How do I put in the headline? Anyway...I wore these as my weekenders and daily evenings.

twigglekitty73over 1 year ago
Oak Street Bootmakers Trench BootHorween Natural Chromexcel
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Maker

Oak Street Bootmakers

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Model

Trench Boot

Leather

Last

Elston Last

US Men's Brannock: 12D

Elston Last: 11.5D

Sole

Basic Leather Outsole

Over 1 year, current sole

Leather Sole

Not yet worn, resoled on January 2, 2024

Purchased from

Oak Street Bootmakers

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More about this item

Resole was early January. Can't add date.

Why I own this

Ready To Wear
Other

I was a "fan" of OSB. I wanted to represent them in the thunderdome. I'm a Chicagoan. I wanted to wear a Chicago brand with a Chicago leather. I'm proud of my city that seems to be a talking point for agendas and propaganda, and I always choose to support my own when the opportunity is presented.

How I sized

Online Guide

I did a bit of research. I already owned the brand's bit moc, so I had a leg up.

Ordering process

Purchased from Oak Street BootmakersTotal cost: 357 USD Lead time: 10 days
Online Store
Shipping
Discount

It was easy. In fact!...I just remembered another reason why I chose these! I had a discount from customer service. I negotiated a 30% coupon code for a pair from the issues I had with the bit moc I bought from them.

Use & wear

Leisure
Travel
Wet Conditions
Snow

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.

Leather

Horween Natural Chromexcel
Patina Process
Care Routine
Color Change

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.

Fit

Comfort
Arch
Toe Box
Length Feels Right
Ball Feels Right
Too Much Volume
Not Satisfied with the Fit

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.

Craftsmanship

Oak Street Bootmakers Trench Boot
Construction
Hardware

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.

Sole & heel

Durability
Traction
Comfort

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.

Final thoughts

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.

Written by twigglekitty73
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