Heel pain is rearing its ugly head in my family. I had surgery (don't do it, please) but it didn't help. Orthotics and/or arch supports are great for heel pain, flat feet, high arches. I wasn't thrilled with putting orthotics in my slippers and went researching. Haflingers were highly recommended so I ordered a pair with fingers crossed. If I can't feel arch support touching my instep I don't buy the shoe. Haflinger had the magic touch. I ordered a pair for my husband, whose heel pain prevents his going barefoot anymore and this pair I ordered for my mom, who recently has been suffering foot pain. She told me she was throwing her slippers away and I thought, not if I can help it. So Santa dropped off her slippers a little early but she likes them and maybe even dad will get a pair. They're not cheap but they feel wonderful.

Update - the slippers tend to run on the small side for men. The pairs I bought for my dad and my husband were too small and I had to buy a size up. I'm still wearing my original pair but they are showing some wear signs on the soles so I bought a backup pair. Won't buy any different brand of slippers in the future.

More comments after a year: My dad, who is notoriously picky and doesn't like much of anything, threw away his old slippers and wears his Haflingers all the time. My mom's big toes tend to stick up and she has worn a hole through the tops of the slippers. Santa sent another pair but I'm thinking that sewing leather toecaps (can buy leather squares at craft stores) may be the best solution. I'm wearing my second pair and they were definitely tighter than the old. I held the two pairs sole to sole and they were the same. After wearing them for a couple of weeks, the wool has eased and the fit is identical. For people unfamiliar with European sizing, I suggest trying on Birkenstocks until you find one that fits and note the size. I wear a 38 in Birkenstocks and the same in Haflinger. I too was concerned that I had ordered a size too small for my second pair, in spite of the first pair fitting well, but I now attribute the tight feeling to the new wool upper, which indeed was the case.

I love the warmth and breathability of my purple Haflingers. I can wear them with or without socks - some slippers can make my feet too hot then clammy. When it's really cold (for Texas, I know, but it feels really cold after months of baking heat) I wear wool socks and wool slippers for the happiest feet. The sole wears well, as does the insole, but the boiled wool wears less well. I'm going to try the leather toecaps or buy new when on sale.

Note that I'm referring to the all terrain sole for this review. I prefer to be able to go outside in them. I had to get my husband the boiled wool soles because I couldn't find any AT slippers big enough but he says they also have great arch support and durability is fine. His only complaint is that yes his feet get wet when he wears them outside and it's raining.