One of Timberland’s most enduring shoes gets a desert-inspired Japanese reissue

Although best known for its iconic boots, Timberland’s catalog, defined by roots stretching back to the 1950s, is far deeper and more wide-ranging than many might suspect.

In fact, one of its most enduring styles, and a direct follow-up to the brand’s timeless yellow boots, is a boat shoe (a style that’s seeing a trending revival at the moment).

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Originally launched in 1978, this latest interpretation is the Timberland x Randomevent 3-eye Classic Lug, which takes the classic silhouette and reinteprets it with elements drawn from a very different, albeit just as storied, footwear style.

From the sea to the sand

Obviously, Timberland is known for its yellow boots. But the 3-Eye Lug is nearly as storied. In fact, it was the direct follow-up to the brand’s boots. While this version is faithful to the original’s silhouette, it comes with some significant alterations.

The original 3-Eye Classic Lug featured a full leather upper; even the laces were leather. Technically, that’s true for this Japanese collaborative reinterpretation, but it’s also not quite as straightforward.

While the initial shoe featured smooth leather, this one swaps it for two different, distinct textures. The collar and eyestays are done in a hair-on leather (similar to what’s known as pony hair), while the rest of the shoe is done in furry suede.

Not only does that offer two very different-feeling textures, but it also provides visual contrast alongside the color difference between the two materials. But that’s not all this shoe has to offer.

Deceptively formidable

Timberland’s iconic lugged outsole has always been a feature of this shoe. In fact, it’s the primary element that helped set this shoe apart from the myriad other deck shoes on the market, such as those made by Sperry or Sebago.

This new edition retains the same look, with a thicker heel and the tread pattern Timberland is known for. However, there’s a material difference that makes these shoes deceptively formidable.

Instead of classic, standard rubber, Randomevent has chosen to equip these shoes with an upgraded Vibram outsole. That makes them more durable, stable and grippy than their standard counterparts.

It goes well with the upper styling, as these shoes were directly inspired by desert boots, bringing a kind of sea-meets-sand vibe to them. And while I’d hesitate to encourage hiking in them, they should offer a bit more security on the docks, on city streets or wherever else you might wear them.

Availability and pricing

The Timberland x Randomevent 3-eye Classic Lug drops on Monday, July 27, on the former brand’s Japanese site at 10 AM for ¥35,200 (approximately $216).