Customer Reviews Chippewa American Handcrafted GQ Apache Lacer Boot

These are really great, but the rolled leather ankle rim is digging my left ankle like no other. Had Red Wing iron rangers for 3 years and wore them out. These are heavier and definitely more robust, but have DOUBLE the break-in time. It's going to take 2-3 weeks to break them in, and I'm just having to suck up a really sore ankle. So sore, in fact that I thought I was going to have to take them off. But, it's getting better. Love the boot so I want to make it work.

These boots are awesome. I was worried they would be too narrow after ordering them but they fit perfectly. I normally wear a size 11 but a size 10.5 regular width fit great. They look great and you can tell they're built with quality. I love them already and I've only had them for a few weeks.

I've been impressed with these boots; impressed enough to write a review. Very high quality materials (leather, laces, soles), excellent construction. They look great, and are wearing like iron. Broke in easily within a week or so. They are a bit narrow, and I did end up going with a size 10, vs my normal 10.5. Couldn't be happier overall. And, of course, they're made in the USA.

These are, hands down, the best boots I've ever owned. I have been searching for a US made, quality, repairable boot for a few months. I've read many reviews online, and talked to guys at work who are wearing boots in the field all day. I went with Chippewa for the price and style. I realize there are other US made boots of perhaps finer quality, but the price is much steeper. I wanted a boot that would look good worn casually, but could stand up to some real use out in the field if necessary. I also wanted a boot that would be repairable, so that if I did my part and maintained the leather, I could expect many years of service. This boot appears to fulfill the quality criteria in spades. The sole is able to be remanufactured, and is good Vibram quality. The one stand out feature is the comfort. I read that these boots tend to run large, but perhaps a bit narrow. I ordered a half size down from my normal 11.5, and when I put them on out of the box, they felt as if they'd actually been made specifically for my foot. The break in period for the boots is more like adjusting a pair of already broken in boots that you haven't worn in a while, than a brand new pair that have never been on a foot. These boots are so comfortable, and the fit so precise, that I may take them hiking. Buy these boots if you're looking for an excellent quality boot, at home in the field, or on the street, that are beyond comfortable. Just remember, they do run about a half size large.

Great footwear. They were comfortable straight out of box. They are almost too nice to wear on farm (that is my intended use). Instead, I wore them to my office job (business casual). They looked great. I gave them to my brother who has ankle problems and also works in office. I will buy another pair (for myself) if the high top provides support for his ankle.

I like these boots a lot. They were recommended to me as a good boot for the price and I totally agree. I thrashed them, wearing them as a barista on my feet all day, 40 hours a week and sometimes off work as well. They are very comfortable and needed no break-in period. The laces didn't last long, which is the only thing that bothered me. If you clean the leather you can keep them looking good for a long time. For me, the soles started to wear out before anything else-- but if you want a replaceable sole, you should probably go with Red Wings and pay a little extra.

Not a bad boot for the price. Not perfect. The arch support on the right boot is noticeably higher than on the left boot, a little uncomfortable. Hopefully this will compress down with time. Also the boots have developed squeaks in the last with time.

Like many others who bought this boot, I was seriously considering a Red Wings boot (the Iron Ranger). When it really comes down to it, this boot has almost everything I wanted from the Iron Ranger for much less money. They have a leather midsole, they're double, if not triple stitched, they can be resoled pretty easily, and they're just built well. While the leather isn't as "buttery" and consistent as the Iron Ranger, the leather is actually nicer than it appears in the product photos. The contrast midsole is a really nice touch and stands out more than expected, which is a good thing. The American flag spangle can be removed pretty easily, which makes the boot look much nicer. If you want to be patriotic, consider that you just bought solid, good quality, American made boots - no flag pin necessary. My one complaint is that one side of one of the boots I received was a really crumpled looking leather as opposed to a smooth leather. As they break in, it looks better though, and it's more of a cosmetic thing - that piece of leather still feels durable. Even with that, I feel like I've won some kind of prize for getting such a great quality and nice looking boot for so much less than the Iron Ranger.

These are descent boots, they fit the price point well. I would not recommend these boots for wear in any super wet conditions. I took mine to Park City Utah for a week and it just about tore my brand new boots up even, after sprayed with a water repellent. The break in period was shorter then I expected as the leather is already pretty soft. Its not a stylish boot but nice enough to wear from warehouse to office and you got to love the American Flag Logo. USA!

These boots are great, but I recommend ordering a full size down. I normally wear a size 9, but I had to get a size 8 to get a good fit. (I initially ordered a size 8.5, but I had to return them. The return process was quick and painless, by the way.) I also recommend ordering a wide size. They seem to run a bit narrow. In terms of looks, these boots look really nice. I use them for work and people have commented that they look very much like quintessential work boots. But they could just as easily be cleaned up and worn casually. They're pretty all-purpose.

