Østmo boots are personally handmade by Norwegian folklorist and metal musician Lars Jensen. Originally from the small village Åsa in Ringerike, Norway he is now living and working in Turku, Finland.
Lars has followed the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather Karl Johan Østmo, who was the local cobbler in the village. It was when Lars during a vacation found his old hand tools, that the idea of becoming a cordwainer was born.

With Østmo he is taking advantage of the heritage aspect. His aim is to make sturdy, yet functional and comfortable leather footwear drawing inspiration from Scandinavian casual clothing and workwear tradition. The design for the Østmo boots is inspired by the "beksømstøvel”, wich was a popular casual footwear in Norway from the 1940s through the '50s until the end of the '60s. It was used for walking and skiing as well as by the military. The name can literally be described as "pitch seam boots", as they were made with stitchdown construction using pitched/waxed linen. Østmo boots can only be made to order. The shoes are made in Cordovan and Finnish cowhide but if you want that extra Scandinavinan touch Lars also makes boots in Finnish moose leather.