I have been wearing Sanuks for years (I had them before they were cool!). The Pick Pockets are my favorite so far and this is my third pair of PPs. Sanuks are the most comfortable shoes on the planet, period. A soft, flat foam-and-rubber sole and a flexible, breathable cloth upper. That's the whole thing. I have very wide, flat feet and normally need to order a size or two up from my nominal size 12M, because shoes are always too narrow and often painful in the arch or toe box. Not with Sanuks. When they first arrive, they're usually just a *little* too snug. I throw them on with some thin socks and go for a walk, and by the time I get home, the canvas (which is just the right balance of flexible-but-sturdy) has already stretched enough over the tight spots that they feel cozy. After a week or so, the soles and uppers have both broken in to my feet, and they continue to get more and more comfortable as they slowly wear out over the course of 18 months or so. (I walk 500+ miles a year over all types of terrain, from sidewalks to pine forests, in these shoes.) When the sole rubber wears through to the foam on the sole, I order a new pair and chuck the old ones out. By then, the uppers are usually a little past their prime in the looks department, though still presentable (and I abuse them). I've never had the uppers wear out, separate or tear on any of the 6 pairs of Sanuks I've had over the years; only the soles, and never without lots of miles. The canvas does continue to stretch slightly through the life of the shoe, and so the fit slowly relaxes over time. Because they seem to mold so well to my feet, though, I don't have any problems with them slipping or flying off, even when sprinting/jumping/climbing. They *are* susceptible to the dreaded "flat tire" attack, a weakness that also makes them easy to slip on and off. I find that more useful than irritating. YMMV. The heels can also be easily folded down flat, turning them into slippers as needed. Pairing them with different socks (or none) makes them cozy in any temperature from a freezing mountain to a summer day in Phoenix. They will NOT keep your feet dry in deep puddles, snow, etc., or provide an aggressively secure grip in slippery conditions. Nor will they provide ankle or arch support. I personally believe this is an advantage since it trains your foot/ankle muscles and reflexes to maintain their own stability. Over time this strengthens the joints and makes you more capable and agile, with or without shoes. Again, YMMV. But as with any "minimal" shoe, if you're accustomed to the protection and stability offered by, say, conventional Nike running shoes, you might want to ease into wearing these for running or trail hiking, etc.--else you might end up with sore feet or a rolled ankle, at first. Just be sensible. I just hope Sanuk doesn't slip from the level of quality I've come to expect from them, something which can happen all too easily as companies get bigger and lose sight of their original priorities. So far, so good, guys!
