Time will tell - I hope the off the shelf boots work. Even more interesting will be the custom boots they measured me for. Hope I can report they were money well spent - if they suck, will let you folks know that as well.
Do not think I have exaggerated expectations, but would actually like a great pair of boots that fit my foot.
For the most part I was always able to find boots that fit in the army after basic training anyway. The initial boots from the reception center were a little big.
Seems like most of today's boot makers only make wide, very wide and damn near as wide as the Mississippi
having 17 inch calves sure does not help when getting period type boots either. Went to Wild West Merc once and a lot of their boots were way to small in the shaft. Not knocking the store, just the folks that make boots make them for the average calf, which ain't me.