Best of Patina Project
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Best reviews of April 2024
Tough go at the Dome
Nicks TankerPro in Seidel WeatherShield Black SmoothBy ofdff • April 5, 2024"Well, the dome is officially over for me, but I had the feeling a month in that I was done. These tankers are my work boots, so the logical thought was the work category. After the 1 month update photos were uploaded, I immediately realized I was no match for the guys literally running their boots into the dirt every day.
As a firefighter, and more specifically an engineer (driver), these boots have a little different use case than the others in the work category. They see 10 shifts a month, so they’ve only had 64 wears while in the dome (I don’t suck at math, but I do work some overtime). 10 wears per month is certainly a setback for getting the same results as everyone else, but there is a strict rule: Work boots stay at work (for good reason). Each shift has these boots on my feet for about 18 hours, and they have been incredibly comfortable the whole time! The weather shield black is a durable son of a gun, and hardly shows patina. Great for most situations, but not the dome.
My ‘dirty’ is much different than most of the others in the work category. While they haven’t been caked in mud, hydraulic fluid, or fertilizer like some of the others, they’ve seen their fair share of filth. They’ve stepped in blood, sweat, and any other number of fluid/tissues you can imagine coming out of a body. They’ve stomped out burning trash after the ‘urban outdoorsmen’ were informed their kitchen was out of line with the current burn ban. Their toes have been buried in the dingy carpet of the local crack houses while we pump on chests, push narcan to reverse the overdoses, and try everything we can to bring someone back from the brink of death, even though we know it’s too late.
These boots certainly have stories to tell, and even without winning this contest, I appreciate the dome. Without it, they’re just boots. The Dome gives us all a reason to stop and reflect on the past 6 months, as cheesy as it sounds, but I’m still thankful nonetheless.
Good luck to all the other contestants!..."Read the full review
Heirloom-quality boots with undeniable verve I hope to be wearing for many many years.
Jack & White Brothers Letterman ZERO in Badalassi Carlo Mosto Minerva LiscioBy storybook.oak • April 6, 2024"I wore these boots as I would any cherished daily driver. I didn’t baby them, but I also didn’t beat them. They accompanied me on long walks, weekend getaways, office days, and everything in between. I wore them in the rain and snow, and they suffered scuffs, scratches, and coffee spills. But after all that, a wipe and a brush later they’d be back to looking incredible again...."Read the full review
Oak Street Bootmakers Trench Boot
Oak Street Bootmakers Trench Boot in Horween Natural ChromexcelBy alamacchia2 • April 5, 2024"These natural CXLs from oak street bootmakers are my first pair of Goodyear welted service boots. I wanted the most classic of classic leather tones and silhouettes. After a few hours of research in late 2022, I came across the Stitchdown Instagram where I began to learn more than I thought I would about boots and shoemaking. To say the least, I am now hooked on the study and breaking in of boots. I love every aspect of it. After I bought this pair, I decided to save them for the following year’s thunderdome, which left a vacancy in my newly found obsession. I quickly went right back to Instagram, YouTube, and many boot review sources, and landed on a dressier silhouette for my wedding. My first kudu pair. The Lake shore boot from oak street bootmakers. Then, determined to expand my collection, I acquired the Alden Indy for my rehearsal dinner. Lastly, while on our honeymoon in Japan, my wife and I picked out matching pairs of red wing moc toes. I think I’m pretty set for a while… at least on brown tones. Time for some black boots.
Anyways, my journey in the thunderdome pair has been a special experience. I’ve toyed around with laces, boot conditioners, photography strategies, and most importantly, time spent in the actual boots. Mainly, I wear them to work every day. I am in sales and cover a large portion of the Midwest, so these trench boots have seen many miles in a car, on a plane, and on cement. Grabbing a pair with the brogue cap toe made them pass for dress shoes at every stop. They have served me well. On the weekends, this trusty pair traveled to Big Sky, MT, Lake Tahoe, and Burlington, VT. While those trips were extraordinary, the final 2 week honeymoon run in Japan took the cake. Averaging 20,000 steps per day, my wife and I took the notice in the final month patina. Needless to say, I now have a beautifully broken in, overly comfortable, and story collected pair.
Thank you for starting this community. I am excitedly looking forward to thunderdomes for years to come.
Anthony..."Read the full review
Definitely mid. Firmly planted in the goldilocks zone of gyw boots.
Wolverine 1000 Mile Cap-Toe Boot in Horween Brown ChromexcelBy 12xubywire • April 5, 2024"Yes. Over 500 miles of walking on trails, through snow and slush...."Read the full review
An ultra-rare, ultra-cool pair of Iron Rangers
Red Wing Iron Ranger in S.B. Foot Oro HarnessBy scratch.awl • April 3, 2024"Not only were these boots a special commemorative release, they were only available as a giveaway, not for purchase. I was one of the lucky few who were chosen to get a pair when they were announced in the fall of 2022. I kept them on my shelf for the following year before entering them into the Thunderdome.
