If you've been following HELM for a bit, you already know that every boot is named after someone from Joshua's life. The Welden isn't any different, and we want to introduce you to the guy whose name it's sporting.
Meet Taylor Welden...
What do you do?
I’m a full-time outdoor, travel, adventure gear designer at ERA3. I’m Senior Editor of Carryology, a publication where I write about products, materials, technology, and work on collab projects with brands around the world. Additionally, I’m VP of the Austin Facial Hair Club as well as a board member of Beard Team USA. I design, I write, I review, I beard, I eat, I travel, I have fun, I love, I live.
Why did Joshua name a boot after you?
Man… Joshua and I have been friends for years. Maybe 4 or 5 years ago, while hanging out and shooting the breeze, he casually mentioned the idea of naming a boot “The Welden”. I was at a loss for words. Over the years, he’s been telling me various (legitimate) reasons why it hadn’t happened yet, such as; it just wasn’t the right time yet, he was still working on the perfect design, he was waiting on the right factory to be able to achieve a specific manufacturing process he had in mind, etc, etc. To answer the question as to “why” he named a boot after me… I’m not precisely sure. But I’m honored.
How involved were you in the design?
Over the years, as “The Welden” boot was brewing silently in Josh’s wild artistic mind, I shared concepts and ideas with him whenever we’d talk and during our paths crossing in East Austin. It was about a year and a half ago when he told me it was really happening this time around. Shortly after that, a Japanese magazine was interviewing me about life in the the Texas capitol city, and we thought it would be a great idea to have part of the tour include HELM Boots and a meeting about the direction. It was here that we cranked out some great collaborative work on the design.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Austin?
This is impossible to only write one. I’ll list a few; Kemuri Tatisu-Ya, Uchi, Better Half, Suerte, Otoko, Ramen Tatsu-Ya, VIA313, East Side King, Bufalina, Veracruz All Natural, Justine’s, Dee Dee, Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, and even though they’re not in Austin… Truth BBQ.
Favorite Bar?
The Grackle, Shangri-La, Nickel City, Brew & Brew, The Liberty, Yellow Jacket, The Cavalier, Domo Alley-Gato, Whisler’s, Justine’s (after midnight), The Brixton, The White Horse, Hard Luck Lounge, The Jackalope, The Cloak Room, and whiskey in a friend’s backyard.
Favorite country you’ve visited?
“I haven’t been everywhere yet, but it’s on my list” –Susan Sontag
Short answer; The next one.
Real answer; Though I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited a handful of times, I could return to Japan another 100 times in my life and still be forever endlessly fascinated by the depth, history, and beauty of their incredible culture.
Favorite international dish?
Homemade lasagna from my Italian Nonna (Gemma Rose Macchioni).
Heroes?
My Mom, my Dad, my Grandpa Joe, my Nonna, my Great Grandfather David Rexford Maxey, Nikola Tesla, Alexander the Great, Jacques Cousteau, Stacey Irvine, Hans Langseth, Jim Harrison and Dieter Rams.
Best bag for travel?
Short answer; it depends.
It depends on where you’re going, for how long, in what climate, and what you’ll be doing. Recently I’ve been rotating through my Arc’teryx Veilance Nomin, Triple Aught Design Axiom 24, Arc’teryx LEAF Courier 15, Trakke x Carryology Storr SP collab, Mystery Ranch 3DAP, Rimowa Topas Stealth IATA multiwheel, YETI Panga Duffel, Bedouin Foundry Barbary, Filson Original Briefcase, as well as some classified prototypes that I can’t talk about quite yet.