Customer Reviews
To put this review into context, you need to know a little about me. After years of suffering with ill-fitting, poorly-made footwear I was introduced to the world of what I'll call "heritage boots." By "heritage," boots made made like they were a hundred years ago - by hand, with high-quality materials, designed to be resoled and worn for a very long time.
My work is in all environments - one day I could be in a meeting with the "big cheeses", another I could be climbing towers in the cold and in the rain. Tough, quality footwear is a must, and if I can have a boot that can take the punishment yet still look good in meetings with the "big cheeses," all the better.
I also have strangely-shaped feet due to multiple broken toes that didn't heal correctly. Finding footwear that fits me comfortably is difficult and frustrating. Especially in narrower lasts.
I started my Caswell experience with the try-on boot service and the Porter last, as it looked like a visually-pleasing, yet roomy last. Received the try-on boots very quickly and after several e-mail discussions with Kevin, we settled on a size based on my experience with them and some additional foot measurements. I can't say enough about the try-on service - if you have any questions about last shapes or sizing, being able to put on a pair and see how they feel then adjusting the fit can't be beat.
I placed my order, finding the web ordering system to be intuitive and easy to use. Took a bit for the boots to arrive, but you'll understand why as I continue this review. Spoiler alert - boots of this value are going to be in high demand!
The boots came packed in an outer shipping box, and inside a very nicely made Caswell-branded box. Each came inside a really nice herringbone-pattern boot bag to protect them in shipment and for storage. How a company packs and ships merchandise always says a lot, and Caswell is completely top-notch.
Looking at the boots, you can tell an immense amount of care and skill went into making them. The flesh-out leather has an amazing pattern and was well clicked from the hide. Stitching is perfect. I found zero loose thread ends.
The boots came with a pair of regular laces installed, and a pair of leather laces in the box. As I was going to put on the boots, I immediately noticed that the tongue is made from the same heavy thickness of leather as are the rest of the boots. I have some other heritage type boots, some have a thick leather tongue, others don't, and while I really have no preference, I think it says something that the maker chose a more expensive, higher-quality thicker tongue leather vice thinner.
Putting them on I noticed immediately that the sizing WAS DEAD ON PERFECT. And i mean PERFECT. Perfect width, perfect length, no rubbing on the inside of the boot from my freaky misshapen feet and toes, very friendly amount of toe "wiggle room", lace spacing is perfect, and they feel great. Heel fit was nice and snug. Laced them up and walked around for a bit and was amazed at how comfortable they were with zero heel slip. The midsole and sole are supportive, yet flexible. I expect break-in to be minimal. Quite possibly the most comfortable out-of-box boot I've bought in my life.
Bottom line...wow...I'm impressed, regardless of price. They look every bit as nice as you'd expect from high-end brands like Viberg, etc... For the price, they are an amazing boot value. I understand why they took a bit to get made - boots of this quality at this price point are going to be in extremely high demand! Quality is worth waiting for and now that I have them, I appreciate the time and effort that went into making them!
I'll be back in the future to buy additional pairs I'm sure.
It's has been few days and the first slip-in and a real walk was surprisingly comfortable and non-retaliatory, as heritage boot break in goes. The heel locks into place quite well and I am sure it will get better as the boot forms to my foot. I am pleasantly surprised with a instant solid footing and feel, also very good ankle support. The firm structured & gusseted tongue is a welcomed leather piece. A definite and easy contender for my "go to boot",. as the break in period subsides and fitment and comfort is maximized. I am very pleased and I highly recommend the Caswell Garrison Boot and the Team at Caswell, an excellent group !