This is my second pair. I purchased a brown pair about 3 years ago and still wear them. The leather has gotten softer and more flexible and they are so comfortable and easy to wear with everything! I even wear them with shorts at the cabin when I don’t want my feet to get dirty. The tread on my old ones is finally getting low so time for a new pair. I love the shaft hight and I can still wiggle my toes, durability, they are so versatile and the comfort is like no other boot I’ve owned and that is why I could justify spending that amount on shoes. They are worth the price and I will buy another pair when my black ones start to ware out.I really like these boots.Pros: nice leather, lots of toe room, and a very stiff sole.Cons: the cork foot bed is just ok. It does have decent arch support but it gets really thin towards the toe area and the bottom of the boots without the foot bed are rock hard....if you have metatarsal pain this will be a problem. I am looking at other footbeds which is disappointing because that is the reason I bought these in the first place. If I can find a softer footbed then I will keep the boots.Also: I had the classic birk sandals with the soft footbed this summer. These boots will not feel the same. I wore a 37 in the sandals and a 38 in the boots. I also talked to a birk representative and they confirmed to go a size up from the sandals.Very comfortable boots. Purchased because I love my Birkenstock sandels and needed good work shoes with plenty of cushion and toe room. I have bunions and very high arches and am on my feet many hours of the workday. These boots have good cushion, ample toe room, and don't bite into the top of my feet like some shoes do. Really like the side zipper as it makes them fairly easy to get on and off (for a boot at least). They required very little break in time. Only downside for me was that they could use more arch support. Despite that though I am not getting muscle strain in my arches. If these boots hold up well over the next few months I'll be purchasing another pair in black.Beautiful leather, nice hardy tread, does not look like a boxy Birkenstocks. I own about 40 pairs of Birkenstock sandals. This is my first venture into a Birk closed boot. I wear a 39 M in all. I ordered a 39 and a 40. The 39 was just too short with a low shallow toe box. The 40 slipped too much in the heel. I would think they might be perfect for a pure size 9. I'm more like a 81/2 to 8 3/4. The arch support is not as supportive in the boot as in the sandals. I'm looking for a comfy "walk around NYC for the whole weekend" low black boot. Thought this would be ideal. Sadly, not the boot for me.I'm a huge Birkenstock fan and wear gizeh all summer long. I love Birkenstock that don't look like traditional Birkenstock.So fit: I bought my sandal size and they fit perfect but others reported going up a sizeColor: not as expected which has also been said before. They were a little more taupe/dusty brown than I expected and scuffed easily but the leather is so soft and supple.What I did that also helped the color is since I was planning on wearing them to work where there is a lot of water I applied sno seal waterproof wax coating, this also turned them into a rich brown and helps with scuffingThe boots have a roomy toe area and they are generally comfortable, but not as comfy as my Birk sandals. I have plantar fascilitis in one foot and the boots are not as great for that as I would have hoped. They are nice quality but I find them a bit hard to get on and off due to the zipper placement. Maybe that's because I have a high instep, but they aren't easy to get into. A little disappointing for the money.Ordered a second pair, wear them through cities and in country. Walk for miles and feet don't hurt - the style is good, good enough to wear with skirts, and with many styles of trousers - the cork bed helps keep feet dry in rain and light snow - not good in deep snow because the ankle opening is wide. I have foot problems and wear these boots to work where I stand. Have black and when traveling light have worn with black stockings to opera and fancy dinners -I read lots of reviews about size before purchasing. I recommend buying your true Birk size. I have 2 pair of 38s and that’s what I bought for these boots. When I first put them on I was like oh no! I should’ve sized up! But I’m so glad I didn’t! After wearing one day they molded and fit perfectly. I walked all over New York for a week after having them only one day. Perfect fit. Am thinking of buying another pair in another color.