"While the outward appearance and the price of these boots were very appealing online, they were highly disappointing in person. When I opened the box, they had some marks on them that looked like dirt, but I was able to wipe them off. Even without wearing socks, I was barely able to get the boots on. I ordered my regular size of an 8.5. They did not feel like an 8.5, nor did they really feel like any other real size--more like some amalgamation of sizes resulting in an ill-fitting shoe. Some parts of the boot were extremely tight and others were tolerable. After an hour or so of trying to wear them, they became unbearable as they were cutting off circulation to my feet. Only someone with unnaturally skinny calves may be able to fit the ankles of these shoes, as I have relatively small calves myself. Also, the boot is actually just a combat boot without the laces that has had buckles attached to the outside. I was not able to tell this from the picture. As a result, there is an awkward tongue to the boot that slips around inside."