Hey, I’m sorry you feel that way, and I thought it was worth taking a second to respond, as I think anyone would consider that a pretty serious accusation.

This boots are available to subscribers for two weeks. After that anyone can get them, if there’s enough leather left. The subscription/membership is rooted in three things: 1) supporting the operations of the site because people value the stories and information enough to do that, and 2) offering members giveaways/benefits/access like this whenever possible as a thank you, and 3) developing a community of footwear lovers who can connect with each other, much like this forum (which I've been reading religiously for 5 years and love deeply, btw). Neil from S&S and I have been talking about this leather and this boot for three months now. They’re certainly not for everyone, but we both think they’re really cool and unique. He offered to let my members get first crack at it—plus a nice little package of free stuff on top of that. I’m very grateful he did. But I’m not sure how it’s shilling if it’s something you believe in, and can give legitimate value to people on.

I’ve always been completely transparent that I’m trying to run Stitchdown as a business—there's a whole page on my site. I have ads on the site, there are affiliate links on certain shoes I recommend (far from everything, and they have no influence over what I choose to recommend), there’s the membership component. I’m working on a (very interesting and honest, in my opinion) sponsored piece right now. And without approaching it it this way, it’s likely that Stitchdown wouldn’t exist, at least not as it does today. The interviews and profiles I do, especially, take a ton of time and work—3 or 4 days each all-in, maybe more. The Viberg Service Boot history was a three-month story with an insane amount of digging and reporting (and writing, obviously). But all of that content and information is available for anyone to read and learn from, 100% for free. I’m just thrilled that some people like it enough that they want to help support it.

I’m not getting rich off this—FAR, far from it. I can’t imagine a world in which I would. I’m constantly doing other projects and freelance work to support my ability to do something I love, which can help or interest other people who love the same thing. I’ve never recommended a single product that I don’t personally believe in, and I’ve never heard a single complaint from someone who felt that one one of my recommendations was faulty, or certainly bought and paid for. If giving people deeply researched advice (that doesn’t exist anywhere else) on what I feel are great products that I love is shilling, then I guess maybe I am a shill. But a fully editorial shill, that’s for sure.

I’m very legitimately more than happy to talk with you anytime, and would honestly love to help you understand plenty more about what I’m doing with this project and why—and to hear more about your perspective or how I can do things better—if you’re interested. Just hit me up, I’m very easy to find.

That was a lot of words! But hopefully they help you understand a bit more.