Good Evening Sabah People,
It’s been almost 12 years since I sold my first pair of Sabahs. I never imagined owning a shoe business, but here we are and what a ride it's been!
When I reflect on what I’m most proud of, it’s the things that haven’t changed. That we still make every pair of Sabahs entirely by hand in Gaziantep with Orhan and his family. That we’ve preserved our independence & spirit, staying true to the way we do business. And that we have so many customers who’ve continued to shop with us year after year, for over a decade, and have become like family & friends.
So this is a big moment. The first time we’ve created an entirely new shoe. A new construction. I mean, the Alto Boot - it has laces!
So, it’s no exaggeration to say:
it’s been a long time coming.
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The Alto Boot embodies years of honed expertise and a deep understanding of what makes a truly great pair of shoes— the Sabah Way.
It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, defined by hands, people, and place. We’ve focused on using only the finest materials — 100% Italian, from the buttery-soft, water-resistant suede uppers to the genuine rubber sole. The boots are crafted using an artisanal stitchdown construction, which makes for an exceptionally durable boot that can take extensive wear, without sacrificing style or comfort.
And, ultimately, it's all about delivering High Value through High Craft to you, our customer.
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Our Alto Boots can do a lot of things, but, like Sabahs, we designed them with travel in mind. From apéro to adventure, and casual to more dressed up, your Alto Boots could be the only pair of shoes you pack for a weeklong getaway.
One thing you may notice, as my friend Sebastian told me on Monday when he got his own pair: “They may be the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn out of the box.” Yes, they come in a box and, no, unlike Sabahs — they don’t require that tedious, yet bond-building break-in time. ;)
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This isn’t a departure from our roots — it’s simply an evolution, a natural extension, a building upon. A pair of shoes that’ll fit perfectly into the lifestyle of someone who owns one pair of Sabahs, or twenty.
And, after wearing a pair myself for almost six months, I can say with total confidence, you are going to love your Alto Boots.
Thank you for being here and for supporting our journey. Our Alto Boot is now live on the Sabah Portal and available exclusively at Sabah House New York for this first production run. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
The Sabah Dealer
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Our Alto Boot is available in two colors: Prato Green and Ancona Brown, both made from water-resistant Italian suede with 100% veg tan lining, insole & midsole leather and a replaceable genuine rubber sole. All components are sourced from the finest suppliers in Italy.
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Our Alto Boots are made in Monte San Giusto, a small town nestled into the hills of Italy's Marche Region. There you'll find a workshop owned by a man named Peppe, who's been making shoes for nearly 60 years, and that specializes in an artisanal stitchdown construction method of making shoes.
I had the pleasure of spending a week with Peppe and his team in early February. This is where our story begins...
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Every aspect of our Alto Boot comes from the finest suppliers in Italy. Our last, which is semi-anatomic, unique in its shape, and extremely comfortable, was developed in partnership with one of Italy's finest lastmakers, Romagnolo.
Our suedes were sourced from a renowned tannery in Tuscany. We're using a special article that's tanned with a touch of wax rendering the suede water resistant, which is a real bonus for me. Our Alto Boots are adventure ready.
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Pictured above is Said. He prepares the bottoms of every pair: sand, skive, trim & glue. He has a big smile and wonderful energy. Originally from Agadir, Morroco, he moved to Monte San Giusto 24 years ago. Having never been inside a shoe factory prior to moving to Italy, he was hired by Peppe and has been making shoes ever since. On my next trip to the Marche, he invited me to his home for dinner. Yum!
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And that's Enrico! He runs the lasting machine, which is quite complicated -- ensuring lining & upper leather are pulled over the last, precisely. Every single time. He's got a steady hand and incredible focus.
Below, Peppe runs the stitching machine -- this is the lock stitch that holds the entire Alto Boot together, providing a unique blend of durability & flexibility. With over 60 years of shoemaking under his belt, Peppe is a true master of his craft.
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My favorite design element of the Alto Boot is the butt seam along the back. A raised edge held together by a hand-stitched thread, done in a similar way to how we stitch Sabahs, it adds a distinctive look to the Alto Boot along with extra structure. It's a beautiful detail.
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And let's not forget about all the good meals... I've learned from Texas to Turkey, and now Italy -- great shoes aren't made without delicious meals had along the way.
In the Marche region, local wines like Rosso Piceno washed down some incredible pastas like Vincisgrassi, a dish emblematic of the Marche region which is much like lasagna, and different varieties of Bolognese Macerata.
Tiny family-run trattorias can be found in every small town of the region, each as delicious as the next. What a pleasure it'll be to visit again...
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From Monte San Giusto, we're traveling about 130 kilometers north along the Adriatic Coast to a town called Tavullia... that's where our next project will be born. Coming this Summer!
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