Taft is the Jack boot that features wool vamps and leather toe caps. Similarly this tobacco colored boot has a mid brown vamp with a dark brown cap toe and heel cup. I think they look really interesting and still go well with anything a unicolored boot would. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but most people on Instagram have given me overwhelmingly positive feedback. You can see I paired them with a green colored Henley and khaki colored jeans which compliment the tones of the boot well. But I also paired them with a blazer and indigo jeans just as well and think they look just as on-point.
Construction
A 360 degree Goodyear welt makes these boots legit; waterproof, and totally recraftable
The Dragon boots feature a full 360 degree Goodyear welt. This means that they’re totally recraftable and will last you for decades if properly cared for. They’re made in Spain and there are no loose threads or stitching. The finishing seems to be well done, which is what you’d expect from a $350 boot.
Also worth pointing out is the full leather lining made of calfskin. Most high end boots will have a similar lining, but Taft’s happens to be particularly buttery and luxurious!
Sole
Can you think of a mythical creature that the sole of these boots resemble???
The original Dragon 1.0 boot featured a Dainite sole, the same used on many other Goodyear welted, high-end boots like Allen Edmonds. However they’ve switched to a chunkier sole with an interesting tread resembling a dragon’s tail that will grip the ground better in the slushier winter weather. I think the upgrade fits the style and functionality of the boot but I have yet to see how they will hold up with regular wear.
Overall, the Dragon Boot’s biggest merit is that it brings an exceptionally mass appealing look to a very high quality shoe. Even those consumers looking for fashion forward footwear items will be pleased with the edgy designs Taft has become known for. But these boots not only look good, they perform exceptionally well thanks to the Goodyear welt construction and use of high quality and unique leather made by the esteemed Charles F. Stead tannery. IF you want to check them out for yourself I would love it if you used this link which lets them know I sent you! This way you can help support your boy the Mensch and I can keep bringing you reviews like this one!
