Loved the look, struggled with the comfort.

Florianfloorwalker3 months ago
Meermin Chelsea BootC.F. Stead Gaucho Waxy Kudu

Maker

Meermin

Shop now

Model

Chelsea Boot

Leather

Last

Rod Last

US Men's Brannock: 8.5E

Rod Last: 8E (MEDIUM)

Sole

Purchased from

Meermin

Shop now

Order info

Cost: 182 EUR

Availability: Limited Edition

Lead Time: 3 days

Why did you choose this item?

Availability: Limited Edition
Style

I chose them because of the look, the grain, and the mark showing in the kudu leather, and there was a discount. I've been looking for a smooth, everyday pair of Chelsea boots for some time, so let's find out after the do me—I’ll know if they are worth it!

How did you determine your size?

Rod Last: 8E (MEDIUM)US Men's Brannock: 8.5E
Other

I guessed it😂 I mostly wear 9D in US heritage boots. Shoes and loafers, even slippers, are usually in 8. The trickers I have are in 8.5 UK, but they are too big, so I went with UK 8 on these. Yes, I have a Brannock device at home. It tells me I’m an 8 US. But I have a high instep, so 8 is far too uncomfortable for my feet.

What was the ordering process?

Purchased from MeerminTotal cost: 182 EUR Lead time: 3 days
Online Store

Ordered from Meermin EU online. They arrive quickly, and the process was straightforward.

Use & wear

Other

I originally intended to use these boots as everyday footwear. At first, the Commando sole felt surprisingly soft, almost sneaker‑like, which made me optimistic. I also ordered two pairs of insoles, but both were too thick for this UK 8 pair (I normally wear US 9 / EU 42). Over time, an uncomfortable pressure point developed between the heel and the sole, pressing into my midfoot. Because of that, I ended up wearing the boots mostly in the garden, where the muddy ground made the grippy sole useful and the pressure point was less noticeable. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize this issue until the second month; otherwise, I would have withdrawn the boots from the competition. In the end, I didn’t wear them nearly as often as expected — no outings, no hikes, no office use, mostly just quick garden tasks.

Leather

C.F. Stead Gaucho Waxy Kudu
Care Routine
Break-In
Durability

The leather was one of the highlights from the beginning. It felt light, comfortable, and looked fantastic with all its natural variations. I also loved how the color matched the dried earth in my area — it meant the boots hardly needed cleaning. The hide seemed thick and protective, and even after about three months, a single cleaning brought the leather back to a nice shine. This time I even used a very stiff nylon brush, and as soon as the dirt was gone, the leather looked great again. It’s a real shame that such a beautiful leather boot ended up being uncomfortable underfoot. If anyone has recommendations for where I could have the sole rebuilt or modified, I’d genuinely appreciate it.

Fit

Rod Last: 8E (MEDIUM)US Men's Brannock: 8.5E
Arch
Length Feels Right
Volume Feels Right
Ball Feels Right
Satisfied with the Fit

A really bad bump became apparent after a month of casual ware. It really dug into my arch and made me wanting to trash the boot.

Craftsmanship

Meermin Chelsea Boot
Construction

I really like the cowboy boot like design of the pointy toe. Also at first i liked the soft compound of the sole and the boot was put together flawlessly. It did not come appart but then i did not wear it too often.

Sole & heel

Traction

Soft compound. Prone to catch stones.

Final thoughts

Other

Would not recommend. I wanted a cheap option for my first dome. But i should have invested a tad more and just gotten myselve something good.

Be the first to write a response

Shop similar

Affiliate Links

More like this