These boots are under a year old. Between 10-11 months to be exact. If I don’t care for a leather boot at all, meaning all I ever do is hose it off. I don’t ever properly clean, brush or condition.. I’ll get 9-12 months out of them before they begin to crack like this. I did this when I was younger. Now that I’m older and have learned to appreciate my money, I take care of my things.
Keep in mind. These are not the only boots in my rotation and I treat all boots in work rotation the same.
These boots receive at least ONE brushing per week. Usually on Friday or Saturday. Sometimes two. I regularly hose them down at work. Multiple times a day. I’m constantly exposing them to harsh dry conditions which leads me to monthly conditions. I work in the ready mix industry. I do it all from delivering and operating a concrete mixer, to hauling in our own Type 1L in a pneumatic bulker and hauling in our own Sand and Dolomite on Super Trains. These Thorogood are a part of a 2 boot rotation. Sometimes a 3 boot rotation depending on the week. So they technically have half a year of wear. Ill note that I also work with chemicals like Knock Out Acid Wash for concrete. I don’t submerge in it, but they may get a small splash from time to time. (Again, keep in mind, all of my present and past boots get exposed to the same stuff)
Ever since I stared properly caring for my boots 5 or 6 years ago, I’ve not had a single pair split this way. I’ve had Redwings, Carolina, Drews. Ariat(sucked) and other brands. Those boots with the exception of the Ariats all lived on for 3 years before they just became old and uncomfortable with fairly worn soles and significant heel drop. The leather remained in tact, no splits no cracks and could have continued work. I just wanted new boots.
Then there are these Thorogood. Exposed to the same conditions and cared for in the same ways… yet they are both cracking in the same places. I would literally daily wear a boot like a wingshooter, no rotation and never take care of them in my 20s… and they’d last as long as these cared for Thorogoods.
Is it the Crazy Horse leather? I was under the impression that this stuff was nice and tough? Towards the beginning of their life I tried a new to me product called SnoSeal. Didn’t care for the way it darkened the leather. Moved on. Never re applied it. Just my monthly Bick 4 conditionings. I would do a nice coat over the whole boot. And focus on the break areas with a 2nd light coat really working it in which is where these are cracking. (Again, I have to keep reminding you guys, I do this with all of my boots and none of them have done this)
Anyways, is it the lather? Is this a Thorogood thing? Did I do something wrong as far as crazy horse needing to be cared for in a different way than other leathers?
What’s your experience been? I know a lot of guys have been unhappy with them the last few years. They were a pretty comfy pair of boots. Wanna get that Carolina 8 inch AMP but it’s not waterproof so it would never work out.