Review Details
Aerostich Combat Lite Boots
Product Review (submitted on April 3, 2013):
Alright, hmm, where to start. I've waited 2 years before writing this review. I wanted to get ample time in them and I can't stand reading reviews where in the end the author states they've had the item for two weeks and love it.
I drooled over these boots for almost three years before finally buying them. And I'm not totally happy with my purchase.
The Good: These boots are very well built and very rugged, and if they fit you right you should have years and years of adventures in them. The grey soles are very grippy and look good as well. And the leather is the real deal..this is manly stuff here.
The Bad: My 11EE feet are pretty normal.. nothing odd about them. The width of the boot is perfect, but the box toe is so low that it's constantly pressing down on the toenail of my big toe. This does two things... makes the boots unbearable after an hour or two, and wears holes in the big toe area of my socks after a day's worth of riding. If the toe box just had even an extra 1/4 inch of height I would be able to wear these boots more. This is probably my biggest problem with these boots.
Also, the weird fit of the boot makes them tight on the top of my foot. Like I said the width is perfect, which makes it strange that the top of the boot is tight. Even when adjusted properly the boot presses down on the top of my foot and causes aches. I was able to remedy this with a boot stretcher and soaking the boots before stretching, but I still need to wear very thin socks and there's no way I can use a thicker, more cushioned insole which I greatly desire.
My last complaint is that the leather of both boots has creased just above my heal, and because I need to wear thin socks the creases rub my skin and cause blisters. Sure I'm tough and can take blisters but should I really have to for this price? I own boots of all kinds of Wolverines to Wesco riding and work boots and no other off the rack sizing fits me as poorly as these Combat Lites. I just don't get it.
Like I said.. the boots are constructed with very high quality and attention to detail, but after two years of wear and the boots definitely being fully broken in they just aren't my go to boots like I thought they would be. I have the same kind problems with my Falstaff jacket. It's good but not good enough. I like Aerostitch and maybe I just need to stick to buying non clothing related products from them.