Tony Bianco Fraya Review

8.6
8.6 score
[Editors rating (8.6)] = (WalkJogRun) score (8.6)/10


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Editor rating: 8.6 / 10
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Tony Bianco has been designing shoes for a couple of decades, starting in 1972 with the goal to make great quality and fashionable shoes that customers will love. The Tony Bianco Fraya ankle boots are just one more in their line of footwear. Unfortunately, these particular boots just did not sit too well with many customers. They are a hit or miss type of boot that customers are either going to love or hate. One thing that they did right is the look. Consumers can agree that these look great and are extremely versatile. Whether you are attending a business meeting or going shopping with some friends these are going to be the perfect fit. Making the transition from your summer attire to fall fashion is seamless with these great Chelsea boots. Most of the problems with the Fraya's, however, comes with comfort and durability.

The uppers are stiff and the almond toe is a little too narrow causing them to pinch and restrict your movements while you are on the go. Additionally, some customers stated that they are not the most durable and tend to suffer from some premature wear and tear which can become rather frustrating. If you are looking for a great looking boot that will compliment any outfit then these are going to be perfect, however, if you are in the market for a comfortable boot you can wear all day then you might want to consider a different option.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Great classic style
  • Couple color options
  • Versatile
  • 2" stacked heel
Cons
  • Stiff and uncomfortable
  • Almond toe is narrow
  • Durability issues
  • High price tag

Upper

The Tony Bianco Fraya ankle boots are constructed with a leather upper to give you a classic Chelsea look. These have a slip-on design so there is a pull-tab located on the back of the boots to help you pull your boot onto your feet. There is also elastic goring on both sides of the boots to give you a more pleasant experience while slipping on your boots while at the same time ensuring that you get a locked in and comfortable feel while you are wearing them.

Some customers had some issues with the quality of the uppers of these boots, stating that they did not feel like they were authentic leather and stated that it was more man-made materials with a thin layer of leather bonded on top. Some reviewers also mentioned that the uppers of these boots have the tendency to scuff very easily so that is something that you might want to keep in mind when purchasing them.

Midsole

The midsole of the Tony Bianco Fraya boots is made out of man-made synthetic materials, including the interior lining. There is not a lot of information about any actual padding or cushioning in these boots, but some customers have mentioned that they give them a comfortable underfoot feeling that they can appreciate after being on their feet all day.

Outsole

The outsole of the Tony Bianco Fraya boots is made out of synthetic man-made materials. They will give you a decent amount of traction to help keep you on your feet while you are out and about. You should not have to worry about your boots not being able to keep their grip on a variety of surfaces. No need to worry about your feet slipping out from underneath you which can cause you to fall and injure yourself.

They feature a stacked block heel that measures in at 5.5 cm (about 2 inches) on average. Customers appreciate the little bit of extra height they get from the heels. The stacked heel gets its name because it is made up of multiple layers stacked on top of each other to give it a more aesthetically pleasing look and a longer lifespan than if it was just one solid block of materials. The average person will land heel first while they are walking so the extra heel and the stacked construction will help ensure they wear at the heels first and increase the durability of the whole sole.

Style

The Tony Bianco Fraya boots are a classic Chelsea ankle boot and give you that year-round style and design that customers like. They feature an almond toe and elastic goring on both sides of the boots, as well as a pull tab on the back of the shaft. Customers love that they can wear these classic boots with almost any outfit. Whether you are looking for something for casual wear or a nice pair of boots to wear into the office, these are going to have you covered.

There are a couple of color options available for purchase. You can choose between black, hazel velvet suede, or rust diesel. Most customers opt for the classic black leather look, but it is nice to know that there are two other colors to choose from if you want to step away from the simple black.

Fit

When it comes to any kind of footwear you are going to want to make sure that you are purchasing the correct size. Most importantly, your comfort level greatly depends on the perfect fit. You are going to want these boots to fit your feet snugly, but you do not want them too tight that they are going to pinch your toes and cause you major discomfort. That being said, there are some mixed reviews when it comes to how the Tony Bianco Fraya ankle boots fit. Most customers can agree that they are running pretty true to size, but there are a few who say that they either run too big or too small. It is highly recommended that you consult the size chart before choosing your size so you can make sure that they are the correct size and will give you the best fit when you receive them. It can be frustrating to order a pair of shoes online only to find out that they do not fit you when you get them, try not to make that mistake and take a look at the size chart before placing your order.

