I don't own any Lucchese boots, but I have tried them on in the store, and they were *incredibly* comfortable, and very true to sz. Since bootmakers standardize the lasts, if a sz. 8 fits in one of their boots in my experience they will fit in all, at least all of the same toe styling. I have bought all the boots--6 prs.-- I currently own online, and just ordered my regular sz. Oddly, the one pair I had that were never quite comfortable sizing-wise were Boulet. And those I bought in a store! They were they hardest boots ever to get on, and though they softened up nicely, they always were a bit too tight across the top of my little toe. (And I had bought them in the wide, which I don't even need to do in most boots!) Lucchese are more expensive than I would normally buy, but you can be sure of comfort in those, and comfort from the get-go: no breaking in required, not even 1 hr! And the shafts will not flop over when not being worn, like in Boulets! Hope this is helpful. OH! I forgot to add, no need to worry about the shaft fitting: my husband has very thick legs and his Ariats, Justins, and Laredos all fit even his legs comfortably.