text: I normally wear either an 8.5 or a 9, so given the comments about small fit I went with the 9. They fit the wide parts of my foot perfectly without feeling too roomy, and don't feel tight anywhere. These are my walking shoes, as the heel has the lovely Altra cushioning I've grown to love, but the ball feels a little less cushy than the Altra Olympus I use for running. These are better if you are more of a heel striker. You might be able to get away with flat-footing, but they are definitely not as evenly cushioned as the Olympus. If I ran in them, I would agree with most reviewers that the size would be too small for comfortable regular running. As walking shoes, I feel like I could go all day in these. The orange and blue is bright, but I've gotten over them not matching the rest of my wardrobe and enjoy the splash of colour on my morning walks.