Ahnu Women's Taraval Walking Shoe

I bought a pair of these shoes in the high-top style (this pair as a short ankle boot.) They're my favorite pair of shoes I ever owned. Absolutely best shoe ever. So I wanted to buy another pair in another color. Well, it looks like since Teva bought out this brand, they no longer make these shoes. So the high-tops didn't have any of my size left. Noooo! So I decided to try this tennis shoe cut instead since they actually had my size in a different color than my high-tops. They feel exactly the same, they just don't wrap around my ankle (which I prefer.)The leather is awesome. It's breathable, not gross and sweaty. It's very sturdy, waterproof, and looks like a comfortable high quality shoe (because it is, and the appearance reflects that.) I have a high arch and these have a moderate amount of arch support that I am able to feel. They work really well with insoles if you choose to add some. My feet are normal-narrow and the fit is perfect for me. They're not tight anywhere, but there is no excess shoe anywhere.I've been wearing my high-top version of this shoe regularly for about 2 years and they still are in great condition. Nothing is falling apart. The soles look a little flatter than before, but still function very well. The leather only got softer over time. This new pair feels stiff in comparison, but now I know to expect the leather to feel like a second skin after a while.I am always between a 7 and a 7.5 in shoes. I have these shoes in a size 7 and they're absolutely perfect in every way. I can live in these shoes and never feel uncomfortable. I wear them to work where I'm on my feet on hardwood for 4 to 5 hours at a time. They perfect exactly as I want them to. They prevent my feet from hurting.Ahnu, will you pretty PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE with whipped cream and a cherry on top keep making these shoes in this same quality? I really wanted the red pair, but they're sold out in my size. I've never owned a better pair of shoes!

UPDATE (5/28/2016): Wore these every day on a 35 day trip. Averaged 5 miles/day, on cobblestones, gravel, etc, and on MANY rainy days! I was completely satisfied with them. Even when I stepped in a puddle, my feet never got wet. Great stability too. I was loving these shoes!But the lining fabric has worn through just below the top, at the heel; and around the top eyelet on one shoe. Never had this happen before, and this was after only 5 weeks of wear.I wrote to Ahnu, and their Customer Service response was excellent. However, their return procedure for shoes not purchased from their own website is not worth the hassle for a credit that can only be used on their website (I paid far less through Amazon.) I will try putting some moleskin over the frayed area and wear them as long as they last. I still recommend them, and in fact I will buy them again if the price is right.Original review (3/31/2016): Just got these two days ago, so I will update after more time with them.I was looking for a good walking shoe, something that wouldn't scream "athletic shoes" and would be suitable for cold rainy days. I wear an 8M, but my left foot is closer to an 8.5. I had tried the Merrell Ashland slip-on in an 8.5 but it was too long and pretty loose all over. I wanted a slip-on, but decided a lace-up style would be better for long days of walking. So I went with these. So far, they look like a winner.Good:- By adjusting the laces, I can make them feel comfortable on both feet.- The heel hits at a comfortable height for me. The only "heel slippage" I've experienced was easily fixed by adjusting the lacing.- On the black ones, the rubber between the uppers and the sole is dark gray; so it looks more like a regular shoe. And they came with dark gray laces, plus an extra set of black laces.- The uppers are a matte leather, except for the tongue and the collar; those are padded synthetic mesh..- They are supposed to be waterproof. I'll be testing this out.Less than good:- I really can't think of anything. They do need some breaking-in. I wish I had had time to try them in both 8 and 8.5. Sometimes they feel a little constricting in one place or another, but they are brand new. I'm sure they're going to soften and stretch. Judging by the way they feel now, I am confident they will be great long-term.

A lot of reviewers who are Ahnu fans have struggled with this shoe, and I am among them. I'm a size 8 with a low arch and a narrow-to-medium foot. These are about a half a size too small, I think, and they do run wide for Ahnus. If you wear a thick sock and really tighten up the laces, they are pretty comfortable. I walked around in them all day and my feet felt great. However, I still had that slightly loose sensation at the end of my toes. I'd recommend ordering your regular size and a half-size down, and see which one fits best. I wore mine outside, so I'll keep them, and try to put a sheepskin insert in to give me that snug fit I like.They are on sale for a great price, so if you can find the right fit, they're a total bargain.the black is more of a dark, dark charcoal, BTW. Cute shoes though, and they make your feet look smaller. I got the brown as well!

I purchased this shoe to take on a trip to Europe. They arrived the day before I was leaving, so I wore them right away with no break-in period. They were excellent. I was able to put them on and just go, without any blisters or foot pain. I have high arches and wear between an 8.5 or a 9 depending on the shoe, and I found the 8.5 to fit just right with a light pair of Smart Wool socks. They feel like a sturdy sneaker/tennis shoe. The waterproof material kept my feel dry in downpours and walking through puddles. They were comfortable during 3+ hour walking tours, and at the end of the day I didn't feel like I was dying to take them off. I ordered the black ones, which did not show dirt and looked nice, whether walking through airports or on cobblestone streets. I did venture down some muddy dirt paths and did not slip, but I don't think they would be that great for hiking, as they do not have significant tread on the bottom. I own a pair of Ahnu hiking boots for those types of treks. Very happy with this purchase.