Chippewa Men's 9" Waterproof Insulated Arctic 50 25492 Boot

I gave a five star rating because the boots are built superbly. Nice leather, great materials and great craftsmanship.I'm absolutely positive they'll keep my feet warm in any situation (I mainly got them for when I ride my motorcycle during the winter).On the other hand, I simply can't remember seeing enough reviews about 'break-in' or 'how they fit as new'. I normally read all reviews, sometimes twice, on a product to help me make a better informed decision. Unfortunately the reviews weren't there for the two topics above or I simply missed them somehow (gettin' old and probably needin' reading glasses at 52! lol).I normally wear a 10.5 boot, even steel-toed boots. These boots are *extremely* tight if you buy them in your normal size! So tight circulation got lost to my toes in my left foot and I finally couldn't stand it anymore and had to remove the boots.I whole-heartedly recommend that if you get these boots, buy a minimum half-size larger than your normal boot size. You can wear thin socks with these boots and I'm sure they'll still keep ones feet more than nice and warm.These boots also don't need to be mink-oiled (or whatever water-proofer you prefer)...the leather is a good leather that won't take it in very well and besides the boot is waterproofed with the Chippewa liner thing.Other than the sizing (get a half-size larger than your normal boot size! Really!), there's nothing wrong with these boots and are more than worth the cost of them. I'll eventually get these broke-in, it's just going to take longer than my normal because I got kinda screwed on the sizing and I'm hoping the waterproof lining thing doesn't interfere with the normal stretching of leather.

This is my second pair of these boots is the last nine years. I am amazed with proper treatment that a pair of boots can last this long. Being a boot with a stitched sole, in the nine years I did have a couple of set of soles replaced, but I wear these boots seven days a week sometimes. I am in the transportation industry and my boots get worked hard. These boots are quality from the word go. Warm enough to wear even on the coldest days and still comfortable enough to wear in the summer with proper waterproofing with a quality product these boots will last. I have nothing bad to say about the boot, even the cost is spot on. I still wear my original boots for knocking around and working in the yard. I am sure that this new pair will last just as long as the last.

Its a great boot, extremely warm, but just a little snug. Heavy Duty so it will take a while to break in for maximum comfort.

These are the best winter boots I've ever owned!!! I am a farmer in upstate NY where it gets cold with a lot of snow. While I haven't had these that long, I've spent many many hours, hunting deer this year through about a foot of snow without a problem. I have always had trouble keeping my feet warm but no issues with with these boots and have kept my feet dry, even after walking through the creek several times! I should say that before I wore these, I spent an hour sealing these with Snow-Seal which I have always used and highly recommend. I'm sure they were waterproof, but sealing them was extra insurance and protection! My only complaint is that Amazon doesn't offer these in size 13 3E, or 14 so these were a little tighter and break in was rough on my feet. I'm hard on boots by trade but there's no doubt that I will get many winters out these and I highly recommend them to anyone that has to work out in the cold! Also, they are made in the good ol USA!!! On a side note...i'd like to give Amazon a 5 star rating. I ordered these about 5pm one night with 1 day shipping and they arrived 3pm the very next day. You can't beat that!!!

Boots seem well made. Size seems to run small so suggest buying a size and width larger than you normally wear, maybe even 1 1/2 size larger. Feels like it will take some time to break in as they are quite stiff. Boot laces that come with boots are at least 6 inches too short; Cannot lace all the way up with original laces. Will leave more feedback after I wear these awhile. Feel like they will keep feet warm in extreme cold.Later comment.Contacted manufacturer about the laces being too short. They replied that they had never been informed about it and did not have any lengths of laces other than 72 inches or 108 inches and that the 108 would be too long. (Too long would be better than too short-could always cut them off but it is really hard to stretch the short ones.) What surprises me more is that it is very obvious that the manufacturer never tried on the boots and laced them up to test them. Research on-line confirms that other purchasers of Chippewa 9 inch boots also commented about the laces being too short. Does cause some concern about the quality control testing of the company's products and their willingness to listen to customer feedback.

When I read the reviews on these that people had owned them for 20 or 30 years I sort of wondered about those claims . But I bought a pair any way , I figured WTF I could always send them back . When I got them I actually busted out laughing , they are what every one says they are and that is INDISTRUCTABLE . When I put them on the first thing I thought was I won't live long enough to break them in LOL . I wear a size 11 and bought a size 13 because I wanted to install a very thick cushioned insole and be able to wear a super thick wool sock . The 13 was perfect with the insole and the heavier socks , if any thing they run a little small comparatively speaking which is common for this kind of insulated boot . IMHO these are a cold weather boot , I wouldn't want to wear them in the summer .TheReaper!