Customer Reviews Frye Arkansas Mid Lace

When I found these Frye Arkansas ankle boots on the Zappos website, I was wanting a shoe or short boot that could serve the purpose of a dress shoe, but that wouldn't be so fancy or stylish that it would look out of place worn with jeans and a t-shirt, which is more often "the norm" for me. As far as look, but also fit, since I almost always wear Vans Old Skool hi-tops, these ankle boots fit the bill perfectly. Absolutely beautiful boots. They're at once simple and rugged, yet understated in their style and versatility. These boots are very solidly crafted, quite obviously with great care and attention to detail. I've been wanting to buy a pair of Frye boots for over 15 years after really closely checking out a pair a co-worker at the time used to often wear and highly recommended. I could never "justify" the price tag, however. Well, I'm glad I finally did, because there's no justification needed. They are worth every hand-crafted penny of their totally acceptable price tag. I now see it more as an investment, and I'm glad I finally made that investment. They're extremely comfortable right out of the box, and are great for casual or even more formal uses. I'll be wearing these for years to come. Both my girlfriend and my mom got excited when I told them I bought a pair. My girl wears a pair of ancient Frye engineer boots that have absolutely been through the ringer, but are still going strong. My mom mentioned that she's never owned a pair, but has been aware of Frye, as a quality company with an excellent reputation, since she was in middle school, and she is now 74! I remember that my two older sisters also used to wear Frye boots and shoes when I was growing up in the '70s. They loved theirs as well. I'm thinking about buying another style at some point as well, as they offer lots of options and styles to choose from. Very nice boots. Highly impressed and satisfied. One thing I found odd is the sizing. I wear 9 1/2 in nearly every brand of shoe or sneaker I buy/wear (Vans, Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Timberland). However, with these boots, I ended up purchasing a size 8 1/2! I tried the 9 1/2, in which my feet were absolutely "swimming", then moved on to a 9, which were still too big as my heel kept sliding forward inside the boot. Eventually the 8 1/2 did the job. I'm just glad that Zappos offers free return shipping, or this would have been very annoying and disappointing. Thanks Frye. Thanks Zappos.

Beautiful, well constructed, boot. The leather and finish are wonderful; suitable for casual wear anywhere. The sole is solid and comfortable. Construction quality is excellent. I ordered my normal size 10 and they were too large. Returned those and got a 9.5 which is perfect. The Zappos free return policy is superb and the customer service unmatched. Thanks

This is my second pair of Frye footwear (I also own the James Wingtips) and I am thoroughly satisfied with both purchases. I was looking for a dressy, yet rugged boot that could easily transition from work to play without a problem and these do the job well. After considering Red Wing, Alden, and Wolverine, I found the price of these boots to be more in line with what I'm willing to pay for a high-quality pair of boots. Frye is as iconic as any of the aforementioned brands and the quality is second to none. The supple richness of the leather and an incredibly sturdy platform and sole should ensure years of wear before being repaired.

I was looking for a boot that could take me from home to work and back and not look out of place if I needed to take them to a meeting. They fit the bill. They are well constructed and look like a cross between the omnipresent work boots and stylish on the town boots. But they're not perfect. While I love the style, the comfort can leave something to be desired. Other reviewers have commented on this, and I agree, there isn't much arch support, and the shoe feels "hard", especially on your heel. Like others, I put in a three-quarter insert that helped. Also, I'm not sure if the leather is dyed all the way through. When I've accidentally kicked things, the boots do nick up a bit, though conditioner can usually minimize it. This may be particular to the Redwood color, black or dark brown may have less problems. They took a week or two to break in, but the process wasn't painful. I used a leather conditioner before the first few times I wore them and it worked out nicely. Anyway, on the whole, I'm four-star rating, pleased.

Great boot. Classic style and looks very well constructed. Compared this head to head against the Red Wing Beckham. I did not see a price difference between boots.

Beautiful boot, classic style and nice soft leather. Feels like bison. Heavy in weight, but that makes it a better boot. I put an insole in it to make it fit and that's a good thing.

