These are beautiful boots, beautifully
"These are beautiful boots, beautifully made. But the reason I got them is the design. I have knee problems and need to lift my heels about 1 and 3/4" above the ball of the foot to be able to walk. So I needed low boots that would accomodate that and be easy to get on and off. The side zipper makes them very easy on/off. The laces accomodates widening the top of the boots to make room for the full length inserts. I got 1 size larger than usual and everything fits with plenty of room for my toes. The heels are just over 3/4" higher than the ball of the foot (the description says 1. 5" heels but that's the total height, not the height above the front of the boots inside them). I was able to fit the rest of the lift I needed inside the boots, no problem. I had previously ordered - and returned - a similar style high end boot, same size, that was just too small all the way around. So I took a chance on these and I'm so glad I did. Right away, on the first long walk with our dog, the boots were comfortable. More importantly, they provided good stability and I was able to walk almost normally without pain. 100% better than the high top slip ons with lifts inside I had been using. Those provided 2" around the heels and ankls. These BedStu boots provide 4" even with all the lifting inside. So my feet are more stable and don't pronate or suppinate at all. Which is important for avoiding knee pain or wear and tear over time. The Vibram soles are also a big plus for me. I walk on gravel roads and uneven fields. These soles provide plenty of traction to avoid slipping on loose gravel, and enough stiffness to handle uneven ground. Yet they are flexible enough to be comfortable. In my other shoes I had to use a carbon insert to provide stiffness. Not in these. It's so hard to find a boot with all the features I needed, which this boot has. Plus it's a gorgeous boot! I know they are not marketed as orthopedic footwear but for me they are. And they look great too! I'm delighted. The only issue I have, and others might not have, is the laces were too short to accomodate the extra space I needed inside the boot, with the inserts. I imagine others might have this problem, though, if they use wool or other thermal inserts to keep the feet warm. The laces are 56" and I couldn't lace the top 2 holes. I happened to have a pair of 55" flat elastic laces in brown and I tried them. Even though 1" shorter, b/c they are elastic they worked just fine. And now the boots are even easier to get on and off. Bottom line: if you like the looks and function of these boots, buy them!"