"I had a pair of rain boots that hurt my heels and ankles while giving me shin splints... ugh! I decided to buy these because of the mesh top. Perfect. My foot doesn't feel caged in a rain boot anymore. The shoe is very comfortable, does not run wide but long. I wear a size 9 and bought my original size but the boots were too too big. I returned them for a size 8 and they fit perfect with about .25" extra room."