I'm a size 11 and I bought a size 11. There is the right amount of room at the toe. The leather is soft and easily broken in, yet tough. I use them for motorcycle riding, and with a pair of jeans in cooler weather. They are not too heavy, and not too light. Very casual for a boot. Very comfortable. I like them a lot.

Comfortable right out of the box. I expected a break in period but, really, there wasn't one. I wore them five hours the first day and ten the next. No discomfort at all. Great boots. Stylish, comfortable, practical, very well made. I expect that they will last through more than one resoling. Highly recommended.

A little more pointy than I am used to (I usually prefer a more squared-off toebox). A bit stiff out of the gate, but after 3-4 days, very comfy and soft leather. Solid, basic, seem like they'll last for quite awhile. Can be dressed up or down. I wear an 8.5, and definitely needed the 8 here.

Could be the finest lace up boot I have ever purchased! The leather is awesome and the overall quality of the product is awesome. You get what you pay for! Like my other pair of Frye boots, these are going to take a little while to break in. Like other reviews, they tend to be a bit flat with arch support so it is a great idea to add an insert. They feel a bit big until you slip those in there.

I love these boots! Originally I was looking for a sturdy work boot that might double as a casual boot, after work. What I received is a boot so well made, so good looking, I'll have to revive my search for a pair of boots I can wear just for work.

Very handsome boots. Work well as a crossover between casual and dressy. Rugged, but not burly. Clearly made extremely well. Comfort is good, except that the insole is essentially flat (and it's nonremovable.) I just got a pair of the blue Superfeet (for what it's worth, the "F" size fits the size 11 Frye's perfectly with no trimming) and they feel much better. Other than that, fantastic boots.

I had been looking for a nice dress boot that I can wear around the office or out on the weekends. These are the boot. The styling is classic. And the overall construction? Let me tell you, I'd put these head and shoulders above any pair of boots that you can find, including Red Wings, any day of the week. I'm convinced that they will last many years. When I first pulled them out of the box, the smell of genuine leather was overwhelming and they initially creaked and groaned like a leather horse saddle. But after about two days, they're worn in and already feel like they're a part of my feet. This pair of boots give me a glimmer of hope that if you look hard enough, you can still find quality, handmade products that are made in the USA and are a proud example of the craftsmanship that made this country what it is. Your search is over. Get these boots.

I originally purchased a pair of Dunham's that were defective. Not wanting to get skunked again, I made sure I got a boot made in the USA. So I got the Frye Arkansas mid-lace. Great shoe but not Water Proof. Also these needed some time to break in (wore them every day for a week). The shoes pinched my heel at first but since they are made of leather they stretched and fit like a glove now. Do yourself a huge favor, get gel inserts and waterproofing solution and these Frye's will be perfect. The shoes are sturdy, have good ankle support, look great and should last a long time.

Solid shoe. Read that it was rough on the peds but haven't needed a support. Very well made and simple stylish perfect for work. Highly recommend.

Impressed by the boot. Beautiful and exceptionally well made. Exceeded my expectations. One of the highest quality products I have ever seen. It makes me think of the low quality of most of the things that are sold to us. I did find the sole too hard but I will take it for the quality of the boot; I will just add a light insole. I absolutely recommend this boot.

I bought these in May 2011. In just a matter of weeks, one of the heels fell off and I had to take them to a repair shop. As of March 2012, both boots have large holes in the bottom of the soles. While these are very comfortable, I suggest looking elsewhere if you want something to wear on a daily basis.

First, I ordered these boots on Thursday at about 11 AM. I got it the following day, Friday at about 3 PM. And I didn't even have to pay extra for any fancy shipping. I have ordered numerous items from Zappos thru the years, and I truly believe that they are the best online retailer out there. Second, the boot itself. I have been looking at this boot for quite some time now. I am just an ordinary working guy, and this Frye boot is quite expensive for me. When I first took it out of the box, I compared it with my current pair of boots, a Doc Marten. I can easily see why this Frye boot costs $200 more than the Doc. The leather is much thicker and of better quality than my Docs. I put it on and walked around the house. It is very comfortable out of the box. And yes, it runs big. All my other shoes are size 9. My Frye boots are size 8 and it compares and feels very much the same as my size 9 doc Marten. I am very satisfied with these boots.

