I wore these most days (4-5 days per week), but I allowed myself to wear whatever boots or shoes I wanted (like most, I have a small collection). I didn't baby these, but took care of them and didn't purposely beat them up for the competition. Brushed most evenings after wearing them with horsehair brush, about once a week with a stiffer nylon brush. Didn't use saddle soap, conditioner, or wax, though I will give these a deep clean in the next week or so. Worn for office/work from home; light yardwork; rain and snow; occasional hikes. Worn with casual outfits and grubby clothes.
Break-in was fairly quick. I skipped the first speed hook for the first two or three days, and went on a couple of long walks those days. Only pressure point would've been on my forefoot, but skipping the speed hook took care of this. After that, it's been comfortable and has only gotten more comfortable. The leather itself has held up great. It still feels pliable and nourished. The tan color has gotten much darker compared to their brand new appearance. A different color name for these could be "wheat," which seems to fit the character of the leather better than "tan." The vamp and heel, not covered by pants, ha e more vibrant color. Outside quarters show a lot of indigo transfer (personally, I think boots look better with minimal/no crocking, but I haven't done anything to remove it yet, but will soon).
The common saying is that they fit "like a glove." I would say a more accurate way of saying this is a baseball glove. Definitely heavier and bulkier than a small glove, but that extra weight is still comfortable and feels natural despite the size. The 9D fit is spot on. Ball of foot where it needs to be, enough toe room. Most of my other boots are 9Ds (RW, GS, etc.), with Wolverine 1000 Miles being 8.5Ds. All fit great. 55 last is nice, definitely a welcome addition to my boot collection, which are mostly flatter/more casual. I don't *need* the arch support, but for work boots, I get the appreciation so many people have of it.
The sole is fairly soft and didn't present a problem during break-in. It's held up well based on my use. Very solid traction when standing on hills and dirt/mud, as well as snow. It's more rugged than I need for an everyday boot, but I bought these with the future in mind, so that they fill a void where I can wear the same boots for yardwork/hiking/weather, while still wearing with casual clothes. A mini lug would probably be a better fit for my needs, but wasn't presented as an option when ordering.
"I've got an old pair of boots and they fit just right. Well I can work all day and dance all night." -Stuff That Works, Guy Clark I bought these with the thought that, if I could only have one pair of boots, what would fit most of my needs. I have other boots that I prefer in many situations, but these are the only boots I have that I've worn while hiking, doing yardwork, as well as to a bar or party.