These shoes have healed my plantar fasciitis. As an obese woman, I couldn't wear soft Altra shoes anymore, so I switched to them when I found them used at a store in Oregon called Next Adventure Store and they fit me when I was wearing a size 11 men's shoes. I have a wide forefoot and very big toes. My feet grew, I outgrew my hiking boots before I was done with them and bought them a men's size 14. People who have seen my feet don't think I should wear a men's size 14, but I should wear that size. I have a large instep and wide forefoot and they fit me well. I've also found that Nike and Addidas fit my heel shape while other styles of shoes like the Altra cut my heels and make them bleed. They really were the perfect shoes for me on long walks. I never want to take them off/dispose of them, although I have two other new Addidas Terrex shoes I can't say goodbye to them. As another reviewer said, they were hard as concrete and absolutely NEEDED for me at 250lbs or else I'll get plantar fasciitis. I bought SOLE leather and cork insoles on my first purchase, I believe they are men's size 11, and slipped them over the factory insole. If they were not rigid, they would break and could not be worn. I had them from mid-December to late April and sadly it's time to throw them away. I walk four to six miles a day in them every day. I hope the company keeps these great hiking shoes the way they are for people who want a sturdy shoe that is high quality and durable.