Ankle Biter Boots Oxblood Horween Leather
A proper pair of daily boots for life on roads, pavements and city streets. Made exclusively for us by William Lennon & Co, England’s last remaining heavy boot-maker. The Ankle Biters are a six-hole heavy-duty ankle boot made in an ox-blood Horween chrome tanned leather and featuring a replaceable Vibram wedge sole. Constructed using the traditional boot-making techniques including brass-screwed sole, still one of the strongest methods around. The Ankle Biters are tough as nails, comfortable underfoot, and fully repairable.
Originally made for men working in quarries, Lennon’s boots were sold on being fit for the job and built to last. The work may have changed, but the need for a tough, dependable pair of boots hasn’t – and it helps that these look really good too.
A defining feature of William Lennon boots is their construction. The uppers are screwed directly into the sole using a rare BUSM Rapid Standard brass wire screwing machine. There are only four of these machines known to exist today, three of which are at William Lennon’s. This method of sole attachment predates Goodyear welt, and is still one of the strongest methods ever used.
Underfoot you’ll find a Vibram wedge sole, ideal for tarmac and pavements. It’s softer and more forgiving than the traditional commando soles we’ve used on our other boots, making the Ankle Biters feel like walking on a cloud, perfect for all-day wear. There’s a neatly stitched leather collar around the top for added comfort and tip-top quality finish.
All are boots are unlined by design. Linings are often the first thing to fail and can’t be replaced. Everything on these Ankle Biters can. They’re fully repairable and resoleable, built to be fixed up and worn for many years to come.
Unlike our usual eight-hole boots, these are a six-hole design that sits just above the ankle. Secure, comfortable, nothing digging in or nipping where it shouldn’t. In these boots, nothing will be gnawing at your ankles.
Like all our Lennon’s-made boots, sizing is standard UK. The toe box is slightly wider than average, but we recommend taking your normal UK size.
Any questions at all please email us and we'll do our best to guide you
| Size (UK) |
Length (Heel to Toe mm) |
Width (mm) |
| 7 | 255 | 92 |
| 8 | 267 | 94 |
| 9 | 272 | 96 |
| 10 | 282 | 98 |
| 11 | 297 | 100 |
| 12 | 300 | 102 |
You don’t need to do much as these are tough boots. When the boots get wet allow them to dry thoroughly in the air and away from heat sources. Don’t put them on a radiator or in front of the fire as this will damage the leather.
To clean, gently brush away any dirt. Saddle soap or other gentle leather cleaner can be used to get rid of stubborn stains. When dry simply rub in a neutral or tan shoe polish and shine up.
When the Vibram wears out, they can be resoled by your local cobbler.
Our boots are tough with a heavyweight work boot construction, which has proven itself over centuries on farms, in quarries and forges. Leather from British tanneries, manufactured by the country’s last remaining traditional heavy boot maker, William Lennon & Co. who are based in the Derbyshire Peak District.
This factory started production in 1899 and the great-grandchildren of the founder are still running and working in the business.
Reviews
Iain Marley (verified owner) –
These are fresh out of the box this afternoon and my goodness, you can SMELL the quality. SO comfortable and well worth the price.
Buy once. Buy better. Which is kind of the whole point isn’t it?
I’m not quite Teesside’s answer to Imelda Marcos yet but over the years I’ve bought Docs, Timberlands, Blundstones, you name it. These retire all other boots.
Now, I think I need a pair in black if you don’t mind?
Matt (verified owner) –
I’m so pleased I took the plunge on these boots. No regrets. Comfy straight out of the box. The leather is a gorgeous deep red / chestnut. The soles are flexible and spring like.
I’ve had em a couple weeks and worn them a lot. I flew out to Ireland this week and was forced to take them off at airport security. The guard handed them back to me after the Xray machine and asked me where I got them from! Happy to recommend.