When I first got these I was afraid they wouldn’t fit. Grails don’t seem to work out well for me!

I’ve used them as I normally wear my boots, which is at work and just leisurely as I walk through life as a father of a child with special needs that happens to be extremely hyperactive. One hour at the park with these at the beginning of the dome and I realized I needed to not do such activities in these as I do intend them to be more formal long term. These boots handled the wear like it was nothing and that just speaks to Peng’s craftsmanship and quality. Since that wet and faithful day at the park these have primarily been used for office work and errands after work.

They’ve softened a lot. I have two pair of Maryam horsebutt from Peng and while they do feel like leather armor they have this soft nature that develops that I love. The smell continues to be incredible and the overdye black continues to look as black as night, just the way I like them! I’ve brushed them every week to a beautiful shine, and only used Skidmore once when I first got them following a wise leather crafters advice on the discord. I can see these boots could potentially last for decades with proper care and become very good friends to my feet.

My family has been cursed with duck feet and I have always had issues finding the right size. My pinky toes and instep are usually the victims that are sore and red when I wear new footwear. Not so much with the 108 last. It has good toe and instep space and hugs my ankles well. It has a mild amount of arch support but not like a PNW boot or its close cousin the 181 last, which I feel has a tad more arch support but tighter in the forefoot.

I love these boots. The only nitpick I can make about them is they aren’t the best clicking I’ve seen Peng do, as there was a big crease on the side of one of the boots when I first got them. Normally this would drive me nuts but I found it added to the character of these gifted boots. These boots are so hardy I have no doubt they will last especially with how well they are stitched and constructed. I have become less of a fan of speedhooks but these Gu character ones Peng has is an exception as they are so unique and I feel like they are his signature on his artistic work.

These look cool. It is so hard to find a sole that looks cool and is actually durable, comfortable, and has decent traction. For as much hate as Alden’s neocork gets or Dainite I found those to function very well for me, even in snow. So when I got a chance to try this model of Dr. Sole I jumped at the chance, twice! These look cool and they have become one of my top 3 soles to ask for.

Patience is something needed in spades for anyone ordering from Flame Panda but you get such a prize when all the waiting is done. The same can be said about finishing the dome. This dome really been a test in patience for me in so many ways especially with all the demands my life has. In order to finish I have had to make time for myself which I realized I really don’t do much. I spend most of my day running to the next fire or helping people in my clinic but looking down I started to take note and see these boot slowly patina. It has made me take more “pause” moments again and has helped me find new prospective. Peng has posted a few thoughts like this and why his work and posts have always been such a pleasure to read and I am glad that his thoughts have finally sunk in for me.