I was looking for a new pair of grey/black flats after my lab ate my other pair. I really wanted the exact same kind as what my dog ate but they don't seem to exist anymore. So I found these through searching on amazon. I read through a great deal of reviews before deciding to buy these. I read everyone complaining about the pinching and the blistering. So what I did was, #1 I ordered wide. I usually order normal size, but I specifically decided to go wide because of other people's reviews about the blisters on their toe area. #2 someone else in their review mentioned buying heel protectors...so I looked for some and in the same purchase as the shoe, I ordered heel protectors. They are soft stick ons for the heel of the shoe. Today I wore my shoes for the first time and wore them to work where I worked for 10 hours today. The heel protector was soft and I do believe without it, I probably would have had a blister as well, because I'm sure the shoe still has to stretch a bit. The top of my foot, I thought it was getting irritated a little bit, but that went away. I had zero blisters by the end of today. Also, yes the shoes do make a bit of noise when you walk, some other people's reviews said they didn't like it. I personally enjoy the sound and it makes me feel more official as I'm clopping through the hallways. So overall, I'm super happy with this purchase! I definitely think the heel protectors save the day! UPDATE 12/16/18 I have skimmed as many reviews as I could to see if anyone else had a problem with a smell from the shoe? When I first opened the box, there was a chemical smell that I can only describe as similar to vomit coming from the shoes. It was gross and I ignored it and it went away. THEN after wearing the shoes all day, taking them off, that smell comes from inside the shoe!!!! I still love the shoes, the one and only thing is that chemical smell!!!!!!!! Nobody else must be having this issue or I think someone would have posted about it. I'm wondering if my nose is just sensitive to the chemicals or what, but it literally smells like vomit. It is becoming less than before, so I think it will eventually go away, but man god forbid if I accidentally forget and flip my heel off my shoe for a second....So I'm removing a star for the smell. Otherwise, I love these shoes. Would it even be worth it at this point after wearing them and ignoring the smell to even complain about it? Not sure at this point, the shoes are great, it's just the smell, but since I don't smell it until the end of the day when the shoes come off, it hasn't bothered me enough to actually make the effort to exchange them. But it bothers me enough to update my rating. UPDATE 12/23/19 Wow has it really been a year? That chemical smell that I updated about previously went away eventually. I love the shoes, but now in the last week, suddenly little holes are developing in the padding of the inside of the shoe, so it's hurting my feet. I came on to buy a new pair, but I see they're not being sold? So I might buy new inserts or something. Not sure. But overall, 1 year later I still actually love these shoes.
