I bought these to wear to work as my office dress code doesn't allow for sandals in the summer and I'd hoped these would be "passable" office wear.  And they are... sort of... only by appearance. However, they're no more comfortable than any other flat I've ever purchased. And it sounds like I'm walking the halls in wet flip-flops. They hurt my feet, too.  Wish I wouldn't have bought them. Bummer.