OK first let me explain I'm a shoe FANATIC and can be a bit of a snob when it comes to quality.  I usually only want leather, but the distressed boots are SO expensive, so I took a chance on these. Happy to say I was not disappointed.  I'm an 8-8.5 so I got the 8.5. A wee bit long, but I didn't care, because they actually *look* smaller. Was afraid to send back as the 8 might have been to short. Plus I like to always put gel pads in my shoes. I'm VERY narrow so I don't  think this is a boot for wide foot gals sorry, but I know you'd like to know. The  stretch shoe strings are dyed to match in a distressed way as well. They look just fine, not really a problem. I *may* get some real leather ones tho as the shoe looks like real leather. Honestly you could fool plenty from afar. They'd need an up close look to know...Bonus was they came at warp speed, way before arrival date. Oh and the best of course and most important? NO BREAK IN TIME! Soft like butter and comfy all the way....hope this helps.