Crave Report: Taos, that is.

Yay for Annagybe

She found me a new pair of boots to help ban winter boredom. 

The Taos Crave arrived. I apologize for the light; you can't really tell too much about how they look here, but I can tell you a little more to fill in the details. 

First, they are a true ink blue or dark navy, with silver hardware, and IRL they do not look black. This is a huge plus for me. I love many of the other colours also. But wasn't as sure I'd wear them regularly. 

I prefer a more refined style (which is how I get into trouble, since my lifestyle and climate are far from refined!). But for a rounded toe boot, once they're on the foot, I don't think they look too clunky. They have a lug sole, but it is surprisingly lightweight. Comfortable right out of the box, even on the calf, because the top is suede. 

I'm usually an EU 37 and that is what I ordered. They fit perfectly in length. They are too wide in the heels, but that is normal for me; I'll put a plantar fasciitis insert in there and that should hold me more stable. The fronts are also roomy, but not too wide on my foot. There's room for a thicker sock if I wish. The laces are long (for me -- when I adjust these for my leg without pants tucked, the top eyelet holes almost meet) -- but I used Angie's trick of tucking the laces in so I don't have to have a floppy bow, and it's nice to have that adjustability. For a woman with a thicker calf, there would be plenty of room. Plus, you can get the laces sorted and leave them if you want, because the boots zip on and off. 

I can tuck skinnies or slim pants into them or wear them out (one leg is showing one, one the other, not that you can really tell) and they also work (I think?) with a casual skirt. I didn't style them up -- just showed with what I'd been wearing and then threw on what was to hand. 

I've sprayed them with waterproofing -- they are not completely weatherproof, but given the sole, they should do me pretty well as long as we don't have true snow going on. And while they'r not my typical style, they will offer me a terrific change. I really like the stable, 2 inch heel -- it's my perfect heel height and makes a big difference to comfort. 

Thank you, Anna! 

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57 Comments

  • Angie replied 6 years ago

    KILLER

    YAY FOR YOU, AND WELL DONE ANNA. 

    They look gorgeously streamlined, Suz

  • Christina F. replied 6 years ago

    *happy dance*

  • Kathie replied 6 years ago

    What a great find!! They’re perfect for you!

  • replied 6 years ago

    Wow - that was fast!  Can't make them out on my screen, but I'm sure they are a great new alternative.  You've got me rethinking my winter boot situation .....for next year ;)  Glad to hear  Taos works for you - they are a good brand.  

  • Joy replied 6 years ago

    Gorgeous. I want a pair, but not a 2 inch heel (too high for control on ice). Let us know how they do with all your walking. Do they feel stable?

  • replied 6 years ago

    And what a huge colour selection they offer !  I like them for myself in that olive green. 

  • Tina replied 6 years ago

    Yay! It looks like Anna has saved the day... or should I say February, 2018:-)

    I am very tempted to try these. They look great in all your outfits! Never underestimate the power of a refresh!

  • karen13 replied 6 years ago

    They look awesome! Im so glad they work for you. After I almost bought them in burgundy, I ended up getting lower heeled burgundy boot. But LaPed's navy boot thread a few days ago and your adventure has now reminded me I might need something in navy.  They come in so many great colors. And the higher shaft looks great, and I love the rough heel.

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    The colours are amazing. I was very tempted by red. But since I had not seen it in person I hesitated; plus, my local supplier did not have the red in my size right now. 

    Having tried them on, I can see why people buy them in more than one colour! 

    If you had a temperate winter, and did not engage in heavy gear-type activities, this might be the only casual boot you'd need. 

    LisaP, olive would be awesome for you! They're not dressy enough for most people's workplaces but for my work-from-home and student life, they're a great fit. 

  • Runcarla replied 6 years ago

    I quite like #3 and think they will work with certain dresses and skirts for an urban warrior vibe. It is sometimes good to have an outlier in the closet!

  • Sal replied 6 years ago

    Perfect Suz - they would be fab for my lifestyle too ( office to workshop to rugby to supermarket). - and really great to have a fun pair of boots that you don't have to baby!!

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    They're a bit reminiscent of my late beloved Doc Marcies. Except the laces work better for me. The laces on my Marcies were forever coming undone and I had problems making them tight enough to stay fastened, period, so passed them along to another Fabber. 

