I was looking for a pair of hearty service boots that could be worn daily and whenever I was outdoors. The 2030 last and the inoffensive color was great for the office, and, though it doesn't show it much, I wore these hard outdoors.
Well... This is tough. Ultimately these boots were the wrong size for me. For about five years I've thought I was an 11.5 brannock based on getting sized at a Red Wing store. However, every pair of Vibergs at size 11 has hurt my feet. I had never tried the 2030 last though. I hoped it would work. When I received the boots, they were a bit uncomfortable. I had hoped they would become more comfortable as they broke in. Unfortunately that didn't happen. During the last six months I've been correctly sized as a 12 htb. So! As deeply as I love this pair of boots, they will ultimately be remembered as the last pair of mis-sized Vibergs I bought.
I first saw this pair on Withered Fig's Instagram when they announced the release. I was attracted to the grey horsebutt leather with distinct grain. I decided to set an alarm on my phone for the release day and purchased them as soon as they released. Unfortunately one of the boots was lasted crooked. I reached out to WF about it and they offered to allow a return. However, I was so infatuated with the leather I decided to keep the boots.
My boots have been with me 3-5 days a week through everything. They've been with me through office work, yard work, the delivery of my fifth child, and the death of my dog. I often struggle to find boots that I can both wear to the office and running late night errands in sweatpants. These boots fit the bill.
These boots do not show wear! They have been with me through the MN winter, through snow, I wore them under the car while replacing my muffler. They would look beat up until I got home and brushed them down. They've darkened a bit and the grain has become less prominent. Other than that, they still look similar to when they were first purchased. I conditioners twice through the completion competition and brushed them a few times a month. While not ideal for a patina competition, it's a leather that will hold up for years to come!
Sadly, the boots are too small for me. I feel pressure along both toes and through the waist. That isn't the problem of the last. It's more an issue of my stubbornness.
I've always loved the 2030 BCT design. These boots also have the pinking on the cap toe. Unfortunately, the left boot was lasted crooked. The finishing rest of the boot was flawless.
This pair of boots is the first pair of Ridgeway boots I've ever owned. It's now my favorite outsole. They are comfortable right out of the gate, the traction was solid enough to get me through a MN winter, and they look sleek enough to wear to the office.
At the risk of overststing the importance of a pair of boots... I have thought about them a great deal in the past six month's. I have been buying a mis-sized Vibergs for two years. I've tried to convince myself that a different last or pattern would finally work. Generally, I am stubborn and slow to change. However, in November I finally got a pair of 11.5 Vibergs and it was life changing. I didn't know that a pair of boots could be comfortable from the first wear. This has spilled over into two other areas of life... I live in a 1600 Sq foot house with one bathroom and five kids. My wife has been asking to move for years, I finally agreed and we are looking at new houses. I'm also a pastor at a local church, our services have been crowded for the last two years. It hasn't been comfortable for new people to come in and sit down. I've been nervous to make a significant change and expand our buildings or add services. In February we added a second service and we are in the process of expanding our building. Through the process of looking for houses and expanding our church, I've thought back to these boots. And how much better it feels to finally make a change and get something that fits. When I finally made the change to get a bigger pair of boots, I wondered why I waited so long. This seems to be true in every area of life. If your current environment isn't working, take the leap of faith and expand.