Hush Puppies Men's H18800

Purchased these for my 90 year old father. The shoes fit well as my dad wears medium-thickness compression stockings. The velcro strip is long enough to adjust the top for those with high arches, yet still keep the shoe from slipping off because of the high back collar at the ankle. The shoes look good for going out to dinner and still offer support for everyday walking. These shoes are very sturdy offering him great stability and toe protection from bumping his feet. This style comes in several lighter colors which is better for those with AMD/low vision instead of the typical dark black and brown shades which are difficult for my father to see. A quality product which has become a necessity in our household.

There is so much that can go wrong with the fit and feel, not to mention the look when you haven't seen it in person, and that happens so much, that you have to give it a 5 if it is all OK. I spent a lot of time in the local department stores, where I can try them on, trying to find an under $50, preferably substantially less, shoe of the strap, plain-looking, walking shoe style I prefer, and have been wearing for years, but found just one in my size (usually a 12 W), and it pressed a little too hard on one spot to take a chance on. There were some 13's that were comfortable, but all that extra shoe is clumsy, and not necessary when I can get 12 W's that fit.The last shoe I got of my preferred type happens to be a Dr. Scholl's (Dynastrap) in off-white. In comparison, these black HP's don't have the very thick and rounded interior supports, although there is some (which is separate and removable), and in practice it feels about the same. The HP 12 3E (or EW) is about 1/2" longer inside and 1/4" wider inside than the DrS 12 W. The wider HP makes this the first shoe I have found in ages that doesn't have to expand a bit over the side of the shoe, as it wears in, for my foot to really feel not squashed. That alone is enough for me to want to give 5 stars. The extra half inch inside makes the shoe feel a little clumsy, but I have never gotten into a 11.5 shoe (comfortably), so I am going to skip trying again.The exterior of the HP has a sole that is a 1/4" all the way around larger than the body of the shoe, while the DrS is even, or beneath the body. That makes the HP actually about an inch longer (1/2 inside + 1/4 +1/4) than the DrS, and so clunkier. However the pleasantly accommodating extra interior width of the HP more than compensates.The leather body of the HP, at the roll seam where it joins the top, is very near the toe, where the DrS is back 3/4' from the toe, making the HP look even larger than it already is. However, I am not sensitive about the immensity of my shoes. I am just mentioning it for those of you with teeny feet, who are dainty.The HP's are super light. The DrS have to be twice the weight. I don't particularly care, but HP makes a point of it, and it is obvious when you pick up the shoe. It is the interior of the sole that is difference. The actual feel of the body of the shoe, and the stitching, seems more substantial than the DrS.The HP has one strap instead of two, a look that I like, but a type which I have not seen in the stores around here. I think two straps make it more adjustable to your foot. However the HP is already close enough to my foot that the one strap seems to do. To get the strap properly snug, you need to be standing, and pull the sides of the shoe together with one hand while pulling the strap tightly over the Velcro with the other.I am hoping these HP's will hold up well over time, and make the extra price I paid worth it, but of course I have no idea. They look like they would. Only the black, from Amazon itself, were as little as $6 over my price limit.

Ok

I "used to buy" only Rockport shoes because of their light weight and quality, however that seems to have all changed. I bought these because I've always liked the "original" Hush Puppies, which had those very soft gum bottom and figured I give the company a try. However, not finding those anymore, I found these and decided to give them a try. They are very light weight and appear well made too. I main reason I chose this style was because of their Velcro straps.I normally wear a size 9 1/2, however, I had previously ordered two pairs of Rockports, size 9 1/2, and couldn't even get them on my feet and had to return them. So when I ordered these Hush Puppies I "figured" I must need to order size 10. It turned out that "size 10" Hush Puppies were TOO BIG so, once again, I had to return them. However, at least Amazon lets you simply exchange them for a different size. Unlike Rockport, that will only refund the purchase, less shipping, and make you create a whole new order, just for a different size.I received the size 9 1/2 replacement and while they STILL SLIGHTLY TOO LARGE, fit well enough, since I'm just too lazy to send them back now for a size 9. However the important thing to be aware of here is the great discrepancy in sizing, not only between manufacturers, but, even between different styles of the SAME BRAND. Now I completely confused and no longer know WHAT SIZE shoe I wear. I even used those size measuring instructions around on the net, but according to them, I wear a 9 1/2....so who's wrong?

I honestly enjoy wearing these Hush Puppies because they slip on so easily and do not slip up and down on my feet. Every comfort factor is superior to most other shoes of this nature and I compare the Hush Puppies equally to another similar brand of the same type of shoe. Old age and Arthritis (sounds like a new ballad in the making) almost void my using any other type of shoe. One of my buddies suggested that I have finally graduated to the 'old man' slip ons and while he had a point, I responded that they are comfortable and I do not have to find a seat to fill so I can tie the strings. The functions of covering my feet and providing warmth and support are far more important to me than a little vanity.Thanks to an awful case of diabetic neuropathy, I cannot even get a shoe box on much less an old man's shoe. It almost looks as if I have a pair of boxing gloves on my feet. The other day when I was getting my arthritis injections, I asked the ortho-doc if he had a cure for this and he laughed and said, 'none exists.' If by chance, I write something that is so nonsensical it sounds like more stanzas of the new ballad, just ignore it. The swelling will go away.