I live in the state where the duck boot was created. I even live with 27 miles of two of that company's outlets. But those boots, unless I got the kind with the thinsulate and the padded liner, in the $200-$309 range, always rubbed on my heal or otherwise were abrasive. With the high price of food these days, a boot of that price is not possible. Knowing fall rains are here and winter is rapidly approaching, and my 14 yr old boots had cracked, the shopping quest was on! Used the 'try before you buy' program for several pairs of boots before I found this brand. Got tired of driving boxes 48 mrt to ship back. My feet are difficult. They are wide. They have very high arches. One is a 1/2 size smaller, and due to a poorly healed break, slightly crooked. Should I try these Wolverines? Or will it be just another return? The ratings warned about the narrow heel, but other than that, the ratings were really good. I have mobility issues. I kept reading the few reviews, over and over. I 'pulled the trigger' and paid up front, knowing they wouldn't be returned if they fit. When they arrived, I pulled them on, with thick boot socks with arch supports as part of the sock. They were tight, but so comfortable!!! No issue in my house, with the heel, which didn't appear thin to my eyes. I wondered if I could tolerate the tightness, and watched TV in them. My feet were too compressed. I took the boots off and checked every single stitch. Perfect!!! And four layers of stitching holding the leather to the rubber! The suede pull strap was strong! And the tread has grip. I have not found that to be so in the brand made in my state. My arches were comfortable, and the leather is thick and provides ankle support! Some folks said they tie them once, then use the side zip. I had never had a side zip boot. With my high arches, I have to unzip and loosen laces too, but it IS worth it! I've never had a duck boot that fit, didn't chafe, didn't slip and had support! Going through an exchange will be worth it and I did, ordering 1/2 size up. My feet, because of the issues, take an 8 or 8.5, so I would say that they are true to size. The 8.5 wide arrived and I held my breath. I had gone through this boot hunt in 2021 and finally gave up, only to repeat in 2022! No worries! A perfect fit! No need to keep the tag on and 'make sure'. I did a few household chores where my feet had to step over the hearth, etc. No problem! No blisters. Not even a rub as there boots are fully lined and come with an insole so comfortable that I won't have to use my orthotics! I snipped the tag off and went on a grocery run, which in my case requires lugging groceries up terribly uneven, rutted terrain. And it was raining. Not a single slip! No problem ever with the heal! My ankles were supported, and my feet were dry. Not a single rub any place. I am psyched! Boots that work for me! As said, it took 2 years to find boots! That's why I kept the last pair for 14 years. Such a relief to find a moderately priced boot that meets every single need. I also needed snow boots. Although the Wolverine site on Zon doesn't carry Wolverine winter duck boots, the company website does! I now have my Wolverine winter boot, and Wolverine has a very happy new customer and I am done boot shopping! Life is good!
