I wore them as often as I could. Mostly to walk the dog on concrete sidewalks. I work construction during the day, so they were weekend and evening boots. They weren't made for winter, so I gave them a rest on as now and slushy days.
The right boot showed more wrinkles than the left. I'm not sure which boot's look that I prefer. The leather darkened like I hoped and expected. The color out of the box looked like something I used to see in my kid's diaper back in the day. I never conditioned them myself. They might've been goobered when they got resoled. If they did get conditioned it wasn't obvious. I never saw the need personally. I brushed after each use.
It's a roomy last. I like the feel of that feature. That said, there is very little support. It almost feels like a zero drop barefoot boot. I'm not sure if I have a low volume foot or not, but I laced these things shut basically.
I'm no pro. I loooooove boots, but until I build them myself, I'm not positive that I can identify parts and features with accuracy. That said, I added speed hooks. I needed to unlace far down to get in and out of these boots.
I burned through it in 3 months or so...the halfway point. It was slippery to a degree. I really wanted to try a leather sole. I never had them!! I might never again. Maybe dress shoes. All things stated, I believe having leather soles led to an excellent break in. The footbed is my foot for sure.
It's the same as the original per my view. No difference noticed.
In the end, I don't love these boots. It was an actual challenge to complete the patina thunderdome. I think they look waaaayyy cooler now that I put miles on them. If I had the funds, I'd be happy to have someone of a high tier rework these boots into something that feels better than what they are.