El Naturalista Ikebana N119 Sandals (For Women)

Very comfortable

Very comfortable sandals.

I like the way these look, and they seem very well constructed.

These shoes are awesome! Very comfortable and created in a "greener" manner than many products.

Loved the sandal but too narrow. Small toe didn't fit on footbed.

I chose this sandal mainly because of its use of environmentally friendly vegetable-tanned leather. The 36 fit my feet perfectly (I am a 5.5, normal width but prefer a wide toebox). In the pictures I thought they looked really cute with the leaf pattern, but it doesn't look as leafy in real life, no one has noticed the pattern enough to comment on them. I also think the green is a little darker in person than in the pictures. So a perfectly nice, comfortable sandal (no chafing or breaking in needed for me, and I walk to and from work every day) but not as special as I thought it would be.

I initially thought I would send these back. They were stiff and tight (my feet are short and wide). However, I did like the style, and walked around in them for a little while. The cork bed softened, as did the leather straps. I ended up taking them to Turkey and walked miles in them, getting lots of compliments along the way, with no rubbing or discomfort. They are far more comfortable and supportive than Tevas.

One of the shoes is made so badly that there are still roughages inside the sandles that will scrap your skin. Definitely unwearable. I had to send it back.

I got these sandals even though I was worried they would be too small. I'm a size 6.5 to 7, the ones I ordered were 37(6-6.5), but they fit fine. I have plenty of space left in the front for my toes, even though the foot-bed is a bit narrow and the straps very tight (I have a high arch). I decided to keep them despite the tight fit, because I sense the straps will stretch over time. The chafing on one shoe went away after a few wears, and now the sandals feel like they have been "poured on" my feet. I do find the back-strap opening/velcro a little awkward. Overall, these sandals are growing on me.

I love everything El Naturalista. This is my fourth pair (but first pair of sandals) and they never disappoint. They feel great on the foot and they did not need any break in, just like the other models I already own. I expect them to last a good while as well, as my oldest pair is more than three years old and I still get people asking whether I got new boots.