  • Mainelady replied 6 years ago

    Those boots have great style and I love the color! Your pics show that they will be versatile. Enjoy them!

  • pil replied 6 years ago

    Nice, Suz! They *are* a really nice boot. had them in red but decided to return because styling them on me was too much work.

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    Pil, was it the colour, do you think? I was so tempted by red. But felt I might struggle a bit with styling. But now that I have them, I think I'd have tucked my skinnies in and that would be that. I'm tempted if they have a cognac option next year, since I would like a boot in that colour. 

  • Tina replied 6 years ago

    I just ordered these in an EU36, in the brown colour. I am a pretty solid size 6 so I hope these work, the site compares the EU36 to a size 5. My one pair of EU sized boots (Hispanitas) are a 35.
    We shall see.

    Thank you Suz and Anna! I am slowly becoming more aware of what is available in Canada via online shopping.

  • jussie replied 6 years ago

    That colour is beautiful, and ties in perfectly with those two outfits. So glad you found a shoe your happy with for the rest of winter :)

  • rachylou replied 6 years ago

    Great review! They’re warm? Love the blue.

  • Lynn replied 6 years ago

    Yay, so happy for you! Love the blue. They look great with the outfits you posted. 

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    Thanks, all! 

    Rachy, they won't be warm for snowy -20 days, no -- but I'd wear my snowboots then. With wool socks they will be warm enough down to (probably?) - 5C or so? I'm not completely sure. In my experience, if I am walking and wearing wool socks, my feet will stay warm reasonably well for quite a long time...but if standing still, that's another story. They have a kind of thinsulate partial lining, so they add a tiny bit of insulation and then with the lug sole, they keep you raised up from the cold ground. 

    Tina, I hope they work and are not too large. I find these on the large side of 37, if that makes sense. They are quite loose on me with tights alone, still roomy with a thinner wool sock, and probably just right with a thicker sock and insert. I don't know how Hispanitas compare since I have not tried them. 

    There is so much available online -- I don't even know the half of it. Sometimes I just search a product with "Canada" added and lo and behold, a fairly local seller will pop up! The trouble is usually return policies, and charges. (Because we can even get stuff from Nordstrom Rack here, if we want...) I feel more confident when I know how the product will fit because I've tried it on IRL, or when there are a LOT of customer reviews (or when someone on YLF reviews). 

  • deb replied 6 years ago

    Way to go, Anna! and look at all the colors they come in.

  • annagybe replied 6 years ago

    Ooooh!!! Hooray, they worked. I’m so glad

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Ooh, nice! I'm glad you found them--or that Anna found them for you! I've seen those in person and been drawn to them. No wonder; they look a lot like my Joseph Seibel booties. I bought mine to be ready for snow (but I definitely don't wait for snow to wear them).

  • Style Fan replied 6 years ago

    They look great, Suz.  I love the colour selection.

  • replied 6 years ago

    YAY.  I am so happy for you.  They seem perfect in every way.  

  • chouette22 replied 6 years ago

    These are such great winter boots! I had ordered three pairs of them back in November (one of them the exact same as yours), but sadly they didn't work for me. I love them on you!

  • krishnidoux replied 6 years ago

    Suz, these look terrific. I think indeed you will be very happy with them. I really like the little heel which gives them character. It's so cool that they are navy too! They give you a very nice legline. And they work especially well with a skirt and opaque tights. I think they might yield many outfit possiblities. Bravo Annagybe!

  • kkards replied 6 years ago

    Anna to the rescue!
     these are fab! love the slight tough feeling, but with out losing tailored feel! i'm impressed with how many colors....

  • Janet replied 6 years ago

    YAY! I’m so glad for you. I think they’re great, and would be ordering a pair myself if I were not already pretty well outfitted with good rugged booties. I love that they come in so many colors!

  • Cardiff girl replied 6 years ago

    They look fantastic and they ve integrated into your existing wardrobe beautifully by the looks of it.Please let us know how you find them in action,they do such a huge colour range I could be tempted myself!

  • unfrumped replied 6 years ago

    These are perfect! I do think they work with skirts. I think winter context helps a lot— wearing these with more polished outfits ( meaning the type you have shown) but in true wintry snowy/ cold weather makes them look smart.

