GREAT PULL-ON BOOTS! NO ZIPPERS!!
These boots are EXCELLENT as long as you understand what you are getting. The leather is fake, but that doesn't mean they look fake. They look sensational! They won't be as durable as real leather knee-high boots of this style, but they will absolutely do the job for your Ren Fest/Pirate or Jedi-wanna-be outfits & everything in between. Also, you won't have to care for them like you would with real leather. Sure, you can do the best you can, but the super grippy soles with the nice 1-inch heels are glued to the fake leather. In my experience, that will eventually come apart. At that point, you can either re-glue it (if possible) or you buy a new pair. Even well made footwear eventually wear out. I'm sure these will last longer for stage performers than for LARPers or Ren Fest people. Being outdoors with them in the dust, dirt, rain, uneven ground, & the rocks will take their toll on these boots faster than a stage. They will thrive in an indoor/stage environment. I haven't personally tested them outdoors yet, but will update this review when I do. All photos posted do a great job of showing how the boots look. They are just what I was looking for: dashing appearance, affordable, knee-high length in the shaft, no zippers, relatively durable material. You can even have them fold over to make a cuff below your knee or fold them in to have no visible cuff at all. I like the slouchy look & they stay up very well when I tuck my pant legs into them. If you want them to fit tighter, these may not be what you need. Oh, and you'll need inserts FOR SURE! There is little to no support inside these boots where your feet come to rest. For sizing, I wear a 10.5 running shoe & a Size 11 hiking boot to accommodate thicker socks. I ordered TWO pairs of these boots after reading the reviews--a Size 11 and a 11.5--to make sure I would get the right fit. I tried on the Size 11 first with my inserts & hiking boot socks & the fit was nearly perfect. I tried the 11.5 & my heel slipped around a little. Not terrible, but a little. Both would work, but the Size 11 held my foot better. So, a half size up from your running shoe is my recommendation. The fit is not tight, but those with wide feet may want to do their research. I did not notice a bad smell with these boots as other reviewers have noted. They smell like new boots. I have owned a few pairs of faux leather boots before & these are pretty darn nice for HALF the money.***UPDATE***: I've worn these to a few outdoor Ren Fests after waterproofing them. They performed brilliantly, but they didn't get a lot of exposure to water. I went to a thinner dress sock while wearing them because with the addition of inserts & hiking boot socks, it turned out to be too much & hurt my toes by the end of the day. Were my legs & feet warm? Sure. Did they sweat like some reviewers said? A little, but only on REALLY hot & humid days with a lot of walking around. Were they comfortable? YES! Inserts make ALL the difference. Get good ones. The long leg shafts would fall down my leg a little over time as I walked, but I fixed that with leather strips wrapped around the outside of the boots where your calf & your knee come together. Then, I folded the cuff over it to conceal them. I will get leather garters eventually for a little more class & authenticity. I think these boots are almost perfect & were just what I was looking for. I will probably get a Brown pair. too.