Freebird Wyatt

I come with a heavy heart. The Freebird  Wyatt  is absolutely stunning, completely adjustable through the calf, but doesn't fit my foot. Sob! With a shoe size between 7.5 and 8, usually 7.5, I went for the 8 in this one based on reviews it runs small. Even the 8 was not quite long enough on my foot for comfort, plus the toebox is too narrow for my problematic right little toe. An 8.5 might work, but tragically, the Wyatt doesn't come in half sizes, and a 9 would most likely be too long.

What's to love: Besides the work of art that is the beautiful distressed brown shaft of this made-in-Mexico boot -- and I think the solid black would be incredible, too -- it is, as I said, completely adjustable through an ingenious side lacing system and very soft, snakeskin-pattern insert that easily folds to conform to your lace tightening. It's a rustic, slightly tough looking boot, but so alluring. You will get noticed.

I'm giving this one an automatic 5 out of 5 for calf slimness, as it truly can work for any average-to-very-thin calf (not sure about wide calves). The only footnote on that would be re the ankle: I tightened it down to about 10.5 inches around but felt like going much skinnier there might ruin the long, lean line of the boot. I think it looks great, but you be the judge.

Shaft height: I measured that at 15.75 to 16.75" -- depending on inside vs outside measurement and whether I included the soft inner panel, which rises a bit above the main shaft.

Heel: It's a cool looking 2.5 inch heel, which I love for a leggy look. Most of my fave boots & booties have heels in the 2- to 2.75 inch range, so that's not a dealbreaker for me. But if you strongly prefer a flatter situation, the Wyatt won't be a match. Bonus points for the supercool tattoo-like sole, though it could be a tad slippery.

Besides the tricky sizing, my only other issue, and it's a slight one, is that the 3-inch long goring panel in the back hangs open a little. It's part of the rustic appeal, and no big deal really, but I guess I'm a little surprised they felt the need for goring at all, given the top-to-bottom lacing and full zip features for easy access and calf-customizing.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: *****/5

In black and brown.
This stunner sold out quickly in many sizes.
Act quickly & you'll find a few at: (finally on sale as of early November 2016! :)
Amazon (finally on sale as of early November 2016! :)
Ebay (where I scored mine for $50 under retail, NIB -- update: still a few left there as of October 2017, priced well under retail)

photo c Amazon

Amazingly, there's another totally adjustable Freebird style too: the Coal which looks like a particularly good bet for taller boot lovers. More color and size options available than the Wyatt, as of early March 2016, and arguably just as beautiful. Yea!

Joan & David Talaro

Oops! :-(

Ever since I slipped my scrawny legs into the gorgeous Heathley, I've had one eye open for more Joan & David boots for small calves. So I was so excited to show you the lovely Talaro -- knee-high leather for (as of early March 2016) under 70 bucks!

But as soon as I opened the box, I knew today's writeup wasn't going to go as planned. ShoeMetro sent me, sadly, the wide calf version of the Talaro -- which, truth be told, would probably not be wide enough for folks with truly wide calves. In shoe size 8, the top circumference measured in at a (yes, roomyish) 16", the midcalf a not-that-big 14" ... and the ankle was 11" around -- a pretty common stat even for the narrow calf riding boots I normally feature here. That gives me hope that the non-wide-calf Talaro would be pretty slim. (Caveat: the size 8 was comfy but not roomy on my foot, and I often take a 7.5, so those between half-sizes should go with the larger.)

I'm not sure yet whether I'll be able to get hold of the non-extended version to show here "on leg," but in case you're considering grabbing your own pair at the outrageously low pricing now available, here are a few pix.

The dark brown hue is pretty and versatile (there's a a black version too), and the dainty little studs are what really drew me to this boot.

This isn't luxury leather, but for $60 on sale and $189 retail? It's a find. Far from the most plasticky I've tried in the <$200 price range for leather boots.

For the stretch panel averse, there's none on this shaft, save a teeny bit of hidden goring up top.

Nice treads on the sole for unpredictable spring weather, plus an adorable animal-print lining.

And the shaft is fairly petite-friendly, at 15.5 inches tall.

I promise to be back soon with a bona fide skinny boot to show you. 'Til then, a Merry March to all :) And please do post a comment on calf fit if you're lucky enough to score a pair of non-wide Talaros!