I have been searching for some time now to replace my slippers. They are really more "house shoes," as I wear them whenever I am home. I had a hard time finding a replacement because I wanted something supportive, comfortable, and minimalist but that was not furry, fluffy, or otherwise slipper-like in appearance. I actually purchased and returned several things before deciding to try these. I have purchased Sketcher's shoes and Bob's specifically in the past. I like their styles and find them generally comfortable, but I often have a hard time finding just the right fit. I am a pretty standard 8 1/2, but sometimes this size does not fit me in Sketcher's. Also, although my feet are normal width, my toe box is a little wide, and so Sketcher's shoes sometimes feel tight or otherwise pinch in this area. These shoes did come in an 8 1/2, which was the first thing that attracted me to them (many true slippers do not come in half sizes). After extensively reading the reviews, which suggested that these shoes fit as expected (78% said this) and that they are a bit wide in the cut, I went with my usual size. The length of these was correct. However, my toes rubbed against the top of the shoe, and the shoe was particularly tight over the top of my foot. There is an elastic insert there, but it doesn't have all that much give, and I found that after trying on these shoes for just a little while, they were pretty uncomfortable. Finally, I ordered the "Gray" shade, and although I liked the material (more of a fabric similar to a pair of fitness tights), the color was lighter than I had expected and did not seem ideal for everyday use. With some hesitancy, I decided to exchange the shoes and order the size 9. I also switched to the "Black Heather" color. I definitely like the color much better--the "heather" effect means that is not a solid black but more like a marbled dark gray, which I love. The fit is better, although still not exactly perfect. Clearly the size 9 is a bit too long for me, as I have a bit of extra room in front of my toes. However, my toes are now more comfortable. At first I thought that these shoes still felt tight across the top of the foot, but after wearing them for awhile, they mostly felt okay. So, in the end I liked the second pair enough that I decided to keep them. I should note that I plan to wear this shoe both with and without socks (see photo--it's too cold in my area to always go without socks!). For those who NEVER plan to wear the shoe with socks, you may have an easier time with fit than I did. But if you are like me and plan to wear socks at least part of the time and/or have a slightly wider foot, be aware that sizing may be a challenge.
