MOTO Japan Horsehide Engineer boot 9D.
After doing a lot of research, I ordered these boots from MOTO (motostyle.jp) via email. After transferring about $1500 worth of yen, and waiting just under a year, I received these—and a wallet I ordered from them separately, which is equally amazing. That said, my style adapted a bit between ordering and receiving these, and I couldnt bring myself to start wearing them. So, a year later, I'm selling.
These are a Brannock size 9, which translates to a true size 10 or 43 IT.
If you're here, you probably know about these. If you don't, these boots are often compared alongside Role Club and John Lofgren's engineer boots.
A description from a Reddit user:
MOTO, ROLE CLUB & JOHN LOFGREN ENGINEERS A COMPARISON
Moto vs. Role Club vs. John Lofgren starts with their approach to the last, which really defines everything. Moto tends to use sleeker, slightly more anatomical lasts-narrower waist, softer toe spring, and a refined profile that feels almost dress-adjacent despite being a work boot. Role Club by Brian the Bootmaker leans heavily into true vintage proportions, often echoing 1940s American engineer boots with a flatter toe box, more substantial instep, and a slightly "work-rough" silhouette that prioritizes authenticity over polish. John Lofgren sits right in the middle: his lasts are structured and consistent, with a slightly bulbous toe that nods to vintage American boots but is subtly cleaned up for modern wear. In terms of fit philosophy, Moto feels artisanal and organic, Role Club feels archival, and Lofgren feels engineered and repeatable.
When it comes to leather and finishing, the differences get even more pronounced. Moto is arguably the most artistic-hand-dyed uppers, intentional color variation, and a patina-first mindset that makes each pair feel one-of-one. Brian at Role Club focuses on period-correct materials-often horsehide or heavy steer-with finishes that mimic how boots would have looked when new in the 1940s, letting the wearer create the patina over time. John Lofgren, by contrast, sources some of the best leathers in the world (including Shinki horsehide) but applies a more uniform, production-consistent finish; the quality is extremely high, but less idiosyncratic than Moto.
Finally, construction and overall philosophy: Moto is small workshop, almost anti-scale, with a "for those who know" mentality and limited distribution in Japan; Role Club is similarly small but more historically obsessive, almost like a one-man archive brought to life; Lofgren is the most structured brand of the three, with repeatable models, global distribution, and a reputation for near-flawless build quality. In short-Moto is artistry, Role Club is history, and Lofgren is precision.