I should have confirmed that side zips were for me before committing to wearing them for 6 months

I work from home so these were primarily used as neighborhood dog walking boots and travel boots. They got soaked in the rain and snow, and hiked through the foothills.

The light grey has turned into more of a tan/taupe color that is much more wearable. My girlfriend said I looked like a pimp wearing the light grey/almost white boots. The thick horsebutt has taken forever to break in and it’s still stiff. The first few wears bruised my calves. This leather will last forever and is insanely tough. I brush about once or twice a week. I have only cleaned them once, wiped down with a damp rag and conditioned with Bick 4.

I had to add a heel pad and a tongue pad to take up room in the instep. These boots are for high volume feet, which mine are not. The width and length are perfect, but my low instep made a lot of heel slip until they were completely broken in.

Picked these up second hand from a guy who got them at a Viberg same sale. There were some light marks near the welt, but the construction is solid. I love the horsebutt grain that is starting show on the right shaft. The zippers are solid and have held up well.

Excellent traction with the Ridgeway, even on snow. The heel is wearing faster than usual likely due to the bad fit.