Well lets start with the sizing... They do run a little big. I'm a size 10 usually. i had to return these and I got a size 9 1/2. I probably could have even got a size 9 , but these were fine. There was another problem, when they sent me the size 9 1/2, they were sent me the plain black, when I ordered the antiqued black. I just didn't want to wait another few weeks for them so I kept them. They were really stiff. I felt that it took a little longer to break in then a regular pair of boots. But now they are nicely broken in, and I love them. Very high quality, thick leather, nice stitching. The insides are a nice smooth leather. Very comfortable. The only thing I was dissapointed with was the tread.  I wore the boots about 7 or 8 times and the treads on the bottom are almost bald ! I don't understand it. You spend over $300 and you don't think the treads will wear out after wearing them a handful of times. I have a pair of boots that I wore almost every day for 2 years and they have a bigger tread ! Oh well. I do like them though...