Comfort

There are some major mixed reviews when it comes to the comfort level of the Tony Bianco Fraya ankle boots. There are a handful of customers who think they are super comfortable and had no problems wearing these all day long. However, it looks like the majority of customers are unhappy with how they feel on their feet and stated that they could not wear these for extended periods of time without having sore and achy feet by the end of the day. As mentioned above, there is not a whole lot of information about the level of cushioning located in the midsole of these boots, but customers do not seem to have much of a problem with the underfoot feel they experience when wearing these boots. Most of the problems seem to stem from the materials of the uppers and the shape of the toe box.

Customers stated that the uppers did not feel like they were made out of genuine leather, rather a thin layer of leather bonded to the top. Because of this, they felt stiff and uncomfortable, causing rubbing and restricting the movement of their feet while they were walking. One customers stated that the stiffness of the uppers jabbed into her toes while she was walking. Additionally, some reviewers had issues with the almond toe box, stating that it was too narrow and pinched their toes while they were out and about. One reviewer mentioned that because of the angles of the toe box her big toe would push uncomfortably into the side of the shoe, potentially causing a bunion or blisters.

Durability

Durability is important when you are purchasing anything, including your shoes. You want to make sure that you are getting a good quality product that is not going to suffer from premature wear and tear. If you are going to be spending a decent amount of money then you are going to want to make sure that you are getting your monies worth out of them. That being said, according to customers the Tony Bianco Fraya boots are not very durable. Some customers mentioned that they were made out of poor quality materials and they were not constructed very well which caused them to fall apart sooner than they would have liked, especially since they have a higher than average price tag when compared to other similar products. A few reviewers commented that they did not think that they got their monies worth out of these mediocre boots.

Versatility

The Tony Bianco Fraya ankle boots are extremely versatile and customers adore that about them. They make the transition from your summer wardrobe to fall fashion very smoothly, looking great with almost anything that you pair them with. Whether you are wearing them with a pair of ripped skinny jeans or you are going out in a skirt these are going to look great.

These boots are great for a plethora of occasions as well. You can easily pass them off as a pair of casual shoes to wear while running errands or attending a lunch date, among other things. They are going to fit right in with your business casual wear as well. You can wear them to the office or a business meeting without even batting an eye.

Flexbility

When it comes to your shoes, especially boots like these that are going to cover a big part of your foot and ankle, you are going to want to ensure that you have something that will not restrict your movements and give you the freedom to move as naturally as possible while still providing you the support and stability that you need. Unfortunately, the Tony Bianco Fraya boots do not give you the freedom to move. They are stiff and do not move very easily which can become rather uncomfortable to many wearers. One customer stated that they were so stiff that they pinched her toes with each step she took. If you are looking for something that is going to give you a flexible feel then these are not going to be the right choice for you.

Support

When it comes to your footwear of choice it is important to find something that is going to give you an adequate amount of support for what your desired activities are. In the case of the Tony Bianco Fraya boots, they are a casual boot and as such are not going to need as much in the way of support as a pair of work boots or hiking boots. These are going to give you a decent amount of support for your everyday casual wear. The stiffness of the upper, even though not very comfortable, is going to help ensure that your feet do not slip and slide around inside of your shoes, and they will keep your feet locked into place. Even though they are slip on boots, the elastic goring will allow you to easily get them on and off, but they will not stretch too much that your feet will unintentionally fall out while you are out and about. One thing that these boots are going to do really well as provide you with decent support.

When it comes to arch support, there is not a whole lot of information. Since the levels of underfoot cushioning are unknown it is hard to say just how much support you arches will have. That being said, there are no customer comments or reviews that say they are lacking in that department.

Bottom Line

The Tony Bianco Fraya ankle booties have some mixed reviews, it seems like customers either love it or they hate it. There are definitely some good qualities to them, they are supportive and they look great with almost anything, and can be worn with a huge variety of different outfits. Unfortunately, there seem to be a lot more downfalls with them. They have a slightly higher than average price tag, but they are not the most durable so many customers did not feel like they got their monies worth out the purchase. Additionally, they are not the most comfortable. The stiff upper and narrow almond shaped toe box cause a lot of problems for some people, causing pinching and unpleasant blisters. If you are looking into purchasing these boots do so with caution.