Yuketen's Maine Guide collection draws inspiration from the early wilderness guides of New England, who in leading European hunters and traders into contact with indigenous North Americans brought about a cultural synthesis most aptly reflected in the boots these guides wore. The close-fitting, stitched wrappings of pliant leather worn by early natives reflected necessity laid bare by the bitterness of winter and the silent tread of the autumn hunt preceding. Modernization of the West brought lasts, dies and outsoles, applying durability to moccasin comfort. Rendered in a higher profile, the classic 'American' guide boot was born, and it is in tribute to the propulsive spirit of the boot's earliest owners that Yuketen has approached a new frontier in its design.
Each pair of Yuketen’s genuine moccasin-construction footwear is handcrafted in our factory in Maine, USA. The shoes benefit from their construction using only the best components and materials such as the Horween’s pebbled grain Chromepak leather. Chromepak is a buttery, malleable "pull-up" leather born of a unique double-tanning process of vegetable and chrome treatments, which imbues the leather with pleasantly aromatic liquor notes. Its suppleness, revealing of lighter tones in its oiled surface when stretched, makes it particularly suitable to moccasin construction.
To closely mirror the incongruence of the human foot and deliver a molded fit, multiple pieces of leather are hand-sewn and hand-lasted on Yuketen’s proprietary last, which was developed in the 1950s and was known as the best shoe last for an American-made moccasin. In addition, the base of the vamp has been cinched to further ensure an integumentary fit.
A Vibram Christy sole allusions to 1970s work boots - complements the dense nine layers of rubber and leather underfoot. Our distinctive midsole component, constructed from composition rubber and 100% vegetable-tanned leather which has been air-dried in a 90-day process, is Goodyear-stitched together before being directly stitched to the vamp leather. Steel shank reinforcements increase fitting in the arch and heel, forming a stable bridge between the heel and ball of the owner's foot which causes weight to be distributed more evenly across the foot. This results in reduced foot fatigue and improved comfort. Our Yuketen signature tucks and full leather insoles are also made from 100% vegetable-tanned leather and will naturally accommodate the distinct shape of the wearer’s foot over time.
- Horween’s Full Grain Flesh-Out Leather Upper
- Leather Insole + Leather Tuck + Shank + Memory Foam + Arch Support
- Outsole-Grade Leather Midsole + Rubber Midsole + Vibram’s USA-Made Christy Sole
- Genuine Cow Hide Leather Shoelace
- Hand-Cut, Hand-Lasted, and Hand-Stitched
- 9 Layers of Leather, Rubber & PU Compound Bottoming Unit
- Double-Bottomed Spec
- Genuine Moccasin Construction
- 1950’s Most Beloved Moccasin Last
- Handmade in USA
To request measurments please contact us.
Shipping rates are determined by weight/destination.
We accept returns within 14 days of the purchase/ship date.
We do not issue refunds, but returns can be made in exchange for other merchandise or store credit. The customer is responsible for providing shipping costs for any returned packages. All sale items are final sale.