I gave a "struggle" for about a month to soften them and not hit me on the right heel... once that happened, everything was fine! For the €70 I paid, they have a very good construction and genuine leather, and with care, they have lasted for 2 years and still going. They don't have insulation other than the classic hard fabric, so don't expect excellent thermal insulation, but it is important that even today they don't take in water.