It is always dicey buying shoes online which you cannot try on.  I went to three large local shoe stores to see if I could find these - and no one carried them.  Since New Balance have always fit me well I took a chance.  Glad I did.  The fit is perfect.  Very comfortable for long walks.  The Velcro closures work well.  The black shoe is subdued-looking enough that I feel comfortable wearing them for airplane travel while wearing dressier clothes.  The best thing about the shoe is that the toe area is a little wider and higher than most, accommodating the various foot disformities that come with age - bunions, hammer toes, etc.