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- Verified Buyer
I absolutely love these shoes! I purchased them in navy, and based off other reviews ordered a half size bigger then I usually would. One of my feet is an 8, the other is an 8.5, so I split the difference and ordered a 9. They fit great and, most importantly (for me), they don’t pinch the ball of my foot. After wearing these for 3 days they’re breaking in nicely and are loosening up through the ball of the foot a bit. Like other reviewers said, these have basically no arch support. I’ve noticed it more with thin socks than with medium weight hiking socks, and it hasn’t bothered me so far. I did purchase a pair of dress shoe Superfeet insoles, but was sent the wrong size so I can’t comment on whether or not they significantly improve the fit/feel.These are constructed with high quality Charles F. Stead suede leather which is a beautiful, rich navy that looks almost black depending on the light. It’s much thicker than I was expecting and smooth on the reverse, which makes these easy take on and off while wearing socks. The leather is breaking in beautifully, not creasing or folding but slowly molding to the shape of my foot. I highly recommend spraying these boots with a suede protectant before wearing them. I used a can of Wilson’s suede protectant I had laying around, which did not darken or change the look of the leather. As with all suede, don’t use any creams, liquids, waxes, or polishes on these or you will significantly alter the look and of the suede.Regarding the sole - if you’re unfamiliar with the crepe sole, make sure you know what you’re getting into before buying these! Crepe soles look like they should be super grippy, but they aren’t, and if it rains they’ll pretty much betray you. Crepe soles aren’t water resistant, and they permanently pick up dirt, blackening over time. I specifically bought these shoes because I bike to work and I wanted something I could comfortably bike in, that would still be work-appropriate. These absolutely fit the bill. Although they’re a bit more slippery on the pedals than a pair of sneakers, they’re still it’s a thousand times better than a pair of leather sole shoes, and they’re holding up far better to the pedal grip studs than my leather sole shoes and my sneakers with foam soles. Since they’re navy, I also don’t have to worry as much about road dirt than I would with a lighter pair.Overall, if you’re looking for a nice, casual, comfortable boot, go ahead and get these! I highly recommend the navy- it’s a super versatile color and a bit more sophisticated than the more traditional (ie, common) sand or beeswax, in my opinion.
