Great shoes. No breaking-in period. Comfortable out of the box. Two slight issues (although the shoes still get 5 stars). One is that the shoes at first do have a very strong smell. I've been wearing them for a few weeks and it's virtually gone now, but I would recommend airing them out for a few days to avoid the smell. Second issue is that Amazon has two US sizes listed to correspond with each European size. For example, it says that size 39 is an 8.5 and a 9. I bought the 39 thinking it would fit me (I wear an 8.5 or 9 in most shoes). I should have bought a size 40 as the 39 is clearly a small size 8.5. The leather has stretched and the shoes do fit, but if you order these shoes I recommend going with the larger size. Order a 40 if you wear a size 9, not the 39. Width is fine. I have a narrow foot, but the straps are adjustable.