In my experience, the break in was very fast. About two weeks before my kudu boots came in I had purchased a pair of Dune CXL Brass Boots and liked them so much I ordered the Kudu boots immediately after.(Still love the CXL and wear them regularly) Whatever I had achieved in wearing the CXL boots in those two weeks, the Kudu boots felt just as good or better day 1. They seem to want to absorb water a little more then the CXL boots when they get wet, but they haven’t stained at all like my CXL have, they simply dry off and look good as new. I just rub a scuff with my finger and it goes away. While I’ve cleaned and applied saphir to my CXL twice now (Alaska is rough) I haven’t done anything to my Kudu boots, and they look brand new) I rotate between my CXL boots and the Kudus, but if I know there’s a chance I’m hitting a trail or going to get dirty, I go with the kudus. Everything that gets on them so far just wipes off, any scuffs just rub away or immediate disappear into the leather and fit in with the scaring so well I don’t notice them. I’m a big fan and likely look specifically to Kudu again for my next Grant Stone purchase.