These shoes are like walking on a concrete floor. There is absolutely no cushion in the insoles, other than that provided by the leather insert. I have noticed this with the past 4 pair of eccos I've purchased. I got a pair of the biom walk 1.3 shoes, and they were even harder. Plus all the biom shoes have this nonsensical raised bump in the forefoot (like birkenstocks have that ridge between your toes and ball of foot) and that is incredibly painful to me.<br /><br />It's strange too. I've been wearing eccos for the past 10 years. Their dress shoes have more cushion and I still wear those but all their casual shoes are just...........hard. I wish they'd return to the Thailand made ecco receptors of yesteryear. Those were excellent shoes. Still have a few pairs. These new shoes made with whatever granite polymer compound they use in China are just abusing your feet. Sorry ecco, going elsewhere for casual / athletic / walking shoes. Please use softer polyurethane compounds!!