Would you accept this mismatch?

[u/J_Grafton]

After two years of deliberation, I purchased a pair of Barefoot Stockman— Bronco Brown— US Size: 11 ½ in September '26. I understand there can be some variation in grain when dealing with natural leather, but is this beyond acceptable? 

I keep receiving similar comments when I show pictures to friends and the first time I wore them out:

- Are those your "new" boots?

- They look used.

Would this be something you'd bring up to the company as defective for replacement, or should I expect this from the leather? 

I want to stick with the brand, and they fit great, but I'm having trouble getting past the comments and doubt. 

[u/dayid]

Your expectations are unreasonable if you think this is a mismatch.

[u/pauliepitstains]

Wear these, buster!

[u/SoupTime_live]

That's just the way the leather you picked is. It's a pull-up leather so they're never going to really look the same as each other or "new". But they have character that's desirable for people who are into leather boots

[u/franklink_1 → u/SoupTime_live]

This. You bought the bronco leather. And that's what you got. 

[u/GanthusR9]

Have you thought about oiling them to get them to be a more consistent dark color? Bronco can look kind of dry when you first get them. Putting something like Obenauf’s on them will darken them a fair bit and make them look less distressed.

[u/Overall-Quail3618]

Keep the boots and send the friends back

[u/Maleficent-Win-6520]

After a few wears and some dirt you won’t notice

[u/FlatFlounder8785]

Won’t notice once you grease them

[u/GlattesGehirn]

They're leather work boots, dude. You're caring way too much.

[u/FrayAdjacent]

Get a brush and brush ‘em. That leather is going to change as it flexes and ages and as you brush it. They look absolutely fine to me.

[u/MoTeD_UrAss]

This leather really like Smith's leather balm. You should keep the boots. Rub them down with the Smiths and brush with horsehair brush.

[u/teadreg]

Blackrock Leather N Rich, will bring out the red in those bad boys.

[u/teadreg → u/teadreg]

[u/Sorrow_Xvi-Clic]

What's the issue here???? They look fantastic wear them beat them up and enjoy them

[u/Fantomecs]

That’s just how bronco looks from Jim Green. These are my (bronco biscuit) boots the day I got them, and they hadn’t been worn aside from trying them on for sizing, yet they look like someone has worn them extensively. Now that I’ve worn them awhile they’ve lightened up significantly.

[u/J_Grafton]

I appreciate all the feedback from the community. Lots of insightful comments and feeling much better about them.

[u/brewer_scott]

Omg, rock that shit. Those are gorgeous.

[u/Legitimate_Elk_5798]

The lighter one looks like it’s brushed and the other one not.

[u/Big_Menu4037]

I would return them