u/Puzzleheaded-Post412

Before my discovery and love of all things Chromepak, Shackleton was my favorite thing going. I got my original Shackleton Tobacco's and was obsessed. Well today, I've FINALLY gotten my second pair. I really wanted an Americana or a Charley, but no toe caps. That's ok!! My original pair was on the 55 last, so this pair had to be on the HNW, of course. So as I do, a Falcon it was. The Tobacco Falcon is now officially in the queue.

So here are my thoughts on this acquisition Shackleton is basically waterproof CXL. I don't exactly what they add to make it so, but my original pair handle rain better than any other boot. Plus, this is my wife's favorite leather outside of Moroccan Blue. She has always maintained that since my Nick's collection started.

If anyone is on the fence, Shackleton in any color is an incredible leather. There is very little break in, it fights water incredibly well, and ages spectacularly well. There is no telling if it'll ever come back, so if you ever considered it, I recommend getting any of the options.

The original pair is in the pictures. They're pretty perfect.

Sometimes the basic brown is the best brown.

Quick trip to Publix and taking the girls to see a movie. The internal house wearing to start break in isn't really super necessary in CXL. And this pacific is really excellent. I love the depth of the color and as it ages, it's really going to show some variation.

No more words needed. Can't. Wait.

I noticed on some boot stock pictures the leathers were labeled. I LOVE this.

Also. I think I now need a Charley in Black CXL.

Tobacco-colored work leather. This leather is really comfortable. It's thick but supple, and has aged and wrinkled nicely where appropriate. What I like the most about it is how consistent it is. It just works and is ready to be put to work, if that is meant to be its calling. Brought my 5 year old to swim lessons! She's on her second day of kindergarten!

I was putting up my Moroccan Blues when I realized I really haven't posted much recently about the original Shacky Tobacky's as some people (well just a few people) on here likes to call it. This leather made me fall in love with tobacco/lighter colored leathers and I had often said, before Chromepak, that this would be my first repeat leather. It hasn't come back, yet, however I have seen some Shackleton Tobacco boots in production and I'm so thrilled to see more of it getting out there. If it ever comes back, I'd instantly order it. Likely as an Americana or Charley. I think it would be great with a toe cap.

It's a spectacular leather and is so comfortable. These are my rain boots. Although Rainier will likely replace it and will certainly supplement it in my collection, this leather holds a sentimental place in my heart; this was my first BYO boot.

What I love most about it is that it's waterproof CXL. So it ages like CXL. You can see the creasing and flex points, complimented by the rolls in the leather that are a clear indicator of its CXL roots. If I hadn't gotten these with a celastic toe, the collapse would be so cool. These are my only 55 last with a moderate heel. That was a great introduction for me to the 55. Though I've often considered sending the boots in to get converted to the classic height. All in all, these are some of my favorites and I'd love to see Shackleton Tobacco, or even Rainier Tobacco make an appearance.

No words needed. These are a favorite in my house. My kids and wife say they are their favorite boots. It's such a great leather, I can't wait to see the final iteration!

My mild off road boots; The Black Chromepak Overlanders. And yes, my 5-year old asked to go find alligators. There's a trail nearby just for this!

When this leather was a monthly offering, I couldn't financially swing it or justify it. And I was constantly regretting not grabbing it. The Odds and Ends sale popped up and I said to myself I couldn't pass it by this time. So here we are! I call this my CXL build because it just works perfectly for CXL (for me). As always, there is not an issue to be seen. My second blue(ish) boot, while I have DS Cobalt and Roanoke Denim in the queue. Dublin Cobalt and Lancaster Blue (if it makes a return) will complete my blue collection.

Anyway, I love CXL. It's just such a solid leather and made to be a boot. Pacific isn't super loud like Moroccan Admiral or Lancaster. My daughter actually thought they were black at first. But this pacific is freaking perfect and so pretty. Nicks nailed it.

The laces are once again courtesy of the Lace Commander (my wife). They are generation laces, Gold Sea colorway. Though these boots got the dubious "What are they for?" However, now that's she's seen them, victory!

The Puzzle CXL Build Specs

55 Last
6"
Single Piece Backstay
Standard top
V-Bar Sole
Classic Dogger Heel
Natural Edge Finish (may do a black edge with black CXL, we will see)
Brass Hardware
Soft Toe

Waiting to go into a meeting. MaxSupport Black Tacticals.

