I've been using these boots almost daily. I've definitely taken care not to abuse them in any laborious work I've done in them, as I'm not running them in the work dome. Being they are a chromexcel, I waited until the last month of the competition, once I knew the Idaho winter was over, before conditioning with bick 4 to minimize darkening, and allow the natural patina to keep showing through. They've been through miles upon miles of walking, freight work, gym use, office work, snow, mud, and my toe drag the few times I've thrown disc golf in them. In all, they have had a lot of love and been fantastic. Frank's built them like tanks, super supportive, and the best form fit I've got, and the toe box hasn't even really started to flatten yet, but the toe spring is fantastic. Couldn't ask for a better boot in this style.
The break in has been great. They are fully leather lined, so the cxl has some healthy beef behind it, so the boot maintained solid structure as it's continuously molding to my foots shape more and more each day. The patina has been beautiful. It's developing a rich tan/brown/red deep tone from where it had originally started. My care routine was very minimalistic. I cleaned them once a month with 1 baby wipe each the evening before taking the monthly photos. March 8th was the first time I applied a light bick 4 conditioning coming out of the winter weather, and I will do 1 more cleaning and conditioning the day before final photos.
They've become more and more like a glove as time goes on. They nailed the sizing, and the fit just keeps getting better by the day!
I feel that Frank's did a phenomenal job in every aspect of this build. Not a single thing could be improved.
I'm absolutely amazed at how well this wedge sole has held up with as many miles as I've put on them. I had figured by this time I'd potentially be a few months out from a resole with how soft they are, but these chunky dogs still have tread along the edges of the ball of my foot. The most wear they have is on my left heel where I've supinated slightly more than my right foot. These are a very comfortable sole, and have allowed the foot bed to do a phenomenal job forming to my foot. Super comfortable. And really give the silhouette I was specifically looking for when I conceptualized the design on these boots.
Wouldn't change a thing. Best fit and function I've got in a boot thus far. Worth every penny on this custom build.