I was so disappointed when I tried these on. The laces and buckles are fake (I really wish they would just put that in the description.) Still, I thought they would be manageable.  They were simply too tight at the top, though.  It probably would have given just enough with some wear, but the way the banding is, they were just too uncomfortable.  The awkward part was how loose it was around the ankles.

These are going back. I'll find some decent boots with real laces, or at least average-sized openings.