Refined Chelsea Boot (Women)

I'll admit it. I saw another woman wearing these and went looking for them. I ordered these AND the Classic version, because I wasn't sure which would fit better. The "refined" fit like a glove. Immediately comfortable, functional yet stylish. I've always wanted Hunter boots, but I'm short and tall boots don't complement my stature. These are terrific. I will agree with some other reviewers: You'll want to make sure your socks are high enough to pull up. Otherwise the boot can seem to rub against your skin around your shin/lower calf. Foot bed felt good right away (that's why I kept these and sent the "classic" version back). Haven't worn them enough to get a feel for the longterm fit and comfort, but I'm confident enough (and super picky) that I don't expect real issues.

These are very nice looking and well-made boots that would have been perfect for the rain. However, I almost got a hernia putting them on and taking them off. The loops on the back are somewhat dainty and getting your fingers into them to pull up the boot takes some precision, but they're not substantial enough to help pull up this stubborn boot. Once I got them on, I noticed that the removable insole had pushed forward from all my effort and was uncomfortably bunched up at the toe. Once I finally got them off, also a painful process, I returned them. Too much to deal with to be practical. You need an arsenal of shoe hardware or a personal valet to help get these on and off.