Samelin
517 Aviators – Red Leather Ankle Boots
517 Aviators – Red Leather Ankle Boots
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A leather ankle boot that gets noticed. In red.
The 517 Aviator in red is the boldest colorway after white — the same no-nonsense water-repellent leather boot from Samelin, Estonia, with a finish that stands out. City, outdoors, any weather. Same NATO-certified construction as the M77.
Why these boots
- Water-repellent genuine leather upper — handles rain, mud, and daily wear
- Direct-injected PU sole — durable, lightweight, grippy
- Anatomical insole — antibacterial and washable
- Minimal leather lining — lightweight and breathable
- Made by Samelin, Estonia — same factory as Norwegian M77 military boots
- NATO AQAP 2110 / ISO 9001 certified
- Unisex sizing, EU 36–48
Built for real-world use
Capable across conditions — practical enough for rough weather, characterful enough to wear every day.
- City commuting and everyday wear
- Light hiking and trail walking
- Variable weather — rain, slush, mild cold
- Anywhere you want a leather boot with presence
Construction details
Upper: Water-repellent genuine leather Outsole: Direct-injected PU sole Lining: Leather (single layer, minimal) Insole: Anatomical, antibacterial, washable Weight: 1.2 kg (size 41) Standards: NATO AQAP 2110 / ISO 9001 Origin: Tartu, Estonia
Fit and sizing
True to size for men. Women should size down one full size.
The minimal lining keeps the boot light and breathable. In freezing temperatures, wear a thicker wool or thermal sock.
FAQ
How does red compare to the other Aviator colorways? Same boot, different finish. Red is the most distinctive — a deliberate choice. Black is the most understated, brown is the most natural, white is the starkest. All four share identical construction.
Will the red leather fade? Quality leather dye holds well. Apply leather conditioner regularly to maintain the finish and prevent drying. Avoid prolonged direct sun exposure if you want to preserve colour intensity.
Is the minimal lining a problem in cold weather? In mild to moderate cold, no. In freezing conditions, wear a thick wool or thermal sock. The boot is not insulated.
Are these suitable for hiking? Light hiking and trail walking, yes. For demanding terrain or longer outdoor use, the 553 hiking boots or M77 are the better choice.
Who makes these? Samelin OÜ, Tartu, Estonia. NATO-certified, 75+ years in production.
Order with confidence
- Made by Samelin — NATO-certified manufacturer, Estonia
- Ships to EU in 3–7 working days
- Free shipping available — check if you qualify at checkout
- 30-day returns on unused, unworn items
- Questions? hello@whatshoes.co
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2-year warranty
2-year warranty on manufacturing defects. If something's wrong, we fix it, replace it, or refund it — no runaround. Write to hello@whatshoes.co
- 5 stars: 8 (80%)
- 4 stars: 1 (10%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 1 (10%)
To start with, definitely don't attempt 10+ km a day and 9 different flights in brand new pilots 🫣 — but even that is survivable with excellent plasters. Order a size down. After the break-in they are absolutely the most comfortable boots imaginable.
Very comfortable, quality-made and eye-catching boots. I get compliments very often. Made 100% the right colour choice and a great investment.
I agree that in the first year the boots stained my socks. I'm not sure if I missed a step in the care routine. In the second year that problem is gone. The boots are still beautiful, comfortable, and perfect for long walks.
Comfortable, pleasant, beautiful, awesome. Completely satisfied — excellent purchase! 🙂
The break-in period took a little time (they rubbed at first), but after that we've been great friends.
The boots are beautiful but the leather bleeds colour and stains your socks red. Since I wore them outside the seller won't take them back. This was not mentioned in the product description.
Amazing. I have never been THIS happy with any pair of boots. I'll be buying a few more pairs — yellow, for example. And I'm really hoping for tall white and purple/dusty-rose versions. Why not, make it happen? 😀
The red pilot boots are absolutely awesome, real head-turners 😁 One small BUT: the back heel strip is thin fabric in what I think is an off-tone colour, even though in the photos it appears to be the same leather as the main material. Not a dealbreaker, just worth noting.
The moment I saw the red pilot boots I knew they were mine! 😛 Love that they fit well even on a wider last. Ultra comfortable, ultra stylish. Curtsy and thank you!
Beautiful boots, comfortable and true to size. Very happy with the purchase!