Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I was hesitant, at first, to buy these. I am accustomed to buying this style of shoe in European sizes. But, after much hemming and hawing, and research, I decided that a 7 would be the closest that they have to my usual 38. Yup! Just like a 38! A 37 would be too small (I've made that mistake before... ouch!) and a 39 is much too big. The 7 is a 38. So, if you usually buy a 38, now you know. I can't say what other EU sizes would be, if you're used to a different number. If you are used to US sizes, keep in mind a 38 is actually closer to a US 7.5, which may account for why some reviewers are noting "too small/tight" or "too large". The US sizes aren't quite what you're used to (if you're used to a US 7, narrow or normal, these 7's may be too wide or big in some way). In US sizes, I tend to wear 7.5 *wide*. If they aren't wides, I have to go up in size. I took the gamble, as I needed a new pair ASAP (besides, they're cheap enough to not be scared of making a mistake, plus I knew I could return them... I was more concerned with wasting time on the experiment, as time was of the essence to replace my last pair). I have worn this style of shoe since I was 16, and I'm now 41. Anything over constructed, like most modern shoes, gives me backaches and foot pain. At my job, I'm in constant motion and on my feet all day. I need something that lets my foot be a foot. And these do just that. My last pair (different manufacturer, different seller) finally gave up the ghost, and stores in my area don't sell these, and my usual online source has been out of stock of my size for ages and ages..... Shipping was only a few days. Super fast. I had happy feet in no time! Yes, these have a plastic/"chemical" smell, but that is not unusual for this type of shoe. It's very common, and passes with time. It does. What I am most impressed with, about these shoes, is that I am used to the "rubber" sole of this genre to be more like plastic. No grip whatsoever, despite having a textured sole. THESE, however, actually are rubber! There is grip! I don't have to worry about slipping if I move too fast on tile! It's not as great as a sneaker, mind you. No running a marathon in these. But! I can walk quickly, turn corners in a hurry, and, yes, even run if I have to. I don't have to keep a mental note going inside my head as to foot placement or leg speed, as I have had to with other manufacturers. This makes me extremely happy. And, yes, the buckle is an actual buckle. Little pin-stick thing that goes into a hole. No having to do the old trick of bending the "buckle" frame to hold its place, no using safety pins. I will definitely buy these again. ------------------------- UPDATE April 2015: I did reorder these shoes. I went to My Orders and followed the link to order 2 more pairs. What I received is NOT the same as what I wrote this review for. Now I think I can see why the reviews vary so much, from buckles having the pin/not having the pin to soles being good/terrible.... it seems to me that Shoes18 just has a bin of "black cotton mary jane shoes" that they fill up from various manufacturers. Even the outer soles of my shoes had different markings. First (and wonderful) pair had a manufacturer and Chinese writing. Replacement pairs did not. Only had the size there. So, Shoes18 is inconsistent with who they are sourcing these shoes from, and not telling you, the buyer. It is important, as each manufacturer makes these a little differently. Now, when I search Amazon for similar shoes, if it says "Shoes18" as the seller, I move on. I cannot trust that just because the picture looks different, that I still won't get screwed and wind up with the crappy version of these shoes. The latest shipment: Much too big (ordered exact same size that fit me like a glove before) Soles are VERY thin, don't have that sewn in padding, and outer sole has some weird fabric mixed in with the rubber. Rubber part is actually really good though (hence the second star in the down graded rating) Buckles don't have the pin to hold them in place like original pair had. Cotton is actually a little rougher, almost feels synthetic/blend. I need 100% cotton. Might still be, but it has a stiffness that reminds me of the synthetic blend version of these shoes, which always give me a rash. Toe box of shoe is rounder (doesn't angle in and "hug" small toe) than I am accustomed to this type of shoe ever being (making too large size even worse), which reminds me even more of the synthetic blend version. In fact, the only thing that doesn't remind me of those is that the synthetic ones tend to have a really thick rubber sole, almost like a tennis shoe. All in all, everything thing that I loved about my original order... is not to be found in these pairs that I just received. I am deeply disappointed, as it is hard enough to find these shoes to begin with... and to have found them, *just right*, only to have them switched for truly lesser quality ones.... Well, there is a feeling of having been betrayed.