These are beautiful and unusual shoes. They have the softest leather, but the heel part is tight. The leather is so soft that I think that the heel portion will stretch so I'm keeping them. They look good on the foot and I can wear them approx six (6) hours before I start to feel the place on my heel. I do think these shoes run small, so if they were to ever go on sale I would order 1/2 size up and I think that there wouldn't be a heel issue.