The Path toward Patina
Patina is the evolution of color and texture that leather experiences over time. In other words, patina is a leather boot’s badge of honor. No one can deny the clear difference between a freshly unboxed pair of Trumans and a well-worn pair rich with rugged patina.
With our modern world’s emphasis on newness, our brains can initially struggle to understand the appeal of something visibly worn. Leather (and the draw of a handsome patina) powerfully reshapes our perspective.
The Appeal of Aging Gracefully
Nowadays, some people bend over backwards to keep their shoes pristine and spotless. This is a classic case of putting form over function. Leather doesn’t make you choose one over the other.
The more you use leather, the more visually interesting its patina becomes. Scuffs, bends, and stretches on a well-worn pair are welcome signs of maturity. Colors alter and textures transform to create a boot with an entirely unique character. Contrary to instinct, the aging of a boot isn’t something to be feared. It’s something to be embraced.
Don’t Be Gentle
Those pursuing patina frequently ask us how to speed up the process. Our advice is as follows: Don’t be gentle.
Wear daily. Work hard. Go Outside. Venture through the woods. Take that hike you’ve been meaning to.
Break ground on the open road. Go riding. Spend a day in the shop. Take your boots to different places often. By using your boots in different environments, your patina will uniquely develop to your lifestyle. You’ll get a breadth of character impossible to imitate.
Add your boots to your work gear get-up. If you’ve been afraid to run your Trumans through the demands of a rough work day, you’ve been missing a perfect chance to develop patina.
Parting Words
However you use your boots, we boldly encourage you to use them more. There’s no better way to make them yours—each mark a part of your unique history. Patina is the honorable reward to a lifestyle of daily wear & tear.
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