Just what I was looking for. A boot that is both stylish and commanding. A boot that says, "Why, thank you--I AM no stranger to fashion," yet simultaneously suggests to any would-be ne'er-do-wells that should cross my path that I am not to be trifled with. It looks very classy dressed up for a nice dinner with my lady, and with a pair of Levi's is also tough enough to head for the hills in the event of society's sudden collapse. When first removing my pair of Arkansas Mid Lace from their box, I was transported back in time to an age when there was no such thing as inferior leather, and when footwear was made to be taken to the grave. The workmanship is about as good as anything I've seen (I exchanged a pair of Red Wings for these), and the thick, robust leather is also soft and forgiving on your foot. I have owned these for about six months, and they have already made it through the harshest part of winter (not without a goodly treatment of mink oil, mind you). The few minor nicks and scuffs acquired along the way don't show too much, yet still lend very well to the rugged and rustic aesthetic of these kicks. Minus one star on comfort because they are lacking in arch support and cushion. This is hardly felt with a thick pair of socks, and insoles are easy to come by.

My first pair of Frye boots, the Arkansas are svelte without being precious. They're so nice people think it's a shame I'm using them for work. They were painless to break in but are holding their shape very well. So far a better match than the Red Wings I wore for many years.

These are pretty nice boots but there were unfortunately a few shortcomings causing me to return them in favor of nicer models. Overall, having looked at many medium to high end boots, I think these are also somewhat overpriced given their construction (unlined and synthetic lining, rubber sole). Positives: - Really nice exterior leather. It's thick and yet soft. Feels wonderful, comfortable, conforming, and durable. I like the exterior so much I wish they sold a better pair of boots with this exterior leather but better interior construction. - Made in USA. - Great medium-casual work-boot style, love the overall cut and appearance. Negatives: - Horrible leather cut laces that have way too much friction. They won't slide through the great eyelet system to pull tighter or looser. Difficult both on and off. If this was the only flaw in the boot, I'd certainly replace with round black boot laces and be thrilled with the lace system. - Unlined leather main body. At this price point the boots should be leather lined. - Synthetic lined toe section. At this price point the boots should be leather lined. I would have preferred these have a leather sole with rubber tread overlays on toes and heel, but there's room in the world for nice boots with an all-rubber sole so I won't ding them on this, other than that the price should be lower with a cheaper sole. The overall fit is larger than average. Plenty of width and room in the toe box, more than average. Also length is a half size long. Seriously consider ordering a half size smaller than your normal shoes and measurements from a standard foot size device.

This is an update from my review posted in November 21, 2010. Wow, the price shot up. As my review stated below, I wore these every day in an office type environment and only occasionally out in the field. Well, nearly three years later, the boots are falling apart. The leather heel insole pad which is only glued, came unattached after about 6 months of wear. I emailed Frye to see what would be done to remedy it and received no response. Disappointing. The leather has also become separated from the welting at the heel. I had the soles replaced once, but I'm not putting any more money into these things. They're shot. It's a shame because they wore in well and are very comfortable. The rest of the shoe just didn't hold up. Surprising due to the light duty they saw. I'll be trying a pair of Iron Rangers next.

Excellent shoe. The product photo is a good representation of what you will actually get.

I only wore these a couple of times since purchasing. These run pretty much true to shoe size, maybe just a tad larger. Not an issue for me since I only wear boots in the winter and a thick sock will make these fit perfect. This is a good looking boot. Have to say that I didn't need to even brake them in, these fit just right. The leather is very soft for the thickness. Overall very pleased so far with the purchase. I think that with proper care these boots will last me for years.

After reading the reviews on these Frye boots I did order a 1/2 size down, I am normally a 10 1/2, ordered a 10 and they fit perfectly. The boots are really well made, typical of a Frye product. I would highly recommend these boots, they are expensive but I have two other pairs of Frye's and they have lasted years with no issues.