Birkenstock Women's London Comfortable Leather Slip-On Shoes - Casual & Work Flats for Women - Perfect for Office, Travel & Everyday Wear

I work 12 hour shifts standing on a concrete floor, and my feet are absolutely battered, even though I have been wearing shoes with an incredible amount of cushioning. So I'm trying another strategy and going for a roomy toe box and lots of arch support.I always change into Birkenstock Arizona sandals first thing on arriving home, so it occurred to me to look for a closed-shoe style of Birks that would be allowed at my job. I chose suede because it's easier to break in. (Birkenstock oiled leather will eventually conform to your feet, but it never really seems to get soft. This is fine for sandals or slides that I'm in and out of on my free time, and it's extremely durable. But it's not something I want to attempt at work.)The Londons in suede break in quickly. When I took them off after wearing them for the first time, I could already see them starting to form to my feet. Today I am wearing them for the second time. I put a little alcohol on the parts of the uppers where I tend to have problems to help them stretch, and I'm wearing them around the house and for short dog walks with no issues. Tomorrow I will try walking to the store in them. Soon after that, I'll try them at the job. I'll update if there's a problem. But don't expect an edit, this has all the earmarks of a very comfortable shoe.The subject of the toe bar has been brought up here, and I want to say that this style doesn't have one. I don't think a toe bar serves any purpose with a closed shoe, as your toes don't have to grip in order to keep the shoes in place. And if your feet are a little "off model", a toe bar can be painful. It's an easy fix - just hammer down the offending segment of bar - but that's only possible with sandals.They're typical Birks - they won't give the appearance of a small, delicate foot by any means. They remind me of Bostons. There's some spread in the front, creating a kind of duck-footed appearance. It's OK. I'll take funny looking shoes over continuous foot pain any day. If you're worried about your appearance, consider the faces you're probably making when your feet feel like they've been run over by a truck!Highly recommended for anyone who is on their feet for long hours, has foot issues, or wants to prevent foot issues!