I was at least able to get the boot over my 16" calf, but it took a little tugging to pull it up. I still don't think the boot is quite all the way up, given how much ankle baggage i'm experiencing. Also, I have narrow feet (AA), but I'm usually able to fudge with a pair of wool socks. Not so with this boot. I've got the 8.5 on my biggest foot w/ my boot-wearing socks & the thing is flopping ALL OVER my foot. I think there's also a bit of extra toe length - I had to double-check the shoe to make sure it was really an 8.5M (it was). The lining & insole are really comfortable, though.

Aesthetically, the boot is beautiful. The color is a little different from what you see on the picture (I got the brown). The reddish-looking part is definitely more red-looking... kind of brandy-burgundy, whereas the belt/buckle piece is just a deeper version of that. I thought that piece was more chocolate & was excited that it would match my wardrobe. Alas, shades of the whole boot are different from what I expected. See the customer images for what they look like IRL.

I want to give these four stars, but I just can't because of the sizing issue. If I had the money to just keep random $200 boots around, I'd do it. Alas, these are going back to Amazon. i haz teh sadz...