New Review: For Charcoal Grey with Black Accents - Size 13 XW (my first Skechers XW I have ever tried) This review is based on my initial impressions after wearing them for a bit, though (so they last longer) not wearing them for my usual few mile walk. I bought these in 13-W when my usual Skechers size is 13 M and to be fair I think I can get away with 12.5 M but I have always got 13's "force of habit". I saw the great price on these 13 XW’s and despite never trying the Wide Width Sketchers on until today, to took a chance on these. First .. I have a black and gray pair of the Vigor's and while Memory Foam or non-Memory Foam Skechers ... I have loved the fits of all of them. (There is a reason this is my go-to brand, even if my newer Sketchers do not last as long before needing a repair or two, like Skechers bought a few years back). The Vigors for some reason are THE MOST comfortable "model" of Skechers I have, and I have no complaints about any of them. I am just going to sort of aswer my own pre-buy question about the Wide Widths here. I do realize that every single person's foot is different but I will give a little background. Before Skechers, I was not buying the "top brands" (though i did have two pairs of Reebox that lasted a decent amount of time and felt great).... No matter the brand or size I was at the time (talking back in High School)... the brands I went with seemed so narrow that I always went with wide-width ... ALWAYS. Every since I bought my first pair of Skechers, I never needed to... the M aka normal fit was always great. As I said I bought these XW width, because of the sale (nearly 1/2 of the retail price). My question (pre-purchase) was are they like significantly wider… dare I say “comically” wide. Around the upper is where I notice it most and MAYBE right toward the middle left to right (barely) but .. they ARE wider it seems but nothing that would make me want to return them like “oh that is way too much for me”. I have ONE pair of New Balance and it is XW too and it’s sort of the same thing in a way … I prefer the regular fit (say in Skechers I’d describe the 12/12.5’s that SOMEHOW fit me ok .. as “comfortably snug” … I feel the sneaker all around my foot but even the normal fits are NOT TIGHT), but the XW (maybe just tied a tad tighter to make them feel more like the normal fits) are A-OK for me so far. Maybe when I wear these out for a long walk I may change my mind, but I think they will be ok. Assuming I do not have the issues some others have had with the eye-lits holding the laces tearing (for the record I have seen that in negative reviews but never had a pair of Skechers do that to me BEFORE)... I am happy with these. I would go with regular (M) 13's in the future but if a style I like comes up on a good sale XW width … I’d be ok with them I think. The Memory foam is great and as I said the other Vigors are the most comfortable pair of Skechers I have and I already LOVE the fits of all the other models. I am not sure how long the memory foam will last but some people say that when their's go, the "sneakers are trashed" ...eh ... for me I usual have some extra padded insoles that make sneakers feel like slippers they are so comfortable. Even WHEN (and it will go ... it's just nature) the memory foam goes bad so to speak... I will just slip a pair of those insoles I have anyway in and no big deal. The Fit back to front is great (as always with Skechers from my experience) and as far as a few negative reviews go saying how they are the most uncomfortable sneaker they ever had ... I just question A) if they are getting the correct size ... B) sort of the same thing ... do they need wide width for wide feet and getting regular width, maybe? ... The one thing I CANT comment on with this exact pair though i have to say other Skechers I have gotten recent needed to be repaired sooner than I'd like (the Black Downforce model I have comes to mind)... so longevity I cant comment on, even though I admit (note: I wear mine a lot in the sun in Florida summers so maybe adhesive wise holding the sneakers together, the extreme temps and humidity play a role. With Skechers (unlike my one pair of Filas which ... are ok now i admit) there has NEVER been a "break-in" period for me. Years back even with the Reebox that i liked .. there was at least a few day break-in period before they'd go from "ok/good" to "REALLY comfy". One thing I almost missed before finishing this review is that I have a pair of Pebble(brown)/Black "Afterburn - Strike off" sneakers and while i like them I thought the brown in them was going to at least in part be "Suede like". I just noticed that while not all of the grey/charcoal in this pair is ... some is that suede type material … I really like that sort of look, myself .. not sure how long it will stay looking good in the hot Florida summers though. As if i even have to say it, I am happy with my purchase and would recommend these. I just HOPE they last longer than they did for some other people who had bad luck with them. Update after one, 2-4 mile walk. - I have to say that I still do like the regular 13's better but these ... these aren't bad. If anything, AT TIMES it seemed like they were slightly too big and while in a steady stride (I do a constant walk ... not slow... not a run either) ... these seemed almost normal. I also have to say that while I have tied the tops a little tigher... i have not messed with the way they are somewhat losely laced, out of the box. Really right now the ONLY way I'd return these is for the same price or lower, I could return these for a full refund AND get the same exact style and color for instance in 13 M's (regular fit), but even then I'd say these are not bad at all ... if things change more overtime i cant say but "slightly bigger" than I'd like is not bad at all and I got a GREAT deal on these price wise. -------------------------------------- Original Review for a Black with Grey accent.... Size 13 (My usual size) First (even with that title) I want to preference this by saying I have only worn these around the house a bit .. I want to keep them in good shape, longer and I only bought these because they hit a sale price i couldn't pass up, though I love Skechers, dont get me wrong .... could Skechers (any) last longer than they do (say with or without minor repairs)? ... yes I will be honest, but Skechers is still my go-to brand. Like I said in the title, these MAY BE the more comfortable out of the box pair I own ... and with or without memory foam (These DO HAVE memory foam), I love Skechers anyway ... one reason they are my go-to brand is how A) They are the best price versus some other brands when i can catch them on sale B) They do last longer than SOME other brands ... though I do admit it's been a good number of years since I owned some Reeboxs and I always liked them for longevity. Style wise, I love these too ... When I saw the look, "includes memory foam", and the fact that I got them for nearly 1/2 price (note: if a bit higher in price, I'd still say I think they are worth it) compared to the normal Amazon price ... I didn't even think about, I just placed the order and I dont regret it one bit.
