"These are just tight, girls. I love them. The leather is very soft, very soft. They run short and narrow, I'm 8.5-9 so I bought the 9. They're snug and need to be broken in. Since they're leather they will stretch unless they fit tight. Snug is okay, tight is not. I'm average size, don't have fat ankles but the zipper is even tight. If you retain water, you may have a problem. Other than the snugness, they are comfortable. Not a high heel, soft heel, not noisy at all."