As is the trend with so many boots these days, the toe area is burnished to be a different (darker) color than the rest of the boot.  This would be fine except that the two toes are rather different colors - one a darker gray, and the other a highly polished black.  I am assuming with time they will wear to match each other - it didn't seem worth exchanging them because I could end up with another pair with the same issue, and aside from this issue, I really like the shoes. I wear an 8.5 or 9, and the 8.5 fits well with room for thicker socks. I have athletic 14.5" calves, and the boots are snug without being too tight to wear leggings or skinny jeans.