Frye Harness 12R Boots for Men with Oiled-Leather Upper, Siped Outsole with Stacked Leather Heel, and Nickel & Brass Hardware – 12” Shaft Height

I’m a 33yr old female who has been wearing various pairs of Frye harness boots since I was 17. No matter how many times my preferences in fashion have shifted over the years, these boots have always held their place in my closet and on my feet, no matter what popular trends have come and gone. They’re a timeless look that can be coordinated with so many differing styles and vibes.That being said, I have now switched over to wearing the men’s harness boots and won’t ever purchase the women’s style again. I am a women’s size 8-8.5 shoe. The women’s harness boots always have felt tight on my feet, even when trying on a size 9 (I do not have wide feet). They’ve contoured the shape of the women’s harness boot so much that it only really fits one maybe two shapes of women’s feet. The men’s harness boot is straightforward; no contouring, no slanted heel. Thicker leather even. My foot settles right into the footbed without feeling any sort of red flag that would suggest painful pressure points or squeezing of the toes. The men’s harness feel sturdier, which in consequence does mean they’re a little bit heavier to clunk around in versus the more delicate female design. But to me that is purely evidence that the men’s are made sturdier and will last longer. My guess is that it’s probably because Frye knows that the majority of women will buy another pair as soon as theirs gets scuffed up or the boot shaft starts sagging at the ankle due to the poor leather quality that I’m convinced is only reserved for the women’s styles. I purchased a men’s size 7B and when worn with normal hiking socks, they feel like they were tailored for me. This review is purely my opinion due to my own unique experience with consistently wearing Frye harness boots for the last 16 years! I still love the few pairs of women’s harness boots I have left that I just couldn’t part with, but the men’s pair is a game changer for me.

I bought my regular size and this is my 3rd pair with this brand. This wasn't even my first pair of the exact boot i had the same boots 15 years ago.The quality is amazing and they look great.These boots have a very tight fit and do not form to your foot at all. Something changed or i received a wrong size. Ive worn them 3 times for several hours each time and every time they become unbearably uncomfortable after 30 minutes. They have yet to break in and im at my wits end.I cant even return these because of the timing of my order and my first chance to wear them. Im stuck with these now and Amazon wont help me.

When I opened the box, I thought that these boots were identical to a less expensive version I own. I put them on and the soles felt a bit hard. I installed cushioned insoles and it made the boots too tight. This was different from the other ones because the other boots were roomy without the insoles. I removed the insoles and wore them for a day and they wound up fitting perfectly. So, the Frye boots, in my opinion are closer to true fit. The leather is slightly softer, they dye does not rub off on socks, and they're a better fit. The Frye boots also produce a heavier "thud" when walking if that is something that you appreciate, which I do. They've become an everyday boot for me.

I think I may just have to be buried in these boots! I REALLY love them! HOWEVER - sizing may be an issue? I found a deal on these by scrolling all the way down the size list and there it said size Chestnut? I clicked on it an it said size 7 D (M) so I ordered them. I did not notice that once I put them in my cart - that 7M changed to a 7W. In fact, I did not notice it until the boots arrived - sure enough, the boots and the box said 7W. I was devastated. I have a Really narrow foot. I have wanted a pair of Frye boots for as long as I an remember. I could never afford them. These were substantially less than all the others. Normally, I would not even have bothered trying them on - but I really wanted these boots! I slipped my foot in and there is NO WAY that these are actually Wide width. Now, the heel is wide, but every shoe I ever put on is wide on my heel. (my heel is probably an A or AA width) BUT - I would not want them to be any tighter in the toe box. Normally, a D width is pretty loose for me - but not with these boots.SO - I don't know if the sizing is off on all Frye boots, as this is my first pair - but I feel certain that on this pair - they are marked Wide and are not Thank Goodness! So, I knocked off one star because of the sizing. That being said - I will NOT be returning these boots! I have only had them for a week, so I cannot say how well they hold up. I will update this next year to let everyone know. The leather looks and feels fantastic. This is also my first experience with the Chestnut color - I am Very Happy with the look, color and feel of my new boots. I have lived with my abnormally narrow heel all of my life - I expected them to be loose in the heel. Although marked 7W they are more narrow than most other boots I have ever owned. Again, I don't know if this is common for Frye boots, or this is just an odd pair, but I am SO GLAD I spent the $$!.UPDATE - I liked these boots so well that I bought a pair of Frye 8R's . These 8Rs were ordered as a 7D and arrived as a 7D. THESE 12r's are in fact wider than the 8r's - so I guess they are in fact wide. So - I would warn that these do run very narrow! As I mentioned, I have a very narrow foot. Although the 7W is a bit wide, they fit as well as most 7D boots I have purchased. The 8R's that I received in the actual size I bought fit like a glove! So, if you have a narrow foot, I am guessing you will love these boots! If you have an average width foot - I would suggest ordering a wide width. If you have a really wide foot - Frye may not be the best option for you. I still LOVE these boots.