Stitchdown Patina Thunderdome(Year 5)
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Honestly, it’s kind of lost its initial sparkle. I didn’t do the very first year the one that was a little cobbled together but the second and third years were really fun. Last year it already felt like things were starting to wane, and this year it seems like a lot of the people who used to be really involved and vocal (in a good way) just aren’t anymore.
Even if you’re on the Stitchdown premium Discord, there’s just not a whole lot going on there especially on the thunderdome channel.
I’ve got my theories. I’ve been around long enough and involved in enough Domes to see the patterns. I think a lot of people are just burned out, and honestly, it feels like there are a few folks who are pretty much guaranteed to win because of their industry presence. It takes some of the fun out of it.
I really like Ben and I think he does an amazing job with stitchdown and I enjoy what he’s built. Not a dig against him I think it’s just what happens in these type of contests. Also, I think he could be a little more active on his discord, it really drives engagement every time he pops on there…Regardless of all that, I usually wear the same pair of boots for work for months until they need a resole, so this is something I do anyway, I’m just documenting it for the dome with a chance of winning something.
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@northsouthdenimguy good insights there for sure.
Just documenting this Badalassi Grigio (who I I don’t see any really pushed examples of) was my initial focus too. Kind of don’t even want to pay the $5 a month to be a member tho anymore, either.
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I really do enjoy that part of it. I’ve had four completely different leathers now, and each one has reacted in its own way to the nasty, unforgiving environment of construction sites. It’s wild how differently they age under the same abuse.
I also enjoy watching other people’s footwear patina, especially when it’s a leather I’ve worn before. It’s interesting to see the differences, whether someone is barely maintaining their boots or they are babying them and how that shows up in the wear patterns.
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G goosehd pinned this topic on
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3 months down
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February pics submitted.
Not a whole lot of change from last month unless you look closely. There are plenty of scratches and scuffs, but overall the boots almost look less worn than last month because they were so soaked from all the rain in December. I was actually getting a little concerned since the leather midsoles were starting become mushy at the edges.
I have also had a bit of heel separation a handful of times, which I have fixed each time with “superglue”.
Regardless very happy with this boot.
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One month left
Adjusted my location a little bit, got a little closer to the edge of the porch for more natural light. Nothing crazy in the last month, but the leather is definitely darkening up on the vamps but is staying almost the original color on the pulls and back stay.
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All done
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Picked up second place in the Work Dome, couldn’t be happier. First place was definitely a more work oriented, traditional style boot, which makes sense. Still proud of how mine came out.
Link has all winners from open dome and the work dome
https://www.stitchdown.com/patina-thunderdome/2025-26-thunderdome-winners/
@selveldgesteps
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@northsouthdenimguy That’s sick! Congrats!!!
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Congrats @northsouthdenimguy the evo on your boots looks great. The link to the winners is awesome too lots of variety in patina
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@northsouthdenimguy congrats
yours are amazing! -
@northsouthdenimguy Congrats
