kristinafh's Full Review: David Tate Cruise Leather for Women
One of the reasons I can tolerate winter is that I can get away with wearing dresses and skirts that hit around the calf area, with some nice (comfortable boots), and most importantly - NO HOSE!
Over the years, I have found myself purchasing boots more for the style factor than for the comfort factor. But two things have happened this past winter which changed that.
First, I've gotten old. 41 to be exact. These joints and muscles aren't what they used to be :).
Second, due to the medication I am currently taking, (unfortunately), my calves are about 1-2 inches larger than they normally are. I didn't know this until I went to put my regular boots on earlier in the season and when they wouldn't zip up past a point - well - I cried.
Girls - you understand this, don't you? I mean, shoes (and boots) can really make/break your outfit and when you can't zip those pups up - it seems like the end of the world.
Before this happened to me, I had absolutely no clue that all boots didn't fit all women (when it came to the calf area). Seriously - no idea. I had to surf the net and find out that yes Virginia, there were others who were in the same boat as me.
So this past winter, I set off in search of something perfect.
My requirements were pretty simple.
• They had to fit - ankle, calf, toe.
• They had to be high enough so that they would overlap (underneath) with my dresses/skirts (so that I wouldn't have to wear hose). Also remember, I am about 5'10" so high enough to me and high enough to the average woman is usually two totally different things.
• They had to be not gaudy.
Other than that - I was not even looking for majorly stylish and I decided to put price out of my mind.
Bottom-line: It was more important that I find boots that I could be happy with for a long time.
I went to places like DSW - thinking I'd find what I needed and could walk out the door with the perfect pair of boots that day.
Nada.
Wide-calf boots are pretty much a scarcity.
Wide-calf boots that don't make you look like Grandma are even rarer.
I had to turn to the internet and after some research, I came to David Tate Cruise Leather Boots.
David Tate Cruise Leather Boots range in size (women's 5 to women's 13 with half sizes) and width (standard, wide, wide wide).
Side thought: Honestly, when I first saw them online, I wasn't all that excited. They were okay looking but nothing I would probably buy if my calves weren't the issue.
Here's why they made my short list.
• They had varying degrees of wide-calf fit (more on this later)
• They measured 16 inches from the heel on up.
• They had a 2 + inch solid, but not "granny" heel.
• They were a soft leather (comes in the colors of black and brown).
• They had rounded toes.
• It was a well-reviewed boot by women who were facing the same difficulties that I had/have faced re: changes in calf width.
Now, deciding on what size to buy was quite a dilemma for me. In rounded toe, tall shaft boots, I wear a 10. If the toe is pointier, I will try either a 10W or an 11. There's even been an occasion when I've had to purchase 11W because of the narrowness of a particular manufacturer.
David Tate Cruise Leather Boots though, are measured differently than you would think. Instead of thinking about the width of your foot bed - think about the width of your calf.
• Medium width – approximately 14-16 inches.
• Wide width – approximately 16-18 inches.
• Wide Wide width – approximately 18-20 inches.
When I measured my calves - one was 17 3/4 and the other was 18. Which to order???? The Wide width or the Wide Wide width? Based upon availability of the retailer I was ordering from, I purchased the Wide Width.
In person, the boot was much more impressive than the picture. The buckles that I wasn't a big fan of, seemed more subtle so I didn't mind them. The side, inside zip of the boot gave my foot easy access. I was quite pleased by how roomy the foot bed area felt. My toes, which are the ugliest things you'll ever come across, were very comfortable.
The leather was nice and soft. The scrunch look of the boot was professional in a casual way.
When I zipped them up, they were snug in the calf area on one side and they fit fine on the other side. It was quite a dilemma - should I keep them and work on stretching the one side out? Or, should I get the bigger size and risk swimming in them (or worse yet - having them not stay up on my legs).
I went ahead and kept them to see how much stretch they would give. It took a few hours of wear to have enough stretch in the calf area (for the larger calf) and once that occurred, everything felt great.
The other side stayed the same.
SO - how were they to walk in? The first time - GREAT. The second time, I was silly and I wore thinner socks underneath. BAD BAD. The blisters I got were primarily on the bottom/front of my feet (as opposed to the normal area - the back heel).
Never again. From that time forward, I wore thicker socks. Doing that - I never had another issue with foot soreness or blisters again.
SO - how were they with my clothing? They matched perfectly and I received many compliments. The neat thing is that no one said - gee, what big calves you have!!! They were admiring the quality and sleekness of the leather.
As far as keeping them clean - that's easy to do. Just wipe them off and don't subject them to silly, harsh cleansers.
SO - you may ask - it's April, why are you choosing to post this now? Just last week, I was searching around the net and saw where places are selling these for half-price. Since they normally sell for $155, getting them at half that - is a downright STEAL.
If you're facing this dilemma re: wide calves, and are concerned about finding something that makes you not stick out like a sore thumb - I highly recommend that you check out these boots. And do it soon - get a great price now instead of waiting for September, when they are sure to push the price back up to $155.
Calf measurements: ; Medium width approximately 14-16 inches. ; Wide width approximately 16-18 inches. ; Wide Wide width approximately 18-20 inches...More at Zappos.com
Calf measurements: ; Medium width approximately 14-16 inches. ; Wide width approximately 16-18 inches. ; Wide Wide width approximately 18-20 inches...More at Zappos.com
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