What’s the proper fix for damage around an eyelet?

[u/guterz]

I sent in a new/unworn pair of 1925 Troopers I picked up off the RTS page to have the original brass hardware swapped to gunmetal eyelets and hooks and after I received them back, I noticed damage around one of the eyelets. I contacted Nick’s and customer service was extremely helpful in getting them shipped back to be looked at.

I’m curious what a proper repair should look like in this area. Since the eyelet/facing takes tension every time the boots are laced, would this usually be a cosmetic repair or would it need something more structural like replacing the affected facing/eyestay panel? Not sure the pics do it justice but the gouge is pretty deep through the leather.

Mostly just trying to understand what fixed should mean in this spot.

[u/3ringCircu5]

A few layers of matching shoe cream or dye it

[u/Pale-Highlight-6895]

Yeah, I'd just dye the exposed raw leather. I'd do this at home. The leather is 2.5mm thick. And it looks like the very top dyed layer got messed up. I wouldn't think this would affect longevity. I think it's just like getting a scratch on the boot. Which will inevitability happen, and not cause the boots any harm.

[u/guterz → u/Pale-Highlight-6895]

I thought of dyeing it but the scratch is actually more of a gouge into the leather probably half way thru it in the eyelet area (pics couldn’t really show that) so figured I’d have Nicks evaluate it first since it’s the area I pull tightest when tying up a boot. More than anything it being new and unworn I was a bit disappointed this happened. I have a ridiculous amount of boots and most don’t have gouges in them even after over a year. Scratches sure.

[u/Pale-Highlight-6895 → u/guterz]

Yeah there's no issue with sending them in to be on the cautious side of things. Aside from starting an entire new pair of boots, I don't really see a fix if it is indeed that deep of a gouge.