There’s a pair of boots that sit by the front door all year round. They’re the boots that fit in-between the rest of my boot collection. I’ve smarter pairs for when the occasion requires and then my wellies that sit on the other side of the scale for when mud is on the menu. 

These in-between boots are a slip-on, casual chelsea with a chunkier foot-bed. They have seen most school runs over the last year, have bathed in splashes of wax in the workshop and have come to know the local trails better than any Ordinance Survey. 

Sadly, after a year of love the same soles that served me so well have decided enough is enough and I can’t get them re-soled. Happily, our friends at LANX very kindly sent over a pair of their brand new AXIS boots, which promise to do all of the above but better still, are made to be re-soled. 

The new AXIS boot is a boot that promises to bridge the gap between formal and outdoor, heritage and modern, countryside and city. It’s Chelsea boot at heart but reconstructed through the eyes and hands of a Lancashire mill. 

The heavily-oiled suede sits upon a signature AXIS sole unit that has been years in the making. It’s unique, it’s hard wearing and it looks like it will indeed be at home as much in the woods as it will on that slightly spongey floor in the school playground. I opted for lighter colour hoping to age it quickly with every challenge I throw at them. 

For full transparency, you’ll hopefully know that I have worked with LANX before and I do this because they’re really good. I have owned every boot you can imagine from Red Wing to Fracap to Blundstone but LANX is a brand I stand by, and here’s why.

My gravestone will read; ‘Care about the brands that care about you’ and LANX are the epitome of this. Before Mallin & Son landed on their radar, I tasted their customer experience at Goodwood last year and they cared. They took the time to talk about the brand and product with no hard sell. 

I’ve since been to the factory and met their workers. I left wanting to work there. 

I spent the day with owner Marv, who took the time to show me around and humour my passion for craft. It soon became apparent no humour was needed as he shared the same enthused outlook. 

I use the tag ‘People Like Us’ across everything we do as an exclusively inclusive community that we’ve built, who all share the same values. Boiled down, it’s very similar to the All Blacks ‘no dickheads’ mantra. A mantra I’ve exercised well over the years. I assure you that some membership applications have been rejected in the same way I assure you that David Gandy is both a member and a gentlemen as is Patrick Grant, Levison Wood, the Horbury Post-mistress, Kim at John Patridge, Fenners, Jay Drury, Adam the Postman, Ed at Hebtroco and of course Marv at LANX.

There’s a ‘spoilt’ fatigue from my view of LANX quality as it goes without saying, yet the AXIS moves the dial significantly. These are the realest of the real deals. The best boot I’ve owned and I’ve only worn them 3 times. 

Out of the box they fit true with no rubbing or breaking in. They’ve already been introduced to the workshop for these snaps as well as Lidl and the local Inpost locker to post off my old boots for someone to squeeze out a little more life. I’m not joking by the way, see below. 

Prior to the AXIS, I have always loved this style of boot. The chunkier sole softens the aesthetic but they will look just at home with my 501s and loose shirt as they will a pair of cords and Tattersall shirt. They’re the waxed jacket of the boot world, an all purpose standard that works with everything. 

They’re water resistant and our colourway will patina to the twists and contours on every Autumn walk and school run I choose to challenge it with. I assure you there will be many. The big sell for me, and it should be for you, is that they’re made to last. Every boot is made with re-soling in mind so these will last a lifetime and beyond. 

There’s a new pair of boots that sit by the door all year round and they are the Lanx AXIS. 

The LANX Axis is available from 13/08/26 at lanxshoes.com

This pair of boots was kindly gifted by the team at LANX.