Design 
Quality of Materials 
Craftsmanship 
Fit & Sizing 
Value for Money 
The Cody James Decimator is an attention-grabber for sure. It looks cool, and it looks tough.
Is it worth your money though? I’ll be discussing my experience with the leather, sole quality, how it fits, and the size you need.
Overview of the Cody James Boot
Cody James is a California-based brand exclusive to Boot Barn. Their Decimator is a western style work boot known for its cheeky and eye-catching design. One side of the full-grain leather boot sports a detailed skull embroidery, while the other side is embossed with the phrase “nipple up!”.
It’s an EH-rated boot with an 11-inch shaft. The wide square-shaped front is equipped with a composite safety toe and a durable rubber overlay. The Decimator is pretty heavy, but that’s only because the Vibram outsole is designed for oil-resistance and puncture-resistance.
Inside, the Xero Gravity Xyclone insole is mainly built for support and stability, with multi-depth heel pods and an antimicrobial sock to reduce odor.
Things to Consider Before Buying
The main thing to consider with the Decimator is what you’re buying it for, and deciding whether or not where it falls on the style-function spectrum is worth it for you.
If you’re buying it for work, ask yourself if the style is “professional” enough for your company’s work culture. You’re getting this boot for the style. It’s not a serious work boot. All bark and no bite, as they say.
My Hands-On Review
First Impression
Like most, the very first thing I noticed is the decor on the shaft. The embroidery depicts an angry skull, wearing a hard hat, and biting into a broken pipe wrench. It definitely has biker and punk rock workwear vibes, but since these motifs have made their way into streetwear, I can see any trend-forward guy sporting this look.
A cool detail about the skull is that its eyes are cut-outs that reveal the interior’s orange mesh.
On the other side of the shaft is an embossing that reads “Nipple up!”. Now, this is a term in the oil and gas industry that refers to the process of assembling pressure control equipment, but it might also be a saucy joke.
The leather feels supple and overall the materials are decent. But this boot is far more “for show” than it is for actually working.
The rubber overlay on the toe adds even more weight to the boot’s substantial build.
Unfortunately, I was right. Walking around in this boot the first day was definitely an uncomfortable experience.
Quite honestly, if you’re working a job that’s tough on boots, you’d be better off investing in something that’s going to last a long time, like a Nicks or a JK boot.
Leather Quality and Care
The Cody James Decimator is built with full-grain leather that’s supple and buttery. It has that almost napped aesthetic that takes well to scratches and scuffs.
Since the surface is already pretty textured with gradated shades throughout, this is a decent boot when it comes to bush and rock exposure.
The interior mesh and strong but pliable leather makes the shaft comfortable to walk in. This combination provides the perfect balance of stability and bounce, even when I’m bending down and my legs are fully angled.
I actually wouldn’t call these boots waterproof. The foot does a fine job of keeping moderate wetness out, and you’ll be okay stepping into a puddle or two, but don’t go wading around a creek. I tried that and a little bit of water seeped through after a few minutes. It wasn’t a lot, but with the pull-on cut-outs at the top of the shaft, there’s just too many backdoors for water to get through.
The leather is pretty easy to clean. Brush any dirt off before using a wet soapy cloth on it. This way you aren’t just making muck and rubbing it into the surface of the upper.
Of course, that mesh lining is a major liability as that will make your feet sweat more and will be the first thing to wear out and become uncomfortable.
Sole
The sole is likely the part of the boot that will close the deal for many of you—whether that means you’ll pull the trigger or delete it from your shopping cart.
It’s super sturdy, but not especially comfortable. It’s thick and strong, and even after break-in, it doesn’t bend easily.
The outsole features a complex tread that’s exceedingly and impressively slip-resistant. I’ve walked up and down steep wet marble in this boot and the traction is solid.
On top of that, it’s seriously puncture resistant. Don’t try this at home, but I pushed the boot down on a nail, and the outsole simply wouldn’t let it get through. Of course, it’s a different story when a whole person’s body weight is pushing the shoe down, but the test result is a good sign nonetheless.
Cody James’ Xero Gravity Xyclone is built for stability and shock management. It’s also supposed to provide rebound and comfort, but it definitely doesn’t. It’s a fancy name for what’s basically a normal insole.
The PU body is dense and sturdy, and it’s cupped with a hard plastic underlay that keeps it, and your foot, in place. Overall, it’s a strict disciplinarian that keeps you stable, but not always comfortable.
Fit and Sizing
Based on my experience, reviews, and the experience of colleagues and friends who’ve worn the Decimator, the sizing is just generally confusing.
After break-in, the toe still fits a little more snugly than I’d like. This might be consistent with the shoe’s tendency to keep you buckled in, secure, and not necessarily comfortable.
I could have probably gone up half a size or perhaps gone for a wide.
However, as you’ll read in the section on what other reviewers say, there’s a good portion of people who recommend sizing down an entire size.
