u/Slow-Imagination9693

Hey all,

I've been getting my new boot itch; but I wanted to show the boots I already have, that I want to enjoy more before I get another pair. Since my first pair was a christmas gift, and I cant afford another as a graduate student lol

So here are (after and before cleaning) my Nick's Urban Drifters, ordered in September 2021, and arrived January 2021.

I wanted the 8oz work leather because, getting these as an 18 year old for Christmas, I wanted these to last until I could afford a pair to buy myself (I still cant). The leather is really solid; very supportive, and does not show its age. Easy to maintain, and pretty water resistant.

Cons for this leather, they have barely any patina; as it is a dyed through leather, its patina is greatly diminished. Also they are a little matte for office use, although that has not stopped me yet.

These boots have been through hiking trips, ranch use, hunting, carpentry, harsh Upstate NY winters during college (and the house parties), mud, heat, you name it. They have been neglected and worn hard, and except from scratches where any other shoe would have failed, they got nicked.

They have been through it, but before I get another pair, I want to appreciate these thoroughly.

Any advice on how to dress these up for more office use? I'd rather wear these than my 6 year old Iron Rangers, I attached a link to that post as well. https://www.reddit.com/r/RedWingShoes/comments/1ti7nt7/2021_red_wing_iron_rangers_amber_harness_hard_use/

Also, sometimes I go a little time without wearing them, and they are less comfortable. I have never worn them every single day for an extended period, and I do wish they had the "Nicks Comfort" that everyone raves about, these just aren't as comfortable as people say.

If I wore them for 3 months daily, would that greatly improve comfort?

TLDR: Check out my boots!

EDIT: OCTOBER 2020

Hey all,

Ive been feeling the new boot itch, and just wanted to talk about the boots I already have, and love. Just wanted to talk about these boots I've been wearing hard since Oct 2021. I still remember how uncomfortable they were when I bought them, but now they are like a sock. I also threw in a picture of my Nick's boots pair, but those don't get as much use as the Iron Rangers.

These boots got me through end of highschool, all of college hard winters, including house parties, in Upstate NY, and daily wear in office at my first job out of college. I have been use them on motorcycles, ATVs, ranch use, hunting, gardening, and anything inbetween. They are still my go-to pair to wear even with the Nick's boots being "nicer."

Only issue is their footbeds are starting to crack and lift towards the end of the shoe. Maybe a resole is in the future. (I dont use shoe trees, but will start to keep these in rotation)

I cleaned them and oiled them whenever they were super dirty, or the leather was visibly dry.

Polished them when I first bought them a couple of times.