  • Marilyn replied 6 years ago

    Amazing find, Suz.  These are fantastic!  Navy boots....swoon. :) 

    I usually go for more refined boots as well but I'm really loving these.  I'm a bit confused with the Euro sizing though.  The chart says 37 is a 6/6.5.  I'm a 6/6.5 in North American sizing....usually 6.5 for boots/booties and regular width.  Reading reviews it seems like some people my size bought 36 and some bought 37.  I can get 37 in Canada but would have to order 36 from the US. Hmmm.

  • replied 6 years ago

    I've become obsessed with these. Where did you order from? I'm getting prices ranging from $168 (Taos website) to $229 (two shoe stores , one in MB and one in SK) and $509 (amazon.ca) , which is preposterous .  I want the same colour as you have - indigo, correct? And what about those laces? Are they really brown- or will I not mind ? 

  • Tina replied 6 years ago

    Lisa, I ordered mine from Taos.ca. I paid 168.00, free shipping. The colour selection is limited at that price but the indigo was still available in some sizes.
    The sizing is a bit confusing but I went with the EU size which does not correspond with the usual US size. I am a size 6 and 35-36 EU. They show the 36 being a 5 to 5.5.
    I have the brown ones coming! Exciting to find something readily available in Canada for a fair price.

  • replied 6 years ago

    Thanks Tina.  My "local" stores don't stock the blue or the olive, and you're right, the website offers the best pricing.  My usual size is an 8 - and I think I'll order a 39.  I want them NOW - lol. I am wearing navy and olive today and wish I had navy casual boots.  Never thought about it until Suz got these - lol.  

  • Tina replied 6 years ago

    It sounds like they fit on the generous side of the size scale.
    These were certainly not on my radar either but the style and the fact that they have traction is a good selling feature for me. Northern (as in way northern) Alberta resident here. We’ve had a trying winter but February is half over and after that comes March and then spring:-) Longer days help a lot!

  • gryffin replied 6 years ago

    Suz - congrats they look great!!  They are a bit reminiscent of my beloved ariat heritage lacers.  I wear mine with dresses, leggings and pants too.  I actually love the juxtaposition of a paddock like boot with a dressy outfit.  I actually wear black leather hiking boots in that context too.  The contrast is delicious to me!!  Enjoy your gorgeous boots!!

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    Gryffin, I LOVE your Ariats and always have. I would order a pair in an instant if I knew the sizing better. They are pricey but I think worth it. One of these days I will probably go for it. I'd just like to try on in person before buying and I've never had an opportunity to do that. 

    Lisa, I got mine from Becker shoes. Pricier than the cheapest option: 
    https://www.beckershoes.com/sh.....aos&r

    I didn't see your link to the site until I'd already ordered! Oh well.  I paid $30 more. But Becker is a local retailer so I can feel good about supporting them. 

    Mine are blue ink, not indigo. It looks like the indigo is a bit brighter and also a bit distressed with brown flecks? The ink blue seems darker and shinier, although it is not as shiny in person as it may look in my photos. It does have a teeny tiny feel of "police boot" though. Hmmmm. 

    Marilyn, it sounds like you need the 36, not the 37. I took the 37 and I'm a 6.5/ 7 in US sizes. And the 37 is a generous 37, at least it seems so to me. 

    It looks like the Taos Canada has some 36s in indigo and other colours...

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    Also, the laces are brown. I don't know what I think of that. I might change them out, but they are okay for now. 

    And Tina, I fear they will be too large for you in the size you ordered...but I hope not!  Their sizing chart is bizarre...

  • replied 6 years ago

    Ok.  Didn't notice two blue options the first time I looked.  The sole looks brown too - is that the case? I don't know why I can't see anything clearly on my monitor lately - these colours are all too similar, or my old eyes are worse than I thought. Not sure I want a brown sole - that could be the deal-breaker there.

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    The sole and heel are both a very dark charcoal brown, if that makes sense. Not a brown that stands out as BROWN (like the laces) but a very subdued unnoticeable tone close to greyed black. 

  • replied 6 years ago

    Thanks for this , Suz  . My finger is poised on the buy button :)  

  • Christina F. replied 6 years ago

    I want the teal ones. I have no need for boots. Sigh.

