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Frye Melissa Button 2 Boots vs Frye Harness Boots

Both are Frye leather boots, but they suit different wearers. The Melissa Button 2 is a tall, dressy riding boot with a leather sole and leather lining, best for someone who wants a clean, tailored look for work or going out. The Harness is a shorter, tougher boot with a rubber sole, Goodyear welt and square toe, better for daily wear, bad weather and resoling. Owners of Frye boots generally praise the leather quality; the leather sole on the Melissa is the main durability trade-off.

  • Choose the Melissa Button 2 if you want a tall, streamlined riding boot with a leather sole and lining for dressier outfits.
  • Choose the Harness if you want a shorter, hard-wearing boot with a rubber sole and Goodyear welt for everyday wear.

Prices

  • Frye Melissa Button 2 Boots: $79.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
  • Frye Harness Boots: $497.95 at Backcountry (checked today)
  • Difference: the Frye Melissa Button 2 Boots is $417.96 cheaper than the Frye Harness Boots at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 10)
Frye
Frye Melissa Button 2 WC Womens Leather Boots

Frye Melissa Button 2 Boots

Frye Melissa Button 2 WC Womens Leather Boots

$79.99at eBayChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Tall shaft gives a clean riding-boot silhouette
  • Leather lining feels smooth and breathes well
  • Low 1-inch heel is comfortable for long days
  • Antique silver hardware adds detail without flash
Cons
  • Leather outsole is slippery and wears fast outdoors
  • Not built for wet or rough weather
  • Tall shaft can be tight over jeans or thick calves
Frye
Frye Harness Boots

Frye Harness Boots

$497.95at BackcountryChecked 9 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Backcountry

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • Rubber sole grips on wet pavement and trails
  • Goodyear welt means it can be resoled
  • Oiled leather resists water better
  • Shorter shaft is easier to pull on and walk in
Cons
  • Unlined interior feels rougher and less breathable
  • Taller 1.8-inch heel takes getting used to
  • Square toe is a bolder look that not everyone wants

What separates them

Frye Melissa Button 2 BootsFrye Harness Boots
Shaft height15.5 inches, knee-high12 inches, mid-calf
Heel height1 inch, low and flat1.8 inches, taller block
Toe shapeRound toeSquare toe
OutsoleLeather, slick and not water-friendlyRubber, grippy and weather-ready
ConstructionCemented or stitched, not specified as weltedGoodyear welt, resoleable
LiningFull leather liningUnlined
LeatherVegetable-tanned smooth leatherOiled leather, more water-resistant
Calf fit14.5 inch circumference14 inch circumference

Price history

$497.95$125.00
Nov 3Nov 10
  • Frye Melissa Button 2 Boots: lowest $125.00 on Nov 9 at Poshmark; $229.98 on Nov 10.
  • Frye Harness Boots: lowest $497.95 on Nov 10 at Backcountry.

Prices at every store

Frye Melissa Button 2 Boots

  • PoshmarkNew

    In stock

    $125.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit Poshmark
  • The Frye CompanyNew

    In stock

    $229.98+ $12.00 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit The Frye Company
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownReturns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $79.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $229.98Free shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • Dress CodeCheck price at Dress Code

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 6 stores and price history →

Frye Harness Boots

  • BackcountryNew

    In stock

    $497.95Free shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Backcountry
  • NordstromNew

    In stock

    $498.00Free shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Nordstrom
  • ZapposNew

    In stock

    $498.00Free shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Zappos
  • AnthropologieNew

    In stock

    $498.00+ $15.95 shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Anthropologie

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 5 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecFrye Melissa Button 2 BootsFrye Harness Boots
Shaft height15.5"12"
Calf circumference14.5"14"
Heel height1"1.8"
Toe shapeRound toeSquare toe
LiningLeather liningUnlined
Upper materialVegetable smooth leather—
OutsoleLeather outsole—
Shaft circumference14 1/2"—
HardwareAntique silver hardware—
Country of originMade in Mexico—
Outsole material—Rubber
Leather type—Oiled leather
Show all 13 specsShow fewer specs
SpecFrye Melissa Button 2 BootsFrye Harness Boots
Construction—Goodyear welt

What reviewers say

Frye Harness Boots

Owners tend to love the leather, the silhouette and the fact that the boots can be resoled, and many wear them for years. The recurring complaints are a hard break-in, weight and a shaft that can rub or feel tight on larger calves.

What people mention
  • Break-inCriticisedOwners say the boots are stiff and need weeks of wear before they soften.
  • Leather qualityPraisedReviewers describe the oiled leather as thick and durable, aging well with use.
  • WeightCriticisedSeveral owners find them heavy for all-day walking.
  • FitMixedMany say they fit true to size, but wider calves report the 14-inch shaft feels snug and rubs.

Questions and answers

Which is better for everyday wear?
The Harness. Its rubber sole and Goodyear welt hold up to daily walking and can be repaired. The Melissa's leather sole wears faster on pavement.
Which lasts longer?
The Harness, mainly because of the Goodyear welt and rubber outsole. The Melissa's leather sole is the first part to wear out and is harder to replace.
Is the Melissa worth stepping up to over the Harness?
Only if you want a tall, dressy riding boot. The Melissa wins on looks and lining; the Harness wins on durability and weather resistance.
Which is better in rain or snow?
The Harness. Oiled leather and a rubber sole handle wet conditions. The Melissa's leather sole and smooth leather are not made for wet weather.
Which fits wider calves?
They are close, at 14.5 inches for the Melissa and 14 for the Harness. The taller Melissa shaft sits higher on the calf, so fit matters more there.
Can the Harness be resoled?
Yes. The Goodyear welt lets a cobbler replace the sole. The Melissa's leather sole is harder to rebuild.

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