Alright, let’s talk about these Prada Monolith boots. You’ve probably seen them. Everywhere. Seriously, it felt like one day I woke up and every influencer and their dog was stomping around in these massive things. So, I got curious, like you do. Or maybe I just needed a new pair of boots and got suckered in by the hype, who knows?
My Tussle with Getting Them
First off, I spent a good while just looking at them online. Staring at the pictures. Reading what little I could find from actual people, not just fashion mags. The price, man, the price. That was a big hurdle. I kept thinking, “Are they really worth that much?” It’s a lot of cash for a pair of boots, Prada name or not. I went back and forth on it for weeks. I’d add them to my cart, then close the tab. You know the drill.
I was looking for something sturdy, something with a bit of an attitude. My old faithfuls were basically begging for retirement. So, the Monoliths, with that chunky sole, they definitely fit the bill visually.
Taking the Plunge and First Impressions
Eventually, I just bit the bullet. Found a moment of weakness, or maybe it was a moment of “treat yourself” madness. So, I ordered them. The unboxing was, well, an unboxing. Nice box, dust bags, the usual fancy stuff. Pulled them out and, yeah, they’re heavy. Like, noticeably heavy. Solid. The leather felt decent, stiff but like it would break in.
Putting them on for the first time was an experience. They felt… substantial. Like I could kick down a door. Not that I’m planning to. The little pouch thingy on the side? Took that off almost immediately. Looked a bit much for me, personally. Like trying too hard.
Breaking Them In: The Real Test
Okay, the breaking-in period. This was a journey. No joke. The first few times I wore them out, my feet were not happy campers. They’re quite rigid to start with, especially around the ankles. I did short trips mostly. To the grocery store, a quick walk around the block. Definitely not something I’d recommend for an all-day sightseeing tour straight out of the box. Learnt that the hard way, almost.
- Day 1: “Okay, these are… firm.”
- Day 3: “My pinky toe is staging a protest.”
- Day 7: “Alright, I think we’re starting to understand each other.”
I made sure to wear thick socks, which helped a bit. Slowly, very slowly, they started to give. The leather began to soften just a tad where it needed to.
Living with the Monoliths: The Good and The Not-So-Good
So, after the initial battle, what’s the verdict from actually living with them?
The Good Stuff:
- The Look: Can’t deny it, they look pretty cool. They have a presence. Chuck them on with jeans, even a dress, and it just… works. Gives everything a bit of an edge. I’ve gotten a few compliments, which is always nice, I guess.
- The Height: That chunky sole gives you a bit of a lift. Not gonna lie, I don’t mind that at all.
- Perceived Durability: They feel like they could survive a minor apocalypse. The stitching seems solid, the sole is like a tire. I reckon these will last a good while, purely based on how they’re built.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Weight: Still heavy. You get used to it, mostly. But at the end of a long day, you really feel that you’ve been lugging them around. It’s a proper leg workout.
- Comfort for Miles: Even broken in, they’re not the comfiest boots I’ve ever owned for walking long distances. They’re fashion boots, let’s be real. Fine for a night out or running errands, but I wouldn’t go hiking in them. Obviously.
- Scuffs and Scratches: That smooth leather? It shows scuffs. I try to be careful, but life happens. For the price, you kind of wish they came with their own force field, but nope. A good polish helps, but they’re not indestructible.
- The “Everyone Has Them” Factor: This is a weird one. When I first got them, they felt a bit more unique. Now? I see them, or dupes that look almost identical, all the time. Kinda dilutes the specialness a bit, if you know what I mean.
So, The Final Word From My End?
After all this, wearing them through different seasons (avoiding deep snow, mind you, they’re not snow boots), I’ve got a pretty good feel for them. They’re a statement piece, for sure. They do what they’re supposed to do in the looks department. They’re built tough.
But if you’re asking me if they’re the be-all and end-all of boots and worth mortgaging your house for? Honestly, I’m on the fence. If you’ve got the spare cash, you absolutely love the super-chunky look, and you’re prepared for the weight and the breaking-in, then yeah, go for it. You’ll probably enjoy them.
For me, they’re a solid part of my shoe rotation now. I wear them, I like how they look. But if they magically disappeared tomorrow, would I rush out and drop that kind of money on another pair? Probably not. I think I’d explore other options. It’s a bit like that fancy restaurant everyone raves about – glad I tried it, had a decent meal, but I’m not sure I need to go back every week. There’s a lot of hype, and underneath it, they’re just a pair of very well-made, very heavy, very expensive boots.
