WWI B5 Boots by William Lennon & Co.

 

William Lennon WWI B5 boots

William Lennon B5 Boots – A Handsome Brute of a Boot

If you have been following this blog or my recent Facebook/Instagram posts, it will come as no surprise that I have recently become somewhat obsessed by William Lennon & Co.  Having been thoroughly impressed by my 78TC custom work boots from William Lennon & Co. and the Pentrich boots from Stanley Biggs (also made by William Lennon), I was eager to try something a little different—something with the same rugged, old-world craftsmanship but with a more military-inspired design. Enter the B5 ankle boots, a classic British Army-style boot, available through Varusteleka.

First Impressions

Straight out of the box, these boots exude history. The design is based on the British Army B5 boot pattern, used from the early 20th century provided to troops in the Great War. William Lennon (estabished 1899) were one of the original contractors for these boots as use the same Brass Screw contrstuction and lasts, so these are more of a continuation series as opposed to replicas.

It’s a no-frills, tough-as-nails boot built for hard wear. The uppers are crafted from sturdy 3mm thick Black reverse kip butt hide, tanned in the UK.  Kip leather is a high-quality, full-grain leather sourced from young cattle, making it softer and more pliable than standard cowhide while retaining excellent toughness.

The heritage brass-screw construction, for which William Lennon is famed, is solid, and the double-layer leather mid-soles (natural finish as I prefer) combined with Svig rubber forepart and heel outsoles provide excellent durability and traction. Unlike the original Great War boots, which featured iron hobnails, this modern interpretation is designed for street wear without compromising on heritage aesthetics.

The simple seven-eyelet lacing system, combined with a no-nonsense soft-toe design, gives the B5 an understated but distinctly vintage look. The thick, black-finished Kip leather is substantial yet supple, with a deep, rich sheen that promises to develop character over time.

Fit & Comfort

William Lennon boots often require a break-in period, and the B5 is no exception. The thick leather and sturdy sole mean they start off feeling a bit stiff, but after a few wears, they begin to mold nicely to the foot. Sizing of the original WWI 2181 last is very generous, so consider a half-size down if you're between sizes.  At first I wasn't so sure about the squarish toe profile and wider instep of this last, but it's been growning on me and it certainly provides great walking stability.  

As you can see from the above photos, I have choosen to switch out the leather laces that came with these boots to 6mm flat waxed cotton laces from Italian Premium lace maker Laccico (highly Recommended).

Verdict

If you appreciate heritage footwear and want something that blends military history with everyday wearability, the William Lennon B5 boots are an excellent choice. They're built to last, age beautifully, and offer a slice of history with every step. The use of modern rubber outsoles instead of iron hobnails ensures they remain practical for daily wear while staying true to their rugged origins.

Check them out at Varusteleka.