Reviews
Read DIY reviews and experiences shared by the Patina Project community. See real feedback on quality, fit, durability, and how these products perform over time.
10 reviews
I had fun wearing something I made and getting to experiment with 2 different types of leathers.
DIY Service Boot in Metta Catharina Shell CordovanBy Da_Desired • April 6, 2025"Wore them a lot when I went out with my girlfriend to the mall and diner, had a few rainy days and generally wore them around the house...."Read the full review
Ostrich so soft it’s like a second pair of socks.
DIY Cowboy Boot in Kango Tobac OstrichBy thenewreligion • April 2, 2025"Worn 2-3x per week. Very comfy when they are the shape of your foot! Have been in the rain and puddles and don’t spot. in dry dirt but not mud, maybe now that the dome is over though :) mostly to office and travel and indoor events. To the rodeo but just the stands, fishing from the dock...."Read the full review
How will this go? Do I trust the maker? Horse High Tops?! Let's ride.
DIY Hand Stitched Hi Top in Guidi Blue Reverse HorsebuttBy bricra1983 • September 29, 2025"Not yet. Per the rules...."Read the full review
A great journey with my selfmade boots through snow in Germany, rain in Scotland and a lot of miles
DIY Service Boot Model Stacy in Conceria Walpier Natural ButteroBy germanshoeguy • April 5, 2025"I wore them every other day for the first three months, then almost every day after I realized that double doming was not the way to go. I wore them to work, to the train, on a few hikes, on a trip to Scotland, and in all kinds of weather - from dry and sunny to snow and a lot of rain...."Read the full review
A worthwhile endeavor. Hoping to make many more pairs.
DIY Lace To Toe in Austrian Cow Leather, vegetable Tanned, (reversed) waxed fleshBy baschdln • April 5, 2024"I’ve worn these boots almost exclusively and almost every day. I wanted to wear them as if they were my only pair which means do all task while wearing them but also take good care of them This included a lot of rainy bike commutes (because Denmark…) to the office but also when doing smaller tasks around the house and garden. I like that the leather is easy to clean and easy to give a gentle shine.
There’s been a few situations in which they got very wet or once completely soaked in mud but were always easy to clean up again. The right boot has suffered more because my bike has studded tires in winter and when in a rush they got scratched.
I’ve also spent 10 days in our cabin in the middle of the woods in Norway over New Year’s in very cold (-25°C/-13°F) conditions and hip-deep snow. That was not planned as I was sure I had some Red Wing ice cutters stored there which was incorrect. Soles performed terribly in the snow as they became very hard and offered zero grip and provided virtually no insulation. Next year I’ll choose some mini lug soles as a minimum...."Read the full review
Learning experience in cordwaining
DIY Service Boot in Horween Natural ChromexcelBy pillar13 • April 1, 2025"I wore these everywhere I went for the most part. In eastern PA we get all kinds of weather and these held up great...."Read the full review
First pair of boots I made, rode hard by a first grader.
DIY Cowboy Boot in Water BuffaloBy thenewreligion • April 2, 2025"Wore them to school, in the yard, in the mud, to church...."Read the full review
My feet aged 3.5 years in the last 6 months…same as dog years.
DIY 42 in 7-8 Ounce Double-plyBy AdamGreenwell • April 5, 2024"I started building these last year just to see if I could do it. They’re monsters! Heavy, clunky, loud and also indestructible. Someone on here commented that these looked like they were made for the fallout world and I think that may be their only practical application. I love them though. I know it’s because I built them and I’m biased but also because I appreciate the amount of work that went into building them. I think that’s probably why we’re all shoe and boot enthusiasts—we appreciate the work that went into building them.
While I do love these shoes, the last six months has been a rough stretch for us. First off, they were not easy to break in. You can imagine trying to tame two to three layers of 8 ounce leather wrapped around your foot. It hurt. It was a give and take with the shoes changing a little bit to fit my feet and also my feet changing a little bit to fit the shoes. Compromise.
Second, these things weigh way too much and I wasn’t able to wear these as much as I wanted because of that. They may or may not be part of the reason I got a bulging disc this year. My wife is convinced of that at least and she’s probably right since these do weigh almost four pounds each. Not practical. I know and I also don’t care...."Read the full review
First pair crosses finish line - didn't fall apart!
DIY Unknown Model in S.B. Foot Black PrairieBy Monkley • April 1, 2024"Break in was currently non-existent.
The leather held up very well. Your can see where the black finish has worn off relatively easily, but I think you could beat the hell out of it and they'd last. Seems rather pipey, but that's not an issue imo.
Care was Smiths leather balm where it seemed dry or worn, a coat of VSC once to give them some shine, and that's about it...."Read the full review
