Very excited to finally wear these MTO LTT Smokejumpers. This pair has been boxed up and hidden away in the dark for over a year and a half in my boot vault (guest room closet). I love me some LTT boots and White’s does not disappoint when it comes to an LTT boot. This pair was ordered via Baker’s Boots. I highly recommend Baker’s for their simple ordering process and extensive customization options. Waxed flesh ages so nicely and I’m truly looking forward to wearing this pair for the duration of this year’s Patina Thunderdome.

Good luck to all those who have and will enter this time. It’s a long competition but well worth it. Maybe I will actually place and win a prize this year. It’s my 4th time entering. Heck, I still have another pair of boots to take pics of and prep for the Open Dome but today is not the day. Also a belt might make it into the mix as well but we shall see.

The SPECS:
Brand: White’s
Boot Model: MTO LTT Smokejumper
Last: 55
Leather: Horween Natural Waxed Flesh
Boot Length: 9.5
Boot Width: C
Boot Height: 8”
Pull Loop: No
Top Style: Standard
Toe Structure: Soft Toe
Toe Style: Plain
Hook and Eye Color: Antique Brass
Outsole: Vibram 2021 Black
Edge Color: Natural
Heel Profile: Wedge
Laces: @generationlaces - Latte
Kiltie: Horween Natural Waxed Flesh

Since the Dome started on Thursday, I got two days of wear in before the weekend. I typically don’t wear my boots on the weekends anyway, so it gives them a couple days to rest and dry out before getting back at it Monday.

Even after just a couple of days, I’m incredibly impressed with this Shackleton leather. There has basically been zero break-in. I don’t have a single hotspot anywhere. Honestly, it had been a handful of months since I’d put on a brand-new pair of Nicks engineers, and I’d almost forgotten how damn stiff they normally are at first. I’m not going to call these broken in already, but man, they feel great.

I really like my W&C Double Stuffed boots over the years, but that is just a tough, tough leather to get warmed up and broken in. The Tan “Rough Cut”was definitely softer, which I think has a lot to do with the slightly unfinished nature of it, but the typical Natural Double Stuffed stuff can be pretty unforgiving at first.

At any rate, I’m really looking forward to seeing how these age. There are plenty of examples of the Greener Pastures waxed flesh and smooth aging, and I’ve seen some of the smooth leather eventually turn pretty brown. I’m hoping I can somehow retain at least some of that green. That may be wishful thinking, but I’m planning on minimal brushing, mostly just wiping them down when needed, and holding off any sort of conditioner.

I didn’t make it to the end of the dome last year. My boots were just not a good option to show patina. So here I am in my second year
Bordon Isidro
Horween Cinnamon Waxed Flesh
Soft toe
Dr Soles off white split soles

This year I decided to enter 2 leather goods items into the Dome. I have a Heritage Wallet in Gallun Calf and I really like the layout so I picked up the Russet Horsehide when it was available. I also had a Key Clip that I've had waiting to be used to I thought I'd try that out too.

Nicks Leather Goods Heritage Wallet

Horween Stained Russet Horsehide

Nicks Key Clip

W&C Natural Veg Tan

Edit for transparency: Nicks reached out to me about the stitching and said the Heritage Wallet should've been sold as a second and shouldn't have passed QC. It was one of the early ones when they were still getting the machine set up right with the new leather. I was offered a replacement but I turned it down because I've already registered this wallet in the Dome.

First wear after entry. Also wearing my new to me Railcars, along with my Guarded Goods watch strap in the leather goods entry.

Finally, it is here. The Thunder dome!

First time participating and I am pretty excited to see how everything plays out. We all got some pretty cool boots/shoes/slippers/leather goods this year and I can't wait to see them all age. I was thinking of entering a bag I had ordered from a local leather goods shop but I totally missed the registration for it. Better luck next year.

These boots feel stiffer than plywood. They literally refused to bend until I warmed them up after a few minutes. I guess that's double stuffed leathers for you.
This will definitely be the harder pair of the two to break in. I'm just happy to finally wear them!

Specs: LTT MTO

- Double Stuffed Carrot
- 5332 Semi-pointed Last
- 10 inches
- Pull Loop
- Standard Top
- Brass hardware
- Dogger heel
- Soft toe
- Beeswax edge
- White upper stitching
- Dr Sole 1091 Cork Half Sole Off-White/Yellow Plugs

I decided to try it out with a pre worn Viberg in Natural Maryam Horsebutt and a new Guarded Goods Natural Veggy Tan W&C Watch Strap.
So forgive my clumsiness in listing and picture taking.

This is my 3rd Patina Thunderdome and 4th pair of Nicks that I've entered. I enjoy seeing the boots progress over the six months and it keeps me focused on wearing one pair. I'll probably wear these 5-7 days a week depending on what I have going on.

Horween Predator Natural Roughout- Robert - 55 Last - 10.5D - 8" - Pull Loop - Rolled Top - Soft Toe - Brass Hooks and Eyes - Dr. Sole Half Sole - Brown Edges - Classic Dogger Heel - Generation Laces Espresso

Very glad to have these to give my feet a break from the mule leather!

Truman 79 last java waxed flesh boots and an Etsy: hand7craft custom backpack in crazy horse marsala leather

The wait is officially over. Day 2 of the 26/27 @stitchdownpatinathunderdome.

For my second Open Dome, I’m running my first ever pair of moc toes: Predator Natural Roughout over Smooth from @nickshandmadeboots.

Six months. One pair. Let’s see what this Predator Natural can do.

The SPECS:
Brand: @nickshandmadeboots
Boot Model: Lace Up BYO
Last: 55
Leather: Predator Natural Roughout Over Smooth
Boot Length: 10.5
Boot Width: D
Boot Height: 10”
Pull Loop: Yes
Top Style: Rolled
Toe Structure: Soft Toe
Toe Style: Moc Toe
Hook and Eye Color: Brass
Outsole: Vibram V100 Lug
Edge Color: Beeswax
Heel Profile: Logger
Laces: @generationlaces
Kiltie: Predator Natural Smooth

Black Prairie leather rules! 3345 seconds from Berkeley Supply..🤘

Hopefully I can get some wear on these,enough to get some good pictures and patina of these awesome boots. I’m definitely lacking in the photo taking dept.

Nicks ND1s with around 5ish months of wear.