They say you get what you pay for sometimes and that holds especially true with footwear. I always thought my $300 off the shelf boots were great... And then I bought this custom pair of Nick's just for the dome. I am ruined! Once you reach for this caliber of boot and experience the difference of wearing such amazing footwear day in and day out for 6 months, I think it will be difficult to go back. The high arches were a god sent for my legs and hips.
Watching that color change and really focusing on how the patina was changing taught me a lot about leather that I never really watched for.
The Patina Thunderdome was an amazing experience. It helped me discover what a difference a pair of boots can make. Wether it was to test out the boots in different conditions or to walk the extra mile to get that perfect photo opportunity of my boots, being in the Thunderdome gave me a reason to pay attention to what I was doing and pushed me to go off the beaten path.
I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding journey and I am already looking forward to jeans and boots and jumping back in to the next dome in the fall.