On The Voyager Boot
The Voyager was designed and built as the ideal travel shoe - lightweight, cushioned and shaped up enough to take you from the trail to dinner. Here's how it came together.
August Special Studio, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania
The Voyager is a model inspired by the varied needs of travel. When considering the perfect travel shoe, I wanted something that could take me from a swanky hotel in the morning, through a walking tour and a great lunch somewhere nice, then carry me through the rest of the day - maybe some shopping, then on to aperitivo and dinner in the evening. Design wise, I wanted something very shaped up, but supportive enough that I could spend the day walking comfortably on cobblestone streets. The Voyager is that perfect combination.
The silhouette of the Voyager is informed by a pair of vintage chukka boots made in England for Abercrombie & Fitch, probably early 1960s, that I found at Portobello Market. They were super lightweight and soft throughout, and their elegant last turns the casualness of a suede chukka boot into something really versatile.
I rebuilt them with the workshop using modern cushioning materials, and the boots immediately became my only travel footwear
Over the past two years, I’ve been around the world in a trusty prototype pair, which are still going strong despite the many miles, conditions, and terrains I’ve subjected them to.
They started their journey in Tuscany on the initial development trip, then Christmas and New Year in Rome, London, Japan, Paris, Los Angeles… and then closer to home, the school run… the hardware store... Costco…
Rooftop in Arusha National Park, Tanzania
A family safari in Tanzania was a highlight. Literally the perfect shoe for that trip
Joseph Pollard
The Anatomy of the Voyager
Elevating the form of an iconic desert boot, the Voyager is Blake-constructed with a one-piece counter and quarter panel for seamless, flexible comfort. The upper half of this panel is unlined for flexibility, whilst the lower half is lined in calf for enhanced stability. Forward of the tongue the vamp is also unlined for warm climate comfort and breathability.
The full-grain calf suede is supple and with enough elasticity to move naturally with your foot while maintaining its refined shape over time, supported by our signature padded footbed for all-day cushioning. Notice the subtly tapered heel and extra-fine stitching throughout.
The Vibram Gumlite outsole uses a soft, lightweight compound that's half the weight of conventional rubber without sacrificing durability. The tread features hundreds of small nubs for enhanced traction and cushioning, while the material itself provides excellent shock absorption and flexibility. Originally engineered for energy efficiency during uphill walking, it delivers reliable grip on flat and polished surfaces.
The Maker Story
Owned and operated by three third-generation siblings, our Voyager chukka workshop was originally founded in 1930 by their grandfather in the countryside outside the village of Vinci.
Their focus on craftsmanship and quality is relentless, and their expertise across Goodyear, Blake and Bologna construction methods makes them an exceptional partner.
Voyager Boots in Antelope Suede on safari. Esilalei, Tanzania
Material Specifications
1.2mm full grain calf suede from Zabri in Tuscany. Unlined quarters and vamp, with a memory foam footbed wrapped in calfskin.
Blake construction allows for full recrafting. Vibram Gumlite outsole is made of an ultralight microcellular compound.