The leather was very stiff, and the boots were a bit tight for me at first. After applying some Obenauf's Leather Oil, the leather softened up, a lot, but they were still too tight for me. After researching various online sources, I learned about a technique for stretching leather boots. You put a trash bag inside each boot, fill them up with water, and place them in a freezer (or outdoors, if you live in the North Country). When the water freezes, it expands with a great deal of force and stretches out the leather. For some reason related to the properties of full grain leather, it remains stretched out. It does not contract back to its original size.
Of course, if I had purchased a 1/2 size larger, that also might've solved the problem, but I got a discounted online deal and did not want to incur any shipping charges, or to lose my discount, by sending them back.
In any event, they now fit perfectly, and the leather is softer and more comfortable. No more blisters, and I am happy with the boots.
These are a simple, but also well made boot, with no frills (no thinsulate, no goretex, no extra padding on the footbed. They do have a steel toe (these are my work boots).
I achieve waterproofing with the Obenauf's Oil, which also preserves, protects, and softens the leather. I also applied some beeswax (sno-seal product) to the seams and the welt. This combination is perfectly waterproof, and - as long as I am active - they are warm enough for most of the winter. My feet warm up from being active. There may be some days, when it drops down below 10 F, during which I would prefer to have some thinsulate, but those are relatively rare in my area. For my purposes, these are usually warm enough, and I appreciate saving $$$ by not buying thinsulate. Also, I do have some thinsulate hunting boots for those very cold days.
A simple, good quality work boot. For the discounted price, I am pleased.
