They are absolutely adorable, but I'm on my second day of ownership and I can tell they are not going to break in as beautifully or last as long as my Gizehs. These are NOT comparable to your classic Birkenstock footbed! They do fit, but not only are they narrow compared to my other Bikenstocks (expected)... the soles are also visibly shorter AND noticeably thinner. I bought a pair of Gizehs last year and it took me 2-3 weeks or persistent wear to break in the footbeds so that the ridge below the toe line didn't make my toes fall asleep, and my heels were well cupped and my arches perfectly supported. But I knew the process would be well worth it, and it was. Those shoes make my feet SO HAPPY. I ordered these because I wanted something with an ankle strap and in a more neutral color than my Gizehs for an upcoming trip to Italy. They arrived yesterday afternoon and I popped them right on and went out to walk the dogs, assuming that since they fit I ought to get going on the break-in process. By the end of the day I still was feeling none of the mild discomfort that characterized my breaking in of the Gizehs. Why is this a problem? Well, there is just a lot less sole under my feet in these shoes. The support is not as firm or as cushioned. I actually just held them up side by side with my trusty old Birks and this sole looks not only smaller but downright flimsy in comparison. So I'm actually nervous that they'll never break in to the point that I get that lovely deep heel cup and perfect arch support and effective shock absorption. They're still more comfortable than almost any other sandals that don't look like my grandfather would wear them, and since I walked the dogs 3 miles in them yesterday I guess they're keepers. I just hope I won't be walking around Italy with all the soreness in my back and hips and knees that lesser sandals than Birks usually provoke for me :( Pro tip, when you are wearing these, arrange the straps like the photo, with the longer one wrapped across your foot first and the shorter one over the top of it. If I reverse the order, the edge of the short strap hits my foot at a bad angle and ends up cutting my skin after a few hours of wear.