I have been looking for a waterproof leather knee boot for the last year. I have many SW OTK 50/50 boots black leather, suede and SW knee boots in black suede but they are not waterproof and being practically worshiped I don’t wear them at the nearest hint of wet weather. I have low volume size 7/37 feet with 12.5 calves and need to have room for a 3/4 orthotic. I do well with SW, Blondo, Ariat, EF boots in a 7. Aquatalia and Frye I often need 1/2 size up. Because of cost this is often a sale only item. $595 for well almost anything would be off the table. Although it took several days to shop boots launched last night and just arrived and are not even marked delivered. This is a full leather boot it listed something about a stretch panel but it’s more stretch leather no elastic. The foot is very comfortable. Aquatalia usually runs small for me across the forefoot so the 7.5 has a little room in length and width but with no slippage at all. Heel is marked 1.75” which was a small concern because I can’t wear heels any more. It felt like less. Very comfortable and secure. The shaft is wider than expected. I can slip my fingers in with ease although it looks neat on the leg. I’m not sure that’s going to be a deal breaker because all my other boots are very fitted because of the cut and although I’ve wanted to try boots over skinny jeans I haven’t done it for fear of permanently stretching out the calf. As these boots have a full zipper that would make them perfect to play with this look. Also the toe is squared off Spanish riding boots style. I thought I might not like that but it’s a graceful toe box and it doesn’t bother me. The quality is your typical gorgeous aquatalia. Heel is sturdy but hard, not a soft rubber. Decent traction rubber sole up front. I tried them with leggings. Im going to put them in over jeans. See how the calf fits but my first impression is no way going back into the box. If you have wider calves these could be your dream boot, or if you are looking to tuck or if a little gap won’t bother you with a legging or tights. I do find mort people wear their shafts and they are shown with some ease. Because I wear typically leggings and tights I like narrow very fitted shafts (hence the sw 50/50 ilk). But I’m crushing on these. Very simple, very elegant, waterproof and comfortable. Classic and timeless.
ETA : just tried them over madewell 9” skinnies. There’s plenty of room so I’m not stretching the shaft but you don’t notice any gap and easy peasy with the zipper. I might just get thicker black boot socks for the leggings. Also I think it will make me less precious about them because a 14” shaft is findable a fitted 12.5” is a hewi. So love ‘em, box getting dumped and boot shapers in. Hum maybe it will cool down to 80 and I can pretend it’s fall…

Update - I decided to try the 7M. That’s my usual size except most aquatalia I take 7.5. I have low volume flat feet but need a 3/4 orthotic which takes up significant room. The 7 arrived and the length is fine. There is some slight snugness mid foot left. No discomfort but the shaft is significantly smaller. Some room at the top but the leg is a much better fit. Still room for a skinny Jean looked good with leggings. I was surprised that there was that much change. So I’m keeping the 7. I do have a boot stretch and spray if I want a little more ease across the mid foot. But they will probably also ease with mild wear. We are taking maybe 2 mm stretch. So definitely don’t size up and if in between you might need your smaller size.