Black-Overdyed Horsebutt
What a ride, or rather walk, this year's dome has been! I wasn't expecting to dome Clinch Gary's but the stars, the dome's late entry period, and S&S' shipment schedule aligned as if it were fate! I don't think I could have picked a better pair now that these boots have become, essentially, leather socks. My Gary's have experienced everything I have from many dog walks to visiting the in-laws in La Crosse, WI to Bucks, Admirals, and Milkmen games to amazing concerts like Rage Against the Machine and the Smashing Pumpkins! They made the best traveling boot as well when taking a trip to NYC where a pair of boots capable of long treks is a must. The perfect combination of lightweight comfort and extreme durability, looking good while doing it too! That's my Gary's. They reliably accompanied me to Broadway for A Doll's House, to Madison Square Garden for a Rangers game, and (most importantly to my feet) long walks around Central Park and the Met! There are many boots that my feet would say are not up to those tasks, but not my Gary's. The tea-core peaking through the black overdye tells the stories of all of these journeys and my boots look even more incredible for it! While not my originally intended dome pair, these became *the* dome pair in my mind. As happy as I am to have another completed dome in the books, I'm a bit sad it has come to an end. But, the real beauty is the story of these boots has not come to an end, not even close. It's just the end of this chapter, as I have no doubt these boots will last me a life time as long as I continue to care for them like they did my feet. I'll give them a break as I give the rest of my collection some attention but they have cemented themselves in my collection as one of my most comfortable and straight up coolest pairs in my collection. I can't wait to see how these further develop, these have been my most expensive impulse purchase to date, but easily the most worthwhile. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Written on April 3, 2023
2022-2023 Open Thunderdome, April submission