I bought these after trying many other shoes online by the buying-and-returning method and after I was finally at the end of my wits and patience. Since the physical stores are few-and-far between, you have to submit to this `site unseen' shopping which with shoes becomes a practical joke.
For some inexplicable reason, athletic shoe manufacturers came up with the `original' idea to change the standard sizes on us...buy a 9 to fit an 8 or buy an 8 to fit your 9.

By the same token, I decided that from now on after all these years of being 5'4" tall, I will be 6'8"... why not?

Well, I guess it was worth the search and pain, because these shoes literally hug your overworked, tired pugs. I use them for walking 3-5 miles a day. I'm a bit over the slim line, not a spring chick anymore, so I needed a cushy, pampering sweetheart of a shoe for serious all-season walking.
I took them out of the box, put my orthotics in and then my bare feet. Victory!
Walked that very first day in them, no breaking-in necessary, just utter bliss.

I used to run many years ago too, but problems with knees and foot surgeries have closed that avenue for me. These let your foot do its walking, just gently protecting your stride, no shouting, no rubbing, no clenching. That's why I think these are also excellent for running.

When you're young and trim it's easy, everything fits pretty much like a glove. But the real challenge is to make the not-so-trim and not-so-young comfortable and I think these shoes do.

They're very light, soft and flexible, roomy toe-box, easy to put on and take off. If you're always in a hurry like me and you slip in them lace tied, make sure you use a shoehorn to keep your shoes longer. It takes 10 seconds more but it could mean 6 months longer of shoe life. (I know because I've ruined most of my shoes by crushing the back...).

Still, a half size larger is a better choice so your pedicure won't hit the front or to give you a bit more room if your foot is wider.

A few suggestions to the Brooks people:  The shiny patent leather trim was a no-no... It's a running shoe not a night at the Opera.
Also, the arch support needs to be more pronounced, otherwise you have to add to it.

On the positive side, it's great that the shoe is a basic black, it keeps looking new longer and it goes with any slimming black walking outfit. The best of it is that it's waterproof, so you can venture out for a walk/run in the rain.

I can say that this is definitely a user-friendly shoe. `Hi, I'm your new shoe. Can we walk?'