Cody James Decimator Boot Review: Needs Attention

I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but I love an attention-grabbing cover.

That being the case, that book better be worth my time. A restaurant with a giant flashing sign better have good food, and a movie with an exciting trailer better make me glad I paid to stream it.

The Cody James Decimator is an attention-grabber for sure. It looks cool and it looks tough.

Is it worth your time (and money) though? I’ll be discussing the leather, sole quality, how it fits, and the size you need. Whether you’re looking to wear them to work or to brunch, this review will help you shop confidently. 

Cody James Decimator Boot Overview

Cody James is a California-based brand exclusive to Boot Barn. Their Decimator shoe 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 shoe 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 Cody James Decimator Boot

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. If you love the distinct style, keep in mind that this serious work boot will take some breaking in. And even then, it will never be as comfortable as a fashion shoe with a lighter outsole.

Cody James Decimator Boot 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 and smells supple, while the mesh feels lithe and bouncy. The overall stitching seems solid too.

Upon taking the boot out of the box, the heavy outsole feels like it would be cumbersome and hard to walk in. The rubber overlay on the toe adds even more weight to the shoe’s substantial build.

Unfortunately, I was right. Walking around in this boot the first day was definitely an uncomfortable experience. 

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 good strong 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.

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.

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.

CEBU Steel Toe Work Boots

Like the Decimator, the CEBU Work Boot is a serious work boot. Unlike the Decimator, you aren’t paying extra for adornments, but the sectioned-off aesthetic is definitely more on the unique side.

As far as its functions and features, the CEBU isn’t made with full-grain leather like the Decimator, but it is Goodyear Welted.

Their rubber outsoles are similar, both rigged with tough treads that offer traction on slippery surfaces. Both boots are also puncture-resistant, shock absorbing, and are equipped with a rubber toe and heel.

If you’re looking for a true work boot with a distinct but more traditional look, the CEBU is a better, more affordable, option.

My Overall Thoughts on the Cody James Decimator Boot

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