That "clean and simple" look can really depend on your house style. My friend's modern box looked great in one color, but my place with all its little porch details just looked flat until we painted the trim. It's like the house needed its lines drawn in.

Did you have the blade guard all the way up?

My buddy in Seattle saw a 40% bump doing that.

It's the same with jar lids at home. My dad puts them on so tight nobody else can open them later. That over-tightening instinct is everywhere, from oil filters to garden hose fittings.

Gotta be honest, that makes me super nervous. Pushing shoes that far is asking for trouble with your knees or feet, even if the tread looks okay. The cushioning and support inside breaks down way before the outside shows it. I swap mine out like clockwork every 300-350 miles because I've learned the hard way. That hidden wear can lead to injuries that totally ruin a hiking season.