I purchased these for myself and my teenager before our trip to Mexico. We'd been told there were rocks just offshore, which of course is what made it such a great area for snorkeling. There's no way I could have walked in and out of the ocean all day without these! My son tried once and immediately regretted it. You can still feel the stones and uneven ground through the soles, but they're just thick enough to cushion the sharpness and prevent cuts or pain. They also drain very well; I never once felt water pooling inside them or any heaviness while swimming. It really is like swimming barefooted.I was also grateful to have these at the Xel-Xa water park. It's a BIG park with lots of nature trails to walk, yet these kept my feet safe and comfortable the whole time. My daughter's watch calculated we walked about 4 miles that day.They weigh virtually nothing and fold completely flat in your bag (one of the answers in the question section lists their exact weight for backpackers). They'd make great shower shoes if you're staying in hostels; they take up less space and weigh less than many flip-flops. Do keep in mind that they don't dry immediately the way a plastic flip-flop would, though, so they might not be great if you're packing up every night (mine were still damp the next morning after sitting on the porch overnight, though this was in a tropical humid area). They have a loop at the heel, so you can hang them from your pack or beach bag with a D-clip.I wear a women's 6.5 or 7 in most shoes, and I have fat feet. I found the 6.5-7.5 size to be JUST big enough. If you consistently wear a 7.5, you might go up a size. The only problem I had was putting them on; they fit tight, and I have trouble reaching my feet these days, so I had to sit down and make a project of it for a minute each time. You can easily take them off without bending over, though. I could possibly have gone up a size to make them easier to put on, but I'm worried that would create more drag in the water or make them fall off. My son's also fit true to his shoe size, and he had no trouble putting them on (he's younger and thinner LOL).I ordered the solid white. The sand did stain them a bit, but I like that the white made me feel less like a weirdo wearing a swimsuit and shoes!Not sure how sturdy they'll be in the long run, but I wore these on rocks and pavement every day for eight days, and they've held up great. If you're going to snorkel without fins, or go to a water park, or simply want to walk on a sandy beach without cutting your feet, get these!!!UPDATE: My review last year was for the “White” color (white with black trim). I just ordered a second pair in “White Holes,” and they're easier to put on. They also fit just a smidge bigger (still perfect fit, but just enough bigger that my toes aren't pressing against the front as much.) FYI, the old ones haven't worn out, I just want a backup pair for our next trip. :-) And my daughter liked ours so much that I've ordered her a pair as well! She wears a size 9 and has broad feet, but still found these true to size and comfortable.