Grainer Lace-Up Leather Combat Boot (Women)

I thought this was going to be the perfect boot. Waterproof, plain enough to go with everything, sturdy lug sole without being a noticeable platform, reasonable heel height for long walks - this was going to be my everyday shoe for fall and winter and maybe even spring. Well, I am typically a size 7, and the 38 fits all right, except that it is far too tight at the beginning of my instep (where the lowest set of eyelets are). I got bruising the first time I wore them. The second time I tried removing the insole and using a thinner one but that didn't help enough. There is a little extra length in the boot, and if I didn't have the instep problem I would have tried going down to a 37, but that's obviously going to be even tighter in the problem area. Since I've worn them a couple times they are unreturnable, and so I'm halfheartedly considering ripping out the part of the seam that runs from the eyelet to the corner of the side leather flap (just along that one small line), to see if it loosens things up. But for now, these are in their box in my closet and until I work up the nerve to cut that seam, in the box is where they'll stay. Very disappointing.