What a way to discover that New Zealand "multiple sizing" (as we call it) is *not* UK sizing (as I suspect many Kiwis believe) and is possibly not even directly translatable to US sizing either. Global standard anyone? Hello?!

In most shoes I'm a New Zealand women's size 9.5/UK men's 7 and after much research into sizes and measurements through conversion charts, I decided to plump for an 11 US (being a UK women's size 9.5 on the Amazon chart). BWARP! Should have got a US 10.5 (or even a US 10). It is too much of a hassle to return these to the USA from here. Luckily (?) for me, I have a broken toe and the extra size up is just what I needed to allow for swelling and/or strapping. I just have to wear two pairs of thick socks on the other foot.

The boots are very warm and will need much wearing in due to their solid construction. Delicate petal feet should not attempt to break these in. They are a looser fit around the mouth than I would usually wear. I mistook the presence of a zip as necessity due to a much tighter fit around the ankle. It isn't really that tight so legging wearers will be happy. The soles are grippy. I have yet to test the claim that these are waterproof but will come back to this review when I do to deliver results. I note though that the zip is well set behind a leather cover to stop zip leaks.

I was expecting much more arch support from this boot than there is. Fortunately, the innersole can be removed to allow for orthotics. The 'massage bumps' on the standard innersole are... interesting. I will hopefully be able to give some more feedback on these after a good solid use of the shoe.

I would like to see Clarks make a taller version of this boot. My feet are so toasty that my lower calves are envious.