Tips on Sizing...Best Boots I've Ever Owned!!
best boots review on FRYE Womens Harness 12R Charcoal
These boots are amazing! I bought them in the tan color, and wasn't expecting them to be already distressed-looking since they didn't appear that way in the photo. When they arrived, though, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have that broken-in look already to them.
After reading a lot of reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere, I decided to go with the common advice of ordering a half-size down, and I'm glad I did. I usually wear a 7 1/2 in boots and shoes, and the 7 fit perfectly. What I read on-line said that you know you have the right fit when the heel area is loose; they will eventually mold to your foot, and you will no longer feel your heel sliding in them, which is exactly what I found to be the case.
I also had no problems breaking them in. I wore them around the house for a few hours over the weekend, out for two hours yesterday, and wore them for eight hours on my feet teaching today -- and didn't need to put on my back-up shoes that I had brought with me (expecting that these would hurt after a while). They were comfy and great all day!
These are almost a cross between a motorcycle boot and an equestrian boot -- and they definitely are smokin'! I got compliments on them all day today, and love how classically stylish they are. While the motorcycle look is currently trendy, these boots have such a classic look to them that I know I will be able to wear them for years to come.
UPDATE 3/20/10: Just wanted to update my review to say that the more you wear these boots , the more broken in and comfy they get. Every time I wear them, I also get so many compliments on them! A friend of mine from work also mentioned to me that she's had her Frye boots for about ten or fifteen years, and they are still going strong. She's had to get them re-soled a few times, but they look great after all those years.
Just received the boots (Harness 12R) and they are beautiful! I could tell as soon as I put them on they would be very comfortable. I was concerned about a 2 inch heel but you can barely tell. I wear a size 9 to 9 1/2 and I ordered a 9. They fit perfect. With just the right amount of slip on the heel and not too tight in the toe box. I am sooo excited for Autumn!! Highly recommended!
ReplyDeleteI ordered mine last week and I love it! I have the tan colored and boy oh boy Im very happy to have it but I wrote this to tell you that i normally buy 8 1/2 for shoes and everyone say it run large and it is! I gamble and bought 8 and they are right, it fits me and more i can also wear a thick socks and no problem. I appreciate all the review It sure help me to decide especially the size! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThese boots are the highest quality and best fitting boots I've ever had the pleasure of owning. I bought the Tan color in a size 10, originally, but had to return them for a size 11 because there wasn't enough room in the toe box. By going from a 10 to an 11, I gained about a half inch in foot length and about a 1/4 inch on either side of the foot so I had more room for my toes. There was also more room in the calf. My feet aren't wide but my calves are. I'm normally a size 11 in running shoes and a size 10-11 in dress shoes, and the 11 fits great. The 10 was VERY difficult to get on, and I could only wear them with very thin socks. I could tell just by walking around my apartment that they were too small.
ReplyDeleteBeware of other reviews that tell you to buy 1/2 size down. I can imagine those individuals were looking for a snugger fit, and may have narrower feet, but I was looking for comfort. I usually wear boots for fall and winter, and knew I wanted to be able to wear a thicker sock, plus some kind of cushion insole for added comfort. I can do that with the size 11. I'm just over 5'8", athletic build, huge calves (17.5" at the widest part) and the 12R fits just fine -- the boot shaft ends before the fullest part of the calf. For the size 11's the boot shaft circumference is about 16 3/4 inches, hits at mid-lower calf, and I still have about an inch of room to tuck in jeans.
TIPS FOR SIZING: When I first got the 10's they were a bit snug, but I thought they would mold to my foot. However, I then read a lot of information about the way western boots are supposed to fit. I had pressure on my pinkie toes and the boots were very difficult to get on, even after pulling them on and off a few times. According to what I read, you should always try your western boots on with a thicker sock, and there should be about a finger's width of heel slippage in the back of your foot, which will lessen as you wear them. You should not have pressure on your outer toes, and you should be able to wiggle your toes easily in the boot. Also, the toe box is constructed of resin-dipped cloth layers, which harden a great deal before it is covered with the leather for the toe box, so the toe box WILL NOT STRETCH OR MOLD to your foot!! If they don't fit right in the toe box, get a half size or a whole size up depending on the thickness of socks you intend to wear. Only the heel and sole will mold to your foot. Also, fun fact -- western cowboy boots were constructed with the raised heel for keeping the rider's foot in the stirrup, and they were supposed to be loose enough to come off the rider in case he/she fell off the horse so the rider wouldn't get dragged to death while the horse ran off. I know it's a pain to return online stuff, but these boots should be VERY COMFORTABLE if they fit you right and it's totally worth it to exchange for the right sizing.
So, good luck finding your size in these boots. They're made in the USA, they're well-made, and I know they'll last a lifetime. They look great under pants or over jeans. I am already plotting my next purchase. I also purchased the Frye Leather Conditioning cream for boot care and maintenance. I saved a bunch off the retail price buying the boots from here. Thank you Amazon!
