AeroFan_07
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 7,072
- Location
- Iowa
*Disclaimer, this is an extensive review with quite a bit of time spent in the break-in experience. I wanted to give a description of actual usage. Growing up on a farm, boots were a part of everyday life for me, so that is part of this review as well.
I am finally getting a chance to do a review of a pair of Nicks boots that I have owned now a little over two years. This pair was a neat find, purchased in late 2023 as a "tried on new" in a size that I knew may be a close shave for me - 10.5D. Generally speaking, with PNW boots I do a little better with slightly longer and a little narrower boot. However these were such a nice, simple example of this model of boot I wanted to give them a try. I am quite glad I have. This pair has the Vibram 430 Mini Lug soles, double-row stitching and are 8" tall
This specific pair of Rangers uses Nicks "55" last, which is extremely similar to White's "55" last. In a White's these would be Farmer-Rancher boots. This is an important distinction to make on these boots, as these are not Packer boots. Those would be a "56" last, have a more aggressive heel shape, and a considerably aggressive arch support in them. I own two pair of (Whites) Packers and they are completely different to wear. I do not see this model or last offered on Nicks website currently.
First, it's been noted on YouTube videos, and even in Nicks and other PNW publications that the correct way to break in a pair of their boots is, well, S L O W L Y. As in - wear then for 20 - 40 minutes a day, then take them off and wait till the next day to do another 20-40 minute session. Then one hour, then a couple hours, and continue to build over a series of weeks. Seems like making out an Excel sheet for your boot break in might be a good idea. While I was no-where near this detailed with this (or any other pair) of PNW boots, I did start the process with this pair of Rangers slowly, and only for short periods of time over the first month or two. This was in preparation for a 9-day, outdoor work event in the desert in February 2024. I knew I would be standing most of this time, around large equipment and not have much time to sit down or even walk extensively during the day. I also knew good arch support would be paramount, even if there was not much "cushion" in the boots.
How was that? "Painful", especially the first part of the week. I quickly learned a good strategy, which was to extensively massage my feet at the end of each day, spend ~ 10 -15 minute in the hotel hot tub, and then wear running shoes the rest of the time. Result - no blisters at all. Even if it took a while to get used to the standing.
By this point the Nicks were about 80% broken in. I use them sparingly in normal life, they are black with brown sole edges, black military nylon laces and brass hardware. I really like how they look, so I have tried to keep these for "good" or casual occasions, instead of true working conditions. Even after being in the dirt in the desert, these clean up great with simply boot oil or Whites boot creme.
All was going as planned, until I wore these boots in Chicago to BootCamp 2025. I had no idea what would occur after that time. I did wear these to Bootcamp and even had some questions from the Nicks' staff about them. These are Siedel leather (teacore black over brown) so they are just starting to show through a little in the heel area of the boots. I wore them around most of that day, then started the long drive from Chicago to northern Wisconsin in rain and eventually light snow, to a place I planned to spend several days. I had planned to return to Iowa and re-supply (and take different boots) on this trip. Due to the incoming cold front, I made an "escape to Wisconsin" and simply dealt with the fact this would be my only pair of boots (and one pair of running shoes) that I would have on this trip. Plus, the temperature dropped from the 50's in the afternoon into the high 20's overnight.
So, I proceeded to hike through snowy, wet trails on Sunday, did a significant amount of physical work volunteering, hauled multiple trailers, moved logs and even some scrap metal around as well. At one point on Tuesday, I simply could not seem to keep my feet warm in these un-lined boots (an no wool socks either). I pulled them off at lunch at the camp's dining hall and massaged my feet again and walked around indoors in just my socks. Putting the Nicks back on again, I literally never had any more cold feet the rest of the day. They simply worked. However they also now looked like this:
*These are not Roughout boots*
They also had bonus salt on both sides, possibly sweated out.
------------------
As I packed up to make the 8-hour drive home, I could have worn the running shoes, however I chose to wear the Nick's for an 8-hour drive. I noticed something very important after all this correct, by-design physical work I had just done in these boots: They are now 100% broken into my feet. Then have shifted. They are now Moccasin-like in comfort. I literally do not want to take them off and am wearing them as I type this review.
So - how did I clean these Nicks boots up?
Step 1 - Use Salt Stain Remover (I used Fieblings) - works extremely well!
Step 2 - Wipe off any excess dirt with a damp cloth.
Step 3 - Use a light duty liquid Saddle-soap cleanser and pay special attention the edges and tongues. I used Farnam Leather New:
Comparison photo:
Step 4. Then use a quality conditioner, I used White's boot conditioner. Go light, do not over-condition your boots.