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    I just put a pretty big PF lift in them...(the kind I sometimes use when running, not my normal "fashion" lift). Tons of room for that and it holds my heel more stable. They definitely feel like "boots" not booties, though. A bit like stompy boots. :) Wearing to a medieval music concert tonight. 

  • Marilyn replied 6 years ago

    Thanks, Suz. I really want the ink blue so may order from the

    US.  It's not that much more than here with all costs included.

    I'm debating if I want to try a pair from Canada first....just for ease of return.  I looked at my Hunter boots and they are a 37/UK4.  They're roomy but I bought them in store and compared to 36 at the time.  Obviously don't know how the two boots compare though.  Have you tried Hunters?

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    I haven't tried Hunters, alas. 

    But they are originally a British brand, right? In that case, they are not true EU sizing, but British (with rough translation to EU) which is different. British shoes are a much harder fit for me, personally. Australian, too. I do best in European EU sizes. North American 6.5 is sometimes perfect and sometimes too small.  7 sometimes perfect, and sometimes too big. And sometimes I wear a 7.5 in athletic shoes. 

    I'm theoretically a 4.5 in British - but often it does not work. 

  • Colette replied 6 years ago

    These are super cool looking winter boots. I am in love with the color. They look great with all your outfits but that skirt is fab. I would never have thought to put that together and it looks so good on you. I hope they serve you well!

  • Marilyn replied 6 years ago

    Thanks, Suz.  Yes, Hunters are British.  They're my dog walking boots for slushy winter and spring days.  They are rubber boots and fit like rubber boots so can't really be compared to other footwear.  I always chuckle at the girls who wear them as a fashion thing.  Mine are covered in mud and splatters and are nothing but functional. LOL

    I've bought, and tried on, a lot of shoes from l'intervalle which uses EU sizing.  They're made in Spain.  I'm a solid 36 there so that's probably my answer.  I think the size comparison charts are a little skewed because I haven't fit into a 5/5.5 since I was about 20.

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    I wore them tonight with the skirt and tights and I put the fairly large PF insert into them -- no problem. The sole/ heel is a nice "springy" but not spongy feeling rubber -- they are super comfortable right out of the box. I'm sure I could have walked for miles. I walked only about half a mile tonight. They're excellent on pavement. We only have crusty bits of snow on the sidewalks now -- they're mostly bare. 

    I couldn't /wouldn't wear these in true snow. But would wear in light rain or very light flurries. 

  • Jaime replied 6 years ago

    Excellent and well deserved find! Good work team Anna/Suz! 

  • Elizabeth P replied 6 years ago

    I’m so glad these are going to work for you!

    Are you still on the hunt for true weatherproof ones or will these fill enough of your boot hole at least until next year?

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    Well, I might also have ordered a few more items. :) 

    One weatherproof, one not. 

    The weatherproof one is a bit more refined (but flat heeled, so still practical), and the non-weatherproof one is virtually weatherproof because of a bit of a platform and lug sole -- obviously not for true snow, or form -20 temps, but fine for walking on not less than fabulous days. 

    Together with my others, I think they'll get me through this year. As for next year, that's another matter entirely, right? 

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    The ones already in the closet...except my La Canadienne short boots are black suede, not leather. 

  • LaPed replied 6 years ago

    Gosh, I love the Elodies. I'm tempted by those myself.

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    LaPed,  I really hope they work. I think they could be my Blundstone substitute. The platform should provide more padding for my plantar fasciitis and they look as if there will be room for an insole if needed as well. The only issue is they don't have a tab for getting on and off and one reviewer said they were impossible to wear for that reason. But I could get a cobbler to put one on. I do sometimes need it on Chelsea boots due to a high instep. But we'll see. 

  • KMM replied 6 years ago

    PSA: There’s a new-with-tags pair of Taos Crave boots, burgundy, size 38 available on Poshmark listed for $90. (Such a good deal that I considered snagging them, but decided to hold out for ink blue). Link: https://poshmark.com/listing/N.....88521e2bf3

  • Sara L. replied 6 years ago

    Ha, totally not what I was expecting when I read your post title!  Taos is 2.5 hours north of here and popular for weekends trips.

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