Great right out of the box!
Bought these for a trip to Italy and wore them for endless days of walking with very little discomfort - and that's saying a lot since I have unbelievably sensitive feet. The straps at the back keep your foot in place and that reduces rubbing, and the sole is good on uneven terrain (although it squeaks on shiny floors). While they look a little more "old-lady" than I like, I'll be wearing them on my two-mile commute to work all summer long. With
jeans covering most of them, they look as good as they feel. My only nitpick: why put a seam right where the ball of the foot can rub it? I noticed it the whole time I wore them but it didn't cause bleeding or blisters the way other shoes' raised seams, sewn-on labels, or embossed designs do. Why shoes designers feel they have to make their
insoles "interesting" instead of smooth, plain, and comfortable, I'll never understand!