I Think Crown Northhampton Made The Ultimate "Functional Luxury" Gorpcore Boot

(We occasionally receive product that we're super stoked on. When it happens, we'll put it through the business and whip up a review for you. This is one of those cases.)

You know that moment when you crack open a box and immediately think, Oh yeah, this is gonna be good? That was me unboxing the Crown Northampton Everdon Rambler Boot in Green Chromexcel. I had a feeling they’d be solid, but I didn’t expect this— rich green leather, the kind that smells like a saddle shop and already looks smooth, just waiting to start getting out there and creating l stories to tell. Straight out of the box, these badboys felt like old friends, the kind of boots I dreamed about during my days working on the Appalachian trail.

Cali Trails, Meet English Craftsmanship

My first real outing? A casual hike in everybody's favorite groovy California town, Ojai. I wanted to see if these boots could handle dirt, dust, lowkey celeb sightings, and the occasional rocky spring stream— without babying them.

Spoiler alert: they crushed it.

Super comfy right out the gate—no blisters, no drama. Just that sweet spot between structure and give. I’ve since worn them up and down the Topa Topa Mountains, to the Topa Topa Brewery, to coffee in town with the Topa Topas in the distance, and...you get it. No complaints, just props for these badboys. The Horween Chromexel leather is legendary. If you know you know.

A Trip Maine Made Me a Believer

But the real test came in late April: a two-week trip to Maine in the middle of "mud season". I packed wicked light—just the one pair of boots. Risky move? Maybe, but not when they’re these. The Ramblers handled my cross-country airplane trip with minimal sweaty feet. Once I hit the motherland, I handled rocky coastline trails, neighborhood brewery runs, the Hearts of Pine debut home soccer game, Portland cobblestones with no problem at all— and still looked fire as f#$% when I wore them out with jeans and a flannel for dinner.

Gorpcore Cred, Zero Try-Hard

Let’s talk style. These things walk the line between rugged and refined like it’s second nature. They’re low-key perfect with your outdoor gear—think technical pants, fleece layers, and windbreakers—but also clean enough to wear with some raw denim and a nice jacket. That deep green Horween Forest Green Chromexcel that I've been rocking is one of the illest leathers I've seen on a boot in recent memory. It catches light just right. You’re not gonna see it on everyone else, either. It’s luxe, but never precious. I've already scratched mine up good and starting giving em' a good patina— see the pics. I like my boots to break in easy and I don't baby em'. The Everdons are built to take a beating and come out looking better, scratch them up, beat em down, ride or die with the Vibram soles, baby.

If You Could Only Pack One Pair…

This is the boot I will grab when I don’t know where I’ll end up. Airport to mountains to dinner? Covered. They’re lightweight, weather-ready, and dialed in on details—like speed hooks for easy lacing and a sole that won’t quit when the sidewalk turns to trail. Best part? They’re only getting better the more I beat them up.

Word to the wise: the crew at Crown Northhampton also make the the Everdon Collection with the with the casual sole— a true Common Projects slayer for those with elevated taste.

Another word to the wise: Get on it! These ramblin' 💎s are made to order, with a 9-12 week lead time. Quality takes time yo!

Features (aka So Damn Good)

Handmade in Northampton, England—yes, the place with all the fancy shoemaking cred
One-piece upper made from Horween’s Forest Green Chromexcel leather. DAMN
Fewer seams = more patina, less chance for weather to mess em' up
French binding around the edges for that clean, finished look. A dope touch.
Fully lined with natural veg-tan leather that breathes better than your sneakers, take my word for it
Traditional oak bark stiffeners and heel counter for proper old-school structure
Footbed is hand-filled with cork—it molds to your foot the more you wear it
Vibram All-Weather sole that grip and rip, you know the drill
Speed hooks and D-rings so you can lace up fast and hit the road, pairing with your dopest gorpcore gear
Hand-stitched tongue tab keeps everything in place and comfy
Double-stitched rear heel tabs—part detail, part durability
Lightweight— these things are lighter than many high-top hoops shoes, again take my word for it

If you’re into gear that looks as good as it works, and gets better the more miles you put on it, this boot’s your new best friend. Zero regrets.