Super cool shoes - I love the style and the insole is well cushioned. Sadly, they are very painful to wear as they chafe the bridge of my feet causing irritation, blisters and sores.
This isn’t a matter of wearing them in. The way they are constructed means each strap has a tag of hard shiny leather on the inside. It’s a narrow strip with sharp corners and it has no mercy. This is a huge design oversight, and particularly disappointing from a brand that aims to create “no-compromise staples”.
After a month of wear, the bridge of my feet are lumpy calloused and red. I’m so sad because I love the style and Essēn’s mission, but these shoes are almost unwearable.