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Original poster

Duo boots

22 replies

justcallmethefixer · 30/08/2014 01:05

I am fed up of buying cheaper long boots and the calf fit not being right and the quality poor.

Are duo boots worth the £200 price tag for a narrow fit and real leather?

This would be a credit card purchase and I would require more than one season out of them with daily wear. I am prepared to re-heal/sole at some point.

Any advice?

OP posts:
drLu · 30/08/2014 01:08

I have a couple of pairs and think they are definitely money well spent.

solosolong · 30/08/2014 01:10

I love Duo Boots. I have big feet and being able to get exactly the right fit makes them really comfortable. I have bought a few pairs over the years and had them reheeled with no problems - I have some which have lasted 4 or 5 years. I have stompy every-day boots, and high-heeled glam boots from Duo and love both types equally. They are really good quality. They also have great bargains in their sales if you can hold out that long.
Although they are mostly online/ mail order they do have a shop in London where you can try on for size before ordering online; and a shop in Bath. (Maybe others too but those are the ones I have been to.)

Original poster
justcallmethefixer · 30/08/2014 01:13

How long have you had them and how often do you wear them if you don't mind me asking ?

If I am considering putting half my rent on a pair of boots I need to know that they will be 'all that' iykwim

OP posts:
Original poster
justcallmethefixer · 30/08/2014 01:18

X post , 4-5 years sounds great! Can't get to a shop easily, how do the sizes come up ?

I'm a small 5 with a 30 calf, so was thinking ordering a 5 with a 31/32 calf to allow for skinny jeans etc.
they would be worn to/from work 5 days per week at least 1 full day per weekend.

OP posts:
solosolong · 30/08/2014 01:20

I have been buying a pair a year for the past 5 or 6 years (actually, thinking about it, maybe even longer), plus a couple of extra pairs that I have bought in the sales. I don't think I have thrown any out in that time. So, they last pretty well and I rotate them. I have one or two really high pairs which are just worn occasionally, but then I have others which are worn three or four days a week for work. I wouldn't have any worries about them lasting - obviously the smaller the heel, the more they will need reheeling. I have never had any zips break or anything like that.

lemonfolly · 30/08/2014 01:21

I have 3 pairs and I love them. They are worth the spend to me due to calf sizing. If it were not for that, they would be very overpriced.

solosolong · 30/08/2014 01:23

There is a measuring guide on their website - get bigger calf size as you mention if you want to tuck jeans in. The actual shoe size does vary sometimes though. Some of them come up a little big. I am usually a 43 but in some styles (the flatter, chunkier ones) a 42 will fit me.

Original poster
justcallmethefixer · 30/08/2014 02:11

I think you have me convinced. So tell me are there any sales coming up?
I need a pair of autumn/winter/early spring boots mid stack type heel as I will walk up to 2 miles in them at one go preferably in brown as I think black is to limiting to wear all the time. Any style recommendations please

Tia

OP posts:
TwoInTheMourning · 30/08/2014 07:40

With Duo boots the sizing varies massively amongst their different models so it's not really a case of how their sizes run, unfortunately. On the plus size, their customers service people are really good and will help you work out what you need. I have the CARVEL calf boots (currently on sale) and despite being a wide size 5 absolutely everywhere, a Duo size 5 was so large I could take the boots off without unzipping them. Luckily they agreed to exchange them without further cost to me.

So thinking I needed to order a size 4 (37) when shopping at DUO, I then ordered these shoes (www.duoboots.com/outlet/products/shoes/detail/width_fitting_shoes/ember/3245/colour/38-tan_leather/shoesize/37/shoewidth/X/) in size 37 but they were really tight. They were so beautiful, comfortable and such a bargain that I kept them anyway and have been trying to stretch them, with a reasonable degree of success.

It sounds like FADER boots in brown might work for you (if you're tall enough to wear knee high - I'm not) or ROTHEL which are more of a biker style?

WowWowSauce · 30/08/2014 08:03

I didn't get on that well with them tbh - out of two pairs I had they wore out quickly and looked like crap. In one case the boots looked like crap after a month or two.

I didn't find they actually did fit that well either. I had a horrible time trying to get them to exchange too, after I bought one expensive pair in store - I'd been told I could take them home and take them back if I changed my mind, then when I changed my mind they said not, a credit note was all they would offer.

