libbow

A few more, these are from another 501st member not the professional photos yet, I’ll post those when in














Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Buy once, cry once.  The custom options that people use (Hessen, Mux) are RELATIVELY cheap too, since they are more for costumes and not actual riding/military.  When I was looking for boots originally, I found a lot of custom stuff, at like $800-$1400.  ~$300 is not bad at all, especially when they last you.

In my opinion, you shouldn't be able to go wrong with Hessans.  I think they're a quality product and provided you measure right (measure twice just in case!), then you should be great.  I'm very happy with my customs.  

Yeah, I think I’ll just bite the bullet and get hessian custom boots, probably my best bet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Along with the other experienced advice that you’ve received I’m going to add this:

If this is your first 501st costume, stay away from eBay altogether. Your best advice comes from this detachment, and yeah, boots are the absolute worst pain in the butt with fitting issues. But it’s better than you laying out money for a product you are going to have to replace within the first couple of months (that’s assuming you get approved with them)

Those are tall jack boots, not riding boots, despite the description.  Again, some GMLs will pass them, if they're tall enough on you, even though they're not the right kind of boot, really.
 
I've looked at these listings before.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fashion-Military-WWII-German-EM-Leather-Combat-Officer-Boot-Riding-Boots-In-Size/382297285966  "EM" leather is often something to be suspicious of, especially for a company cranking out "fashion" boots in China (also notorious for "borrowing" photos from other products).  I strongly suspect it's a manufactured leather product that basically glues together shredded leather scraps, sort of like particle board is glued together sawdust.  It looks a lot better, but don't kid yourself that it's a true leather, in terms of durability, etc.  And some of them are BAD.  Paying $30 for shipping, you're not going to have much recourse if it's not 100% as promised.
 
Do your calves fit the sizes quoted on those boots?
 
I'm sorry this is tough.  Tall officer's boots are always the trickiest to find and fit, unless you have the budget to buy serious boots.  We'll get you there, though!

To me PU Leather is a red flag- it's a cheap fake leather product, and I've never seen it hold up well.  Boots are tough when you have fit issues, I feel you there.  
 
I couldn't quite figure out your GML,  but your Squad Leader is Jacob Bennett - tk11989@yahoo.com, he'll know who you should talk to/who's your GML.
 
Edit: I also asked a friend in Texas/Star Garrison (she's in Houston) if she knew  who your GML would be, I'll let you know what I hear.