WIDE FEET WILL LOVE THIS SHOE! I've been doing water aerobics for years and this is the best fitting shoe I have ever worn. My wish is that this shoe will be available in a wide width as long as I am able to take classes--I'm hoping another 10-20 years!

Great shoes - bought for a trip to India and Thailand in August (monsoon season) and expect to get wet! However, I've been wearing them around town and they are very comfortable - even without socks. The mesh and cutouts really keep my feet cool and they are kinda cute too! I have very high arches and the arch support is good. The only issue I have with these is that they rub a little on the top of my foot. Other than that, they are a stylish and comfortable shoe.

I love these shoes!! They are easy to get on and off, so comfy, and the extra wide width just adds to the roomy pleasure. Great summer workout shoe! I would buy these again and again.

I also purchased the New Balance SW920 and most of my comments in that review apply to this one, so I'll just repeat myself. I do aquatherapy exercise for arthritis and am continually on the hunt for a good shoe. I really wanted to like these. Like the SW920, these ran shockingly small. I have had New Balance walking shoes before and always wore 7.5 wide (with room left for thick cushy socks!), but even the size 8 wide was much too small, both in length and width but especially in width. It was extremely difficult to get my foot into the shoe at all. And yet somehow, even with the front of my foot crammed this tightly, my heel slipped up and down so much that I knew I'd have blisters in no time. The shoe is very inflexible in the forefoot and arch area, they almost felt like cleats or boots. These shoes have almost the worst insole design I've ever encountered. Even though one wouldn't normally wear socks when doing water aerobics I tried them on with nylon "peds" (in case I had to return them) and the firm, deeply ribbed insole is almost painful just to stand on. I can't imagine working out for an hour in these even if I did wear socks. You can see the insole in the "close-up" picture. I don't think there is an athletic shoe in existence that doesn't make short, wide feet look even blockier, but these are no worse than average in that department. All the cutouts and swoopy bits have an interesting look, very futuristic, and the color schemes of gray and charcoal gray are less offensive to the eye than the average athletic shoe which is downright ugly. The little pocket to fit the quick-lacing gadget into is a cute idea but it's a bit tricky to get said little plastic gadget in and out of there unless the shoe is in your lap! So I'll at least score them well on style.

I bought these for a water aerobics class. It is my first one and I wasn't sure if I'd like being in the deep or shallow end. I have diabetes and not getting a blister (which takes forever to heal) was the main goal. Also just getting from the changing area to the pool can be a challenge because I also have the dreaded plantar fasciitis (in both feet). I can't begin to tell you what a relief it was to even find these shoes! They have been a God-send. They have the perfect arch support and no blisters from walking to the pool or pushing off the bottom and sides of the pool. After only 3 weeks in the class, I'm planning on scheduling the rest of my life around this class! I wear a 9.5 in most all shoes, ended up sending these back a couple times in order to get the best fit, a 10. I had to get a wide, which I've never worn before, but they are perfect this time.

I love this shoes :) I bought shoes of Dr Martens 3 years ago. The first month was terrible. I hated this shoe, but when my feet "learnt" Doc Martens, everything changed. Now I wear it very often because they're very comfortable.

I love the (OUCH) way they look. I love these shoes. A classic. But the backs of my heels are raw. I can't believe I saw another review that said the same thing. I haven't tried to soften the back edge where it cuts into my foot for fear of ruining them. Anybody have ideas?....that have worked?

Love Em! I got my first pair of these 9 years ago, I still wear them contstantly. They have still not worn down. I got a replacement pair from Zappos.com this year for Christmas. I'll be keeping my old pair to kick around in too. About the Ouch factor: You really need a good two weeks of wearing them to break your feet in. Once you get to know Doc's, there usually is not a problem. My older ones feel like slippers now. One tip to break in the back of the heel, take them on and off without untying them. I know it sounds bad, but it does loosen them and makes the heel more flexible...

OK let's come to the defense of the 1461! These are Great shoes, comfortable, value for money, ultra stylish. Never had a problem with wearing these in! Would suggest that anyone feeling a twinge of discomfort simply apply a plaster / band aid to the shoe in the corresponding area! I have probably gotten used to Docs footwear and never wear anything else. If you like the shoes you should try the boots - I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Love them!!!!! I love my docs. I have had about 3 or 4 pairs over the last 8 years and would not trade them for the world. I don't remember the ouch part of them. My husband had a hard time in the beginning though.