Frye Riders: Comfort? Keep or return?

I know a lot of people here swear by their Fryes. How do you find them in terms of comfort? The reason I'm asking is that I got a pair of the Frye Rider Pull-On boots, but the soles feel kind of hard -- not as soft as my La Canadiennes, to be sure.

I also wonder about practicality. How long do you think the skinny-jeans-tucked-into-tall-boots look will be around? Some people say that they wear them with skirts/dresses. Alas, I don't know if that look works for me because I'm short with heavy legs, except for my ankles, and always thought I'd need a more fitted boot to prove that my legs do not in fact look entirely like tree trunks.

What they *do* have going for them is the fact that they're 13" high (which I think is close to my ideal boot height, since I have short shins) and maybe about 14"-14.5" inches in circumference (my calves are about 14.25" around at their widest). And of course the sale price, but I know I'm not supposed to buy anything on sale that I didn't admire at full price.

I know they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are some illustrations. The last photograph is actually a pair of La Canadiennes (the Margaritas, 13.5" high), to illustrate the difference between the Fryes and boots that are more fitted at the ankle. (Please excuse the fact that I'm standing on a plastic dry cleaning bag -- I didn't want to scuff up the soles in case I decided to return the boots. Also the tacked-down seam on the jacket, which is new and which I may or may not keep; and the poor photo quality. Um, yes, a lot to apologize for!)

What think? And do they work with the matchstick jeans? That's the closest I'd ever come to wearing skinny jeans on my non-skinny legs. Overall a keep or return?

Thanks so much for any advice for an indecisive shopper!

This post has 6 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

15 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Frye comfort is hit-and-miss for my type of fussy feet. I have one pair from last year that just now (8th wearing maybe) became an 8-hr boot No other of my Frye's have achieved that yet - still waiting. But I don't buy them intending to put in insoles or thick socks.

Skinny jeans tucked into boots is pretty standard/classic (well the skinny jeans part is an improvement over the old version of folding/pleating jeans to fit into boots). I think it will be around a while. What do others think?

On you I think they look great The lower heel,wider ankle, and hint of western styling give them a more casual vibe than your La Canadienne's, but it is a great look! Especially with your jeans and coat when you may want a more casual overall look (with better footing?). They also look good with your dress - again making it a little more casual than the LCs. The Frye's may have a tiny bit of space at the top - next to your calf - but I find that totally part of the charm (and necessary if you expect to wear them wtih jeans also!)

If I'm spending your $$$, I'd say keep

P.S. Pic #1 is not available to see - just in case that one matters. . .

Beth

I bought the Riders in the distressed brown last winter. The soles are a bit hard, but mine have a nicely cushioned insole and I find them to be my most comfortable boots by far. I don't have fussy feet, though. They're western, but in a subtle way, and I wear mine with jeans and skirts.

As for tucking boots into jeans, I hope the look never goes away. If it does, I'll just wear my Riders with bootcut jeans instead, which I do occasionally now. I think the styling is pretty classic and I love them on you. Then again, I might be a tiny bit biased.

Isabel

I can't answer the Frye comfort question but I want to throw in my two cents on if it will be "in". I am a strong believer in that if you like the look and you are comfortable in it, it is always "in" for you.

In the Winter, I always remember people tucking jeans into boots, so I imagine it will go on forever......

( This from someone who is about a decade late for trends ! )

Lisa

My Frye Jane's took a WHILE to break in, I was starting to worry if they would break in. Now they are quite comfy, not as comfy as my Cole Haan boots, and I may put an insert in them at some point, but the leather is very nice and I feel that they will repair well many years from now when the soles wear out. As far as style goes, I think skinnies into boots will stay as it is a great solution to wet pant hems in poor weather.

JenT

Active Member

I think the boots definitely could work, but I honestly prefer the look of the ones you already own.

trix

Thank you all so much for the advice! It's really helpful to hear that the comfort can vary a lot and that there might be a prolonged breaking-in period.

MNSara: Thanks for the nice words. Also for articulating the specific things that you think work or would make the look work. My fashion eye is a little like my eye for art -- I can only tell you if I like it or not, but not why. I'm glad to hear you think it could work with skirts. Re pic #1, that was my editing mistake -- I accidentally clicked on "remove picture" and couldn't reupload it, so I put it back in as picture #6.

Beth: So interesting that the insole can feel softer than the sole! Yes, for this price, even if wearing them over jeans went out of style, I'd still have to keep wearing them under jeans to get my money's worth out of them. But that's fine because I like the look of boots under pants anyway. Where I live (the Northeast), you want every extra bit of warmth in the winter anyway.

Isabel: I'm with you on being late for trends! I usually wait at least a year or two before jumping on any trend bandwagon because until then, I keep thinking they'll go out of style by the next season. Of course, buying late in the trend cycle doesn't really help either. Does it say something that only now am I looking at boots that can work over jeans??

Lisa: That's a good point about repairs -- I never think about that (and I have no idea if my LCs could be repaired easily). The Fryes do feel very sturdy. Funny you should mention the wet hems, because I was just out walking in light rain for 10 minutes and my jeans now need to be hung up to dry.

JenT: Thanks for the comment! Yeah, I may be partial to dressy boots myself, esp. because I'm more likely to wear tall boots with dresses and skirts. If LC made more styles that worked for me, I'd probably wear them exclusively; they fit me very consistently, and I love that they're waterproof.

Category