There’s few designs in the world of footwear that are quite so instantly recognisable as the Premium Classic from Timberland. It’s more likely than not that you wont know or recognise the name, but it’s pretty much a given that the second you see that iconic chunky profile you’ll know it’s a Timberland Boot. 

I’ve always been a fan, partly since the rugged, manly design became so popular back in the nineties, but also because they’re actually really comfortable boots. The puffy leather padding around the collar is sorely and unfortunately omitted by virtually all other shoe manufacturers these days, and to be honest it’s a real shame. 

It’s interesting to track these boots through the fashion timeline, as they seem to adhere to none of the traditional patterns of popularity. Obviously when they were initially released they were predominantly marketed for and subsequently bought by people who required their rugged design and waterproof properties. Before long they’d been spotted by young men and women, particularly those in the American hip hop scene in the late nineties. 

Timberland Premium Classic Boots

Usually when this sort of crossover popularity occurs the shoes or boots in question eventually fall out of the public consciousness, their popularity seemingly disappearing with them. The strange thing about the Timberland Boots however, is that they have remained very much a part of modern day popular culture, yet are still just as favoured by the walking set as they ever were. 

I for one am firmly of the belief that this is due in no small part to the fact that, whatever way you look at it, these boots literally ooze quality. If you want a one hit wonder to make a quick buck well, quickly, then by all means design a radically different, funky-looking cheaply-made shoe that will sell like hot cakes for a year or so and slip abruptly and expensively out of consumer periphery as soon as people realise they’re built out of spit and Kleenex. 

If however, you want to create a piece of history, then go down the premium route. It may take a little longer to get off the ground, but trust me it’ll be worth it. If you need an example of this, then you need look no further than Timberland Boots.

Will Davies.