Great boots for a great price
It is very difficult to find large women's boots, so I have always worn men. However, men's boots are very wide on my feet. I was very excited to find these. I normally wear an 11, but attempted the 10 because that is what the size chart said I needed and they fit perfectly. Didn't require any breaking in period, but since I work on an island I did buy leather waterproofing cream to extend the life of my boots. The leather is very flexible allowing me to accomplish anything and everything my job requires (squatting, climbing, balancing, running, walking, etc). I wear them all year long in every weather condition and they are very comfortable. My feet are plenty warm, but they don't breath quite as well as I would have liked. The zipper is super handy, I just slip my shoes on in the morning and off when I get home. No more sitting there for 5 minutes trying to relace my boots. The shoe laces that came with the boots were terrible. They were too short and the plastic ends looked like they were chewed up. So, I bought new 72" laces so I can tuck in the extra. Would definitely recommend for any woman on her feet for extended periods.
✔ Verified Purchase
H
Helena Bucket
February 21, 2022
Excellent hiker-biker footwear
I often have to size up by a half or order in wide width, but these fit true to size and with a roomy toe box. The fit is perfect, with just a little room, but my foot doesn't slide or move inside the boot. After walking around the house a bit, I walked the dog about a half mile in full comfort. No breaking-in necessary!I have noticed that the zipper doesn't open the boot enough for easy on and off, but by plucking the lace out of the hook between foot and ankle I can get them easily on or off. I do like a snug fit on the ankle for support, so you may have less trouble with the zipper if you lace up a bit looser.For the price, these are sturdy and well made. I'd prefer a metal zipper, but these boots can't be beat for comfort right out of the box. Excellent foot protection for motorcycle riding and support for hiking/walking.
✔ Verified Purchase
Lasted 5 years, bought again.
>Lasted 5 years of ~everyday constant use, soles still fine, but back of heel wore down and started giving me blisters.<PROS:>roomy toebox>Antislip was great in food service job and while hiking.>Ankle support was nice(had some structure to it.>Kept me warm on a snowy trip to Germany with thick socks. Maybe not the right call for super hot climates, but I was only really frustrated with em once, and I don't even think it was the hottest day. So jury's out on this front.>Kept me dry; not waterproof, but thick heel and with well-done laces it won't be letting in water.MID: Solid shoes, but I was gifted some other, cheaper boots that were actually comfier. Made me realize that these ones weren't 10/10 in terms of comfort.CONS:>creases easily(I viewed them as work boots/practical shoes so idc what they look like), but keeps support.>annoying zipper cover; the little flap that covers the top of the zipper to prevent it from getting pushed down by your clothes or gravity or whatnot. But, it would stick out and come unlatched. The zipper stayed put, but it was just kinda funky to be constantly re-velcroing something that did nothing.
✔ Verified Purchase
Wife Loves Them!
Rarely does a product Met expectations produced by sales ads or by multiple hasty buyer comments. I am happy to report this boot does just that! My wife oversees home refurbishing and maintenance work as a property manager & agent for the owners.This winter she fell a few times and she inspects houses, some of them trashed by evicted renters or owners. I've been uncomfortable about her work footwear. It was more fashionable than functional, which I find very risky in the current national economy and health care expenses chaos.I decided to insist she wear footwear suited to her inspection environments. Obviously, quality military or civilian EMS, Fire, or Swat Team gear was the place to shop. However, the footwear must not look outrageous. Otherwise, she would invest time changing footwear several times a day. My search narrowed down to these boots by bates. They do fit the bill. They require very little break in. They are light and customers notice them but not because she is a professional woman wearing work boots. No, women, men, & youths want to know where she bought them because they think they are "cool".I did not know if I would be able to get her wear serious utility boots. Well, she loved them the first day. Over the rest of the winter, she didn't even slip. They are consistently water resistant (I sprayed them with footwear Silicon twice before she wore them and suggested she spray them monthly). She has foot issues & needs solid support. Not only is the boot comfortable, they provide needed support. I bought her New Balance insoles and they work help too.She (and I) like her Bates boots so much, I recently ordered her a pair of Bates 5" boots for Spring & Summer months. The snow & ice is gone but she still needs to inspect damaged residences.
✔ Verified Purchase
Yes! Finally!
I am beyond happy with these boots! I finally have a pair as a first responder that when zipping up at three in the morning, don’t hurt my fingers. They zip up fast, smoothly and easily. I can say this with enthusiasm because my last boots were a nightmare that would not budge. The zipper became so difficult that my fingers would get a blood blister from frequent zips in the middle of the night. So you can imagine my simple happiness with these boots. They are comfortable to wear, light weight, and fit perfectly. I wear an 8.5 and ordered a 8.5. The toe box isn’t narrow at all which means my little piggies are comfortable. These boots really are a great and comfortable boot. It only took me two years to smarten up and buy them. Save yourself the trouble, just get them.
✔ Verified Purchase
