text: I've been a fan of FitFlops since they debuted, and have enjoyed wearing both the sandals and the boots for casual, run-around comfort. My &#34;good&#34; shoes are usually Italian or French heels and sandals of high-quality build, but if you're going to run around in casual clothes, in a place bound by concrete, like New York, FitFlop comprises a great option.<br /><br />In recent years, I've returned several pair, because it seems FitFlop is now building for the wide-foot market, no matter what model one chooses. I consider myself a solid medium width with a long last; as such, cheaper closed shoes don't usually work for me. I am also a 10-10.5/41 in closed shoes, and have consistently bought size 9 in FitFlops, because the length is equally generous, and I found myself tripping in a 10--save for boots, which leave consideration for sock wearing.<br /><br />I am also done with wearing the thong-type FitFlops. They may feel good at first, but eventually, they irritate the space between the first and second toes. I tried to have my expert shoe-repair guy tighten them a little when they've stretched, but particularly with the suede models, that's not a sustainable solution. Once that bit of the thong stretches, there's no brisk walking on these; and brisk walking should be what FitFlops do best!<br /><br />So another summer, and another attempt to find a FitFlop that doesn't fall off or irritate my foot. In past summers, I tried the Banda, Lulu and DeLoop models. The front-foot band was too narrow in depth, and didn't seem to keep the front of my foot solidly into the sandal.  I'd tried on a couple of the horizontal models in the wrong color at a local discounter. The Loosh was hard and irritating in the wrong places, and the Biker Chic seemed to work, so I purchased these on Amazon, feeling they were a possible solution.<br /><br />Out of the box, the size 9 was comfortable, if a bit snug in the forefoot. I walked around at home with them, and used my shoe stretcherto break the front in a bit more, and now they're perfect! Only one issue: one of the small, square studs fell off the shoe within the first day. They have prongs, and I'll try to re-mount it somehow. As it was one of the smaller studs, I'll try not to get too worked up if it won't re-mount. I think the more blinged-out FitFlops are a little too middle-aged-Florida for my taste, so the black-on-black studs on the Biker Chic model are just enough embellishment, without shouting &#34;mall walker.&#34; With a foot my size, who wants undue attention called to one's foot?<br /><br />The newest Aztek Chada and Amsterdam look like good next-pair options for me, but to be honest, I'm not sure a shoe that is mostly plastic/rubber is worth $130-140. I will probably try them when they are more reasonably-priced. Like others, I think FitFlop should find a way to line their sandal soles in leather; I'd probably think about the &#34;mostly plastic&#34; less. They should also take back old Fitflops for recycling; I hate the idea of throwing out a fully-intact sole for stretching or failure of the leather bands.