Wax on. Wax off.
Use & wear
Same as my other pair. For the most part these have been worn for work. Meaning they’ve been used to climb in and out of walls, put to use in a fabrication shop, installing artwork, painting galleries, etc. There were a handful of short trips out of town where they got a bit of extra walking in them, and a handful of snow and rain days, but aside from a sudden series of early Spring shit weather days, they saw a fairly mild Dome. However, the day before taking photos they did end up absolutely soaked in several inches of slushy snow. Mostly though, they’ve commuted to the museum, commuted home, and repeated.
Leather
I was honestly pretty surprised how quickly the wax came off to start with. I’d say most of it was gone by the second month, and the rest slowly faded over the next few months until it settled in the creases and rolls where I think it will mostly stay for a long while. The whiskey undertone definitely mellowed from its light khaki start into a nice golden tan/brown. I expect there’s a lot more to come from them, but midway through they really began to glow. Unfortunately they got a serious dose of wet weather in the last moments of the dome and that pulled a bit of color out of the toe box and around the welt. But with a lot of brushing they got a good bit of luster back. After photos I gave them some VSC. I was a little worried about it stripping some of the last of the wax away, but it didn’t seem to make any change in that respect. While they darkened up a little bit, that seems to be temporary, and they settled mostly back into their previous tone after a day or so. They’re a pretty stiff temper and still haven’t fully broken in. They eased up a bit through the shaft, but I think it’ll be a good long while until they’re truly comfy.
Fit
They have a good comfortable shape and fit with enough room for a medium sock to fit with just the right amount of room. I’d say a slight bit narrower than what I take in a truballance, with a slightly lower toe box. Instep is impossible to judge because it’s a monkey boot, but they laced up pretty much perfect for me and I have a pretty medium instep. Arch is pretty mild. The only fit issue I had is that the heel counter is low and tight and didn’t seem to want to give way at all. After six months of being worn every other day, I still have to tape my heel and Achilles if I’ll be wearing them all day. It can be pretty brutal if I don’t.
Craftsmanship
Overall excellent. The design is I think one of the best monkey boots around currently. Finishing could be slightly neater, and the previously mentioned insole stitching isn’t perfect, but overall they’re punching well above their cost ( on a standard pair without purchasing leather yourself and paying additional costs for soles and whatnot)
Sole & heel
They’re a little meaty and stiff, but they’re durable and fairly grippy as long as you’re not in snow. Would be hard to imagine a different outsole looking that good on these.
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