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.

These are good boots. They are well formed, which isn't the case with most boots today, and they are of a traditional, rugged construction. They are not gym shoe soles glued onto a glorified gym shoe which is what passes for a boot these days. The leather is sort of swede like. I immediately applied outdoor type kiwi brand mink oil containing silicone to these boots, which waterproofs them and makes the leather smoother looking and I think more durable. The outsoles of these books have a typical boot pattern with deep lugs and a rigid shank and are made of a heavy rubber. This boot is made in a more lightweight version, with Vibram gumlite soles (Chippewa Men's 6" Rugged Handcrafted Lace-Up Boot). For most things, I think those are better. Much lighter weight, nearly as durable, and the shank is flexible. They feel more gym shoe like and you can walk comfortably in them for longer, however, those soles have very little traction in mud or snow, which is why I bought these. Both shoes feature the same quality uppers and sewn on soles. They both have good insoles with decent arch support. Both are made in USA. Both are made of the same type of leather, which I think needs to be oiled. The gumlite ones are a bit dressier looking since they don't have lugs on the bottom and look more like a dress shoe. It really comes down to this: if you need mud/snow traction get the Apache boot, if you don't get the ones with gumlite soles. These boots may cost a little more than Chinese made ones, however, I feel that they are an outstanding value. My father in law has Red Wings and Danners that are no better than these and they cost $100 more.

This is my second pair of Chippewa boots. Bought their snake boots in spring - excellent boots so i purchased these as well. I needed a solid pair of boots with excellent grip to work outside on steep lot going down to lake. Lots of stick ups, trees, bushes, vines , trees needing maintenance. From bushwacking to cutting trees and hauling off - these boots performed great. I am 66 and these boots kept me upright - very few slips - no falls and i now swear by them. Solid construction - wore around the house for two hours at a time for two days then put the aqua seal on for waterproofing. Then went to work outside - worked for 4 hours at a time - for three days in a row. No blisters, no rubs, feet felt super. I bought a half size smaller based upon other reviews and they fit great with both smart wool socks and regular athletic socks. Would buy again tomorrow. Will updated this report down the road if i have any issues with these. Thanks Amazon for good price on a great boot - Chippewa is my go to boot company now. Both my Son and Grandson eyed them yesterday and warned me not to turn my back on them. Hope this helps someone make up their minds.

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.