Frye Corey Lace-up Boot Review
Step into comfort and impeccable style with the Frye Corey lace-up ankle boot. This classic leather boot is an ode to the Americana style from a legendary shoe manufacturer, that has been around for more than a century. Equipped with a Goodyear welt outsole and a soft, dip-dyed goat leather upper for that supreme fit, this ankle boot comes from a long line of tradition and quality, making it more than worth the investment.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable rubber outsole with a Goodyear welt
- Soft, dip-dyed goat leather upper
- Removable leather footbed
- Breathable and flexible construction
- Durable
- Supportive
- Comfortable fit
- Classic design
Cons
- Runs narrow
- Expensive
Outsole
The Frye Company is a U.S.-based shoe company, that was founded in 1863 and is still going strong even today, making this shoe brand the longest-operating in the country. Originally a work boot manufacturer, the Frye Company has since branched out to other fields of production, like bags and other leather accessories, delivering the same quality and craftsmanship they became known and loved for. When it comes to boots and dress shoes, Frye kept the endurance and high-quality of their iconic work boots and added a touch of simple but effective style, that translates well into modern times. The Frye Corey lace-up ankle boot features a durable, yet flexible rubber outsole with a slight heel, for an air of elegance and sophistication. The outsole is attached to the upper with a Goodyear welt, ensuring durability and stability in every step of the way. This also means that these boots are resoleable, prolonging the lifespan of the Frye Corey even more. The outsole comes with a grippy, texturized tread pattern, that will keep the wearer steady in their stride on both dry and wet surfaces, making these boots ideal for fall weather. For additional comfort, Frye included a removable, lightly cushioned leather footbed, that will keep you supported and comfortable on your feet even for long hours at the office or walking around the city.
Upper
The constantly evolving shoe industry is continuously coming up with new, innovative designs and features. However, the pressing need to always be innovative can sometimes take away from the shoe, rather than add to it. The Frye company has been around for more than a century and not without a reason. Inspired by their vintage work boots, the Frye Corey lace-up ankle boot combines the old with the new in a very attractive silhouette. The boot features a durable construction made of the finest quality leather with a modern approach. The upper is made of high-quality, dip-dyed goat leather, that is soft to the touch and was modeled after a pair of Oxfords, resulting in a blind eyelet lacing system. The laces are made of waxed fabric, making them extra durable and they tie up all the way to the top of the shoe through eight pairs of blind eyelets. This ensures a proper foot lockdown and a customizable fit. To keep the boots as breathable as possible, Frye included a soft leather lining, as well as a leather-lined, lightly cushioned footbed for all-day comfort. As far as breaking them in goes, the upper is very soft and almost feels broken in straight out of the box, and it will conform to the wearer’s foot shape over time to deliver a custom fit.
Breathability
Contrary to popular belief, leather is quite the breathable material. Real leather, in particular, has a quality, that allows it to transform moisture into vapor, which then simply evaporates from the shoe, leaving the feet dry and odor-free. The Frye Corey lace-up ankle boot features a soft leather lining, as well as a leather-lined footbed for a comfortable and dry in-shoe environment.
Comfort
Comfort should always be number one on our list, when shopping for new shoes, as wearing uncomfortable footwear, no matter how stylish it makes us look, can be detrimental for our health. Fortunately, with the Frye Corey lace-up ankle boot, we do not have to choose between comfort and style, as this model has it all. Featuring a durable, yet very flexible rubber outsole with a Goodyear welt for added stability, this ankle boot will deliver cushioned footfalls and a comfortable, natural stride, that does not restrict the movement of the feet one bit. The upper is made of dip-dyed goat leather, that is soft to the touch and has an almost broken in look and feel straight from the box. This means, that with this pair of boots, there is no need for painful break-in periods and you can wear them right out of the box to the streets. Furthermore, the inside of the boots is lined with soft leather for a breathable and dry in-shoe environment, that will keep you comfortable with every step. Additionally, Frye included a lightly cushioned, leather-lined footbed for additional support and instant comfort, that lasts all day. The footbed is also removable, making these boots orthotic-friendly, so you can insert your custom insoles if you need additional support. The Frye Corey lace-up boot is the perfect choice for your everyday life, as well as the office, due to its high comfort levels and stylish design.