While Red Wing’s construction is fairly barebones (no midsoles in these!), I personally have found the 8 last to be one of the most comfortable for my feet, and I always enjoyed the chance to throw these boots on. I wore a second pair for the contest, but I found myself favoring these Iron Rangers a lot more.
The leather is quite an intriguing fusion between Amber Harness and Oro Legacy. It has a much darker, more caramel-y color than Oro Legacy does, but it still manages to retain that leather’s vibrant orange-sunset undertones, giving it a more lively appearance in comparison to Red Wing’s Copper Rough and Tough, for example.
I don’t think anyone will notice at first glance that these aren’t your typical Iron Rangers, but there’s a lot of unique character in this leather that I will continue to enjoy as it evolves even more...."Read the full review
A solid makeup with a classic silhouette
Red Wing 6-Inch Classic Moc in S.B. Foot Copper Rough and ToughBy scratch.awl • April 3, 2024"I really enjoyed wearing these, and greatly prefer the 45 last as opposed to the 23 last that Red Wing uses for the rest of their moc toe boots. More 45 last releases please, Red Wing!..."Read the full review
I enjoyed wearing the boots very much. Easy to care for and remained nice looking.
Oak Street Bootmakers Field Boot in Horween Marine Field RoughoutBy putzinboots • April 1, 2024"Mostly office wear and sidewalks...."Read the full review
Oh the Places You’ll Go!
Oak Street Bootmakers Trench Boot in Horween Natural ChromexcelBy bawls • April 2, 2024"These were my everyday boots that I wore in the office, around town, and occasionally during minor yard work. While either sitting for extended periods of time or walking long distances the comfort level exceeded expectations. They visited many states including a road-trip from Florida to Pennsylvania. They endeavored the blistering summer sun in Florida, the chilling ice of Missouri, and tedious rain in Philadelphia...."Read the full review
Allen Edmonds Freeport Boot: A great overall boot
Allen Edmonds Freeport in Horween Natural ChromexcelBy mreams99 • April 5, 2024"I work from home most days and wore these nearly every day. I was not afraid to use them as “work boots” to do lawn work or to do a little work on a house I’m renovating in my spare time. They got pretty dirty at times working on that old house because I had to do work in the crawl space. I thought that I’d wear them often to shovel snow but I only had to shovel a couple of times in our milder-than-usual winter. They were easy to clean up to wear to other events...."Read the full review
Witty Title
Grant Stone Diesel Boot in Kango Tobacco OstrichBy prospect_joe • April 3, 2024"I wore these boots everywhere doing everything. The highlight was probably hiking. I have done 10+ mile hikes in these boots at Bryce Canyon National Park (the first day I wore them--bad idea), Zion National Park, Dixie National Forest, Fishlake National Forest, Redcliffs National Conservation Area, Snow Canyon State Park, and the Canaan Wilderness.
On top of the hundreds of thousands of miles of hiking they endured, I also took them snowshoeing. Worst of all these boots were worn to teach college students and do academic research.
Finally this winter was relatively mild with respect to snow. Nevertheless, they frequently saw snow and salt...."Read the full review
Enzo Bonafe Unboxing
Enzo Bonafe 3853 in Horween Natural BisonBy prospect_joe • April 18, 2024"The fit is fantastic. Gaurav nailed it...."Read the full review
Fantastic boots, overbuilt for what I do!
Skin Stitches MK 1 in Horween Black Waxed FleshBy TheBeginnerBootMaker • April 5, 2024"I've done everything in this pair from attending family weddings to hiking, but the bulk of my time I was wearing them for university, walking between lectures and (rarely!) going to workshops...."Read the full review
Fit like a glove and getting better every day!
Nicks x Zuriick Merriman in Horween Black ChromexcelBy Leroy • April 4, 2024"Where do I start...? I literally wore these every day since day one of the 'Dome! I wore these all through cherry and apple harvest, working long hot days in the field. They were worn in the fabrication shop welding, the wood shop sawing, and working on the motorcycle in the garage. I brushed them almost every night, wore them to BBQs, fancy restaurants, two weddings, and to the gym. I also brought these to New York for a produce show, Iceland for an adventure, and Italy for a week of feasting and walking 50k steps a day (ouch). I cleaned them in the hotel sink every time I was on vacation and needed to take Dome photos abroad.
Every day means every day. At around 90 days in It's no longer a decision what to wear, it's just footwear. It's like they're a part of you. At 120 days in they're fully broken In and they don't hurt after a long day standing the whole time. At 6 months they're like tennis shoes - very supportive and thick, badass tennis shoes... Wait, no - tennis shoes are stupid. They are just the best footwear money can buy and there's no going back to lousy footwear... Ever...."Read the full review
These boots are fantastic
Nicks MTO in Horween Whiskey PredatorBy jimmy3roller • April 5, 2024"I've used these boots as my main work pair for the last 6th months. I'm a glazier and primarily work with leaded church windows, custom aluminum window frames, and custom aluminum doors. These boots have been all over the northeastern US. I really like wearing these boots, especially when erecting scaffolding. The logger heal really helps out...."Read the full review
