My wife has bernie mev verona's she bought from a department store and the shoe did not dig into her heel. These however, completely dug into her heel and cut into her skin! As another reviewer questioned, are these REAL bernie mev's? Must be a really old outdated model. Also, she purchased them in pewter and they are definitely shiny and sparkly, which she also did not like. She would not recommend these particular shoes at all! Buyer beware of pain!