Customer Reviews Frye Harness 12R

These are hard-to-break-in boots! I am keeping them and feel that they will last forever if I can just enjoy the breaking in period. I wear a 9 but ordered the 8½ based on other reviews. They are clunky, so there is no sneaking up on anyone!

I have been coveting these boots for years and finally decided to buy them. I got them in the mail and they are absolutely gorgeous, well made and really comfortable. Only issue is that they are clearly not designed for women with larger calf muscles so they look really funny. Returning them, but I would recommned them to anyone with skinny calves and super wish fry would take women with my body type into account when making these lovely boots.

These are fabulous and true to size. I have muscular calves and they are perfect for me. I have flat feet and plantar fasciitis and these boots are perfect. I also own the short version and love them. The sole is great because they hold up great and aren’t slippery. I’m just in sticker shock now at the current price… I was hoping to pick up a new pair but I think I’ll wait.

This was a rather tight fit across the foot, in particular the toe box.

Zappos is so awesome. I ordered these boots in black. I decided I wanted a more distressed color, so they let me exchange them for the charcoal color. I received a pair that had some scuffs on them, and they promptly sent me a new pair. Their customer service is amazing. About the boots- the leather is softer than my Frye Campus boots that I bought 15 years ago. Those were hard leather and still hurt my feet if I wear them too long because the toe box is narrow. I think Fryes tend to run on the small and narrow side. The harness boots have a lot more give to the leather, and so I believe they will be more comfortable. I also tend to order a 1/2 size up in boots now so that I can wear thicker socks. I have to wear very thin socks with my size 8 campus boots, but the size 8 1/2 harness boots allow me to have more room for thicker socks. There is a tiny bit of arch support. I have high arches so I really need an insert, but you can’t take out the existing one to add your own. I will tough it, though, out because I love them. The charcoal old town color is beautiful. The boots look more like a distressed black. I can’t wait for cooler weather to wear them!

I really really REALLY wanted to keep these boots. Ohmygod, they were so comfortable once I got my feet all the way in, but my calves are large and the 12 inch shaft bunched down just enough that the stiff leather poked and bruised my ankle bones something awful (hence the three stars for comfort). I even gave it a couple of days of wearing around the house - socks, no socks, padding between my ankle bones and the shaft, etc. Nothing seemed like an easy solution and I certainly didn't want to take them to get stretched because that would cancel out my return possibility. Quite painful, both the returning and my ankles. These are super cool looking boots, but they won't work for me. Maybe one day Frye will come out with boots that have a larger shaft circumference? I doubt it. I should try the 8R instead because I know they will fit better with my calves, but I really wanted these to fit :(

These shoes are great. Since my purchase, I have ordered 2 other colors and 2 other frye brand boots. These are most certainly pricey although I will never regret this purchase or spending this much money. These shoes will last me FOREVER. They are so durable and comfortable - I LOVE THEM. These are very comfortable and my go-to everyday shoe when I throw on a pair of jeans. I would highly recommend this product!

Originally ordered shearling Vanessa Frye’s & they were a whole size (or more large) based on reviews ordered these in Smoke Old Town 1/2 size smaller 7.5 - my usual size 8 (considering the ‘Vanessa’ boots are enormous). HUGE MISTAKE! DO NOT SIZE DOWN. Couldn’t get my foot in 7.5- Zappos sent me an 8 (next day) perfect! I’m a consistent 8 (unless it’s a tiny designer Italian boot then 8.5). You won’t be able to get your foot in a smaller size & it WILL RUB! These are ‘cowboy’ boots so shove your foot in & let them conform to your foot. Heel slippage is normal - they are comfy & wont fall off- I wear them riding my motorcycle. Perfect. Very Durable. Stylish. Color is dark dark brown. Save yourself a headache & get your normal size!!!

I am no longer a stylish dresser and my feet have gotten weird over time. I never dreamed that I would own a comfortable, wickedly cool pair of boots again. I have the 12 inch Harness in black. I wear them every chance I get. I was afraid that they would be too awesome for my jeans and blouses wardrobe, but no! They make me awesome! Well, that's how they make me feel. That said, I measure an 8.5 narrow. I'm 5'3" with an average width calf. Read the reviews like I was studying for an exam. I got the 8 and they fit perfect, so yeah, they run narrow. For comparison, I have the Phillip Harness in an 8.5 and they also fit me perfectly.