I’d just make sure to check with your seller’s return and exchange policy if you can’t buy this boot in person.
One plus on the comfort and convenience front are the pull-on cut-outs on each side of the upper. They feature a batwing-shaped piece of plastic at the top where your fingers grab on. This makes putting the boot on easier, as well as adds to its edgy design.
Break-in Period
The break-in period was particularly rough on the balls of my feet. The collar of the boot also rubbed against my legs unless I tucked my pants in or wore especially thick socks.
You might not love this, but another option that I find worked well for me during the break-in period is rubbing vaseline around the inside and top of the collar. If you can withstand the gooeyness, it makes the break-in sessions more tolerable. The fused ends of the threads just rub your skin raw, and I don’t really understand why they do that for interior stitching.
Breaking the boot in took me a little over two weeks, and I walked around in them for one to three hours every other day.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers love the look of the boot. The embroidery is so detailed it looks like it’s hand-sewn, though this is doubtful since Cody James boots are made in high-production facilities in Asia. And if it was hand-sewn, that would undoubtedly be all over the product descriptions.
A lot of the reviewers are construction workers who praise the boot’s durability and sturdiness.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of sizing drama among the reviews. Of these, many have a similar experience to me regarding tightness in the toe, while others claim that you should size down a whole size.
After some research, it looks like the wide boot runs large, while the regular boot is tight in the front.
Cody James Decimator Boot Alternatives
Cody James Flag Western Work Boot
The Cody James Flag Boot is basically the same shoe as the Decimator. It’s a puncture-resistant work boot that boasts an ASTM-rated composite toe, slip-resistant outsoles, and is also EH-rated.
The main difference between the two is aesthetic. This boot also features an edgy look, but a less cheeky design. Each side of the shaft features claw-mark shaped cutouts revealing an American flag underneath.
Also, instead of pull-on cut-outs that work like handles on each side of the shaft, the Flag Boot has a piece of leather on each side that you can grab. It isn’t as easy as the handles on the Decimator, but the lack of holes on the Flag Boot makes it more protective.
Just keep in mind that this shoe will have the exact same sizing issues as the Decimator.
The Cody James Flag Boot is basically the same shoe as the Decimator. It’s a puncture-resistant work boot that boasts an ASTM-rated composite toe, slip-resistant outsoles, and is also EH-rated. The big difference is the aesthetic. If you like America and dinosaurs more than you like skulls and nipples, you'll love the Cody James Flag Boot.
Nicks Moc Toe
If I’m honest, the Cody James Decimator—and the entire Cody James brand—is for boys.
Men who work will get a pair of Nicks.
I can’t truly recommend Cody James. While the design is eye-catching, it’s all style and no substance. Nicks is literally the opposite. A Nicks boot will never let you down.
Nicks Moc Toe Wedge boots are an investment, for sure, but they’re the smart one every time. Not only are they incredibly durable and versatile, but the spacious construction, excellent support, ample padding, and handsome good looks make them a pair of boots you’ll be glad to wear both at work and around town.
My Thoughts Overall
What I Like
Its EH status and composite toe are both ASTM-rated, offering professional-level protection.
The decorative embroidery and embossing is unique and immediately noticeable.
Whether oil or water, the outsole provides traction on most slippery floors.
The rubber outer toe serves as an extra safeguard and a helpful tool on the field.
What I Don’t Like
The sizing is completely inconsistent and confusing, some boots featuring tight toe areas others running large.
Even after it’s broken in, it’s a generally cumbersome boot because of the heavy sole.
The boots aren’t that well made and the materials are weak-sauce.
Who is the Cody James Decimator For?
If your entire definition of being a man is just drinking Bud Lite, then you’ll love the Cody James Decimator. But if you want a pair of work boots that spares the sappy graphics and is actually built with some real muscle behind it, check out the great Pacific Northwest bootmakers like Nicks, JK, and White’s.
The Verdict
The Cody James Decimator is a lackluster boot. It’s got some fancy graphics and some rubber on the toe that’s meant to make it look special.
But it’s glued together with low-quality materials.
You’re better off spending twice as much on a pair of Nicks, White’s, or JK boots and getting 50 times more durability and comfort.
If you can find your right size and get past the initial discomfort, the Cody James Decimator offers good value for money thanks to its use of full-grain leather and its function-forward build.
FAQs
Are Cody James boots waterproof?
Some models, like the Kiltie Work Boots, are waterproof. Others, like the Decimator, can handle the occasional puddle and moderate rain, but aren’t fully waterproof.
Are Cody James boots handmade?
No, Cody James boots are machine-manufactured in high-production factories in Asia.
Are Cody James boots comfortable?
Cody James work boots are comfortable when it comes to breathability thanks to their mesh liner. However, the outsoles tend to be heavy, thick, and will take some getting used to.
Is there a warranty on Cody James boots?
Cody James boots come with a two year warranty.
