text: These are OK shoes. Nice minimal design. Won't be mistaken for a pair of Common Projects, but neither will the price. The leather is stiff and requires some break-in, but they're wearable. Perhaps the biggest weakness is what's on the inside. The sockliner is made of a flimsy piece of cloth that is in no way bound to the footbed. While in most shoes this is not a problem, this piece represents the only solid platform for the foot. The footbed itself is sort of like a honeycomb of hollow rubber with a supporting 'grid.' After a few days wearing these shoes, the heel started caving in and the sockliner fell apart. I may try a pair of store-bought insoles, but odds are these shoes are heading for the garbage long before I expected they would. Disappointing only begins to describe it. If you're after a pair of decent minimal leather sneakers, do yourself a favor and keep looking. You'll find better construction at your local Payless (at a much lower price). In the $50 price range, just pick up a new pair of Stan Smiths.