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- Verified Buyer
Great light and fit greatThese boots are a breath of fresh air. I came into these from a pair of Georgia loggers and let me just say, there is no comparison. This is a top notch boot, from A to Z.First, the break in. I walk 3mi each and every weekday; that is 15mi a week. These boots were never very hard on my heels or feet, but they did rub while the broke in. This pair took 1 week, or 15mi, to break in about 90%. I did get a couple blisters, but nothing bad or painful. After the first week, the second was just a little more stretching to perfectly fit my foot. Overall I give the break-in 4of5 stars.Next is the comfort. This boot has it! A very soft insole is included. I usually buy an aftermarket insole because the included ones are usually pretty full of suck; that is not the case for this Ariat. I gotta say though, I don't think it is the soft insole that makes this boot so comfy. I literally feel like my step is corrected to near perfection when I walk. Not really sure how else to explain it, but everything just feels right. This effect is so desirable that I am probably a life-time customer now as a result of just that factor. My guess is that this feeling is the result of that carbon-fiber forked shank and a new design on the outsole, combined with the EVA mid.Toughness is so far so good. the full grain leather will scuff easy, but that should be expected. It does work into a fantastic looking piece of leather over time. All the stitching is rock solid so far with no signs of wear. The sole is dirty, but not worn down. Just a hunch, but I think this sole is going to have to be replaced in 6mo or so; it doesn't seem to me to be tough enough, but I could be wrong.Overall, I would instantly, without question, buy this boot again and will do so if I ever need to. I'm very glad my friend wasn't able to successfully talk me into a pair of Justins; these are exactly what I want in a boot.When you are working 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week you need a comfortable boot. Ariats are just that.When the sole finally came loose and the padding fell out on my old pair of Ariat work boots of several years, I had no issues with hopping on here and ordering a new pair online. I have owned several Ariats over the years and know my size and what to expect.The composite toe is great. My previous pair was a steel toe, so I used them mostly for work and limited use on my property and in my own shop due to the extra weight. The composite toe makes the boot barely any heavier than a non-safety toe, so I have been gladly wearing these every day since they arrived about a week ago to get them broke in.Like any slip on boot that "fits" they will be a little tight at first. The first hour or so was a bit brutal as they were tight in the toes and around the top of my foot. After a handful of hours they loosened up around the top. After a day or two they got to where they fit just right.I have been working in construction for 20 year’s plus and have always had to either replace boots every year but these are the best investment in work boots I have ever made. They are comfortable and my feet don’t hurt after a 10 to 12 hour day and I use to have to wear corn pads but since I bought these boots I no longer need them. AWESOME boots. By the way I own 3 pairs. Also wear them on the weekend.Ordered these for my husband. He wears Ariat boots exclusively. He has ordered online and locally purchased several pair - always the same size. It is common for them to fit snug for the first few days, but have always stretched to become extremely comfortable. This pair seems to be defective. The right boot is obviously not the same size as the left. The left boot is fitting as expected after 3-4 days of wear. The right boot still seems like it is 2 sizes too small. Both boots are marked with the correct size, but cannot possibly be close. Since my husband expected them to stretch as all his previous pairs have, he added mink oil to waterproof and soften the leather. Therefore likely making them non-returnable. At this point it seems that we have simply wasted $200, since he will have to go buy another pair somewhere else if we cannot get them exchanged. ADVICE TO YOU if you purchase from this seller is to return them immediately if both boots do not fit exactly the same. There is apparently zero quality control prior to shipping.I recommend buying your Ariat boots elsewhere.UPDATE:Amazon was very quick to send a replacement pair. Although the new boots are still a bit tight, they definitely fit differently. There is still some issues with quality control as I compared these with Ariat boots I bought prior. I also noticed that even though the style/model number of the boots were exactly what I ordered, the first pair were made in Vietnam, the replacement pair was made in China. I raised my review to 2 stars only because Amazon was very quick to send replacement.I have only been wearing these for 3 days but wow. I bought these boots to replace a pair of Dr. Marteens which actually may have a better slip resistant sole but not nearly as comfortable after over 1 year of wear as these were right out of the box. Very comfortable boots and it does feel like they may be correcting a slight outside over-rotation in my ankles. I order a 1/2 size larger than normal because I was concerned with the tapered toe which has worked out well as I have enough room without feeling they are too big or dangling on my feet. The composite toe is nice and light as well. I did not get the waterproof model but I have been wearing these in the rain and so far my feet have been dry. The leather does scuff easily but that will be resolved after I go over them with saddle soap a time or two. Overall, the best pair of boots I have owned in the past 16 years.They don’t stand up to wet conditions as I’d like them too. However, so many boots don’t! And, if you buy from Cal Ranch, regardless, if you’ve owned them 1 month or 1 week, if they come apart, and they show ANY signs of wear, AT ALL... CalRanch WILL NOT replace, or refund!Husband only wears this brand and style for workWow, great fit, comfortable insoles, the boots are out of this world in regards to quality. The composite toe is quite large but this gives you some wiggle room where the steel toed versions tend to lack.