---The Bad--- Boots run about a full size big. I'm normally an 11.5, but I could (with thin socks) rock the 10). I went with 10.5 as a happy medium. Good choice. ---The Good--- These boots are amazing. They're stylish, so I can wear them to work as business casual. I can also rock them to a local rodeo. They're durable, especially with some leather treatment. I'll buy another pair soon.

Got these for my boyfriend for Christmas. He really liked them and wears them all the time but we had to return a few times because they run very large - he ended up with a full size smaller than he usually takes. Very fast and simple return process made it easy, though.

The soles of these boots were crooked! Once the foot is inside, you can tell that the boots would probably break in very comfortably, but the pair I received had the sole so lop-sided, that in one step it forced my feet to over-pronate!

I decided to go with the much cheaper Chippewas over a pair of exquisitely nice Red Wing Beckmans. I originally ordered the Red Wings, hoping for a great quality boot that I'd never tire of that would only get better with age. Well, they arrived and I noticed a few things off the bat that prompted me to immediately return them: the lack of quick-lacing at the top, and lack of leather pull tab meant that getting them on and off was a tedious chore. I wanted these boots for casual use (I have other Caterpillar Alaska boots for work) and taking a few minutes to put on and take off my shoes isn't ideal. The color was also offputting. I was hoping the color would be more neutral, but it wasn't. Plus they were very heavy. Don't get me wrong, the Red Wings were gorgeous and well-made, but they just didn't fit my needs. Enter the Chippewa GQ Apaches. I love them! Pros: -They are a full 50% cheaper than the Red Wings. -They have a quick-lace upper, with a final hole at the top to secure your laces even if your socks settle. Nice design! -They are a great "boot leather" color that ages nicely. -They have Vibram soles that are just soft enough to be comfortable, but also have great traction. -They are made in USA. -The hardware is solid, and the welting is very nicely done. -The leather tongue is connected pretty high up to the upper, so if you step in water you might not get wet. The tongues are also centered, which is a true pet peeve of mine when they are lopsided due to shoddy craftsmanship. Cons: -The shaving around the sole and welting is sort of sloppy, as another reviewer mentioned. This can be touched up by the buyer though. -No pull-tab on the back to aid in putting them on with heavy socks. This is just personal preference. Overall, these are fantastic boots for the value. I haven't had them for long, but I will update my review after I get more miles out of them. They are beautiful, comfortable out of the box, and truly are a good value. I have somewhat narrow and long feet, and these actually fit them very well while many boots are too wide for my liking. They look exactly like the stock photos, which isn't always the case for shoes online. You won't regret them, especially at this price point.

Shoes are great. My husband has enjoyed them; he wears them every day. Zappos is top of the line when it comes to service.

These are definitely on the narrow side. The construction quality is excellent. There are a few minor blemishes on the leather but that adds character. They take a long time to break in but it is not a painful process. While not as heavy duty as some work boot options, they will probably last long enough to in and out of style several times before needing a re-sole. I do not think they are waterproof but you will be fine as long as you stay out of the deep puddles.

I had a boot similar to this style a few years ago and I could never find anything close. These boots are perfect, they are well made (built in America-what do you expect), look good and feel good on the feet. I liked them so much, I bought another pair in the lighter color. I would, 100%, recommend buying these boots.

What a handsome boot! But be careful. Not sure why but my achilles was chafed after wearing them for a day, walking all about NYC. I later learned one can roll up their socks, or just not lace the boot up all the way. I love these boots despite the chafing.

These are the best boots I've ever owned, by a long shot. Their overall style is that of straightforward work boots (and they have the bulletproof construction and comfortable insoles that requires) but they have details which make them are more refined, suitable for office use as well. The soles are super: good traction, non-tracking, non-marking.

Have had these boots for a week now and also own red wings and a couple other brands. For the money these boots a very impressive. The style can be as casual or as dressy as you'd like. They also, in my opinion, hold their own against other expensive brands like red wing. One of the most comfortable boots I have ever worn, even right out of the box, while looking great. Be sure to go a half size down from your regular shoe size and go for wide width if possible.

You will not find a more comfortable pair of boots. I am a project manager for a fencing company an wanted something that I could wear in the office or in the field. I now wear them to dinner too. I have plantar fasciitis and struggle with many shoes that I purchase. These without a doubt have excellent support and my feet have given me no problems. It will take a few wears to break these in but once you do, you will not be sorry. Kudos to Zappos as well. I ordered a smaller size than normal due to reviews but when my first pair came in, they were still too big. I called Zappos and they shipped the new pair out before I had returned the originals. Order at least a size smaller than what you normally wear. I'm an 11 in sneakers but a 9.5 in these, my favorite shoes ever.

Very well made American shoe. These will last many years if taken care of. Vibram sole is very grippy, yet quiet, on hard surfaces. Boot is surprisingly light weight. Ordered the wide size; boots were comfortable right out of the box!