9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what I was looking for!, February 4, 2009
This review is from: EMU Australia Women's Bordeaux Boot (Apparel)
It's frustrating shopping for shoes online because you can so seldom get the kind of details you need to make a good decision, so I'm going to be as thorough as I can.
I chose these after shopping around a while, because I wanted reasonably attractive, solid, warm, knee-high boots with a low heel (are high-heeled winter boots even sane?) and no-nonsense tread for slippery snow and ice. The only downside is that these aren't waterproof, but I can do that myself and you can't have everything for under $100.
Size--in shoes, what does that even mean? Some people said these boots run big, others that they were sized accurately. I typically wear a 6 in sneakers, but in dress shoes and some boots I run a 5.5 or even sometimes a 5, so I wasn't sure what size to get, but I finally ordered a size 6. When I got them and put them on, they were tight in the toe, but that adjusted within 15 minutes or so, and they feel fine now. Either the leather stretched or the wool compacted a bit. They might even end up a little loose, but the lacings are arranged well so that I can tighten them comfortably. If you like thick socks, you'll have room for them.
I've got large calves for my size, but they fit well with no gaps in the front. I can even tuck my pant legs inside, which is just as well. The boots do fit under boot-cut jeans, but a little awkwardly. And there's no way these boots will chafe! That can be a major problem for me, but the wool lining is everywhere, so there's no way these'll end up rubbing my ankles raw.
Everything is double-stitched, the leather is durable, the fittings are sturdy, and the soles are solid. The tread feels reliable; not quite as hardcore as the lugged soles you'll see on some Skechers boots or Doc Martens, but the rubber grips well.
These boots are not quite as pretty as they look in the pictures. I still think they're fairly attractive, but once you get them on, you'll realize they mean business and they look like it. First and foremost, these are practical boots. The suede is not butter-soft or delicate. It's a bit rough in texture, not the kind you need to worry about being ruined on salted pavements, and I can tell it'll take waterproofing treatments well.
The wool, likewise, is not plushy, decorative fleece. It's *real wool* shorn off the sheep (be aware, anybody who's allergic to that stuff), so while it's as soft as any wool I've ever seen, it's still a coarser texture than a fuzzy flannel or fleece lining. I think it feels good, like I've got my feet wrapped in fluffy blankets. It's definitely warm! But it will compact down so it won't be as fluffy as it is now after I've used the boots for a little while.
I could pull off wearing these with a skirt or dress. They're not ugly, they just have a functional look to them.
[...].
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cute boots!, January 30, 2009
This review is from: EMU Australia Women's Bordeaux Boot (Apparel)
These boots are super cute and comfortable, I read where some people in the reviews I read thought the wool lining looked cheap, its merino wool! that is softest, finest wool you can get! hello!
I love them and I got a great price on them too!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
