Just love my hand-made Service Boot in Horsebutt, and watching the character develop every day.

These boots have been with me through everything—from the desk to the dirt. They’ve worked as hard as I have—and earned every bit of character along the way.

The Horween Chromexcel horsebutt has been beautiful. From day one, it broke in comfortably without sacrificing structure. The surface has developed rich highs and lows with every step, bringing out a deep character unique to my wear. Scuffs buff out easily with a brush and some elbow grease, while the leather continues to respond with a natural sheen. It’s easily one of the most rewarding leathers to live in day after day.

The fit has been solid throughout—snug where it needs to be, with just enough give as the leather molded to my foot. The break-in period was minimal thanks to the flexibility of the Chromexcel horsebutt, and over time the boots have settled into a custom-like feel. No major hot spots or pressure points, and the heel lock has held up well. Overall, they’ve offered reliable comfort.

Being the one who designed this boot in collaboration with Al’s Attire, I carry a deep sense of pride in every pair. From the materials to the stitch pattern, every detail reflects a balance of heritage craftsmanship. The construction has held up beautifully—tight welts, clean finishing, and solid build quality across the board. Seeing the first few pairs out in the wild has been surreal, and the feedback has been rewarding. We made some small refinements on the fourth pair sold, just dialing in the details to make an already great boot even better. It’s been both a personal and professional highlight to bring this design to life as my first Signature Service Boots.

The experience with the Cat’s Paw heel + toe has been nice—a perfect vintage touch that adds character. It’s not just about looks either; they’ve held up well in daily wear and offer a bit of nostalgic flair. Including them on this pair made it feel extra special, especially tied to a meaningful date for my boot and shoe care company.

This Thunderdome journey has been more than just breaking in a really cool pair of boots—it’s been about storytelling, craftsmanship, and community. From designing this collaboration with my friend Al at Al's Attire, to living in them day after day, every scuff feels earned. Seeing the design take shape not just on my feet but out in the world on other people's feet has been incredibly rewarding. I’m proud of what we’ve created, and even more excited about what’s ahead. Grateful for the Stichdown community, the process, and the patina earned along the way.