My foot length is 27cm. Ordered size 42.5 and the fit is good. I could even wear it with sports socks. So go with foot length when ordering. Leather is soft so probably little if any break-in period required. Boots are the same as the pictures and came with a free pair of socks too! Very happy with the way they look. Unique design for this style of boots which I have not seen elsewhere, so top marks for that. And if the construction is durable, that'll be a bigger bonus. But only time will tell.