I love my Frye boots! I own several pairs of the 12R Harness boots and they are so comfortable. They do run a little big, so I always order a half size down (I generally wear an 8, but in Frye boots I order a 7.5), but I have also found that are a little narrow around the toe area. I have narrow feet to begin with, so if you have wider feet, you may run into some trouble.
ReplyDeleteIf your boots are tight in a couple of areas, I will also suggest getting your boots professionally stretched by a cobbler. I live in a rather remote mountain town that doesn't have a shoe repair shop, so I bought a wooden shoe stretcher and some spray to stretch out the few spots that were tight. It worked really well and now I have room for all of my toes so that they aren't squished.
These boots look great with everything - jeans, corduroy pants and long skirts especially. If you are looking for some boots with a little attitude, I highly recommend them!
These are, by far, the most comfortable boots I have ever owned! I am a huge fan of Dansko clogs, and these Frye boots are just as comfortable and sturdy! They run a bit on the large side, about a half size difference. You will love them!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Does not begin to explain how great these boots really are! I followed the advice from many of the other reviewers and went with a half size smaller (I'm usually an 8 and I went with a 7 1/2) this proved to be perfect. I also have very muscular calves and have never found a boot with ample enough room these are them! Right out of the box the quality was obvious, the leather was soft like butter and the stitching was magnificent. I needed these boots for school as a welder and for play! They have held up to the abuse I have shown them and with a little saddle soap to clean them up I can wear them out on the town the same day. I would highly recommend these boots to anyone for work, school or play! I will enjoy them for many years to come!
ReplyDeleteBought these in my regular size, which gives a "roomy" fit. Considered getting a size smaller, but felt it would be too tight on my bunions, and also felt I wouldn't be able to wear a decent-weight sock. They are breaking in beautifully. My husband (who knows about stuff like this) explained to me that the sliding in the heel was the proper fit and would stop as the boots were broken in (he was right!). He also said that if the boot is snug in the heel when you try it on, it is not a proper fit. Also, the tan color is a beautiful distressed leather.
ReplyDeleteI purchased my boots in brown from Nordstroms (on a whim, and just before my wallet was stolen)! I vowed to wear the boots every day until all my accounts were settled and I had all my new id's in. Here's a summary.
ReplyDeleteDay 1 consisted of running my hands over the soft leather and admiring the buckles all day.
Day 2 was a little painful- I was on my feet all day, and I have high arches. I remedied this by adding insoles (they remain to this day!).
Days 3=7 was also painful. The seam just above the bucks was getting worn in to my ankle, and caused some sore spots. I rubbed a little oil in soften it a bit more, and wore thick socks.
After two weeks, the shoes were fully broken in, and my satisfaction took off. I wear them with everything. I get many compliments (from men and women). I need to get the pads on the base of the heels replaced, since they did fall off (these are consumable, in my opinion), and would highly recommend insoles, especially if you also have high arches. I wore these for six months straight, and only wore something else when my Frye Campus boots came in. They have a lovely patina now, and I'm sure I'll be wearing them for many years.
I have collected quite a few colors/forms of the frye harness boot and was thrilled to find it in this color. A great purple, not too loud but definitely purple. Oddly, it goes very well with more colors than you would think.
ReplyDeleteThe fit is more "feminine" than some of my other frye harness boots. The heel fits better and it feels overall more "fitted" and less clunky. The 7.5 perfectly fits my average size 8 foot. I tend to prefer these boots with a very thin sock, even a hosiery type sock. I don't think buying a larger size and wearing a thicker sock gives as good a fit. The only downside--the leather doesn't have that thick, waxy, "lux" feel that some of the older colors/models have. Still very nicely made though and makes other lines of boots feel really cheesy in comparision. You won't regret these at all. May be tough for a wide foot though.
These boots are amazing! I bought them in the tan color, and wasn't expecting them to be already distressed-looking since they didn't appear that way in the photo. When they arrived, though, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have that broken-in look already to them.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading a lot of reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere, I decided to go with the common advice of ordering a half-size down, and I'm glad I did. I usually wear a 7 1/2 in boots and shoes, and the 7 fit perfectly. What I read on-line said that you know you have the right fit when the heel area is loose; they will eventually mold to your foot, and you will no longer feel your heel sliding in them, which is exactly what I found to be the case.
I also had no problems breaking them in. I wore them around the house for a few hours over the weekend, out for two hours yesterday, and wore them for eight hours on my feet teaching today -- and didn't need to put on my back-up shoes that I had brought with me (expecting that these would hurt after a while). They were comfy and great all day!
These are almost a cross between a motorcycle boot and an equestrian boot -- and they definitely are smokin'! I got compliments on them all day today, and love how classically stylish they are. While the motorcycle look is currently trendy, these boots have such a classic look to them that I know I will be able to wear them for years to come.
UPDATE 3/20/10: Just wanted to update my review to say that the more you wear these boots, the more broken in and comfy they get. Every time I wear them, I also get so many compliments on them! A friend of mine from work also mentioned to me that she's had her Frye boots for about ten or fifteen years, and they are still going strong. She's had to get them re-soled a few times, but they look great after all those years.
ReplyDelete