I debated between the three-layer and five-layer, knowing the three-layer Minnetonka is more popular and thinking the five-layer may be too 'out there'. I decided on the five-layer and am thrilled - I am 5'9" tall, and the boot comes a few inches below my knees. I put them on straight out of the box, wearing them the entire day on my bare feet and felt like I was wearing comfortable slippers! I had read some reviews in which the fringe wasn't fully separated and had to be straight-razored apart, so I looked for that immediately and found them all perfectly separated. I usually wear a size 9 1/2, ordered a 10, and it fits perfectly, with room enough to fit winter socks if I need to.(I have the tramper boots in different colors,and bought them in size 9, thinking they would stretch - and they did. I went with other reviewers who said that the five-layer runs smaller, and they are right - order up) The black suede is beautiful,the fringe dances when I walk, but not so much that the boot stands out too much on it's own as part of an outfit. I thought the ankle might be too narrow and give the boot an awkward silhouette, but I was happily wrong and will be incorporating this as a basic into my wardrobe. If you can find it, buy it - you'll love it for years.