The N-1 Field Shoe is an iconic piece from the U.S. Navy’s (U.S.N.) standard issue garments and gear. The original Field Shoe used by the Marine Corps was first introduced in 1941, and later-on adopted by the U.S.N. as part of their line of N-1 protective gear and clothing. This exclusive N-1 Field Shoes Collection made by Viberg, for Withered Fig, includes three unique styles built on different lasts and each completed with their own details. The N-1 Field Shoe is often reproduced staying true to the originals, but not always reinterpreted with marked departures from the originals.

We’ve taken liberty with Viberg to release three new N-1 Field Shoes in Horween’s Marine Field Shoe leather as part of a three-boot collection, the “N-1 Field Shoes Collection.” Shop the N-1 Field Shoes Collection here.

The N-1 Field Shoes Collection is comprised of the following three pairs. For ease of reference, these will be aptly named per below.

• “The 1035” N-1 Field Shoe
• “The 2040” N-1 Field Shoe
• “The 310” N-1 Field Shoe

Fully acknowledging these are not reproductions, nor true-to-form N-1 Field Shoes, the primary objective for us was building out a versatile and distinctly unique “N-1 Field Shoes Collection” that took one cue from the originals – Horween’s WWII specification Marine Field Shoe leather. Aside from that, we took a no holds barred approach. While this may disappoint the true vintage military-enthusiasts and repro purists, I’m sure even some of you who dabble in that arena can enjoy the freedoms we took in reimagining what a modern-day N-1 Field Shoe could be.

Horween’s Marine Field Shoe Leather

This Horween tannage was developed specifically for the original U.S. Marine Corps Field Shoe back in 1941, and ultimately adopted by the U.S. Navy (N-1 Field Shoe) and U.S. Army (Reverse Upper Service Shoes) under their own nomenclature in the follow-on years. While the Marine Field Shoe leather is often referred to as Natural Chromexcel Roughout, our understanding is that they aren’t quite the same as far as the intent; but the actual product may sometimes be the same. In short, the Natural Chromexcel is produced and intended for use with the grain side out, while the Marine Field Shoe leather is the same tannage, but selected and intended for use, for the flesh or roughout side out. Just like in life, sometimes the intention is all that matters.

The excellent thing about the Marine Field Shoe leather is that the back side is essentially like the Natural CXL smooth-side leather, making it comfortably smooth on the interior without the need for additional lining.

The N-1 Field Shoes Collection

For ease of parsing, we’ve provided the table below with the detailed specifications of each pair. While the differences between each are all nominal, the price of each is most impacted by the choice of the outsole, with the leather sole having a higher cost.

We’ve packed all three into several photos below for direct comparison, but also mixed in with some individual shots of each pair, as well as some photos of Richard styling the N-1 Field Shoes in a few different outfits.

The 310 N-1 Field Shoe

The Viberg 310 last is one of their more generous lasts, with a notable sprung toe and a rocker forefoot. Because of the generous and boxy cut, it can feel a bit roomy for the uninitiated. As a result, this ends up being one of their most accommodating lasts, and most feet shall fit. Of course, if you have slender / smaller feet, you may feel like you are swimming in these.

This pair is unique with its structured brogue cap-toe and use of Dark Coffee eyelets, which ends up being the darkest eyelets of the three and giving these the most contrast/pop against the Marine Field Shoe leather. It’s also notably their Service Boot style instead of the Boondocker, primarily due to our choice of the brogue cap-toe. If you’re looking to add some spice to your foot life, always wondered what it would be like to have a spring in your step and a sprung in your toe box, or just wanted to receive a little more commentary on your boots, The 310 N-1 Field Shoe is an excellent pick to fulfill those desires.

Sizing: Our general recommendation is to take one down from your Brannock size. We can’t really imagine taking only 0.5 down from Brannock in these, because at one down from Brannock they still feel quite roomy. But if you are very familiar with Viberg sizing and you prefer 0.5 down from Brannock in your 2030 or 1035 Service Boots, then you could consider taking the same size here.

This outfit is somewhat of a military-meets-workwear inspired look, with the relaxed and baggy cargo pants, contrasted with a nice tucked chambray shirt, and capped off with a denim work jacket.
UES Natural Indigo Denim Work Jacket, orSlow White Chambray Work Shirt, orSlow Vintage Fit 6-Pocket Cargo Pants, Viberg “The 310” N-1 Field Shoes

The 1035 N-1 Field Shoe

A return to our favorite 1035 last. It’s been a while since we’ve run a 1035 last exclusive, so of course we had to do one for the N-1 Field Shoe Collection. The 1035 N-1 Field Shoe is about as all-around as you can get – a perfect balance of proportions with an unstructured toe and the Chantal Brown eyelets, which has sort of a muted appearance next to the Marine Field Shoe leather. This pair sits on the Vibram 700 soles and heels for nice low-profile alternative to the usual Dainite or Ridgeway pairings typically seen on other boots. If you’re looking for a great all-around pair, The 1035 N-1 Field Shoe is an excellent bet, and with its wider toebox should generally fit most wearers.

Sizing: Our general recommendation is to take one down from your Brannock size. Sizing here is consistent with the 2030 and other 1035 Service Boots, so if you have a preferred size in those other pairs, you can take the same size here.

Here Richard has taken a somewhat 90’s look with the washed out denim and grey sweatshirt with a white tee peeking out underneath. Richard adds a bit of spice to the look with the 3sixteen Kung Fu Jacket.
3sixteen Kung Fu Jacket, UES Grey Puca Purcara Sweatshirt, orSlow 107 Two Year Wash Denim, Viberg “The 1035” N-1 Field Shoes

The 2040 N-1 Field Shoe

We have a hard time getting away from the 2040 last. The semi-anatomical last just makes this one of the “healthier” choices from a foot-health standpoint. We opted to turn this one up a notch with smaller #2 Caramel eyelets and Viberg’s French Oak Bark Tan leather sole. Though the toebox remains unstructured, otherwise we like to think this could be an excellent dress-up pair despite its roughout inclinations. Notable, this uses a Dr. Sole Raw Cord heel for a durable heel that will ensure the heel remains as durable as the rest of the leather outsole. If you like the idea of a slightly elevated N-1 Field Shoe and perhaps live in an area with minimal precipitation, you’ll love wearing The 2040 N-1 Field Shoe year-round.

Sizing: Our general recommendation is to take one down from your Brannock size. Because of the semi-anatomical fit, we would generally caution moving away from this (i.e. going with 0.5 down from Brannock). However, if you are familiar with the 2040 sizing and found your size to fit well, we would recommend taking the same size here.  Note that the 2040 last does have a lower instep and narrower waist and heel, so if your feet run wide at the mid-section, this 2040 last may not suit you well. For those with somewhat normal feet but just have a wide forefoot, you may come to find the 2040 last to be your favorite with its anatomical features.

Finally, we’ve got Richard taking more of an elevated/refined take on some classic military-inspired styles, the fatigue pants and field jacket.
orSlow U.S. Army Tropical Jacket, Gitman Vintage Light Denim Work Shirt, orSlow Ecru Slim Fit Fatigue Pants, Viberg “The 2040” N-1 Field Shoes

The Viberg N-1 Field Shoes Collection will release on Friday, April 12th at Noon EST on Withered Fig. Shop the N-1 Field Shoes Collection here.