These have been my main pair since the start of the dome. Have been trying to give them some rest days here and there, but I’ve been wearing them pretty much nonstop. I’ve flown across the country with these things, opened a few medical clinics, done a bunch of physical work, and hiked a ton. They’ve been brushed up and dressed up, been through many job sites, been out on the town. If I can wear brown boots to something, these are going on my feet.
The evolution has been a bit slower than I anticipated, but is coming along nicely. Awesome creasing/break, teaching starting to show on the heels and toes, along with where I wrap my laces around the shaft. They’ve taken some scratches which have darkened up and are just a nice part of the boots now. My care routine is brushing every few wears (40 circles of the brush on each panel/part of the boot), and I hit them with Bick 4 just before the 3 month mark. No break in to speak of.
They fit well, and are comfortable all day, though I don’t think these were made with a smaller upper despite requesting it, as the facing close fairly close together. They don’t touch with a kiltie so it’s not the end of the world, but it’s definitely disappointing as my pairs that are actually 1 size down on the uppers fit perfectly with no kiltie. Oh well. Might try a C width next pair. The watch support feels great with the higher nicks heel.
The side profile of these things with the dogger heel and the toebox starting to collapse a bit is hot. Firmly a workwear heritage style that can still be dressed up. I love the design. The quality is great - a “brick shit house” so to speak. These are overbuilt for my purposes and I love them.
Traction and comfort has been great, though there are a few gouges they’ve taken that are a bit worrisome. We will see how they hold up.