In my youth, breaking my toes, fingers, my nose, etc. seemed to be a hobby of sorts. I guess that was a natural byproduct of playing ball with guys who were inevitably bigger than me. These physiological snap, crackle and pops spawned some nice father and son times, as we sat in the E.R together waiting to get the X-ray results while Dad told me that I was going to have to work off the cost of the deductible. Fortunately he always changed his mind after a cooling off period. Back then I never imagined that my minor collections of injuries would have long term lingering implications.

I've already had two surgeries caused by old injuries, and now my feet are demanding my full attention. Practical footwear now looms large as a health mandate. Of course this often means boxy, plain shoes that are a visual signal to the world that the wearer is getting old. Combine that with the fact that I wear a size 13, and I usually find my options to be both limited and ugly. Additionally, I'm a rather large fellow (no, no fat ... entirely) which adds a further level of stress to my feet.

My last year was spent largely in SE Asia, and my feet were either severe in pain, uncomfortably hot, or both.  I saw an ad for Drew Shoes Men's Springfield Sandal, and figured that the price was reasonable enough that I would give them a go.

From the first moment I wore them I knew that I had made an uncharicteristicly wise decision. I try to avoid buying leather, but  I gotta say, the upper parts of these shoes are almost buttery smooth and supple, without sacrificing support. The soles are  cushioned enough (kind of like good tires, you still want a sense of how the road feels) that you feel firmly grounded while enjoying the buffering they provide. The overall construction quality is outstanding. My orthopedic inserts slip into the sandals easily and then stay put, no shifting around as the day goes. And the shoes look great with just about any kind of slacks.

Within days of receiving them, my wife and I flew off for a week in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The city and its environs are insanely beautiful, and populated by the kindest people I have ever met. My wife and I were inspired to walk for many hours every day. With any other shoe I own there would have been a price to pay for all of this enthusiastic activity, but this was not the case after having worn the Drew Springfield Sandals.

The two adjustable straps are a great feature. I was able to make changes for different weight socks, outside air temp, etc. I am planning on buying more shoes made by this company in the future and I recommend that folks find brick and mortar location to try them on, and then save a bundle by buying them through Amazon.
Update: As of April 2018 these shoes are still in great condition and still extremely comfortable. Theyve walked many miles and held up brilliantly.