All in all, I'd never go back.

SusannahD · 30/08/2014 08:07

Have you tried Evans boots.

Ladyflip · 30/08/2014 08:13

I have 4 pairs of Duo boots. The oldest pair is 6 years old, so has done 6 winters and been worn very regularly during that time. I have had them resoled once and they have worn really well.

I have had the "pull" from the zip break a few times but they dish out free ones in the shop and infix them on.

The actual zip has broken on one pair but I have contacted Duo and they can repair them. It broke after 3 winters of hard wear though, so I don't feel hard done by.

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 30/08/2014 08:26

I've got two pairs that I've had for around 5-6 years.
One pair's the most comfortable I've ever had and the other's the most beautiful.

polyhymnia · 30/08/2014 08:38

Have bought several pairs over the years and all lasted well and were comfortable. I do always go to the London shop to try before ordering.
I don't think it's unreasonable to spend that sort of money on boots that are good quality and last years - other successful ones I've bought have been from R and B which are similarly priced.

Do also have a couple of really comfy but not very elegant Fitflop boots too which have lasted really well.

Pinkfrocks · 30/08/2014 08:48

I've had several pairs- take calf width 34-ish.

I've been happy with them but have to say that none has fitted perfectly. The calf sizes come in steps of 2cms and I have 1 pair that is a tiny bit tight and one that's a tiny bit big- but still far better than anything I could buy elsewhere.

As others have said the foot size varies- I'm a 5 - and have a 4, 5 and 6 from them! Also the ankle size varies- more of an issue if you have thin feet and legs.

As for wear- well, I think it's hit and miss. None of mine have a really thick sole so I haven't put them to the test.

I'd say you have to be realistic- any boot unless it's a 'walking' boot or a boot with a very thick sole, is going to give you the same wear as shoes with the same sole.

I don't wear mine every day- in fact they are not worn much at all so have all lasted me 4 years or more. If you have just 1 pair and wear them daily and walk a lot it stands to reason they will wear out more quickly.

Apatite1 · 30/08/2014 10:30

I have 10+ pairs! all have worn well, but since I rotate so much, each pair probably hasn't been worn that many times yet.

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 30/08/2014 10:37

I am big of calf, and have two pairs of Duo boots. I've had them for 7-8 years at a guess. They've both been reheeled several times, and one boot has needed a new zip (done by Duo at reasonable cost). Worth every penny.

SofaCanary · 30/08/2014 15:18

I bought a flat, over the knee pair 3 or 4 years ago and they're still a winter staple. Had them re-heeled a few times but that's probably because I do a lot of walking.

Would recommend.

Comito · 30/08/2014 18:37

Hmm. I'm not a massive fan of Duo. I find their range quite mumsy though admittedly I tend to prefer more biker-type boots. I bought a pair of over knee ones last year and the ankle was so narrow I couldn't get the zip done up. If you do wider fitting calf boots then you'd have thought they'd make the ankle a reasonable size too.

I hate trying to buy boots. If I go into a shop to try them on either they don't have them in my size or I have the indignity of trying and failing to struggle into them in front of everyone. If I buy them online I have to keep sending them back.

redredread · 30/08/2014 19:38

I really like the pair I've got and am keen to get some over knee ones if I can ever find a discount code for them (I managed to get 15% off my first pair a year ago). I would agree with posters who say it's worth trying them on - sizing does vary between styles and, given the premium, it's worth getting it right. I bought mine ever so slightly tight, and they've eased perfectly.

travailtotravel · 30/08/2014 20:45

I have had several pairs of boots - I have recently lost a bit of weight and am gutted that 2 pairs will no longer fit - they're too loose.

Anyway, I have had one pair for 8 years, reheeled twice, they looked really smart up until 5 years in, and now they just have that creasy leather look so they are absolutely fine and still work but do just look a bit worn. I think its more to do with their style.

I don't know where you are, but they used to have a shop in London and do fittings - so you go, see them all, try them all and then order them to be delivered home. Perfect day out as you get all the fun, but don't have to carry them home on the train!

travailtotravel · 30/08/2014 20:47

The evans boots I have had, have tended towards the 1-2 season wonder - great for fashion, but if you walk a lot not great.
Pick your style with care though.

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