This is an amazing boot, the wear-in period is about a week if you saturate them in water and wear them damp, the wetness helps the leather to form to your foot and the way it bends. They have a structured toebox. The sole is brilliant for the wet as it grips wonderfully, it fails on slimy rocks, as does most boots. Great in the mud, the gap between the middle of the ball of the foot and the lugs around the outside on the outsole always grip in mud. the heel of the outsole can get clogged up but easily becomes unclogged with a kick against a log or somesuch. You definately want an insole as the inside of the boot has a uncomfortable part between the heel area and the rest of the inside of the boot, completely fine with an insle however. The vents work very well in forcing water out. the gusset on the tounge runs from the start of the tounge to the top of the boot, extremely effective in blocking stuff getting in, pair that with having paracord as laces wrapped around the top of the boot underneath the nylon trim, it becomes a sealed unit, essenially becoming a gaiter and boot in one. the boot does get rid of water but if you have socks that retain water they wont work as well. I have not observed any seperation of the upper from the sole. Bottom line, Highly sugguest Rothco's Repro of the classic jungle boot, it thrives in our tropic enviroment