I have/had been wearing cheap (>$3) "flip-flops" all my life. Usually the thong between the toe breaks in 1-2 years and you buy another one. Throw-aways basically. No arch support. Maybe 3/8" thick smooth "sole" before you squash the rubber down, so you get no protection (or traction) if you walk in a muddy or watery grassy field or paved area. But as one gets older, develops Achilles tendonitis and other walking issues, and the MD recommends footwear that has arch support and "holds" the foot in place, one has to invest in more "costly" footwear. You know, the cost-benefit analysis. So, I went to a "footwear specialty" store (the kind that does the fancy purported "footprint/walking analysis") which turned out to be NOT the one my MD recommended. Oops, my bad (I thought it was!). But the lady was nice, did not push nor had me do the "analysis" and seemed knowledgeable about footwear and sandals. So, after trying 15 or so somewhat shop-worn, floor model pairs, with all kinds of attending comments, she said THIS Teva slide "fit me like a glove." OK, they were comfortable, so "SOLD!" When she rung me up, she REALLY "rang me up" to the tune of $100 plus tax!! But anything for my (foot) health, right? And I guess I was "paying" for her "expertise" and 30 minutes of "service", right? Well, came home with the "used" pair, and went on Amazon to see how much it was online, in case I wanted/needed another one. Much to my surprise, the lady had (also) rung me up for the wrong pair. The pictures of the slide and especially the underside of the sole on Amazon did not match the name of the slide. She had charged me for the "Langdon" model when I actually bought this "Katavi". AND, based on the Amazon price, I had paid about $40 more to her. What a rip off!! But I guess: 1) I paid for her "service"; and 2) I was able to try a lot of shop-worn pairs at her store and would have never been able to "whittle down" my selection to this pair on Amazon without a lot of effort. So, kinda "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." After about a year of wearing the store-bought slide, it seems to be holding up pretty well. But it's not like I wear it for a long time every day or it goes thru really harsh conditions. The band that holds the top of the foot has become a little loose, but it still holds/cradles the foot in place. I also love the thickness & deep "tire" pattern on the sole bottom, so that you've got a lot of traction and protection in muddy or uneven surfaces. So I decided to get another (this time new) pair for the future. For the (better) price that Amazon charges, if this new slide lasts for about 5 years (as I expect they will), it WILL be a better value (comfort, support and protection) than the flip-flops.
