I was a bit apprehensive about ordering these boots based on the other review about the bronze glaze. And I admit, my heart sank when I pulled the boots out of the box and found that, yes indeed, they did have that weird bronzey look. However, they fit SO well and looked SO beautiful that I decided I could live with it. But I didn't have to! I always condition my new boots with Frye Boot Conditioner (in a round black tin) - and as I was doing this, the bronze glaze disappeared! The cloth I was using to apply the conditioner got really black - so I guess the bronze stuff was some kind of protectant on the leather that rubbed off when I rubbed the conditioner on. The boots are completely matte black now and I am delighted. The Elena is THE perfect boot for skinny calves. They do not gape on my legs, they don't have any stupid elastic goring, and there is no zipper to mess around with. The leather is so soft and I bought them especially for that wonderful lug sole (after slipping around in my leather-soled Campus boots for too long). I love them and highly recommend them (oh, and I also think they run a 1/2 size big, as is usually the case with Frye boots, my normal shoe size is a 7 - I purchased a 6 1/2 in these and they fit perfectly).