Oak Street Bootmakers Trench Boot

These started as my daily drivers in the fall and became my work shows as a server at Cornell University’s hotel school restaurant in the spring. I spent the fall and winter doing light hikes in them both in upstate new york and in southern california. They’ve now seen quite a bit of mud, snow, desert clay, kitchen grease, mileage… and lots of brushing! At the end of all this I conditioned them with saphir renovateur, caranuba wax, lots more brushing, gum tragacanth and a wooden slicker for the edges which had become quite rough on the inside. They’ve seen several vineyards and orchards weekly (where most of my labwork takes place) and lots of Arkport sandy loam (thanks soil science). They are my girlfriend’s favorite pair in my collection (whom i have chased throughout my journey with the boots) and have seen many a somber solitude staring out onto Cayuga lake at Taughannock beach. They aren’t my favorite… but they have been through quite a bit with me and they have earned a soft spot in my heart. They have also taught me the value of brushing and the difference between black and brown leathers in the way they age. I hope my pictures communicate the connection!