Chippewa Apache Lace-Up Boot

Well, first review ever, though I've probably read thousands when purchasing. Figure I should help some other people out. These boots are incredibly well constructed. And so comfortable! I could have probably walked 15 miles in them out of the box. I did order a half size smaller than my norm because I read they run large. They are still a tad large and maybe I could have ordered a full size smaller than my normal size. Having said that, they fit my wide feet with narrow heels very well. I got the 10ee. I am also prone to bunionettes (like a bunion but on the outside of the foot) and all shoes are terrible to break in, especially boots. Soem shoe break-ins leave me nearly crippled. I hate breaking in boots. These boots are perfect, however. I am currently suffering the misfortune of living in SE Michigan and took my pup out on some really sloppy, wet, slushy trails yesterday while it was raining. My feet were perfectly dry. I did treat the boots with obenaufs as soon as i got them. These boots are styley, functional, super comfy, surprisingly light-weight, with excellent traction, and I imagine they will be very durable for the long haul. I destroy equipment/shoes and a large reason I bought them was durability. I don't think I will be disappointed. I don't think many people would be disappointed with a purchase of these boots. Go for it!

I'm writing this review in an effort to clear up some issues regarding this boot. I now own five pairs of Chippewa boots (including these Choco Apaches) and every pair is first rate. Good leather, good fit, good build, tough. I own packers, and loggers and the Wellington boot, all bought on Amazon over the course of the past five or six years. I bought these Apaches this past week because I like their look better than the Wolverine 1000 Mile Evans boots I also own and which now cost $400. The Apaches are more of a "work" boot, though a nice-looking work boot. The Woverines have that old Up in the Holler Makin' Moonshine look as well, but they are dressier. The guy dancing at the gas pump in the movie Deliverance, would have worn the Apaches, not the 1000 Mile Evans. The Apaches have the great Vibram lug sole which insures no-slipping when you put your foot down while riding a motorcycle. The smoother Vibram sole on the Wolverines is good, but would slip before the lug sole does. The slightly larger fit works for me because I have both wide feet and a high arch. I found the boots to be comfortable out of the box. They are not "seconds." They come with the American flag. They are perfect. They will get worn more often than the 1000 Mile Evans boots, but I like them both for their intended purpose. Addendum: After posting this review I pulled the laces and applied a coat of Obenauf''s. Unlike the Woverine 1000 Mile Evans boots which retained their basic color after the Obenauf's application, the chocolate brown of the Chippewa Apaches appears lost forever. The leather turned a very dark brown immediately. As the Obenauf's was absorbed the leather edged back toward its original color, but is still darker than I'd like it to be. That said, the boot still looks terrific.

I rated it 4/5 because the first pair that I received seems like it was from a different production lot and was poorly made compared to the second pair I received. The leather had some funky discolouration going on, some loose threads and the leather piece that was sewn to the vibram sole was all banged up. The box had a tear in it and the soles were dirty, so I suspect that someone else had tried it before me. Also, the sizing was weird, Amazon stated that size 8 was a 41 but on the box it was a 41.5. I sent requested to get sent back and as usual, Amazon's customer service was excellent, and they made the process a easy and fuss free one. I exchanged it for a half a size down and it now fits perfect. The boots came in a totally different box, I guess its the new lot of production because the previously mentioned leather pieces were looking much better. It had its edge bevelled and it was without kinks and a weird coat like the previous ones. The boots were also very comfortable the moment I put it on which is great as breaking into them will be a much less painful experience. Overall, I must say I am very impressed with the boots that I have now as well as Amazon's AMAZING customer service. EDIT: After wearing it several times, I found out that the leather on the boots though it looked amazing, it was somewhat inconsistent. One side was stiffer than the other, making the two boots feel as if it they were of different sizes. The creases set in differently as well which kinda bothered me but I can live with that. The tongue of the boot for the soft side does not stay in the middle, it starts to shift to the left which is really irritating.

The boots were very nice, especially given the price (I paid a little over $170). I'd give them 5 stars but they were WAY too big. I wear a 12 in pretty much everything, including Nike shoes. I ordered the 11.5 because I was told they run slightly large. If i slid my toes to the front of the boot wearing a wool sock, I had almost 2 finger widths of space between the boot and my heel - usually I wear a size that I can't even slide 1 finger between. And for those who own Clarks desert boots, order the same size you would wear in those.

Great boots. I purcahsed to use as a light winter boot (no insulation). The lug soles provide great traction. The fit was spot on.