Review: Helm's Zind Is My Favorite Black Boot (Discount Available)

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Helm is an Austin-based shoe company that has become a fixture of the city’s boot scene. They’re well known for their trademark white stripe in the midsole and they’re super versatile.
READ THE FULL REVIEW: stridewise.com/helm-zind-boot...
First Glance
A taller, leaner boot than the Muller, this boot has no cap toe and can work with a t-shirt or with khakis and a button down. I don’t normally love black boots (it’s too easy for them to look severe, and they’re not that versatile) but these quickly became my favorites of all time.
Leather
This is Balthazar leather from the Dominican Republic’s B Leather Company. It’s full grain, vegetable tanned, hot stuffed with oils and waxes, giving it natural polishing capabilities while remaining pretty rugged with its 2.2 millimeter thickness.
Leather Care
Use Blackrock’s Leather ‘N Rich to condition. Venetian Shoe Cream is recommended for the midsole but it’d be fine on the leather itself.
SEE MY VENETIAN SHOE CREAM REVIEW: • Venetian Shoe Cream Re...
Sole
A leather outsole with a Fineline rubber grip that gives it better grip than your average leather sole while retaining the relative softness and flexibility of a leather sole.
Then there’s a rubber midsole and leather insole, and the whole boot is fully lined. The footbed is very cushy, making for nice shock absorption, plus the upper is attached to the sole with a Blake Rapid stitch. That’s easier to resole than a Blake stitch but not as water resistant as a Goodyear welt.
SEE THE HELM MULLER BOOT: • Review (and Discount C...
Fit & Sizing
They fit true to size, though you can expect blisters on your break in. Nonetheless the lining and the footbed make for a very comfortable experience.
Price
$399. That’s not cheap, but you can get a 15% discount with the code STRIDEWISE at checkout! Right here: helmboots.com/products/zind-b...
Pros & Cons
Pros
• Super versatile
• Minimalist design
• You get two sets of laces
• Flexible and lightweight
• Fully lined with a cushy footbed
Cons
• Pricy
• Not a great breakin
• Unlike a lot of Helm’s USA made boots this one’s made in Brazil
• Not everyone likes the white strip
• Not super water resistant