this was a value purchase because Amazon was running a sale.  Whenever you can get a sale on Mephisto you should pick one up.  The cushioned feet and whatnot stuff are a bit overrated.  I like the shoes, but it's still rubber sole with a thick rubber insole that is giving you the cushioning effect.  The full story is the full grained leather which is much nicer than the corrected grain leather stuff you get from like the likes of Cole Haan, Bruno Magli, Ecco, Clark, and some others.  If it actually had some better arch support, I would have given it 5 starts.  FIT NOTE: this shoe is huge in terms of volume.  You should size down when purchasing. Even then, you should plan on wearing thick socks.