2 week initial impressions. Break in, leather, construction, etc..

Worn daily to work 8-12hrs a day. I work in a brewery so my boots get wet every day, get exposed to chemicals, and can get filthy with grit and grime. I tend to move/kick things around a lot or use my feet to hold doors or what have you. I have also worn them for general leisure and for stomping the faire grounds at TRF.

These boots took a solid week of daily wear to finally break in and soften up. That first week was a little rough. The horserump is a very hard wearing leather, it can definitely take the abuse. At first, the leather was very stiff. I was worried they would be that stiff forever, the first few days showed no sign of easing up. Then miraculously on day 7, I put them on and they felt completely different. They moved and flexed and responded accordingly without fighting back. Now after a second week, they are starting to show some wear. The leather is rolling/creasing. The teacore dye is starting to wear off slightly on the toe caps and heels. They've got a couple scuff here and there but you'd hardly even tell unless you're up close. Horse rump is some tough shit. So far the only care routine I've set for them is just to brush them down a few times a week and wipe dry if they get too wet on the job so they're not soaking in moisture.

They fit like a roomy glove. The boots have adapted to my feet excellently and lock my foot in with a satisfying THUNK. Plus plenty of wiggle room for the toes. No hot spots or uncomfortable areas. The high heel and last design give you some moderate arch support but nothing crazy. This is a high volume boot and I have a high instep so I find it to be very comfortable and accommodating. Maybe with further wear and breaking in I might add a kiltie but it isn't necessary as of now.

Personally, I love the design. It is a chunky beefy boot with the high heel and lug sole. But also pretty sleek and classy for PNW style boot. Makes styling it very versatile but it still remains functional for heavy use. The finishing was beautiful out of the box and has held up wonderfully so far. My only qualm is with the construction. I received a defective pair and on the 2nd day of wear, the pull loop popped. I sort of fixed it with sneakercreate and a lighter to singe the threads. I also noticed some loose stitching on the quarter panel by the arch and applied the same fix with good results. Have had no issues since. Thursday sent me a 2nd replacement pair of Challengers in Horween Whiskey Predator and that pair is immaculate. So I don't believe the issues I experienced to be commonplace.

I love the durability of this sole. I don't love the traction in wet conditions. They can get a little slippery. Not enough to where you're walking like bambi but slippery enough to be mindful of in wet/slick conditions. I've really only noticed it on smooth floors like tile or glazed concrete. Pavement, asphalt, and wild terrain are all a-ok in my experience.

Love love love the big ass heel. It helps with my gait and posture. It is also very useful for locking in on ladders or catching on pallets to kick them around easily. The heel is great for hiking as well, I find my feet and ankles not tiring as fast with these boots. I've broken both ankles at different points in my life so they can get sore pretty quickly sometimes but I have yet to experience any soreness in this pair.

2 weeks in and I'm super pumped about these boots! I seriously can't wait to see how they look in 6 months because I'm going to put these through the ringer. If you're looking for an affordably priced PNW style boot, I would highly recommend this pair.