A 15-year-old pair of Timberlands. The story of how I took my partner, once transformed into oil-vacchetta, and evolved it further into a 'refined, glossy work boot'

Hello, I'm Yuto.

I acquired these Timberland yellow boots during my college days, and we've been together for 15 years now. After I started working, my taste in clothing changed, and the dirt characteristic of nubuck became more noticeable, so for a while, they lost their place and were left sleeping in the back of my shoe cabinet.

However, by putting in the effort to update them repeatedly, this partner of mine has evolved into an exquisite pair that suits who I am today.
This time, I'd like to share the story of how my 15-year-old boots were reborn as 'Ver. 3.0'.

[The decision from 5-6 years ago] Too wasteful to discard. The challenge of 'Ver. 2.0'

It was 5 or 6 years ago. Looking at the yellow boots sleeping in the shoe cabinet, I thought to myself.

While it was true that the dirt unique to nubuck was noticeable, the condition of the leather itself, which had walked with me for 15 years, was excellent.

'It would be a waste to just throw them away like this. Is there any way I can transform them into shoes that fit me now?'

What I attempted was 'oil-vacchetta processing.' This is a process where you intentionally flatten the nap of the nubuck and soak it thoroughly with oil to give it a smooth leather-like finish.

This challenge was a resounding success, and the vibrant yellow transformed into a sophisticated brown work boot. This is how my boots made a comeback to the front lines as 'Ver. 2.0'.

[Steps to Ver. 3.0] Aiming for the luster of vintage Danner, polishing with Saphir 'Bordeaux'

Five or six years after the oil-vacchetta conversion, as I wore them hard, the timing for the next evolution arrived.

What I aimed for this time was that rugged yet elegant look with deeply absorbed oil, like a pair of 90s vintage Danner Lights. I began maintenance to draw out even more depth and luster from the current matte brown.

That's when I brought in the familiar 'Saphir Beewax Fine Cream (08 Bordeaux)'.

By adding Bordeaux to the original brown overall, a deep gradient was born. The toe area, which I was concerned about being dry, also took on a beautiful base luster that catches light perfectly on its surface thanks to careful brushing.

The fusion of Timberland's DNA and aging brought about by the original laces

For the finishing touch, I dared to thread the original Timberland 'Taslan laces' back through them.

Because the base leather has grown into a deep brown tinged with Bordeaux, the yellow of the original laces stands out as the perfect accent color. The brand's original identity and the one-of-a-kind aging created over 15 years have fused perfectly, and 'Ver. 3.0' is complete.

Taking care of boots is, after all, incredibly fun

It has been a while since I sat down and really focused on my shoes, but taking care of boots is truly the most enjoyable thing.

Updating them with my own hands as my life stage and personal tastes change, turning them into a lifelong companion—I have realized once again that this is the real thrill of having a long-term relationship with work boots.

Are there any 'memorable partners' sleeping in your shoe rack that you haven't given up on yet? With just a little bit of care, they might transform into a special pair that you can walk with once again.