EXCLUSIVE: Engineered Garments Designer Daiki Suzuki Talks Updating an Archival Boot From Allen Edmonds for New Collab

Allen Edmonds is teaming up with Engineered Garments for the latest installment of its ongoing “Legend Series.”

For the initial style, Engineered Garments founder and designer Daiki Suzuki turned to his archive—specifically, the Allen Edmonds Sun Valley hiker boot, which he has had for over fifteen years—as a starting point for reinterpretation.

The result is the all-new Adirondack Low Hiker, which updates the original in three SKUs and features a Goodyear welt, EVA midsole, and matte black hardware, all anchored by the distinctive bold blue laces.

“The original idea—to retain the strap detail but shift the silhouette from a boot to an Oxford—came from me,” Suzuki told FN in an exclusive interview. “From there, the team executed it beautifully: incorporating an oyster-shaped Norwegian welt, a thick yet lightweight lug sole, carefully selected metal hardware, and, most crucially, a last that transitions the ruggedness of an outdoor boot into the elegance of a dress shoe—without losing its edge.”

Suzuki, who traveled to Allen Edmonds’ factory in Port Washington, Wis. to work on the project, collaborated alongside the shoe brand’s craftsmen on the creation of the silhouette.

“I’ve visited many factories, but this was the first time I worked alongside the craftsmen from start to finish to create a sample,” Suzuki added. “It gave me a much deeper appreciation for the process and the people behind it. I was truly impressed by the skill and dedication of each specialist on the floor.”

And with this collaboration Suzuki is introducing even more consumers to his design philosophy.

“Rather than following traditional norms, I like to reinterpret American classics in ways that feel fresh—sometimes by exaggerating key elements or going in unexpected directions,” Suzuki said. “My experience with American style, viewed through the lens of my time in Japan, allows me to bring a unique perspective that’s both surprising and grounded in authenticity.”

For David Law, general manager and senior vice president of Allen Edmonds, the new tie-up comes from a “deep respect and understanding” between the two labels.

“That shared history gave us a meaningful starting point,” Law told FN. “Daiki had an original Allen Edmonds Sun Valley hiker boot in his archive from more than fifteen years ago. He reimagined it through his utilitarian, function-forward, breathing new life into a classic silhouette and creating something that speaks to both heritage and modernity.”

Allen Edmonds’ latest Legend Series collection with Engineered Garments follows its other releases alongside brands like Armando Cabral, Barbour, Raleigh Denim Workshop, Patrick Robinson, Martone Cycling and Willy Chavarria.

Law added that while Allen Edmonds’ legacy “grounds” the company, it also drives it forward through evolution and projects like the Legend Series. “Through collaborations, we invite fresh perspectives to reinterpret our classics, partnering with designers who share our values of craftsmanship, authenticity, and attention to detail,” Law noted. “The result is a fusion of tradition and innovation that speaks to the next generation of style-conscious consumers.”

The Adirondack Low Hiker will launch for fall 2025, with a second style – the Bryant Park Double Monk – coming for holiday 2025. Both shoes will retail for $495 and will be available at AllenEdmonds.com, Nepenthesny.com and select stores.