I bought a pair of these brown boots in the Black Friday sale at a considerable discount. I thought I was going to be in for a treat when I unpacked them - unfortunately not! When you unbox the boots, the leather is very stiff and dry. Fortuitously, I had ordered a tub of Renapur Balsam with the boots - this stuff is an essential product for the boots and (after 2 applicants - the first one sinking in like rich moisturiser on patched skin) the boots no longer feel like some kind of weird leather/cardboard hybrid. Don't get me wrong, the leather isn't what you'd call supple - it just no longer resembles something that's been left out in the sun for a few years..
One of the other issues are the insoles - or lack of. They're finished off nicely inside, but there is no real insole to speak of...so if, like me, you have a high arch, you're not going to find much comfort here. I ordea pair of Superfeet insoles (for boots/shoes that don't have removable ones) and the improvement in comfort is considerable.
One of my other gripes are the laces - maybe the designers were going for a retro hiker look, but the laces look more like the kind of thing you'd find on a pair work boots typically worn by a roofer, etc. A noble profession, but not the look I was going for. I've ordered some of the brown extra long thick brown laces from OS as recommended by another reviewer.
My final (not insignificant) issue with the boots is the question - what are they actually good for?! They're not 'proper' hiking boots (if I was heading up into the Scottish Highlands, etc, I would be reaching for my pair of excellent Scarpa boots - not these), if I was going for a Sunday walk somewhere semi-rural, that may or may not involve a pub lunch, etc, would I wear these?! No...I'd put on a pair of my Blundstones which are far more comfortable and (to my eye) a lot better looking than these confused, half finished oddities!
Unfortunately I've (stupidly) worn the boots outside, otherwise I would have returned them for a refund. They are the only pair of OS footwear that I've been disappointed with - hopefully it stays that way!

After reading the reviews I was a bit hesitant in getting these boots, some feedback was sketchy...folks claim they "felt" cheaply made etc etc...., I first purchased the black pair and as far as I'm concerned...Excellent !!, the leather is sturdy wax leather, so will only get better with age, a padded tongue & collar, with the leather back pull tab, a full leather lining & insock, so they are Super Super comfy, the D-rings & ski hooks ensures a great fit., the sole is super light weight , so they are not too heavy to wear....I wore the black pair for a week in crappy weather....Excellent, so had to buy the brown pair to mix things up, my "only" issue with both pairs was "the laces", I replaced both pairs with the extra long thick laces you can purchased from the site.... look much better in my opinion, just wish the Oliver Sweeney crew would consider making the in other colours....gunmetal grey, olive green khaki or burgundy...

I have been purchasing 'Oliver Sweeney' shoes for 30 years and never seen such poor quality that is the Ellerigg Black.
The leather was hard and stiff and not reminiscent of any Oliver Sweeney shoe or boot I have purchased in the past.
Alan Chalkley

Well made, great fit . Recommended

Ordered UK size 10. Without exaggeration, these are easily a UK 12, even with insole and thick socks they were enormous and looked ridiculous on me. .
I liked to boots but very expensive when full price a sizing is way off.

Great purchase. Got them in the sale. They polish up like new and are very comfy. I will be getting more stuff from this company. Great quality 👌