Wolverine joined up with a Kentucky distillery for the second time to produce a new limited-edition boot that will support workers in the skilled trades.
Wolverine, a brand of Rockford-based Wolverine Worldwide, said Tuesday, Sept. 28, the Batch 2 Wolverine x Old Rip Van Winkle 1000 Mile boot is now available for preorder, and 100% of the revenue from the sale of these boots will go to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship Program to help support the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
The new boot has a distinct look to distinguish from last year’s batch and may be a good fit for collectors looking to celebrate boots and bourbon still created largely the same way they were more than a century ago.
“This collaboration celebrates and supports the hardworking people behind our products,” said Devon Vanoostveen, brand representative for Wolverine. “These rugged boots and fine bourbons would not be possible without the skills and dedication of so many blue-collar workers — farmers, coopers, carpenters, distillery workers, truck drivers and shoemakers, to name a few.”
The second batch of the Wolverine x Old Rip Van Winkle collaboration draws inspiration from the barrels that house Old Rip Van Winkle bourbons for 10 to 23 years. Made in the U.S., this year’s boot features a moc toe design and is made with Horween Whiskey Predator leather — a rugged leather meant to stand the test of time. The heels are handcrafted from the wood of the bourbon barrels that held this year’s release of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year bourbon. The boots are finished with a hand-numbered, textile tongue tag.
“We’re thrilled to once again partner with Wolverine, a company that puts as much passion and care into creating their boots as we do our bourbon,” said Preston Van Winkle, fourth-generation owner of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. “Together, we’re able to honor our shared commitment to craft while also supporting America’s future workforce, inspiring a new generation to take pride in working with their hands.”
Batch 2 of the Wolverine x Old Rip Van Winkle limited-edition boots are available for preorder now, ahead of the release date of Oct. 14. They can be purchased for $400 at wolverine.com/oldrip.
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