Customer Reviews Frye Melissa Button Back Zip

After much consideration of basic brown riding boots in general, and more than a little hesitation over the price of these in particular, I bought the Melissa Button Back Zip and am thrilled with them. The boots zip up over athletic calves, even with straight jeans inside. The reviews inspired me to try the grey, which is, as described earlier, a perfect neutral brown: easy to dress up or down. Depending on the brand, I'm an 8.5 or a 9, and went with the 8.5, also based on reviews. One of the boots has a sticky zipper, but I'm hopeful it will loosen up with wear. A beautiful, classic boot to wear with skirts or jeans.

This boot is simply fabulous! I been searching for the perfect boot for at least 2 years, and this one hits the mark (for me) in every way. I originally got the antique leather finish, but I exchanged those for the vintage dark brown finish, which is a much richer look. I love the zipper and button details, and the top of the boot width is exactly as advertised. An excellent purchase. Thanks Zappos!

There are positives and negatives to these boots, but they gave me the look I was going for (classic, easy style in a flat, black boot) so I'm going to keep them. I have several pairs of Frye boots and my usual size 7.5 fit just fine, even though I'm a size 7 in most shoes. These aren't my favorite Fryes for a couple of reasons: I don't love the zipper up the back. I don't like how it looks - I'd rather have the zipper more hidden on the inside. More importantly, it's hard to get the zipper to zip over your heel. I'm hoping that will get easier in time, but the first few times I actually needed to use pliers. The second thing I don't like is the snap that flips over the zipper at the top. While it's necessary so that the zipper doesn't flop around when you're walking... when I'm seated with my legs crossed and move to uncross my legs - I end up unsnapping it. EVERY time! It's a minor annoyance... and these were still the best looking clean, classic black boots I found... so they were keepers, but these are the 2 design things I'd point out to others.

I first tried these boots on in black at a store, but then decided I wanted the Vintage Brown. They came and weren't quite what I wanted so exchanged for the Antique Brown and I loved the color. Interestingly the first two fit like a glove, the Antique brown was narrow and tight on one foot. Calves were loose and plenty of room for jeans. Based on the reviews others wrote, I decided to hold on to them and see if I could break them in. The leather definately gives, but I probably wouldn't choose to wear on a day where I had heavy duty walking to do as they still bother me the end of a long day. The take away is every pair is a little different and if the fit isn't right, try them in a different boot and you might find it is. Otherwise love these boots - look great with a skirt/dress or jeans. Dressy enough for the office, but casual enough for weekend errands too.

They were cute, but didn't blow me away. The heel slipped bad and the toe was tight, so I am returning. For the money I want a boot that fits and that I love. It's not these, sorry.

These fit me true to size (I wear a 7.5) - no heel slippage, enough room for my toes. I'm 5'2" and I felt this was 1/2 too tall for my calves, and they bowed out on the sides fairly significantly. I'm only 105lbs with thin calves so it's hard to find boots that don't do this. I'm a little concerned about whether the zippers and snap closures would hold up as long as the leather, however. Overall, a nice, slim, feminine boot with a great structured sole.

I got the black ones and they were so so beautiful. They fit exact to size in my opinion. I could have gone 1/2 size up because I like to wear a bit of a thick sock with boots. My only problem was with the snap at the heel. I had such a hard time snapping them and seems like it would be a problem in the future with the snap possibly ripping? I think this because to unsnap them I had to pull like crazy. Anyway, unfortunately had to return them because I believe for how much they cost I shouldn't have any problem with them at all.

I love these boots. They look great on and the foot placement is very comfortable. I am 5'3" and wear a size 6 in slacks, but I have thick calves. They go over my skinny jeans but are snug and as others wrote, the snaps do open a bit more often than I would like. I am still wearing them in, but believe they will be great. They look great with jeans and skirts. I tried about eight pairs and am happy with my choice.

I had my eye on these boots for a few months and finally decided to splurge. The color (grey) is fantastic so unique and the styling is great. The leather is good quality, and if they are well taken care of I imagine these boots will last for years. I see what other reviewers meant about the arch support being exaggerated. I think it is as a result of the heel placement. I'm hoping it does not turn out to be uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the pair I received had what appeared to be some quality control issues and a seam on the left ankle buckled strangely. That combined with the fact that I ordered a half size up because they were out of my true size and they were too big meant I'm returning this pair. But they are so attractive I am going to wait until my size comes in and try again.

My husband got these for my birthday and they are beautiful! However, I have semi-muscular calves and they were too snug around my leg. I think they are designed to be very slim fitting. I usually don't have problems with boots being too tight. Almost cried as I sent them back in the mail. I wish they fit!

Beautiful boot. Very comfortable. However the gray color was more brown. I already have very similar color short boots and chocolate Uggs. So I am returning them. Otherwise nice looking boots and good fit.

I have been looking for a simple tall black boot without a lot of hardware or decoration, made of quality materials (eg, no synthetic lining or sole). Unfortunately, my calves are "athletic" and although I could zip and close these boots, doing so with jeans tucked in was really tight. I'm not sure how much they can be stretched due to the zipper closure. If you have slim to average calves, these will be fantastic!

Color (Dark Vintage Brown), quality, style - everything is perfect with these boots except the calf width which was too wide for my taste. If you have fuller calves, then these boots are definitely worth the money. If you have slimmer calves, these may not make the cut.

