I have have foot problem which have force I to get new footwear . when I be a teen , I try a pair of birkenstock but return they because of the pain - and the fear that I would not be able to return they if I wear they too long . I have a high instep , and go to try on shoe at the local shoe store . I could only get my foot into Birkenstocks and Haflinger 's , and I choose between the taupe birkenstock - soft footbed and regular . the same color be different base on whether or not it be the soft footbed , and I choose the soft because it have a sage green tone rather than a rosier golden tan tone . it take 3 week to break these in . the strap nearest the ankle dig into I with every step I take , because of my instep . it hurt and cause bleed under the skin , but I persist in wear they a couple of hour at a time . normally , I go barefoot inside because I can not stand shoe and do not even like sandal much , but I now do not want to take off my birkenstock ! I love they . I ask the salesman if the strap would stretch , and he say they would stretch to a point , and especially if fasten too tight . I have be wear they kinda loosely , but I prefer they snug enough to stay on - not tight . hopefully they will not stretch too much . the strap and the durability of the sole be what lead to my review 's title , as I do not know the answer to those question now . I have order a pair in the Boston style as well . the softb Boston in mocha look great to I , and different from the same color in the regular footbed . if this love last , I will have little use for any other shoe . the way the insole conform to my foot make these feel like they be a part of I , which be why they can feel better than barefoot .