I bought these Skoob M-43 boondockers recently from Mention in Japan. I wore them for a few hours around the house and that is it. They haven’t even seen the outdoors yet. This was the last pair Mention had in size 8 and from what I can tell, none of the other Skoob stockists out there have any either. I also have John Lofgren M-43s that I can compare these to for sizing. So if you need any advice let me know.

These boots are beautiful and I wish I didn’t have to sell them, but they’re just not quite right for my particular foot geometry. I didn’t want to go through the hassle of sending them back to Japan, so I decided to sell them here. I hope they go to a good home and develop the patina they deserve. I will paste all the info below from Mention’s website:

"The SKB-002SP “Infantry” is a special run made exclusively for Mention, inspired by the iconic M-43 service boots, one of the most recognizable models in military footwear history. Built with a focus on authenticity and everyday wearability, the design keeps the rugged spirit of the original while offering a balanced silhouette that works easily with modern styling.

For this special run, we use Horween Waxed Flesh Chromexcel ( WF CXL ), a modern interpretation of traditional French waxed calf developed by Horween. Built on the Chromexcel base, the leather is combination-tanned, fully vegetable re-tanned, and hot stuffed with oils and waxes for depth and durability.

The flesh side is finished and hand dyed while the grain side remains untouched, creating a rich surface with a subtle sheen. Often described as a rough-out leather, it develops character with wear, revealing texture and natural color variation over time.

The boots are built with a Vibram #700 full sole and a 270-degree Goodyear welt construction, offering durability and excellent resolability. This construction provides solid support while maintaining a clean, balanced profile suitable for everyday wear.

Upper Material: Horween Waxed Flesh Chromexcel Cow Leather
Outsole: Vibram #700 Full Outsole
Construction: Goodyear Welt Construction
Width: E
Origin: Made in Japan
Details:
- Special Run Exclusive for Mention.
- Flesh-Out Finish with Waxed Surface.
- Combination Tanned with Full Vegetable Re-tannage.
Notes:
- Natural leather may show slight variations in grain and texture.
- For daily care, please see the Care section for more details.

1.CLEANING

- Remove surface dust with a horsehair brush after each wear.

- For heavier dirt, wipe gently with a lightly damp cloth and allow the leather to air dry naturally.

2.CONDITIONING

- Waxed Flesh Chromexcel is hot-stuffed with oils and waxes, so conditioning should be minimal.

- Apply a small amount of neutral leather cream or wax only when the surface appears dry or loses richness.

- Work the product into the leather with a cloth or by hand to help the waxes absorb evenly.

3.MANAGING SCUFFS & WEAR

- WF CXL is a flesh-out leather, light scratches can often be reduced by brushing or rubbing the area to redistribute surface waxes.

- Deeper marks can be treated with a small amount of wax and gentle buffing.

4.ENVIRONMENTAL CARE

- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat or strong sunlight, which can dry out the oils.

- Store in a cool, ventilated space and use shoe trees to maintain shape and moisture balance."