Is there a shoe company you choose not because of the marketing, but because you believe in the person behind it? That’s exactly how I ended up reviewing the Wenatchee half-brogue oxford from the JF line at J.Fitzpatrick Footwear.
Like many shoe enthusiasts, I discovered Justin Fitzpatrick through his Shoe Snob blog and YouTube channel. What stands out about Justin is his story: a guy who simply fell in love with shoes, worked his way up in the industry, and eventually launched his own shoe brand. That commitment to craft is why so many people choose J.Fitzpatrick Footwear. And after wearing the Wenatchee model during a full week of travel and business use, I can say confidently that his brand deserves the attention it’s getting.
Gorgeous Sangria Color Wenatchee – J.F. Line
When purchasing, you’ll notice that J. Fitzpatrick divides its offerings into two collections: the JF line (entry-level) and the main J. Fitzpatrick line (premium tier). The Wenatchee is part of the JF line, which makes it a great starting point if you’re curious about this brand but don’t want to jump straight into their more expensive offerings.
J. Fitzpatrick Line – Magnolia Cap Toe Oxford
The takeaway is simple: the JF line provides tremendous value and comfort for first-time buyers, while the main line gives collectors deeper artistry and finishing.
The Wenatchee (also listed as “Wacci” on the website) is a half-brogue oxford with just enough decorative detail to show character without being loud. You get a blend of cap-toe refinement, brogue punching, and pinked edging. That combination makes this model more versatile than a full brogue and slightly more stylish than a plain cap-toe. And that color! Oxblood falls into the burgundy shoe family, and it is an incredibly versatile color.
If you’ve always wanted your first half-brogue, this is a strong candidate, and at this price point, may be the most beautiful J.Fitzpatrick model in the JF line.
When it comes to personality, it offers a similar feeling to other character-filled shoes I’ve reviewed, such as the BLKBRD Luchador Service Boots, which also bring a unique design identity without going overboard. The Wenatchee lives in that sweet spot between business and artistic expression.
Sangria is a perfect name for this leather tone. It’s burgundy, but brighter and more flavorful, like a wine with fruit layered into it. The deep color presents impressive character in direct light, similar to the depth seen in Justin’s famous dark brown marble patina boots. For a shoe that isn’t technically a patina model, it has remarkable richness.
You’ll find that this color pairs beautifully with navy suits, slate trousers, dark grey tailoring, or business outfits with a slight pop. If you want a shoe that stands out without screaming for attention, Sangria delivers exactly that balance.
Sangria = Easy To Style
These shoes are Goodyear welted in Mallorca, Spain, a region respected globally for producing amazingly crafted shoes. They are resolable, strong, and meant to last far beyond a single good year of wear.
One of the first things I checked was the stitching. The upper measured an impressive 15 stitches per inch on my pair, which rivals stitching found on European shoes that cost significantly more. The welt stitching to the sole came out at about eight stitches per inch, tidy, centered, and consistent. No loose threads, no wavering lines. This level of detail shows someone is paying attention during production.
By comparison, even boots I’ve praised for their quality—like the Grant Stone Diesel in Black Bison—don’t always show this level of fine detailing in the upper stitching. J.Fitzpatrick is playing in a surprisingly competitive tier for the price.
J. Fitzpatrick Street Walker (Rubber) Sole
My Wenatchee pair came with the Street Walker sole, a leather and rubber hybrid that provides excellent traction. It offered confident stability on wet city sidewalks, polished hotel flooring, and long conference hall walks. It’s similar in functionality to a commando sole but dressier and more refined.
If you enjoy traction without sacrificing elegance, this sole works extremely well in real business settings—with similar practicality to what I’ve experienced in rugged Goodyear-welted hybrids like the Yearn Shoemaker A551 Single Monk Strap when walking long distances.
I chose UK 9.5 (US 10.5), which is my typical size for standard-width feet. The Renier last used on the Wenatchee fits true to size and provides a snug feel without pinching.
If you have wider feet, one of Justin’s roomier lasts, like the J. Fitzpatrick TMG, might be better. The Wenatchee will work for standard instep wearers, but wide-footed buyers may need a half size adjustment.
I wore these shoes during a week-long business trip in Chicago and intentionally tested them on hard floors and during long walks between meetings. They felt extremely comfortable right out of the box. Surprisingly, the flexibility felt similar to a Blake Stitched shoe, even though it’s a Goodyear welt.
Whether this is due to Justin’s proprietary welt flexibility adjustments or the hybrid sole, I can say there is noticeably less break-in than typical welted dress shoes. For a first wear, this shoe performed well.
Supporting J.Fitzpatrick Footwear means supporting a passionate craftsman who built something unique. Customer service is personal and responsive, the refund policy is clearly stated without confusing language, and the brand even offers a Shoe Snob Marketplace, where buyers can find samples, discounted pairs, and even other brands curated by Justin himself.
He’s continuing to expand not just his footwear but his network, giving customers thoughtful alternatives and opportunities to explore. Supporting this brand feels as authentic as supporting independent bootmakers I’ve covered, and it’s rewarding to watch someone build a global audience from their passion.
Based on design, construction, leather quality, and fit, the Wenatchee dress shoe is an excellent choice for anyone entering the J.Fitzpatrick world for the first time. It brings a rakish look to a business shoe, offers confident stability through its sole, and shows impressive character in its Sangria color.
If you want to start with a shoe that carries artistic expression without being flashy, the Wenatchee is a smart investment and an easy addition to any serious rotation. For anyone building a collection that includes well-balanced character pieces like the Luchador Boots, refined dress options like the Yearn A551 monk straps, or versatile classics like the Grant Stone Diesel, the Wenatchee stands out.
