So far these sandals are exactly what I wanted; a black outdoor sandal without the pastel colored trim that's common on women's shoes. The heel and two top straps are adjustable, which makes this a good fit for a variety of feet. The sole can comfortably accommodate a wide foot like mine but seems to be styled so that it would not look silly on a normal width foot. The traction seems good, but I have not worn them on any incredibly slick surfaces yet (i.e., algae-covered wet rocks). On buffed floor surfaces, they do just fine. These don't require much of a break in period. I tested them out for about an hour around the house one night just to get the straps adjusted correctly. The next day, I walked to and from work in them. There was a little rubbing on top of my big toe and on the side of my pinky. It was very minor; no blisters or raw places. I wore them again the following day and had no issues. My only concern about these shoes is that the top strap is further back over the foot (i.e., further from the toes) than on similar sandals. For me this presents no problem, so they still get a 5 star rating. I wear these in urban and tall grass prairie conditions. However, on dirt roads or in other outdoor settings, rocks may stand a better chance of getting into the shoe and under your foot than if the strap was higher and kept your toes against the sole better. The one thing I cannot yet comment on is how durable these shoes are. I will update this review in a few months.

Update Feb, 2013: These shoes are amazing. If you were on the fence about getting a pair, buy them. For me, they've lasted through thick and thin and are still going strong. I've walked miles (sometimes through creeks and mud) in them. They've been thrown up on by my dog and hosed off with the water hose. There's virtually no wear to the sole, straps, velcro, etc. after all I've put them through. You will NOT regret purchasing these.