Boot Building Specs: Toe - [Reddit Wiki]

Nicks traditional toe shape is iconic in the PNW boot industry. Our boots are available to order with a variety of exterior toe options for aesthetics and function. 

Standard 

• The Standard Toe provides a sleeker toe shape without being too narrow for work applications. The single layer of leather will break in a little bit easier than a boot with a toe cap. 

Toe Cap

• Nicks uses a true Toe Cap, a second piece of leather stitched to the vamp, which can be added to a boot on any last. The additional layer of leather adds structure to the boot as well as protection from wear. A toe cap makes the boot look bigger, or longer, than the same size in a standard toe and can tighten up the feel for the wearer.
• A Toe Cap is not compatible with the 5332 or 5812 lasts.
• Toe Cap Styles
• 2 Row Cap
• 4 Row Cap
• Medallion Toe Cap
• A decorative, hand punched, design available under additional customization.

Moc Toe

• Adding a Moc Toe is a purely aesthetic choice. Nicks Moc Toe is a single piece of leather with stitching creating the look of a traditional two-piece Moc Toe. The single pieces design eliminates the usual seam as a common fail point on the boot.
• Can be added to the Thurman55 and ThurmanNW lasts but the shape of the Moc Toe stitching remains standard which does not align with the shape of the boot toe.
• Is not compatible with the 11067 last. 
• Is not compatible with all Wickett & Craig leathers.

Wingtip

• A decorative piece of leather sewn together at the vamp. It is not two layers of leather like a toe cap.
• true toe cap, a second piece of leather stitched to the vamp, in a decorative wingtip shape.
• A wingtip pattern can be added to most boots as an additional customization option.
• Is not compatible with the 11067 last.

Toe Bug

• A Toe Bug is a sewn design on the vamp primarily for looks although the traditional stitch pattern helps with the flex point on the toe. 
• Is only available in white thread.
• A Toe Bug is only available on Western style boots.

An additional piece sometimes added to the inside of the boot for aesthetic or safety reasons. There are currently five offerings at Nicks. 

When adding structure to the boot, expect that the internal space of the toe is going to be a little bit longer and sometimes wider. It will look and feel a little different and can cause aesthetic imperfections with the added safety features being noticeable.

Soft Toe

• No additional structural element is added to the inside of the boot.
• A Soft Toe will collapse with wear over time however, Nicks boots are made using a thicker leather that will provide some structure. 
• A Soft Toe is available on all boots with no last limitations.

Celastic Toe 

• A piece of felt infused with plastic that is added to the inside of the toe. It will help retain the toe box shape preventing it from relaxing and collapsing over time.
• A lace to toe (LTT) boot with any internal structure can create pressure on your foot upon break-in. 
• Is not safety rated.
• Is available on all boots with no last limitations.

Double Celastic

• Two celastic pieces made of felt infused with resin (debate see above) can be added as an additional customization option. 
• A lace to toe (LTT) boot with any internal structure can create pressure on your foot upon break-in. 
• Is not safety rated.
• Is available on all boots with no last limitations.

Composite Toe

• A fiberglass piece added for safety that is both ATSM and Electrical Hazard (EH) certified. 
• A Composite Toe piece is thicker than a steel toe piece making it more visible in the boot. The more bulbous shape can cause some fitting and aesthetic issues. 
• We oversize our safety toes to avoid toe rub though it can look a little bulbous; basically, we favor function over form.
• Is lighter weight than a steel toe.
• Is not compatible with all lasts.
• Because Nicks purchases safety toe inserts from a third party supplier, Nicks cannot guarantee toe box comfort for steel or composite toed boots. “Toe rub” is not covered under our warranty policy.”

Steel Toe

• A steel piece added for safety that is ATSM certified. It cannot be Electircal Hazard (EH) certified. 
• A Steel Toe is a thinner piece than a composite toe. From a fitting standpoint, Nicks has had more success with the Steel Toe than the composite toe since it is more of a traditional profile. 
• We oversize our safety toes to avoid toe rub though it can look a little bulbous; basically, we favor function over form.
• A Steel Toe gets colder than a composite toe.
• Is not compatible with all lasts.
• Because Nicks purchases safety toe inserts from a third party supplier, Nicks cannot guarantee toe box comfort for steel or composite toed boots. “Toe rub” is not covered under our warranty policy.”

The Toe Shape is determined by the specific last used and is not interchangeable between lasts. Please see the Lasts Section for differences in the shape of the toe while looking down while wearing.

Read Also: What Are Round-Toe Boots?

Please visit our Reddit Wiki for further information and articles.

Please send suggestions or changes to media@nicksboots.com