“Unfortunately the initial impression of the SMUGS wasn't great. It's the first time I've spent this much on a pair of shoes, and putting them on, discovered that they're too big. It's also the first time I've ever been asked to measure my feet before making an order, and doing so confirmed that I am indeed the size 10 I've been wearing since my teens. So having ordered a 10 I was slightly dismayed to find them very loose fitting. However, I had some insoles in a pair of cycling shoes, and using those has improved the fit.
This review score could go up over time, if I pluck up the courage to wear the SMUGS enough to wear them in. The (obviously very good quality) leather is extremely stiff and uncomfortable at present. I'm not used to shoes/boots I have to wear in - I've spent most of my adult life in fabric/man-made material shoes that are comfy from the off.
Finally, given my disappointment upon receiving these boots, I would have looked into returning them, had it not been for the nasty mark the edge of the sole of one boot made down the leather on the side of the other boot while I was trying them on. The ease with which the leather scarred compounded my disappointment, as I realised I'd just blown any option I might have had to return them! And I'm left with a pair of uncomfortable boots that are already imperfect...
3 stars, because the overall quality seems good, and I'm a fan of the Rose Anvil YT channel.”
“The Green Chromexcel leather is immaculate. After the first wear, I could see the lighter hues coming through the leather as it broke in. I'm excited to see how it looks after a couple months. The sole and insole of the SMUG makes for immediate comfort. The tongue of the shoe does take some breaking as it is slightly still at first but that last maybe an hour after lacing them up. My only regret is that I didn't get another pair of SMUGS in brown or tan. Thank you so much Goral!”
