If you look down on your next stroll through New York City, you won’t see any shortage of Timberland boots. Whether worn in the favorited Wheat Nubuck or the NYC-approved Black Nubuck, there is perhaps nothing that defines this bustling city’s street style quite like this iconic work-boot. 

The original Timberland boot arrived on the fashion scene 50 years ago this February. Recognized by its now iconic tree logo, Timberland continues to push the boundaries of boot culture with the launch of Future73. The series of collections, which will be dropped throughout 2023, was conceptualized by six creative visionaries from around the world, all coming together to reimagine the Timberland Premium 6-Inch Boot through a modern lens. 

Timberland boots, a wardrobe staple for city-slickers along the East Coast, had their start in 1973 as the then named Abington Shoe Company’s original waterproof boot. The brand’s founder, Nathan Swartz, was determined to design a shoe that could withstand New England’s varietal weather. From harsh blizzards in the Winter to rainstorms in the Summer, Swartz envisioned a finely crafted shoe that offered protection against all conditions. The boot would boom in popularity, and the brand would officially change their name to Timberland 5 years later in honor of their groundbreaking shoe. 

Fast forward 50 years to  the present day, and “Tims” are an East Coast essential. While the boots’ origins extend to 1970s workwear, they quickly became a staple in 90s Hip Hop culture, seen on the likes of Biggie Smalls and Aaliyah. From fashionable New York City teens using the boot to up their Winter shoe game to New England-ites sporting their Tims in the latest snowstorm, Timberland boots dominate- both then and now- seemingly opposite fashion spaces.

The cohort of innovative creators responsible for Future73’s conception includes Samuel Ross, Founder of A-COLD-WALL; Nina Chanel Abney, contemporary painter and artist; Humberto Leon, designer, retailer, creative director, and restaurateur; Edison Chen, founder of streetwear and lifestyle brand CLOT; Christopher Raeburn, founder of his own responsible fashion label, RAEBURN; and Suzanne Oude Hengel, founder of Knit In Motion. Each creative’s capsule collection includes modern garments that perfectly meld Timberland’s 50-year legacy with their unique vision for the future of the brand and fashion at large.

Operating alongside the Timberland design team, each carefully selected creative utilized their unique world perspective to launch Timberland’s iconic “yellow boot” into the future. From sleek silhouettes to unique color ways to exaggerated aspects, the reimagined boots that made Timberland a household name are given a whole new look. While the beloved Premium 6-Inch Boot may have a new ‘do, their quality remains unchanged. “What an honor it has been to work alongside these amazing creative minds,” said Drieke Leenknegt, Chief Marketing Officer for Timberland. “Each has taken the Timberland Premium 6-Inch Boot and transformed it through the lens of their own bold innovation and design ethos, giving us a view of what the icon of the future might look like. It’s our legacy, with their vision, and together we’re forging new frontiers of boot culture.”

But the party doesn’t end there. In addition to redesigning the Premium 6-Inch Boot, each creative birthed their own capsule apparel collection to accompany the shoes. They also conceptualized a second futuristic boot inspired by one of Timberland’s previous silhouettes. These capsules will be released in a sequence of seven drops throughout 2023, one of which being the Hip Hop Royalty Boot which drops on February 24th. This launch aims to honor the very community that played an enormous role in the current success of the brand. All seven drops will be available at Timberland flagship stores, select retailers, and online. In celebrating the communities that have defined Timberland’s past, these six creative mavens have a critical role in maintaining the brand’s prestige for the next half-century and beyond.