These were worn daily from fall through spring. They creaked like hell at first and took a good month of wear before they softened up. I wore these to work, walking on grass, pavement, asphalt, gravel, a dirty shop through snow, rain, -40C and they never failed or got soaked through. The maryam horsebutt is tough stuff. I went for lunches, dinners and ran errands in them It wasnt until the last few weeks that the teacore of this olive leather started to wear through. They still creak, just less loud.
These got an initial brushing and bick 4 conditioning heading into winter. The leather held up amazingly well. They creaked loudly at first. As the leather aged, it took on scratches and a greasy cut on the right toe. In the last 4-6 weeks, the patina of the teacore showed up as the olive finish color wore through. It just happened afrer a really dusty day and a good brushing. The boots got brushed before each set of photos and conditioned once mid-dome and again before final photos. They are solid boots and while the leather is now starting to wear and show character, the boots are just as strong and creaky as the first day. They just dont creak as loud. They breathe and kept my feet warm in -40C weather. If I didnt know better, this leather could be shell cordovan its so strong.
These boots are a 13D brannock. They have a lot of volume to the arch, so i added work insoles. My feet are an odd shape and the mandrill last has a slimmer instep width and heel counter and so really feels good on my feet. The sizing is a bit bigger than a 13D. My left foot is a 13.5 D/E and the right is a 13D, so these boots split the fit between them. Jakkrabbits did have my tracings on file so they worked from those. I always get a structured toe box in my boots. One never knows when a tool will get dropped. These were worn with dri-weave sports socks.
These boots are beautifully made by the Jakkrabbits team. They finished them well. The design was all my own. The construction is superb, however the finger pull loops could have been a little bigger. Their finishing work is clean and no detail is left off except the loops could have been bigger. I wanted olive colored boots, but was not expecting such tough horsehide from maryam. This a great last design if you have a wide ball and narrow heel. Lining is tan calf, welting is a black stormwelt against the olive upper and brown edge dye with off white welt stitches. Brass eyelets and speed hooks round out the boots with grean and gold waxed bootlaces.
Their commando sole and heels softer than other brands but thicker. When i asked for a commando sole, i thought i might get a dianite version, but these soles are tough, non marking and quiet on hard floors, so I was very happy. The rubber is a bit heavier, but its pure rubber, not composite. Wear was minimal in 6 months, great traction on ice and snow until the rubber froze and then watch it. Overall, a nice medium size lug sole
Go get some Jakks made. Worth every penny.