I bought this shoe because I need a part of comfortable walking shoe.  I had surgery on the back of my ankle and it still has a scar.  I needed a shoe that does not rub against it.  There is a comfortable elastic on the back of the shoe and it does not rub.  I took it on vacation to San Francisco and I was able to climb up and down the steep street with no problem.  I am really glad to have purchased the shoe before I went on vacation.