I bought these boots because of their resemblance to Carolina 505 boots. I've been wearing 505s for years and love them. These boots may compare to the imported 505s but not the domestic. A new job assignment has me working in extreme conditions around some harsh chemicals. My favorite boots only last a few months and they're falling apart so I started experimenting with less expensive alternatives. I bought a pair of these a few months ago but a particularly rough couple of days at work trashed them after only two weeks. The leather broke down where it bends and tore. I didn't fault the boots at the time but they were no longer on sale so I tried some other inexpensive boots. So these were on sale again in my size and I bought them again. After an easy couple weeks at work, the leather is starting to break down in the same place. By comparison, my other boots are going on five months and are just starting to fail. Excellent by my standards. I'm not a leather expert but the tanning process of the Golden Retriever boots seems to be inferior. They're soft and easy to break in but not water resistant at all.In summary, these boots are fairly comfortable and easy to break in but haven't held as long as other boots I've tried. Maybe they're ok as long as they're deeply discounted but not at full price.If you're sitting in the edge of your chair waiting to hear what my current boots are... Wolverine WO2359 Darco steel toed boots. So far they're on par with Carolina 505 domestic.More reviewing, I bought another pair when on sale for $46 in my size. I treated them with neatsfoot oil twice trying to condition the leather then stored them until I needed them. Two weeks in and the stitching is failing in the same place on both boots. The leather is holding up with the neatsfoot oil. I don't know if the treatment has degraded the stitching or what but they should know that owners will try to preserve their boots. Neatsfoot oil is a common leather treatment and hasn't caused problems before.These boots are well built and comfortable very comparable to Carolina's, but at a much more reasonable price. The only problem I have encountered is that the quick lace hooks on the uppers are thin metal and bend easily and break off after a while. I have found that the laces fit through the rivet holes though so if they break you can still lace them.They fit just right and didn't have to break-in like some other boots in the past. I will order my next pair from here when needed.So far,so good. No need tobreak in. I stand all day on concrete and they hold up pretty well. I am using some Dr Scholl insoles too. Great buy if you're getting them for under $100.ComfortableLove the boots . I highly recommend them to anyone who needs a good pair of work boots. You don't even have to brake them in . Definitely gonna buy another pair. .One boot was a hair darker then the other. But other than that great boot at a great deal.the most comfortable steel boot i ever had so far, Extremely comfortable and keep my feet dry I ll buy second one soon