I wear size 8. If I use Dr. Scholl’s orthotics, I wear a 9. I have plantar’s fasciitis, and start of bunion on left big toe. I was born with very low arches, which causes me to put a lot of pressure onto my ball of foot and heel. I have tried Addidas, Nikes, and Keens, all which get blisters or at least leave me with painful feet by a few hours in.After research and reading reviews, I ordered this last week, arrived a day early, and in a size 9. I tried wearing them with and without the arch support inserts, walking up stairs and down sidewalks for 4 miles or more every day. I used several differing socks as well. After all that I was ready to give you a review.I find it possible to wear the size 9 with or without inserts, just because how soft and padded they are designed. There really isn’t any arch support in these. However, you can slip any kind of insoles or orthotics under the liner. My toes did not rub against the sides, regardless if I wore thick socks, or doubled thin socks. The tongue is very short and does not flop to the side like some shoes do. There is a loop, like Keens has, to pull up the back of the shoe. At first the rounded laces were untying often, but they have not done so in a couple days, so it seems to not be an issue. Tread is good for walking towns, not really meant for hiking trails in the woods. I wore them on the 100 degree day, and my feet did not overly sweat (eh they sweat in winter!) which may have helped to prevent blisters...the vents work. If possible I would have added even more padding to the ball of foot, because that is where it is most needed for me, however it is very soft and far better than all others I have tried.I am not elderly, yet, but I can see why elderly men love these shoes when traveling in retirement life. They will get your teenager beat up, for not being cool I am sure. However, I can recommend it to anybody who needs to walk or stand on the job a lot, including people with some disabilities. I will try to get another pair in a different color because they are a good value. (Lucked out, as the color is a nicer and lighter color than the photo on Amazon showed, which matched my Calvin Klein work khakis. )