Durability
The Frye Company has been around for more than a century and is renowned for its high-quality, durable footwear, that can withstand some heavy-duty use without falling apart, like so many other shoes. The outsole is made of durable rubber and features a Goodyear welt, meaning that these boots are fully resoleable. So, once you wear down the soles, instead of buying new boots, you can simply resole them and they will be as good as new for a lower cost, than new shoes. The upper, which is made of soft, dip-dyed goat leather, is reinforced with stitching around the eyelets, midfoot and heel, for a durable and structured fit, while the laces are made of waxed fabric, making them tear resistant. As with any type of leather, there is a certain amount of upkeep to protect it from scuffs and creasing, however, if you put the time in, you will end up with shoes, that will last you years and years. Additionally, Frye has a one year warranty on all of its footwear, making it well worth investing in a pair.
Fit
The Frye Corey lace-up ankle boot is available in men’s medium width from size 7 to size 13. Featuring a somewhat slim and narrow silhouette with a slightly pointed toe box, this boot might not be a good fit for people with wide feet. However, the soft dip-dyed goat leather does stretch out after some wear, to accommodate the wearer’s foot shape and deliver a custom fit. According to reviewers, the Frye Corey lace-up boot fits true to size and width, but if you have wider feet, you might want to size up in order to get the best fit. That said, it is always best to go and try the shoes on personally in a retail store than trying to figure out the sizing online.
Flexibility
The Frye Corey lace-up boot has quite a bit of flexibility to offers to its wearers. Starting from the outsole, which is made of durable, yet very flexible rubber, this boot will deliver a comfortable, non-restricted ride to the wearer, who can bend and flex in these boots freely, for a natural stride. The soft, dip-dyed goat leather feels broken in straight from the box and will conform to the wearer’s foot shape over time, delivering almost a second-skin-like fit, that allows for a full range of motion. Additionally, Frye included a removable, lightly cushioned footbed inside the boots, that moves together with the feet, for a comfortable and supported ride.
Style
Known for their simple, yet timeless designs, the Frye Company is the embodiment of the classic Americana style, that is so near and dear to heart for so many people. Originally a work boot manufacturer, the Frye Company has since dabbled in some other fields as well, like bags and leather accessories, but never lost sight of their beginnings. Inspired by their vintage work boots, the Frye Corey lace-up ankle boot features a sturdy construction with a Goodyear welt for added durability and a soft dip-dyed goat leather upper with an Oxford-like lacing system for a custom fit. The design itself is very simplistic, but breathes elegance, with a simple little logo embedded in the heel counter. The upper also features reinforcing stitches alongside the blind eyelets, the midfoot, and the heel, for added style and a touch of interest to break up the lines of the boots. The Frye Corey lace-up boot is perfect for your day-to-day life or when you want to look a little more put together, as these boots can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on the occasion. They are also office-friendly and look great with trousers and a blazer for a smart-casual look.
Support
This lace-up ankle boot by the Frye Company has a decent amount of support. Firstly, the grippy rubber outsole will keep the wearer steady in their steps, preventing slipping induced injuries, and allowing for a natural stride, thanks to its flexible nature. The dip-dyed goat leather, while soft to the touch, does not lack support. Namely, the stitched-together leather panels combined with the lace-up closure, deliver a custom snug fit and help keep the feet locked in position throughout wear. The ankle-high collar also keeps the ankles stable and supported. For additional support, Frye included a lightly cushioned leather footbed, which is removable to make room for custom orthotics, for those who need more support in their shoes.
Traction
The Frye Corey lace-up boot features a durable and sticky rubber outsole with a texturized tread pattern for added grip and traction, that will keep the wearer steady on their feet on both dry and wet surfaces. However, this is by no means an all-terrain type shoe, so it is best to steer clear of rough surfaces, and stick to flat paved roads and pavement.
Bottom Line
The Frye Company offers classic American craftsmanship and leather of the finest quality, that has been perfected for over a century. Inspired by vintage work boots, the Frye Corey lace-up ankle boot features a durable, yet flexible construction with its rubber outsole and soft dip-dyed goat leather upper, while a Goodyear welt delivers support and structure to this boot. The soft leather lining and lightly cushioned leather footbed provide all-day comfort and breathability, that will keep the feet dry and odor-free. Additionally, the footbed is fully removable, making this boot orthotic-friendly. Although a little on the narrow side, the Frye Corey is available in many sizes, as well as different leather finishes. It looks great both dressed down and dressed up, making for a very versatile pair of boots, that will last you a long time, if you take care of them. Frye also offers a one year warranty on all their footwear, making the investment well worth it.