Another amendment to this review: I've upgraded this review from four to five stars. I have worn out these shoes after several months of walking. I have purchased a new pair exactly the same. I LOVE them. Strangely my new pair fit perfectly whereas the first pair needed breaking in.

Added: after the initial breaking in above, I reinserted the insoles and the shoes fit fine. I'm reconfirming tho that they run small.

I love the looks of these shoes. My problem was that they wouldn't go on my feet - I wear a size 9M or an 8.5 W. But in 9M they were too small. I pulled out the excellent removable insoles and they fit and felt fine. I then walked fast for an hour. My feet felt fine ... in fact I liked fast walking with these shoes.

After the test walk my feet weren't tired or sore at all, so I am exceptionally pleased but giving up the insoles so they'd fit kinda bothers me. I would not buy these shoes without trying them on at a store to get the right fit. The opening to put your feet in has almost no stretch or give at all... the laces I think are for looks - they do not tie but rather are one continuous loop.