These natural CXLs from oak street bootmakers are my first pair of Goodyear welted service boots. I wanted the most classic of classic leather tones and silhouettes. After a few hours of research in late 2022, I came across the Stitchdown Instagram where I began to learn more than I thought I would about boots and shoemaking. To say the least, I am now hooked on the study and breaking in of boots. I love every aspect of it. After I bought this pair, I decided to save them for the following year’s thunderdome, which left a vacancy in my newly found obsession. I quickly went right back to Instagram, YouTube, and many boot review sources, and landed on a dressier silhouette for my wedding. My first kudu pair. The Lake shore boot from oak street bootmakers. Then, determined to expand my collection, I acquired the Alden Indy for my rehearsal dinner. Lastly, while on our honeymoon in Japan, my wife and I picked out matching pairs of red wing moc toes. I think I’m pretty set for a while… at least on brown tones. Time for some black boots. Anyways, my journey in the thunderdome pair has been a special experience. I’ve toyed around with laces, boot conditioners, photography strategies, and most importantly, time spent in the actual boots. Mainly, I wear them to work every day. I am in sales and cover a large portion of the Midwest, so these trench boots have seen many miles in a car, on a plane, and on cement. Grabbing a pair with the brogue cap toe made them pass for dress shoes at every stop. They have served me well. On the weekends, this trusty pair traveled to Big Sky, MT, Lake Tahoe, and Burlington, VT. While those trips were extraordinary, the final 2 week honeymoon run in Japan took the cake. Averaging 20,000 steps per day, my wife and I took the notice in the final month patina. Needless to say, I now have a beautifully broken in, overly comfortable, and story collected pair. Thank you for starting this community. I am excitedly looking forward to thunderdomes for years to come. Anthony