Truman Service Boot

Although I've owned Goodyear welted boots in the past, this time I tried to be more intentional with my purchase. Despite most frequently wearing loafers, I became interested in boots again last summer. However, I was hesitant to invest in any specific pair due to the cost and long lead times. Fortunately, I stumbled upon the Stitchdown website and learned about Truman and the Thunderdome. Around the same time, I developed a fascination with Rough Out leather and was thrilled to find a pair of Rough Out Boots in my size available for immediate shipment on the Truman website. They arrived just in time for the second start window of the Dome, and I wore them almost every day for the following five months. Despite constant wear, the boots have slowly developed a minimal but beautiful patina. They have broken in nicely on the inside though being very comfortable even early on. As I work in an office, the boots were not subjected to daily rigorous workload, but I did put them to the test on weekends with various hikes and long walks in NYC. The lack of serious wet weather this winter in NJ also contributed to the minimal patina. Now that I'm not exclusively wearing these boots, I can expect a lifetime of use from this well-built pair. My only complaint is a minor squeak that developed on the right boot early on and later on the left boot. Overall, the Thunderdome experience has been fantastic. Sharing pictures and experiences of these boots with like-minded individuals has been a thrilling and dangerous experience in terms of the expanded possibilities of expensive footwear. Most importantly, completing the monthly posts and documenting the boots has felt like a significant accomplishment and a moment to slow down during my busy months.