2026-27 Stitchdown Patina Thunderdome Rules, Timing, and Signup

The 2026-27 Stitchdown Patina Thunderdome begins on Oct 1, 2026.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 6th edition of the world’s greatest judged footwear and leather goods aging and patina contest.

FOUR Categories to Enter

Thunderdome Six will feature four distinct categories. Each category will be judged separately and features its own category-specific prize pool.

The OPEN DOME is where it all started. This is for NEW boots/shoes that don’t fall into the Work Dome.

The WORK DOME is for any NEW boots/shoes that will undertake a serious beating over 6 months.

The PRE-WORN DOME is for boots/shoes that are NOT NEW—as long as they want to get much better over 6 months.

The LEATHER GOODS DOME is NOT for boots! Belts, wallets, watch straps, jackets, etc. All leather goods must be be NEW at the contest start.

All Thunderdome contestants in any category must be a member in good standing of our Stitchdown Premium community for the entirety of the contest.

While most contestants opt to enter just one pair, each SDP member/Thunderdome participant can enter up to TWO pairs of boots in ANY category, along with one leather good.

How is this contest judged? Check out the Shoecast episode below for a look behind the curtain. It’s an older episode but all still highly relevant.

It’s also very worth taking a look at our top winners from the 2025-26 Thunderdome to get a sense of what truly impressed our judges.

Hop on the Patina Thunderdome Newsletter, Never Miss an Update

How to Enter: Rules and Timing

The 2026-27 Stitchdown Patina Thunderdome will begin on Thursday Oct 1, 2026 with initial entries closing on Saturday Oct 10th at 11:59pm Eastern Time. All Open, Work, and Leather Goods Dome boots and goods must be NEW at the start.

A late entry period will be open from Sunday Nov 1st through Tuesday Nov 10th. No entries will be allowed following Nov 10th.

Contestants can ONLY enter the Thunderdome, in any category, in the entry windows stated above.

We’ll keep saying this, but all footwear in the Open and Work categories, and all leather goods, MUST be new (tried on inside is ok) upon entry. On Oct 1st and Nov 1st, we will provide a “secret code” that must be included in entry photos, which will serve to verify said new-ness.

To enter and remain eligible for the contest and prizes, each month throughout the Thunderdome, contestants must submit a series of photos in our partner Patina Project app. More info to come on required photo angles for each category—but you can see all previous Thunderdome contests in the PP app to get an idea.

Pre-Registration on the Patina Project app will open on Sept 15, 2026.

Again, all Thunderdome participants must be members of the Stitchdown Premium community for the entirety of the contest. If you haven’t done that yet, you can take care of it right here. And I very sincerely hope you check out our SDP Discord server—Discord participation is not required for the Thunderdome, but damn if it’s not an amazing place full of amazing, similarly (wonderfully!) afflicted people as yourself. I think you’ll love it.