Having a high instep, these were very tight across the top.  However with cowboy boots going up a size makes shoe/boot to long so I went with my size of 8.5, took them in to shoe shop to have instep stretched for $5, have had them on past hour & they are perfect & comfy enough so that I can wear & stretch them in naturally.  These shoe boots are gorgeous!!  I got black to wear with very distressed jeans and a black tee so they are edgy enough to be kinda rocker.  I LOVE these shooties & once I wear them in they are going to be so comfy.  BUY THEM!  They are seriously sexy shoe boots, you would never know they were shoes, look like cowboy boots.  Excellent fine leather quality.  I'd say very true to size other than my high instep.  All you need is a stretch.  Love them so much I might get the brown ones next :) Well worth the extra $, your getting very high quality.  Should last years as a good high priced cowboy boot does.