Pleasantly surprised
I like these WAY more than I expected to. Had thought I could wear them to run out to the car or get packages off of the porch, but I wore them to appointments and the store the other day and got compliments and was asked where I got them.I got an 8 because 8.5 wasn’t an option. I usually wear an 8 or 8.5 depending on whether wearing socks and on the design of the footwear’s toe box. These have lots of toe space. My heel is right at the short lip at the back. If you are an 8.5, go to a 9. (I have one foot that is an 8 and one is an 8.5. So annoying.) My foot is medium width, leaning toward wide more than narrow. My foot is not loose or wiggly in these.I don’t think these shoes are as Frankenfoot-looking as most UGGs-style shoes; the center line breaks things up a bit. The tan color is as pictured. I wanted the platform to get a bit above the rain puddles and small snows we’re going to deal with for the next 4-5 months. The platform keeps the shoe fabric and the bottom of my jeans out of any moisture. That said, I am going to spray these with a sealer to protect from stains and moisture. I have a very high instep and high arches. The bottom of the shoe has some slight rubber-like give, and isn’t slick. They are comfortable to walk in, don’t squeak or make noise, and I feel stable walking in them (I have one artificial hip and not always the greatest balance).The arch support is much better than expected. The instep (across the top of the foot) is a little tight with socks but doesn’t make my foot go to sleep or pinch; I think the top will loosen a little. The inside is warm but not hot; they didn’t make my feet sweaty. I have tried these with and without socks. I have other shoes kind of like these that when I wear socks my feet slip around and I walk out of the daggone shoe. These did not do that.My hair stylist is 40 years younger than me and said (without me asking) that they looked cute. I will likely get them in black, too.I loved how these were packaged. They were in a plastic bag (no box) with individual bags inside for each shoe, cushioned wrap around each shoe, and packing inside the toes so the shoes kept their shape. They were not spotted or scuffed in anyway. I have a sensitive nose and the shoes didn’t smell offensive, plastic-y, chemical-y, or weird. I did not sniff them, but usually if something is going to be bad it hits you in the face as you’re removing the packaging.