after looking at amazon and zappos for a while i came across this pair a few days ago and went for it. i think they're a brand new model for this brand as i haven't even seen this on their site.

at first i was unsure about the sizing and construction, as they're made in china, but they're actually a pretty good pair of boots for the price - relatively lightweight, flexible and smooth, rich leather - the leather itself may fall just a bit on the thin side, but it's well-conditioned and seems fairly durable. they seem pretty true to size (perhaps a 1/4 size larger, but nothing a pair of insoles can't make up - plus more cushion).

the best part is that there's really no break-in time. they're totally wearable out of the box. good inside padding makes for a good, supportive fit - they're easy on one's feet - pretty soft and comfortable. the rubber soles provide good traction, but they're not at all bulky or heavy like you see on some other boots with a similar look.

as far as the color/texture goes, they're just a bit shinier than pictured here on amazon (not matte like they appear in the photo), but retain that same nice deep dark brown color.

i guess i'll have to wear these for a few weeks to see how they turn out, but i'm happy overall with this purchase.
decent price and pretty good quality.