Strictly work boots. 6 days a week for the first half of the dome, 5 day work weeks for the 2nd half of the dome. These boots have taken me through 10 hour shifts in -35° weather, a handful of severe winter storms, and almost 1200 miles of walking.
This leather is a breeze to break in. Super subtle right out of the box. It also really stays clean compared to the leather on my other boots. I used saddle soap twice during the dome and at the end of both times I was really impressed how little dust and debris sticks to this leather. Being a fully struck through black leather, it really doesn't patina. At all... But that's honestly a good thing for my work since the bosses can get on your case for not keeping your boots polished and neat.
This is without a doubt the best last for me. It's not the first pair of work boots I've fallen asleep in, but they're the only pair of work boots I've woken up in and not realized I'm wearing them.
The polarthin insulation doesn't do much in my opinion. I kind of feel like I wasted a hundred bucks on that. I wanted to believe, but I still worked plenty of days with cold feet. There are two things that really sets the tactical model apart from the rest of Nick's line up. One is a more angular heel counter. It makes a person look more soldiery and intimidating. The other is a rubber midsole instead of a leather one. This is done for water resistance. It works, unless the material is subjected to extreme cold, mine developed cracks at the major flex points.
I had ordered the sierra soles, but those ones don't come wide enough. Considering I built a winter work boot, the redX sole was a terrible, only option. The boots I wore for work for 18 months prior to this dome pair have the v100 honey sole. They've been worn 3 times as long and still have more tread left after all that time. The redX is meant for high heat applications, in the depths of winter this rubber compound turned hard as a rock and started cracking. It's definitely not ideal for winter and I think the soles are what disappointed me the most about this pair
I love these boots but they didn't work great for their intended purpose of a solid winter work boot. I think Nick's makes a great product and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair when the time comes. If anyone from the company is reading this I hope you acknowledge not just the praise, but also the critiques I offer and use them to further improve your wares.