I've always enjoyed the English country gentlemen aesthetic of Crockett and Jones and I'd already been attracted to this Division Road makeup, so when I decided to join the Thunderdome, it was easy to pick this pair. This pair of boots goes nicely with my daily attire which consists of OCBD and chinos. I'm a hybrid IT worker, so I go into the office generally twice a week. So between how I dress and what I do, I prefer something a bit sleeker versus chonk monsters like PNW boots.
I'd previously sent in dimensions of tracings to Crockett and Jones and they suggested trying out 11.5 UK. My first pair of C&J were a pair of dark brown scotch grain Islays and fortunately those were very comfortable. I'd picked up a pair of Moltons on 336 last and a pair of Peebles on 335 last, both of which worked well for me, so I figured it was worth a shot trying out these Conistons on 378 and they've worked well for me.
Ordering from Division Road was great. My pair were very securely shipped with a nice heavy duty box to protect the C&J box. I loved how inside the C&J box was further wrapped with this brown wrapping paper with a hand written note on it thanking me for my purchase and expressing hope that I'd really enjoy my boots. I really loved that touch. Inside the DR branded tissue paper is a nice touch.And they provided this nice postcard that I used for the Domeward Bound required picture at the start of the Dome.
I wore this pair how I normally wear any of my pairs of boots and shoes. I didn't wear this pair on consecutive days, brushed after each wear and kept trees in them. I'm a hybrid IT worker so I generally go into the office twice a week. Add in taking care of errands on the weekend and that basically meant 3 wears a week. I'm in the Dallas area, so the boots were used in your standard urban setting. We rarely get snow, so the only adverse condition was rain.
The description of the leather made me think it'd behave like CXL, but there's little to no pullup. The leather is nice and supple after break-in. The leather does show scuffs and the like more than I'd like, so now that the Dome is over, I'll be applying some Saphir cream polish. Break-in was easy and I just followed my normal routine. Wear around the house for a few hours for a few days and after that good to go. Care routine is simple. Brush after each wear and store with trees. Living an urban existence, no drastic care measures are required.
The boots are very comfortable. I'm 12E Brannock HTB with a high volume foot, but so long as I'm wearing one of the more generous C&J lasts, I'm fine. C&J makes high quality footwear, so the boots have always felt supportive underfoot.
These are a gorgeous pair of boots. I love the aesthetic of Crockett and Jones. I prefer their take on the English country gentlemen more than Tricker's or other Northampton makers I've looked at. No complaints about construction or finishing from me, but I also don't go looking for issues. Something would have to be glaring off for me to notice.
These are my first pair with Ridgeway soles and I've been happy with them. That being said, I'm not particular about soles. Aside from wedge and heavy lug outsoles which I don't care for aesthetically, I'm fine with most any sole.
This first Dome has been interesting. Definitely fun to really break in a pair of boots and get some serious wear. I enjoyed it to the point where I pre-ordered a pair of Alden 4011HC from Alden Madison to prepare for the next Dome, but I do understand the sentiment some expressed of missing variety.