Heritage Hikers as Daily Drivers

Worn five plus days a week, mostly office and dad duties. Weekends saw them on family hikes in the desert southwest, doing yardwork or at birthday parties and social gatherings.

The Dachshund has been a tough beast. More waxy than oily the dominant textural development happened as the leather formed a crack and crease network around the flex points. The toe box and heel counter were highlighted as the micro-cracks or almost finger prints formed and terminated around them. On the other hand, the reinforced areas were where the scuffs accumulated. The color didn't evolve much for better or worse, maybe a little lighter in the deepest flex points around the toe. I only conditioned them once at the halfway point three months in. At that point I wiped them off, used a general boot lotion everywhere and light mink oil on the seams followed by a vigorous brushing. After the conditioning there was a noticeable softening of the upper and the boots became even more comfortable. Otherwise I just brushed em if they got especially dusty.

I'm wearing these Viberg's true to size, instead of a half or whole down like the recommendation and I actually really like it. My toes have room to breathe and between socks and laces the fit is very forgiving. The heel is low enough they don't pitch you forward, but sturdy enough to provide lots of stability. I recently put the Rose anvil leather insoles in and it provides just enough squish to make them all day hiking comfy.

The viberg stitch density is a nice thing to look down at during the day. The insole is appreciably thick. The toe box and slope of the vamp are characteristic viberg; take it or leave it. I love the one piece upper and the way the tongue is done. It's super easy to get off and on. The lining with the thin 3M insulation is the chef's kiss. I sorta want to put foam outsoles on, but the leather heel stack and Goodyear rubber are never going to wear out.

The Goodyear outsole has the same pattern as the vibram commando, but the rubber seems to be even harder without losing tackiness. The heel absolutely collects pebbles.

Glad I wore them as much as I did because they actually did become more comfortable and took on a lived in appearance. I probably won't wear them as much now, but they are broken in enough to be used as real Hikers for a long long time.