I don't know why Ariat stopped making these, if they only made more boots like these.

I have worn these mostly to the office. Though, they have accompanied me through one of the most trying six months of my life. First I was wearing these when I got the news my mother had passed unexpectedly. On the other lighter/happier side I was wearing these when I purchased my fiancé ring. Safe to say a lot of memories are associated with these boots.

The Bison leather is on the thinner side, but that makes it extremely breathable and comfortable in hot weather. For being thinner it has held up well to the normal everyday cuts and scrapes with no issues, but by no means is this a heavy duty work leather.

The last worked for me and the sizing was spot on for how I like my boots to fit. I like some space in front of my toes, but if you don't I would go a half down in size potentially.

I was worried there might be issues here given wasn't sure what Ariat would produce in this sort of makeup. However, not even a stich out of place and no failures of any kind. I have PNW boots that cost 3-4 times that only wish to have been built as cleanly.

The leather soles was unsurprisingly comfortable, if you know you know, once you get on the leather soles train you don't really get off willingly for the comfort the provide. Not sure what sole leather they used but it has held up with no issues.

These Ariat boots punch way above their weight. Are there some synthetic materials that purists won't love in the boot (foam on the foot bed) sure, but these are phenomenal examples of what Ariat was apparently capable of when they tried to build better stuff. I know i will reach for these well and long in to the future before boots that cost 2, 3, 4 times as much. If you can still find a pair floating around, just buy them, and thank me later. They are reasonably priced such that you'll actually wear them (not a show boot that folks typically don't wear because they're to expensive) and (better built than my more casual PNW boots).