Chippewa Apache Lace-Up Boot

I'm writing this review in an effort to clear up some issues regarding this boot. I now own five pairs of Chippewa boots (including these Choco Apaches) and every pair is first rate. Good leather, good fit, good build, tough. I own packers, and loggers and the Wellington boot, all bought on Amazon over the course of the past five or six years. I bought these Apaches this past week because I like their look better than the Wolverine 1000 Mile Evans boots I also own and which now cost $400. The Apaches are more of a "work" boot, though a nice-looking work boot. The Woverines have that old Up in the Holler Makin' Moonshine look as well, but they are dressier. The guy dancing at the gas pump in the movie Deliverance, would have worn the Apaches, not the 1000 Mile Evans. The Apaches have the great Vibram lug sole which insures no-slipping when you put your foot down while riding a motorcycle. The smoother Vibram sole on the Wolverines is good, but would slip before the lug sole does. The slightly larger fit works for me because I have both wide feet and a high arch. I found the boots to be comfortable out of the box. They are not "seconds." They come with the American flag. They are perfect. They will get worn more often than the 1000 Mile Evans boots, but I like them both for their intended purpose. Addendum: After posting this review I pulled the laces and applied a coat of Obenauf''s. Unlike the Woverine 1000 Mile Evans boots which retained their basic color after the Obenauf's application, the chocolate brown of the Chippewa Apaches appears lost forever. The leather turned a very dark brown immediately. As the Obenauf's was absorbed the leather edged back toward its original color, but is still darker than I'd like it to be. That said, the boot still looks terrific.

Well, first review ever, though I've probably read thousands when purchasing. Figure I should help some other people out. These boots are incredibly well constructed. And so comfortable! I could have probably walked 15 miles in them out of the box. I did order a half size smaller than my norm because I read they run large. They are still a tad large and maybe I could have ordered a full size smaller than my normal size. Having said that, they fit my wide feet with narrow heels very well. I got the 10ee. I am also prone to bunionettes (like a bunion but on the outside of the foot) and all shoes are terrible to break in, especially boots. Soem shoe break-ins leave me nearly crippled. I hate breaking in boots. These boots are perfect, however. I am currently suffering the misfortune of living in SE Michigan and took my pup out on some really sloppy, wet, slushy trails yesterday while it was raining. My feet were perfectly dry. I did treat the boots with obenaufs as soon as i got them. These boots are styley, functional, super comfy, surprisingly light-weight, with excellent traction, and I imagine they will be very durable for the long haul. I destroy equipment/shoes and a large reason I bought them was durability. I don't think I will be disappointed. I don't think many people would be disappointed with a purchase of these boots. Go for it!

These are good boots. They are well formed, which isn't the case with most boots today, and they are of a traditional, rugged construction. They are not gym shoe soles glued onto a glorified gym shoe which is what passes for a boot these days. The leather is sort of swede like. I immediately applied outdoor type kiwi brand mink oil containing silicone to these boots, which waterproofs them and makes the leather smoother looking and I think more durable. The outsoles of these books have a typical boot pattern with deep lugs and a rigid shank and are made of a heavy rubber. This boot is made in a more lightweight version, with Vibram gumlite soles (Chippewa Men's 6" Rugged Handcrafted Lace-Up Boot). For most things, I think those are better. Much lighter weight, nearly as durable, and the shank is flexible. They feel more gym shoe like and you can walk comfortably in them for longer, however, those soles have very little traction in mud or snow, which is why I bought these. Both shoes feature the same quality uppers and sewn on soles. They both have good insoles with decent arch support. Both are made in USA. Both are made of the same type of leather, which I think needs to be oiled. The gumlite ones are a bit dressier looking since they don't have lugs on the bottom and look more like a dress shoe. It really comes down to this: if you need mud/snow traction get the Apache boot, if you don't get the ones with gumlite soles. These boots may cost a little more than Chinese made ones, however, I feel that they are an outstanding value. My father in law has Red Wings and Danners that are no better than these and they cost $100 more.

This is my second pair of Chippewa boots. Bought their snake boots in spring - excellent boots so i purchased these as well. I needed a solid pair of boots with excellent grip to work outside on steep lot going down to lake. Lots of stick ups, trees, bushes, vines , trees needing maintenance. From bushwacking to cutting trees and hauling off - these boots performed great. I am 66 and these boots kept me upright - very few slips - no falls and i now swear by them. Solid construction - wore around the house for two hours at a time for two days then put the aqua seal on for waterproofing. Then went to work outside - worked for 4 hours at a time - for three days in a row. No blisters, no rubs, feet felt super. I bought a half size smaller based upon other reviews and they fit great with both smart wool socks and regular athletic socks. Would buy again tomorrow. Will updated this report down the road if i have any issues with these. Thanks Amazon for good price on a great boot - Chippewa is my go to boot company now. Both my Son and Grandson eyed them yesterday and warned me not to turn my back on them. Hope this helps someone make up their minds.

