I am lucky enough to have two pairs of Baobab boots. Houston Brown, and Houston Charcoal. They are definitely my favorite Jim green boots. They are very versatile, I can wear them business casual to work. hiking, and everything in between.
I’d take them on a rougher environment like a quick walk over a rough place, let the sole wear a little and the squeaking should go… atleast that’s what happened with my AR8s
I believe you are supposed to tuck the tung in normally. That channel was just the result of having the piece of lether holding the eyelets being replaceable in case it broke.
Curious, how wide are your feet? I'm an 11 3E and was mistakenly sent a 12 and they were still a bit narrow for me. In Carl Murawski's podcast with Gareth he alludes to a wider baobab/numzaan boot coming out down the line.
My feet are 2E, the Baobabs/Numzaan both fit well after some break in. Those 719 boots they showed on the video version of the podcast, I am in for one for sure!