I purchased the Black Micorsuede shoe, and went down a size according to Amazon specifications. While this shoe DOES fit, due to the fact that I wanted to insert some of those squishy shoe pads, I returned them for a size up. They have a hard sole, but the shoes themselves are exceptionally flexible and appear to be made out of a kind of suede-like material that easily absorbs water. They have a velvety type texture to them, in case you were wondering how suede-y they are. I gave them 3/5 stars because the shoes are cheap and good for a costume I want to wear them with, I just don't think they'll hold up very well beyond a weekend's wear.<br /><br />The shoes I got actually didn’t have any kind or odor at all, unless you put your nose within an inch of the shoes, and at that close there was no smell of gasoline. They actually smell sort of like new shoes.<br /><br />The size 6 I got (I wear a 6.5 or 7) was about 9 5/8” long, from heel to toe and 3 ½” wide from the widest part where the toes are.<br /><br />PROS:<br />-Cheap and lightweight.<br />-Fast shipping.<br />-Fits fairly true to size. (I wear 6.5 and the size 6 would have been fine if I didn’t want to put shoe inserts in them.)<br />-True to color.<br />-The suede felt very soft, and wasn’t worn away.<br />-Little to no odor (like many people complained).<br />-The flexible nature of the shoes allow you to stretch out your toes.<br /><br />CONS:<br />-Cheaply constructed.<br />-Very squishy and flexible canvas-like material, so I can see these wearing out quickly.<br />-Definitely not the kind of shoes you’ll want to wear in the rain, or even after a rain. They will soak up water quickly.<br />-While these shoes have a loop to pull through the buckle, there aren't any holes to sufficiently tighten the shoes. If you want holes, you’ll have to make them yourself.<br /><br />TIPS:<br />If you’re going to wear shoe inserts (which I would recommend since these shoes are very cheap), you should go true to size. For example, I’m a 6.5 or 7, and the size 6 was too small to allow inserts, despite the website saying the black shoes should go down a size for being large.r example, I’m a 6.5 or 7, and the size 6 was too small to allow inserts, despite the website saying the black shoes should go down a size for being large.