I took down both of my posts from today. Because while I was asking about a leather getting here and sharing boot picture, Nicks staff were at the Fire FOB giving out boots and helping the fire fighters take care of their feet and get ready to fight fires. They didn't advertise it. They didn't make it a thing. They just went out and supported the emergency service workers. This is why I buy Nick's.

Thank you to everyone who works there and went out to help support the efforts. This is what community does.

FWIW, White's was there as well and this seemed to be a team effort. Thank you to all of you and thank you to those fire fighters today.

I do A LOT of traveling in the fall. Packing my 8" MSBlk Tacticals is sometimes a hair problematic. So I ordered a pair of 6" Tacticals with a Delta Arch to help me during the fall. I travel 3-5 months of the year so this wasn't a short amount of time.

When I decided I was going to do Spokane Khaki for my dome boot, I had a thought about doing Spokane Black in the work dome. My thought was to represent a Nicks exclusive leather, a leather derived from Chromepak, and really use Spokane as a work leather. So I requested to do these boots in Spokane Black.

They came out exactly how I needed and I'm excited to put them to the test in October. I'm debating putting the delta arches in my current tacticals and break them in.

u/smowe talked about a possible Tobacco Work Leather, so to honor that after work today, I threw on the PTB Falcons. The Polished Trailblazer leather is a work leather. No ifs ands or buts. What I love is how great it is on a heritage boot. These things are so freaking comfortable. I love this leather. Is easy to wear and it's thick. Only my Bullhide is thicker tbh.

A work leather on a heritage build is really a great way to go. It breaks in but really takes its time to patina. I promise I wear these more than it appears. It just works.

If this is the one, no one would be disappointed when they got it.

Thanks for the request u/spydercomariner

Have an interesting day at work today. So as I prep, figured it would a good time for a tactical Tuesday post!

MaxSupport is my work leather of choice. I have a pair of Spokane Black Tacticals being delivered this week for a work Dome / Travel work boot. I travel a lot in the fall, so 6" boots fit better in my suit case. Plus I wanted to use Spokane Black as a bonafide work leather and boot, thought it would be a cool experiment to support the idea of Spokane being a hybrid leather. So these workhorses will get a break. That all being said, these boots are my daily's and have been through some stuff. Daily brushing has kept them even looking half decent, though the stitchdown area needs a real solid brushing and some extra care. Have worn these things almost every weekday and multiple weekends for 16 months. No signs of slowing down.

The executive director of laces (my wife) ordered this change. Thanks u/tw1st3dp1p3 and Smoke Eater Gear for another win!! This is a really great combo. Lace colorway is Deadpool. Great name.

My youngest daughter is 5 and was having a bit of a hard time. So we put on some flip flops and decided to go on a short walk to calm down.

Minotaur Bullhide is NO JOKE. This stuff is thick, but it is supple and so comfortable. As I've said a few times, it really is like leather armor. It's a great work leather option or alternative to Shrunken Bison. Getting this boot was important to me, as it's a leather I wanted for a very long time and it's a regular offering. Black CXL is a standard leather that is in the near future.

It's been a pretty rough few days in Spokane. I can't imagine the feeling of anyone losing their home to a fire. I only hope that everyone out there in this little corner of the Reddit world and beyond is ok. I'm sure these fires have and are affecting multiple employees at Nick's, so I just hope for the safety of them and their families. This is never a good situation.

Best thing I can think to do to be supportive is to continue heralding the amazingness of the people that work in this place and hope to support all of these workers lives, families, and income.

I spent 14 hours in these things today, did about 5 miles of walking, and got rained on. All in St. Augustine. I was worried about the rain and Chromepak but I remembered this leather used to be engine gaskets, it can handle some water. Got some rolls really starting to develop in the vamps. I love these boots and this leather. Chromepak is king, as we all know.

Side note, my Vice President of Lacing instructed these laces changed to the Morocco colorway courtesy of Generation Laces.

The universe is funny. I didn't order during the first round of mystery belts. When it came back, I decided not this time!! I ordered an HD belt. What's funny, is I was going to order a belt to run in the small goods dome. Talk about luck!!! Well, got myself a dome belt now too!! Amazing stuff u/grain-and-twill

Think it's just natural....? Not exactly sure the leather but it works!

Happy Friday everyone! Obligatory, almost football time, Go Gators! 🐊 (and the Jets too, but...I've been a Jets fan for a long time. My hope is limited 😂)