[Initial Impressions] Junkard Burgundy Chromepak

The album: https://imgur.com/a/UlyOA

These are my second pair of Junkards. (And my first write-up in GYW).

First time around I decided to keep things simple, a standard SC2078 model (SC last, toecap) in black calf. This with the intention to do a more specific MTO in shell if that worked out well. Also, because Junkard doesn't do widths, I needed to know if this last would fit my wide forefoot an high instep.

When the first pics of the burgundy Horween Chromepak showed up on Instagram I could no longer resist, so a placed the order with the following specs:

• SC2089 style make-up (brogue cap toe)
• NH last (roomier, used to their Triumph boot)
• Structured toe (they never specify, but do unstructured by default)
• 2 row stitchdown
• Junkard rubber sole (Dainite style studs)
• Natural edge
• Size 43 (~10US)

Shipping via DHL took a mere two days from Bandung, Indonesia to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, via Jakarta and Leipzig, Germany. And like the first time: straight by customs, no tariffs, no VAT. (My Trumans that started their journey 5 days earlier via USPS have only just left the US and will definitely get stuck in customs who will add another $150 to the bill.)

Packaging is nothing special, just the box with the boots in ziplock bags inside a single Junkard branded shoebag. As per usual, Junkard throws in an extra pair of laces, brown waxed this time.

I'm not the kind of person that inspects every stitch in detail, but to me the craftsmanship looks as magnificent as ever, insanely good at this price point.

The fit is great. Definitely more generous at the front than the SC last, and basically an E-width (I've never been measured, but depending on the last the sweet spot for me is around a 10E US). Not entirely sure yet if I would be comfortable going for shell next time (shell doesn't really stretch much), but even if there is some breaking in involved I expect this chromepak to be totally comfortable in no time.

(Edit: After wearing them outside for an hour I can confirm break-in will be minimal. However, for those of you who need lots of room in the toebox, the NH last still feels a bit short and narrow in that area, despite the bulkier look.)

And then there is the look of the leather. The depth and variation of the chromepak is just magnificent, and the color varies from deep burgundy to dark brown depending on the light. (I may add a pic in different light, but someone else posted a review here a while back that shows off the burgundy better.

The price tag for all of this: just $275 including shipping.