I wore these boots as I would any cherished daily driver. I didn’t baby them, but I also didn’t beat them. They accompanied me on long walks, weekend getaways, office days, and everything in between. I wore them in the rain and snow, and they suffered scuffs, scratches, and coffee spills. But after all that, a wipe and a brush later they’d be back to looking incredible again.
I can’t say enough about this Minerva leather. It was a bit stiff to start, but it settled in fairly quickly and has been comfortable throughout the 6 months. The clicking on these was clearly exceptional, because the break on both pairs is similarly consistent and attractive. I particularly love the combination of matching rolls and creases on the vamps. The color of the leather darkened with wear, perhaps due to a combination of sunlight and water. I noticed that they almost have a watercolor-like quality of spots and layers, especially across the toes. I look forward to seeing the color continue to evolve and deepen in the future. Care was very simple. I would wipe them down and brush them after each wear. During the 6 months, I conditioned them once with Skidmore’s and a couple other times with Bick 4. My goal was to care for them well and keep them looking their best. Prior to taking my final photographs, I gave them a good brushing and waxed the edges with Skidmore’s beeswax.
Fortunately, the fit on these was generally spot on. I would note that the toe boxes are fairly compressed (both a bit narrow and a bit low relief following their collapse), so I stick with thin to medium socks to avoid cramping my toes. The true revelation for me is the arch support. The last feels so sculpted underfoot and through the waist compared to other lasts I’ve worn. It’s difficult to describe without wearing them, but it’s a special feeling to stand in these and let them hold your feet.
As previously mentioned, the clicking of the leather on these is stunning. The same goes for the construction, finishing, and stitching. The boots are simply flawless from a technical perspective. I’d like to focus, however, on an unexpected design element I have grown to love. Specifically, the 6 eyelets and how they are laid out, with four eyelets spaced evenly up the instep and then two eyelets a bit farther apart at the ankle. Unlike my service boots, I never have to unlace the top eyelets to get these boots on and off, and I can tighten the facings just how I like them with a single pull of the laces (i.e., no having to pull different sections of the laces between eyelets to even out snugness). It’s a seemingly small thing, but the way these have been designed makes me lament how I interact with nearly all of my other lace-up boots.
I don’t have a lot to see about the outsoles or heels, and I think that’s a good thing. They have been slow to wear down, as grippy as I need them to be, and never noticeably stiff or uncomfortable.
I doubt I will get to experience very many boots equal to these Jack & White Brothers Letterman Zeros. It’s a rare privilege to enjoy this combination of design, materials, construction, and finishing for a single wear, let alone 6 months of it. That in and of itself has been rewarding, and I’m forever grateful for it.