Beautiful boot, but need to return because I had extreme difficulty getting my foot inside the foot section of the boot! I have now tried the regular Melissa Button and now the back zip style...experienced the same issue with both styles. I ordered my normal size 8 and once I finally got my foot in the boot, I found it was too large. Tried a 7 12 and couldn't even squeeze my foot in at all!! Let me point out that I do not have very wide feet and have never struggled with this issue before with a boot. Was so excited to get a pair of Frye's...sad to return. gave 3 stars though due to craftsmanship and quality of the boot.

I think I will return these boots. This is the second time I have had to return boots due to defects. If I am spending nearly this much on boots, they should be perfect...no exceptions.

Nice boot, but the zipper is really difficult to zip/unzip. If you are older or have back problems, this is a definite hindrance to getting the boot on and off. Love the look, comfortable fit, but I will be returning this boot.

I have been searching for the perfect tall black boot. Based on the photos, video and reviews I thought the search was over. I got the Melissa Button Back Zip boot in Black Soft Vintage Leather. It was shinier than I anticipated, making it a more formal looking boot than I wanted. But they smelled so good I had to try them on. Super hard to get unzipped and unbuttoned, but I hoped that would change over time. I could barely fit my foot into the boot. I wear size 9.5 and that's what I ordered. Had to take off my normal sock and try these on with a stocking. Too narrow, too small, too shiny. Sad to say they went back.

I wore these boots one time and the zipper was very hard to zip, especially from the back. The lining is already pulling away from the inside zipper and outside stitching. I would try another style if calf space was larger and inside zipper was easier to zip.

I have been searching for the perfect boots for forever. I finally convinced myself into buying an expensive pair and I decided with the Melissa Button Back Zip. I have always had trouble finding boots to fit my calves. The regular width is too small while the extended calf is too large. I measured my calves and they were 14.5in so I thought a boot with a 15in circumference would be perfect. Man was I wrong. When these boots arrived I could not even zip them up around my naked leg. I subsequently ordered another pair of boots (not frye and not from zappos) in extended calf with a circumference of 15.15in and I was swimming in them. Now I'm back to square one with no boots and no idea what size to order.

Oh how I wish I could find a boot that fits me! These were on my wishlist for many months and they sold out twice (in antique gray). When they restocked I finally jumped on them. I ordered my regular size (in shoes and my Frye Harness 12Rs) of 7 1/2. They arrived in the usual Zappos timely fashion of 2 days. I was so excited and then immediately sad. There were big gouges in the leather on the front of the shaft of both boots. I tried them on anyway, hoping for an exchange. They felt quite narrow across the toes in pretty thin socks and were tight on my calves in leggings. (I have about 14 1/2 inch calves.) However the length felt just right, if not slightly long, so I don't think ordering up will work for me. After walking around in my bedroom in front of the mirror for about half an hour I deicded to continue the search. Fryes are just too expensive to look and fit just okay. I'm sure the leather would stretch around the shaft and toes, as many have mentioned, but overall it was a disappointing experience, especially after reading all the stellar reviews. Maybe later (as in next year, because the swimsuits are already out in department stores!!) I'll go to a store where I can try on several sizes and inspect the leather. In the meantime, Zappos exchanged them easily and I already have a box of new boots to try (just 2 days later)!

I wanted to love these boots so badly. I first got the dark brown color but really wasn't impressed with the finish. And the first pair had horribly uncomfortable fit. The hugging that the heel is supposed to have hurt my feed because of how sharply it was cut. The zipper was sticky and the leather was extremely stiff and not at all comfortable. While I'm sure that breaking them in over time would fix the zipper/stiff leather problem, I wasn't going to suffer through sore feet. Return. My husband convinced me to order another pair to see if it was just the manufacturing of the first pair, so this time I ordered the distressed gray. I actually loved the color. The fit of one boot was perfect - soft leather, comfortable insole, non-sticky zipper... the other boot, not so much. Return. The wide range of fit/finish leaves me feeling a bit put off by this company's "commitment to excellence". If I try the boots again, it will be in store where I can try them on immediately and work with one of the sales people to find a pair that fits well on both feet. Zappos is, as always, a great company to work with. The free shipping both ways and easy returns is what allowed me to try these boots. I will continue to shop at Zappos!

I wanted to love these, but they were not quite worth the price. The color was warm and rich, and the back zipper is an interesting detail, especially with the snap closures. However, they were pretty baggy at the ankle, which took away from the silhouette of the boot. I was expecting it to be more refined and flattering.

Very Disappointed. After reading the reviews I couldn't wait to receive and wear these boots. Unfortunately I've had a very painful and uncomfortable experience. The first day the boots fitted exact. I got pains from the leather across my toes. By the end of the second wear it seemed like the shoes stretched quite a bit and my feet were now dancing around in the boots and I experienced much pain. The color is beautiful, the shaft is nice and sturdy, but the fit was quite uncomfortable to my feet. I wish I could return these, but I already discarded the box because I was so satisfied when I tried them on fresh out of the box. My first and last frye boots. Very disappointed. Don't believe the hype.

I ordered these boots last year and really like the style/fit/comfort (although the full-grain leather doesn't look as high quality as the regular leather, IMO. I just dropped them off at the cobbler to have the top snaps replaced (having already replaced the bottom snaps a month ago). The quality in the workmanship is extremely poor on these boots. Besides the snaps, there are stray threads coming out of the stitching. So disappointed. I have three other pair of Frye boots and love them!

Beautiful boot but very strangely made. The foot was so narrow I couldn't even get the back zipped and my toes felt crushed. Really unfortunate because it's really a beautiful boot!