First Pair of Lobb Ltd. Boots. Am I making any mistakes?

[SirWilliam]

I am having my first ever pair of boots/shoes made by John Lobb. I am doing a black shell cordovan Chelsea boot with a Norwegian welt and an Itshide commando sole and their standard round toe.

Lobb was not able to offer a whole cut with cordovan but will be doing a blind stitch for the side seams.

My main questions are around the sole. I've never had an Itshide Commando sole. How do they compare with Vibrams. I know the lugs are a bit more inset so at least visually it is a bit different. I chose the Itshide because they are made in England vs Italy.

Is blind stitching a bad idea? I don't think I have seen a chelsea boot with blind stitches like this. These stitches would be just below the elastic. Lobb states there are no durability and comfort sacrifices vs the standard stitch.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

I am having my first ever pair of boots/shoes made by John Lobb. I am doing a black shell cordovan Chelsea boot with a Norwegian welt and an Itshide commando sole and their standard round toe.

Lobb was not able to offer a whole cut with cordovan but will be doing a blind stitch for the side seams.

My main questions are around the sole. I've never had an Itshide Commando sole. How do they compare with Vibrams. I know the lugs are a bit more inset so at least visually it is a bit different. I chose the Itshide because they are made in England vs Italy.

Is blind stitching a bad idea? I don't think I have seen a chelsea boot with blind stitches like this. These stitches would be just below the elastic. Lobb states there are no durability and comfort sacrifices vs the standard stitch.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

I had made for me (what I'd call) a wholecut Chelsea out of a cowhide I brought them. No blind stitches, though: they're visible around the elastic and at the heel counter. I'd ask this in the Bespoke Shoes thread. And search for "blind stitches," though that mostly turns up closed-channel soles.

I suspect Lobb know what they're talking about.