My predator naturals

I wore these 28-30 days/month for the six months of the Dome contest, and aside from a few desert hikes, most of the miles were logged on city streets and sidewalks, mostly in dry, warm climates. They were worn all day on the days I put them on.

The leather has aged beautifully and in a way I hadn’t predicted: Not only has it browned generally, but the toe and heel counter have burnished deeply and darkly, without me doing anything other than brushing with a soft brush nightly. Break-in wasn’t particularly difficult, and the leather now is buttery soft while still providing perfect support. No need for conditioning yet, other than some edge care.

These things fit like a glove now and are as comfortable as any pair of slippers I’ve ever worn. I’ve never had an issue with Nicks’ traditional HNW last, so the Thurman last hasn’t been such the huge upgrade for me as it has for some people, but I don’t have any complaints with the extra toe room.

Well if I have any complaint, it would be here, but it’s a fairly minor one: I’ve noticed that the edge finishing of my recent Nicks purchases is noticeably different than older ones, specifically around the heel and inner arch area. There is far too much of a “ledge” extending out from the body of the boot for my liking. It literally looks like the sanding/grinding is incomplete, and unfortunately this seems to be a new production characteristic. I doubt this will affect the boot’s functionality or durability, but it is a small annoyance. Other than this aesthetic complaint, these boots are extremely well constructed.

The soles are holding up well.

I’m tough on heels, but these are hanging in there.

Nicks are not inexpensive, but really the quality and durability make the price tag worth it. This particular pair has been a delight to wear and to watch develop for these last six months. It’s been my first Thunderdome contest and it’s been a great experiment that demonstrates how footwear really conforms and evolves with persistent, consistent wear. Very happy with the results, and this pair is now going to get a deserving rest!