Grant Stone Ottawa Boot

“(Don't know why text disappeared from post) TL;DR: Amazing leather and great boots, but faced sizing difficulties ​ Background: I'm new to quality footwear. A few months ago I didn't even know what a welt was. I only started researching shoes when my (cemented) office shoes fell apart, which prompted me to want something better, that would last. I had never given boots a thought before, but I liked the aesthetic. I decided to give them a go despite not being the most practical footwear in my tropical equatorial climate, where it is over 30°C (86°F) and rains torrentially all year round. I spend most of my workday in airconditioned offices, so I figured I could probably manage. After much research, I decided to go with Grant Stone for their unparalleled value, quality and QC so I would not have to return anything internationally. ​ Leather and looks: I love the deliciously dark olive green colour which seems to change from olive brown to avocado green to dark gray in different lighting. It is the perfect shade of green for shoes to pass as business casual office wear. The kangaroo leather is really thin, soft and super flexible but strong. It has an amazing finely irregular texture and a lustrous, slightly glossy surface. Kangaroo skin is supposedly devoid of sweat glands, but unlike all other pictures of these boots I've seen on the internet, mine have a scattering of faint darker bumps almost like a much toned down ostritch skin especailly at the quarters and heel. As others have described, the leather rolls when the boot is flexed and no creases persist. I appreciate the thinness of the leather because it is much more comfortable for my climate. They are noticeably cooler than my chromexcel Ottawas. Paired with thin supima cotton dress socks from Uniqlo, they feel not much hotter than dress shoes. The lining is a white leather, which I worry will look dirty quickly with wear. I would have preferred the brown lining leather seen in older iterations of the boot, but it doesn't affect the external appearance so I guess its not that important. ​ Quality: These were B grades, but apart from some faint, lighter green streaks on the outside quarters of the right boot near the laces (probably scars from the critter's lifetime in the bush) and a few stitches at the welt joint on the right boot that seemed to go a millimeter off track to touch the upper, I really don't see anything wrong with the boots. I certainly don't mind these minor 'flaws' that don't really matter, for the discount. ​ Sizing journey: My first pair of Grant Stones were the Ottawas in Dune chromexcel. My brannock size was determined to be 11E and I went a half size down with 10.5E as recommended by customer service. Initially it seemed a little tight across the forefoot, but after a few days of continuous wear, the chromexcel softened and stretched a little, making the fit okay. If I don't wear them for a few days they tighten up again but t”