I love birk ... this purchase be replace a pair of black suede Arizona sandle that I wear and do not take care of this winter ! I do own over 30 pair of Birks all different style and type ... however , this be the first pair of `` soft footbed '' birk I have purchase and WOW ! what comfort ! they appear to be identical to my old pair but that little layer of foam in the footb make a wonderful difference . I have be wear they to walk on my treadmill every evening instead of my `` sneaker '' . if I have a choice of traditional footbed or soft footbed I will always pick the soft footbed when I puchase any pair of Birks from now on !