ADDICT BOOTS Japan

[AskAxel]

So I've been breaking in my ST versions for just over two weeks now. They are coming along very nicely, the first few days were definitely uncomfortable, bordering on slightly painful due to the size I chose (see the above posts for details). I will post some more photos probably in another fortnight or so to give a better visual comparison

The major difference in fit I can tell so far between the ST and CL lasts is definitely the more room around the toes and the toe box height, as well as a little more room in the ball of the foot and the instep. Although I think the instep increase is so marginal I'd say it's negligible (in my pair anyway) but the toe box space is definitely there.

I think the more important difference to me is the leather; the horsehide ST leather is much more forgiving and has formed and stretched much more and much faster than the CL. The shaft is a lot softer and flexes and moves with me when I walk. It hasn't collapsed any more than my CL pair but I surprisingly much prefer the firmness of the CL Horsebutt leather.
I think I have about another few days of wear and the ST pair will feel as broken in as the CL pair which have a few months of much, much harder wear put into them.

I think if you have a foot shape that isn't very friendly/similar to the shape of Addict's lasts then the ST last is definitely going to be the more forgiving and easier pair to break in.

I'm very eager to pick up a pair of the brown horsebutt so I can have three pairs of Addicts and call it a day. Now that I have experienced both, I do love the ST last and I do think its an amazing boot, but I would opt for the CL last with the horsebutt leather any day.

I am still unsure if I could go down a full size with the CL's, I doubt it. Perhaps when I am in Japan in January I will get the chance to try them on. I have no regrets going half a size down with the CL pair I have and I'm quite looking forward to wearing them again soon and alternating between the two lasts once I've done some more breaking in and tests with this ST pair.

I look forward to reading other people's experiences and seeing the patina!