This is a one month comment. When I saw this Chippewa boots I don't think twice and I bought them. They are really very well builded, the leather is of excellent quality, very strong and looks really handmade in the US, something difficult on this days. About the size: I use too Timberland boots, my sice is 8.5(D). My feet fits perfect and very well adjust in Timberland boots in this number size. I bought the Chippewa 8.5(D) too. At the first try I realize they were a little loose. I think about change them: Don't do it! Use more thick socks. Why not to change? Because is leather, not tissue, so, perhaps a number or a half number less of the boot could fit better, the friction will be a torture. About the use: Because is original leather, is very strong and hard. It will take something like two weeks using them for the leather gets smooth. It produce on my little thumb a blister, but I don't care, because the boots are so high quality! After two weeks they are perfect. About the care: Buy a $8.00 can of Sno-Seal Wax 7oz Jar. It is the perfect product for treat your boots and protect the leather. Just warm the boot with a hairdryer or put them at the sun and then spread the product on the boot. Let it dry. WIll make the leather a little bit more dark, but it will protect the leather I hope for lots of time. Conclusion: Don't think more and buy them. Perhaps my work is indoors, the boots are perfect for who works in construction, engineering, at the farm (remember me the days I grow up on a farm), etc.

**Update; January 2017. Still love them. Holding up really well. Move comfortable then ever. Laces shredded fairly quickly though replaced with Ironlace Lace (1-Pair), Brown, 54-Inch and they are a fantastic match. ** Original review; January 2014 Spent a long time researching boot replacements for my old Herman Survivors (pre Walmart). Was set on Timberlands but realized they were no longer made in the USA and the price definitely does not reflect asian made. Looked up boots recommended by guys in trade forums that work in boots all day. Danners, Carolina Boot Co., Red Wing and Chippewa kept being mentioned. I finally settled on Chippewa due to most if being made in the USA. They also don't hide the fact of some boots being made overseas. I debated between an insulated model (that is sold at LL Bean) and this non-insulated model Chippewa 20080 Apache. I went with the non-insulated since I wanted a day to day boot I could wear at work and not get too hot. I had to have what I call tractor-tread (lugged) sole. Water proof was not as important as breath-ability. I did research leather conditioners and water proofers and settled on Obenauf's LP Boot Preservative. This added some water repellency and protection. Natural ingredients, not a chemical treatment. Very happy with it. So for my review I could not be happier with my choice. Thick soft leather. Quality stitching and finishing. They show no signs of wear after much use. I'll include a picture of how they look. Traction in the snow and ice is very good. Fit was half size less than I normally wear when I chose a 2E. Normally I wear normal width. Comfortable from the first day and getting better everyday since. I am seriously thinking of wearing these in the summer too.

So, these shoes are probably the best leather shoes I've ever owned. Especially for the price, I like these better than my Wolverine 1Ks. The leather itself is very nice and smooth - its stiff to start, but begins to mold over time. Within about two weeks of wear the shoe fit great - its been a few months now and the shoe fits *perfectly*. I could walk all day long in it without a problem. I'm a 10D, and tried the 9.5, but found it too tight along the width and too close on the toe box. 9.5EE might have been fine, but I decided to go with a 10D instead to give myself some toe room. I wear thick wigwam socks, and they fit very nice and snug. The shoes are great in all weather - NYC snowdays are easy, and the leather is more than water resistant enough to keep my feet nice and dry. The leather does darken as you take care of it - I used coconut oil to condition at first, but didn't like just how much darker it made the boots. I used Lexol cleaner to bring the boots back to neutral and clear off the salt/snow damage, and followed up with Lexol conditioner. THe boots still darkened, but look much nicer overall and have a better tone and patina to them. Scratches buff out easily with a cloth, a brush, or your finger. Note: Pictures are after cleaner, conditioned they are much darker and nicer

2018 update Still have these boots. Broken in and wear great. Very comfortable now. I’m hard on shoes and these have held up. I will definitely buy again...whenever that may be, because these are still holding up strong. Yea American made!! I have recommended them to a friend and he purchased a pair and loves them. His job he is on his feet for 12 hours a day. 2019 Update These are the best boots I’ve ever owned. I wear them everyday at work. I own a bar. I’m standing 6-8 hours a day and my feet don’t feel tired at the end of the day either. I would say I’ll buy another pair, but I don’t know when these will wear out. Maybe I’ll buy some Black ones. Just a fantastic boot. Comfortable after break in. For me this took about two weeks but I was not wearing them for more than a few hours a day. They are very light but have a nice aggressive tread. I would by these again in about 3-4 years after these wear out maybe longer. Pros: Look Great, Light Weight, Comfortable to wear all day. And Made by Americans. Cons a little snug in the toes for me at first but I have Hobbit Feet( short and wide).

The boots were very nice, especially given the price (I paid a little over $170). I'd give them 5 stars but they were WAY too big. I wear a 12 in pretty much everything, including Nike shoes. I ordered the 11.5 because I was told they run slightly large. If i slid my toes to the front of the boot wearing a wool sock, I had almost 2 finger widths of space between the boot and my heel - usually I wear a size that I can't even slide 1 finger between. And for those who own Clarks desert boots, order the same size you would wear in those.

Great boots. I purcahsed to use as a light winter boot (no insulation). The lug soles provide great traction. The fit was spot on.