I have been lusting after these boots since about 1974 and FINALLY am able to afford them. So sad. BUT... they are all that I wished for!! They are gorgeous, fit wonderfully, arrived in a flash, and I couldn't be happier with them. I get TONS of compliments on them. Envy even. Go get them before forty three years goes by!

I love these with my whole heart. I've been wearing them about 2-3 weeks, and barely wear anything else. I initially ordered my regular size 9.5, Too tight! Then I returned those and ordered a 10. Too big! Ordered a 9.5 again and -- bingo! -- perfect. Not sure if this is a quality control issue or natural variation in the leather, but whatever it is... I'm glad I persevered! My advice to you if you're checking these out and aren't sure of the size is to order your regular size -- but don't be afraid to order up, or down, or SAME size, if need be. Super-comfortble, look hot, plan to have them for a decade or two. So glad I splurged on these.

First, I love all Frye boots, and these are probably my 8th pair. I love the slight heel on these boots, which dress them up a little and make my motorcycle chaps look better. I bought them to ride in because they keep my feet completely dry and warm. My husband has lace up Harley boots and his feet get cold. I bought the buckskin suede boots because I already had black boots and wanted to mix it up a little. But what I really love about these boots is where I bought them; Zappos. I had previously bought the same boots in a shorty style but my husband told me that they would not be safe enough for the bike in case of an accident. They were too short to stay securely on my feet, which he proved by easily pulling one off. I had already pulled off all the tags, and had thrown away the receipt and the box but I decided to contact Zappos to ask if I could still return them. I did the online contact and had someone on the line right away. She not only informed me that I could exchange my boots, but found a similar pair that were taller and had them sent right out, two day free shipping. I was then given a page to printout for the old boots, and after wrapping them up as I was told by the assistant, I mailed them off to Zappos. I paid $10 more for my new boots, which the assistant also took care of on the spot. I've always received great service from Zappos, but this time they went far above what they had to do to make me a satisfied customer. I can't wait to need another pair of shoes from Zappos. Well done.

Have you been thinking of buying these but holding back? Stop that right now. Buy these boots. Wear them with everything.

These boots are absolutely amazing and worth every penny. Do not listen to reviews about sizing half a size down. The harness is one of their stiffer boots that is known to not stretch much. Especially the toe bed - this will not stretch. There is supposed to be some wiggle room in the heels on cowboy boots (about a finger space between boot and heel), as this part will mold to your foot. Buy your normal size and go for comfort, otherwise you will never end up wearing them. All in all they are the best quality boots out there. You will have them for years!

I love Frye boots. Always have. The color I picked on these wonderful boots is tan and they look nicely distressed. The comfort is amazing and I wore them for 2 whole days to break them in. I always do that with boots no matter what the brand or expense. This is not my first rodeo with Fryes but this is my first pair of Harness 12R. My foot is narrow and I have a high arch. Bought a 9.5 B. Glad I did even though I could have gotten a 9. Lots of room for thick socks or going foot nude. Working at a hospital I could see me wearing them....yup, that comfortable (no, I'm not wearing them at work). Zappos has the best shoe store on the planet!

I am a Frye lover. Purchased these in charcoal last year and decided to add a brownish color (dark crazy horse) to my wardrobe. I've worn the charcoal without socks but sized up 1/2 size for socks. I love the feel of thin socks and boots. These do not fit like a sneaker, they are boots. Zappos is the best. Customer service people feel like old friends. Thanks Zappos!

I love these boots! This is my second pair, I've had the chocolate vintage for two years, and wear them almost daily. This is a new color and I'm really excited to have something that works better with my black outfits. Amazingly comfortable fit, no breaking in required. I go from a 7.5 to an 8 in boots, and the 7.5 work great in these - I always wear big boot socks with them, too. They're super durable and worth the investment. It took almost two years of constant wear, walking around on city streets, for me to need to have my first pair resoled. The best thing about these boots is the heel. It's high enough to give a little lift, and solid enough that you can walk for miles.

