Birkenstock Women's London Comfortable Leather Slip-On Shoes - Perfect for Casual Wear, Office & Travel

For you novice purchasers there are a few caveats. When brand new, they arrive too stiff; you have to break them in. This London-style are especially stiff. There is a lot of substantial leather and the soles were made for long-time wearing so people be patient. Upon my first fit, I had difficulty buckling them and when I did it was hard to bend my feet for walking, but because I've been wearing Birkenstocks for 45+ years, I know what to do, take the time to break them in. After 19 days of wearing for an hour or so 2 to 3 times a week, the buckle now knows where to go, I'm now comfortably standing and walking for several hours a day in them, but I still can't wear them all day, yet. I know that day will come. My only disappointment is the heel counter rise (aka Achilles tendon protector) is weird feeling. I still don't know if I like this protection. Also, there seems to be too much space between the arch and the heel counter, but my experience has been once they are broken my feet will mold to the cork inner sole. When I start to wear my usual thick socks, I'm confident that one day soon, I'll have another pair of Birkenstock shoes that will last for a good 20 years.