Addicted to Addicts

I am living in Arizona and work in a clinic for young kids. My job requires me to sometimes get down on the floor and play with the littles, jump around, take the on strolls to the park and play chase occasionally. Most of the time is just me walking around while typing notes in my laptop. So, my Addicts have been in that mostly office environment but have also weather the occasional outdoor walk, or very occasional garden project. I try to limit the use of “work” category projects and would don my 10875s for those. I wanted to be intentional, take care of my boots, push them appropriately and not baby them. They got to assist me in clearing tree debris, digging a hole for a few small trees and even making a pick up game of basketball but never overtly pushed for the explicit gain of forced patina.

The horsebutt has been a pleasure to live in. Very early on, like within first month, they started to display some tea coring. I felt a bit like I had stolen valor but when I used Bick 4 to routinely condition them they went back to form but some honesty progress was retained. It seemed to me that after month 3 or so, the tea core process slowed a bit but the leather sculpting to my foot, ankle, and leg were really starting to accelerate. They felt molded to me and that is a difference between these Engineers and any other type of boot that I’ve worn. I can foresee more horsebutt in my future due to the overwhelming positive experience.

The CL last fits my particular foot well and the horsebutt in particular fits my foot well. I have had the horsehide CL Last Engineers but interestingly the horsebutt CL Last feels more full. They fit the ball of my foot perfectly and with the extra room that the horsebutt had they did not feel tight in any areas (the horsehide version felt a tiny bit snug in the instep). If I had to walk for extended periods or time I would normally wear the New River Quades but for the most part I split time equally between the two dome boots.

These are absolutely gorgeous boots. I believe they are the best engineers for the price. They punch above their weight in clicking, design and finishing. I would love to try an Unsung engineer or boot but these are impeccable. The finishing was too notch and they help up superbly to the wear I gave them. After 6 months of heavy wear they are more comfortable, look better and seem to fit better than day 1. I have never had any thoughts of limiting wear due to the boot not being able to handle it due to the craftsmanship. I am relatively new to the world of nice boots but there is not a single thread out of place, the right vamp appears to have aged a tad differently than the left vamp. The left vamp rolled and the right vamp creased but I am enamored by them and love their subtle differences.

This sole is extremely solid. They look just as beautiful on first day or month 6 as they did on day 1. Classy and I don’t think I would opt for a different sole on my engineer.

As a 34 year old man, I have heard that your personality is either Japan, hiking or coffee and so I guess I have chosen Japan as my personality. These Japanese boots are immaculate though to the credit of my newly acquired personality. I don’t think that they make me more interesting as a person but I suppose they must say something. As a BCBA who works with children I can say I don’t get too many compliments from the children or their parents for them, but also I don’t get any hate from them in regards to pirate like boots. In a world of sambas, pay less Nikes (like not any known Jordan model, dunk or air max), and a sea of other non descript shoes. So, do they make me better? No. More interesting? If you are interested in quality items or Stitchdown construction then I suppose a little bit. Regardless, I receive something from it. Maybe it’s when it’s been a hard day and I look down and see something those black engineers that have some brown peeking out. It feels like the money I’ve spent and pictures I’ve taken are worthwhile. It’s nice getting a dopamine hit from something that Is as timeless as leather rather than being dependent on insta or Tik tok.