Pre worn category has been excellent, great reason to start using an older pair of boots more

I have used the Imperium hawkes for any work that had to be done outside of my day job. I have worn them chopping wood and clearing scrub to just going to watch my kids football matches.

The cinnamon waxed flesh has proven to be a hard wearing leather, standing up to the briar thorns while clearing scrub and not being easily badly scratched or easily cut. Cosmetic scratches look great on these boots but its tough enough not to damage tge leather or put holes in the upper. Break in was easy enough it took about a week but wasnt very hard on my feet. I started by wearing around the house with thick socks and progressed from there. No blister issues or pain. The soles were more in need of breaking than the upper. The only care I have done on these since new is after use removing the laces, wiping off mud and dirt and brushing with a horse hair brush. I also changed to a pair of camo laces from pisgah instead of the original laces as they were not great. The waxed flesh has held up very well and I love how the colour changes as the surfaces wears with use from dark brown to a golden brown below as the wax wears away.

The fit is perfect and my experience with Imperium was excellant.The support is very good as I got the boots arch free.

I really like the chunky design of this boot, I think it looks great. The lining is very comfortable and also hardwearing. Construction and finishing is not as refined as some other brands but thats one of the things I like about them. They look different in a good way. I originally ordered without the broguing on the toe cap as I wanted these as a work boot. The broguing was mistakenly added, I was offered the option of waiting for the boot toe caps to be refinished but I didnt change it. The hardware is decent for this pricepoint of boot and has not let down yet. I really like the mixture of eyelets and speedhooks. The stitching is decent on the uppers and I have not had any stitching fail yet. I would love to see a chunkier thread used around the sole just for the visual looks of the boot, I prefer a chunkier thread. The stitching used has proved reliable.

I really like the Dr.Sole tumaz lug sole, it is nice and grippy in wet or frosty conditions and slick surfaces. You just need to be mindful that the sole can pick up up small stones between the lugs. If you are wearing them for work I would use them outdiors to avoid tracking stones on easily damaged indoor flooring. The sole has proved durable so far.

I really like to have the heel on a work boot, it feels like it gives that extra bit of traction nedded in slick conditions and I like heels if im using a ladder.

Overall I feel these hawjes by Imperium are great value for money and were a great entry way into heritage style proper leather boots for me. My foot health has also improved a lot due to wearing these and other leather footwear. I have 5 pairs from Imperium and wouldnt hesitate to buy another.