These boots have been cleaned and given a nice coat of neutral polish. I did not use a brown because I really liked the age shown in the leather and wanted to highlight it. The soles show very well with no heel drag and only light use. Overall a very nice pair of boots. Thanks for looking. My wife and I strive to bring you only the best items. We thoroughly go over each item. We honestly and openly point out any flaws if we find one. If you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line. We are always happy to help. We ship daily and are happy to bulk sell and combine shipping on multiple purchases. Thanks again!