I needed a summery boot that was good for walking or riding a bike, would work well with skirts or jeans, and was appropriate for the lab. These fit the bill perfectly. I have been buying Steve Madden shoes for a long time, and have noticed that the quality varies pretty wildly; I think it depends on which factory they're made in. The pair that I received was made in Mexico and the leather is sturdy but soft, matte and almost buttery. The zipper is brass. The entire boot looks and feels well-made. These are roomier than most of my Steve Madden boots (I wear a size 10) even though the boot looks slim and isn't as long as other boots which have a snugger fit, in particular my Timberlands. I considered sending them back for a 9.5, but then decided that I didn't want to take the risk of ending up with boots that were too snug, and this way I can wear insoles, or bulkier socks in the winter. Overall I  think this is a great boot at the price (I paid less than $70) if you end up with a pair from Mexico or China and not one from India, which seems to be what most of the complaints are about. If you do get a pair that seems low-quality, I would just exchange them.