SPIRA Women's Classic Leather Walking Shoe

I was anxious about ordering shoes online since obviously I was unable to try them on for fit/comfort until they arrived. However, I am thrilled that I did take the chance and order them. I ordered a Women's 8 1/2 Wide and they fit perfectly. They arrived in good condition with good packaging, and appear to be fairly well made. Although I have never had this type of shoe before (with the springs in the sole), it did not take any time at all to get use to them or feel comfortable in them. What I like is that I do notice a difference from other good walking shoes I have - they definitely have a more 'cushioning' feel when walking. The ground/floor/pavement is not as hard on the soles of my feet and there is less stress on my legs, hips and back.Everybody is different and has various needs. However, if you are contemplating spending hard-earned money on a good walking shoe and want to have good support and a lighter feel to your step, I recommend these shoes. Since I have only had them for two weeks, I do not know how well they hold up. I can tell you though that if I need to purchase a new pair every year, I believe the money will be worth spending. I have had back surgery and have a rod & pins in my back, in addition to having moderate to severe arthritis in my spine, so having shoes that take pressure off my back and legs is enough to make me cry with joy. I do wish they were made in the U.S.A. - they are not - and hope the good quality of the product continues.

If you are a wide shoe wearer, buy the "wide" width. Usually marked as a (C) width. I bought the real wide widths (EE) because of what someone said that"the wides were'nt big enough for wide feet people". I returned these and bought the wides and they are perfect.It's nice to read comments that people leave so you can make an educated guess on what you are buying over the internet. The comments are not always right for everyone. You just have to try and learn by yourself sometime.

I have severe Plantar fasciitis. I am up on my feet on and off all day on concrete and stairs. I was skeptical on a shoe that was so highly rated on web sites. I've tried just about every kind of shoe insert, sock, balm... the works to keep my foot from hurting so badly I could hardly walk on it. I was in a lot of pain the day the shoes arrived. I was home for lunch during a work day and had a long afternoon on my feet ahead. I put them on and went back to work. I guess I expected miracles... my foot still hurt all afternoon. I contemplated sending them back as another thing that didn't work. Rational thought kicked in and I continued to wear them the rest of the week. I swear, no lie, no kidding... the very next day, I had absolutely NO pain for the first time in months. A twinge, yes... a bit of a throb now and then... yes... but by the end of the week, I could walk around my job like a normal person... no pain. I noticed immediate relief the minute I put them on in the mornings. After getting home after work, and taking them off... yes, the pain would kick back in and I'd have to ice my foot, but that's to be expected with Plantar fasciitis. After two weeks, now, of wearing the shoes every single day, even the night pain has subsided to annoying instead of agony. If I slop around on the weekends barefoot or wear other non-supportive shoes... bam the pain is right back, so I know the shoes are working. To be able to get up from my desk and know I can hustle around to get done what is needed at work without the searing pain is well worth the cost of the shoe.My next goal is to start fitness walking again with the shoes to see if they can hold-up to that and still keep my foot comfortable.If you are trying to decide on a super cushioned or "squishy" type of support shoe or a running shoe if you have foot trouble... I've tried them both and they don't do the trick for me.. you must have the arch support of a solid walking shoe for that. I've learned my lesson.Black and/or white shoes may not be the most stylish, but when your feet hurt... looks are not a top priority at least for me. I find the black goes just about anything and unless you are in super high-profile job that requires heels (women obviously), no one is going to pay all that much attention to what you have on your feet.

When I read the description on these shoes, they sounded like they provided more cushion than other walking shoes I have bought. And I figured that was worth paying the additional money for. Guess what!? They are not any better than the $30-$60 walking shoes from companies like Sketchers, Nike, etc. As a matter of fact the are less cushioned than some of the other known brands out there. Lesson learned.

After reading all good reviews, I bought this pair of shoes. It looked okay and felt okay when I walked around the house. So I wore them today at Legoland all day, and my feet were not very happy at the end of the day. First, I felt the springs on my heels, and my heels became sore in the middle of the day. Second, the sides of my small toes were hurting as well, both feet, by afternoon. I cannot figure out why since nothing really felt hard on the side of the shoes, but regardless, they were tender after a long day of walk. It felt like I am wearing a pair of dress shoes when they are supposed to be comfortable walking shoes.I do not understand how $100 shoes are made such that I feel the springs on my heels? I actually felt round shape of springs on my heels. Can't you believe it? The company cannot put thick enough padding?In terms of my small toes, I bought wide shoes. I had enough space on the front so I cannot figure out why the side of my toes hurt.I am very unhappy. Since I wore the pair outside for one day, I cannot return them, and it cost me $100. It is very expensive shoes to be thrown away after one day of wear.My suggestion: they look okay, but they are not good for walking unless you are perfectly fine walking on dress shoes for all day.