I usually wear New Balance or Saucony running shoes, but I was low on cash and desperate to find a shoe supportive enough but still inexpensive. Oy, I've learned my lesson. I thought it might just be my flat feet & big size, but I found that my arches really were hurting soon after lacing these up. I've worn them several times and they've felt the same every time- very uncomfortable. I hope more wear will break them in, but I'm skeptical. I wear an 11W. I do have fibromyalgia & osteoarthritis in a few joints, but I don't normally experience any foot pain whatsoever. So I was surprised when my feet felt so fatigued & painful after just a short while in these (considering that they are running shoes, after all). But then my college professor- who's rail-thin, wears a medium (B) shoe, has a normal arch, teaches all kinds of fitness classes, has no disabilities & is 5'4"- said the same thing independently of me about this brand. She mentioned that up until recently, she'd found that the Avia brand was great, but that she'd had issues with the last couple of pairs from them being very uncomfortable. This is a woman who walks quickly and can wear even very high, thin stilettos without much issue, so I was surprised. So maybe it isn't my wide, flat feet after all! I think perhaps the brand has just gone downhill in quality. In any event, I will definitely not take my chance buying from this brand again.