Results:
So, If you are planning to use your pair of PNW boots for the work they were intended for in the first place, I encourage you, go for it! This specific pair of Nicks has turned out to be just right for me. Not over the top on arch-support, but quite supportive for a full day or many full days of standing all day, walking, in and out of vehicles, or even cleaning up and oiling them and wearing to a nice occasion. You will not be out of place at all. Then just relax by the fire in the evening:
I am finally getting a chance to do a review of a pair of Nicks boots that I have owned now a little over two years. This pair was a neat find, purchased in late 2023 as a "tried on new" in a size that I knew may be a close shave for me - 10.5D. Generally speaking, with PNW boots I do a little better with slightly longer and a little narrower boot. However these were such a nice, simple example of this model of boot I wanted to give them a try. I am quite glad I have. This pair has the Vibram 430 Mini Lug soles, double-row stitching and are 8" tall
This specific pair of Rangers uses Nicks "55" last, which is extremely similar to White's "55" last. In a White's these would be Farmer-Rancher boots. This is an important distinction to make on these boots, as these are not Packer boots. Those would be a "56" last, have a more aggressive heel shape, and a considerably aggressive arch support in them. I own two pair of (Whites) Packers and they are completely different to wear. I do not see this model or last offered on Nicks website currently.
First, it's been noted on YouTube videos, and even in Nicks and other PNW publications that the correct way to break in a pair of their boots is, well, S L O W L Y. As in - wear then for 20 - 40 minutes a day, then take them off and wait till the next day to do another 20-40 minute session. Then one hour, then a couple hours, and continue to build over a series of weeks. Seems like making out an Excel sheet for your boot break in might be a good idea. While I was no-where near this detailed with this (or any other pair) of PNW boots, I did start the process with this pair of Rangers slowly, and only for short periods of time over the first month or two. This was in preparation for a 9-day, outdoor work event in the desert in February 2024. I knew I would be standing most of this time, around large equipment and not have much time to sit down or even walk extensively during the day. I also knew good arch support would be paramount, even if there was not much "cushion" in the boots.
How was that? "Painful", especially the first part of the week. I quickly learned a good strategy, which was to extensively massage my feet at the end of each day, spend ~ 10 -15 minute in the hotel hot tub, and then wear running shoes the rest of the time. Result - no blisters at all. Even if it took a while to get used to the standing.
By this point the Nicks were about 80% broken in. I use them sparingly in normal life, they are black with brown sole edges, black military nylon laces and brass hardware. I really like how they look, so I have tried to keep these for "good" or casual occasions, instead of true working conditions. Even after being in the dirt in the desert, these clean up great with simply boot oil or Whites boot creme.
All was going as planned, until I wore these boots in Chicago to BootCamp 2025. I had no idea what would occur after that time. I did wear these to Bootcamp and even had some questions from the Nicks' staff about them. These are Siedel leather (teacore black over brown) so they are just starting to show through a little in the heel area of the boots. I wore them around most of that day, then started the long drive from Chicago to northern Wisconsin in rain and eventually light snow, to a place I planned to spend several days. I had planned to return to Iowa and re-supply (and take different boots) on this trip. Due to the incoming cold front, I made an "escape to Wisconsin" and simply dealt with the fact this would be my only pair of boots (and one pair of running shoes) that I would have on this trip. Plus, the temperature dropped from the 50's in the afternoon into the high 20's overnight.
So, I proceeded to hike through snowy, wet trails on Sunday, did a significant amount of physical work volunteering, hauled multiple trailers, moved logs and even some scrap metal around as well. At one point on Tuesday, I simply could not seem to keep my feet warm in these un-lined boots (an no wool socks either). I pulled them off at lunch at the camp's dining hall and massaged my feet again and walked around indoors in just my socks. Putting the Nicks back on again, I literally never had any more cold feet the rest of the day. They simply worked. However they also now looked like this:
*These are not Roughout boots*
They also had bonus salt on both sides, possibly sweated out.
------------------
As I packed up to make the 8-hour drive home, I could have worn the running shoes, however I chose to wear the Nick's for an 8-hour drive. I noticed something very important after all this correct, by-design physical work I had just done in these boots: They are now 100% broken into my feet. Then have shifted. They are now Moccasin-like in comfort. I literally do not want to take them off and am wearing them as I type this review.
So - how did I clean these Nicks boots up?
Step 1 - Use Salt Stain Remover (I used Fieblings) - works extremely well!
Step 2 - Wipe off any excess dirt with a damp cloth.
Step 3 - Use a light duty liquid Saddle-soap cleanser and pay special attention the edges and tongues. I used Farnam Leather New:
Comparison photo:
Step 4. Then use a quality conditioner, I used White's boot conditioner. Go light, do not over-condition your boots.
Results:
So, If you are planning to use your pair of PNW boots for the work they were intended for in the first place, I encourage you, go for it! This specific pair of Nicks has turned out to be just right for me. Not over the top on arch-support, but quite supportive for a full day or many full days of standing all day, walking, in and out of vehicles, or even cleaning up and oiling them and wearing to a nice occasion. You will not be out of place at all. Then just relax by the fire in the evening:
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