These are the best boots I've ever owned. I went through a lot to get them with Zappos (twice I had to return them to get the correct size) but now that I've got them, I'm thrilled! They look GREAT with skinny jeans, leggings, and dresses/ skirts. As I believe one other viewer mentioned, they are a kick in the butt boot, definitely for those looking for a more feminine boot (for those I'd recommend the Jane line by Frye). These are the 3rd pair of Fryes I own and definitely my favorite. A note on color: the tan is really a weathered brown (exactly what I was looking for) and not a true tan. Having seen them in black, I'd recommend the tan or dark brown because they go best with the overall look & style of this boot. I got my regular size (9) b/c I prefer to wear my boots with thick, cozy socks in the fall and winter, but if you go bare or wear thinner trouser type socks, definitely size down by .5 sizes. Overall, worth every single penny!

After trying numerous pairs of the Dark Brown Crazy Horse size 6, I finally found the perfect pair for me! There was quite a difference in color between all the boots, but the color of the pair I kept is fabulous - kind of a golden tan with dark variations on the shaft. It also fit best. It was the tightest to get on - I had to use plastic bags to get my narrow feet in - but once on and wearing them for a few hours, the leather stretched and now they fit my feet like a glove. I love wearing them! They are kind of tough, yet kind of sexy! Thanks, Zappos, for fantastic service as usual!

These boots are awesome! I am so in love with them that sometimes I even wear them around the house with my pajamas so I can sit on the couch and just look at them. How pathetic is that? I have a life, honest! I just love these boots! There was no breaking them in for me, they seem true to my size 8 that I wear in almost every single shoe/boot I buy. Although they were extremely comfortable right out of the box, I must say that they seem to be getting even more comfortable. I have shopped in them for several hours, wore them all day on Thanksgiving while cooking dinner, they're just fabulous! I got them in the Chocolate Vintage Leather and they're beautiful. I have gotten so many compliments, somebody even asked me if I slept in them, and she wasn't even aware of me wearing them with my pajamas. Seriously... buy these boots! I would wear them to the gym to work out if I could get by with it! Oh... and a big shout out to Zappos! I poured over their website for hours before finally deciding on these Frye's late on a Sunday night. I ordered them before I went to bed and they were waiting on me when I got home on Tuesday. How about that for fast free shipping?

These are my go-to boots, as I gear up for an Eastern European winter. The overall style and quality are fantastic, and the locals do indeed notice these -- with envy. Feel a bit large, but feared going down a size wouldn't work. I wear these with thin, Smartwool knee highs. The boots were tight around the calf at first but have loosened up. I love these. With all of my foot problems, a sturdier insole would be appreciated -- with arch support and cushioning in the ball of the foot. Can't have everything; they're still reasonably comfortable, even with walking around the city. These look great with tights and skirts/dresses or dressed down. I wear them with as many things as I can imagine. The chocolate vintage leather is a winner, too. Goes with anything, and adds interesting texture/depth to outfits!

The quality and durability of this boot is fantastic. With that being said, this boot is heavy duty and bulky. I have had the width of the boot stretched by a cobbler because overtime the narrowness never stretched like my other Frye boots. I love the harness and the square toe. I feel like this boot will not be going out of style anytime soon. I have had them for 2 years now with no regrets. I would highly recommend the vintage chocolate color. It is beautiful with my blacks and browns, which is not an easy feat.

Really cute boots that are also durable. I feel comfortable wearing these out in the country or in the city.

I got these in the Crazy Horse color, and I absolutely love them! Personally, I think the Crazy Horse offer more character, color-wise, than the Tan. Also, the names are a little misleading, because while the Crazy Horse is also called "Dark Brown," it is actually a lighter color than the tan. Also, I love the wide toe. Being a New Englander, I'm not sure I can pull off the pointy toed cowboy boots...a little too foreign for us up here. But the square toe offers a bit more "sensible flair" than round toes (which I also like). I have wide feet, so I stayed true to my size (6.5) and the boots feel good. They are actually a little tight, especially if I wear socks, but I know they will fit to the shape of my feet and break down a little after some more wear (just got them yesterday!). Calf circumference-wise, they are alright. I am 5'2" with a 17-18" calf circumference at the widest, so normally I buy boots with zippers up the side just so that I can get them on. I mention my height because I have short legs (26" inseam), which usually makes "regular" boot heights too long for me, bunching under my knee when they should be hitting right under. The 12R height is perfect because they do not bunch and they hit my calf at just the right part so they look like and slim. On a slightly different note, I conditioned and waterproofed these boots after I got them, because I want to get the most out of them. The beeswax waterproofer darkened the boot slightly, so I only did it on the boot part (not the shaft) and I'm a little sad that I lost (most of) the distressed leather character, because I absolutely loved that about the Crazy Horse.