Journey of a thousand miles, journal mile 308

Mostly worn to work at the marina. I’ve been fortunate this year with being invited to many hockey and basketball games by various sponsors. The great thing with these boots is they transition from engine room work to business events perfectly. I change clothes but no need to change boots. They’re asked about often (maybe I push that a bit), people are curious, and some enjoy a nice rabbit hole discussion. I think many people suffer in their shoes and just think thats how it is. These past couple months in these boots have walked me in a fair amount of life wins. Been there in some loss too. Some lost friends and a pet. I’ve never owned a pair like this, most of my shoes and boots make it one season at best. You’d like to think that you could have a piece of clothing that stays with you long enough that it absorbs life experience just like a home. Maybe I found one, I hope.

An amazing leather that absorbs impacts and scuffs. After these 6 months, there is the slightest patina starting at the heels. I do a brush down about once a week. Treating with Venetian shoe cream once as prevention. Using a shoe brush just brings this right back to almost new. Can’t really speak to break in as the Chromexcel is used in more rigid areas on these MTOs

A great looking leather, however it was a little dry and started blushing white at the toe crease. I didn’t want a split to form so I used some Saphir Renovateur, this stopped the white blushing but darkened the leather so I lost the scuffed look of the leather. I was heartbroken about this. But, happy to report the leather has many lives in it, its been changing in texture and color in amazing ways, completely adding to the look. I think this leather choice was the way to go to get real character, it’s still evolving.

It’s slightly wide in the toe but locks on the heel, I don’t slide in them. The only thing thats odd to me is that I’ve never had a well fitting shoe until these, so I kind of don’t know how to feel about it, its like, no harm no foul, I don’t notice that I’m wearing them and at the end of the day, while a pita to quickly get off, I only notice when I’m not wearing them.

Well, totally biased here being that I made the design choices. Construction, structure, and stitching are all rock solid. The boot is a tank, hence the name

Very impressive, I pronate slightly more than average, I’d burn a heels out on the double time. The wear on these is minimal at best. No marking, no complaints while working aboard. Very happy

I cannot be more excited about this pair of boots. While this contest has been interesting and I see the patina and wear of other boots, I feel like I’m just starting the journey. I hope Jakkrabbits gets some notoriety out of the Gunner entry, as for me, I’m only on mile 308. I’m happy just being in the boots and telling my tale.