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J. Zimmerli
August 28, 2022
Low expectation, HIGH ROI, would buy again
I purchased these in early November when they were only $10 a pair. I didn't expect much from a $10 pair of shoes, but I am shocked by long they last. I'm approaching 1 year and they are still great. I teach high school and I wear these 2-3 days a week, so I do a LOT of walking in them. They have a little squish when you step and the shoe is deep, so I pulled the supplied insole and added a Dr. Scholl's plantar fasciitis insole to the shoe -- it fits perfectly and my feet never hurt on the job. They are velvet and I expected them to attract a ton of pet hair and lint, but they do not. However, I don't wear them around the house in order to keep them clean. The buckles are ridiculously cheap, and I expected them to rip or break off by now, but they work and are holding strong; the catch doesn't slip on the strap. When I purchased this style of shoe in the 90s with red hard soles, the fabric ripped out soon after buying or the buckles fell off. I have not had that issue with this shoe. I wish they were still $10; but they're still worth the price at $18. I wear an 8.5-9 shoe regular width, and I'm 274 lbs. I purchased a 9 and it's roomy enough to hold a quality insole and not pinch when my feet swell a little.
✔ Verified Purchase
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Jenny M
February 06, 2017
Shockingly Good
I was really surprised by these shoes. I purchased them for a sci fi convention where I'd be on my feet all day, and I didn't have time to take them for a test drive before the event. While I'd been hopecful that they'd be comfortable, I had a bad feeling that I'd try them on and end up leaving them at home so I could wear sneakers instead. I was super happy that they seemed like they'd last all day and night. And they did!These shoes have a good sized rubber sole. While the top portion is the standard fabric and style of the flat soled "china flats" that they used to sell when I was a kid (and still sell here as mary janes, and I do own a few pairs that I keep in my purse for inside shoes when I am visiting others), they are not a support shoe. They don't have an arch inside, but the rubber sole is comfortable, and these are far more comfortable than any of my other shoes. FAR more comfortable than converse.The strap is long enough that it doesn't get uncomfortable on the top of my feet, and they are roomie without being too loose. I generally wear a size 9, but many size 9s are too narrow, even though 9 wides are usually too wide. These were great for me with my in-between size, but folks who have very narrow feet will probably have to cinch the strap more tightly. If you love Clarks with their more narrow fit, don't buy these shoes!I have not worn these shoes outdoors. They are not weather appropriate for the Boston area rain because of the velvet, and they would get pretty dusty back where I used to live where it rarely rained.I've I've recommended them to several friends, and I have been coming back hoping more colors come in (right now they only come in black). I might buy a second pair in black so that when I go to conventions and events where I will be inside all day, I can wear one pair Saturday and one pair Sunday so they have time to air out and don't get smelly ;-)The shoes are well constructed, but I don't expect them to last forever. They are not the highest quality. However, these are my new go-to mary janes for any day that it's not raining or dusty or snowy out! I might even buy ANOTHER pair to put under my desk at work for if I forget to bring shoes when I wear snow/rain boots to work.
✔ Verified Purchase
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Carla Davis
August 27, 2020
Good value, and super-cute!
These shoes are a definite upgrade from the old standard black canvas Mary-Jane type flats. I love that the sole is flexible and thicker, so it doesn’t feel like I am walking around on thin wood planks. The insoles are not as cushy as I would have liked, but I can always add some, especially since there is a bit of wiggle room.The buckles are not nearly as bad as several of the reviewers have made them out to be, though it is a bit hard to back the strap out or pull it tighter. But once they are “buckled”, they stay firmly, and don’t loosen up.I also did not have an issue with them being stinky, I didn’t notice any odor at all when I removed them from the box. And the velvet is really nice! Overall, I am very pleased with the quality of these shoes, especially since they were so inexpensive.
✔ Verified Purchase
Don't care for them
Shoes are comfortable but the "latch" is horrible to work with. After you get the strap the length needed, slipping the "latch or hook" is nearly impossible.
✔ Verified Purchase
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Winter Frost
May 27, 2025
Uncomfortable shoes to wear.
Second time buying the same style of shoe from this buyer. Both of the same link. First shoes were ok, comfortable but the buckle was cheap tin. The second time shoes look similar but are definitely different manufacturer, soles and insides are different. The buckle is sturdier than last time. The suport is bad, it feels like the centerline of the shoe is higher than the edges, making uncomfortable to wear.
✔ Verified Purchase
