These are Japanese-made flat shoes made of very soft cowhide. I've worn them about twice. You can wear them by stepping on the heel. They have memory foam cushioning inside, so they are comfortable and don't cause fatigue. They are very lightweight, so they put less strain on your feet. The laces are made of glossy rubber material, making them easy to put on and take off. There is some slight fraying on the upper part of the right heel. I believe I purchased them from the shopping channel on an online shopping site. The retail price was around 15,000 yen. Lace-up shoes Lightweight shoes MADE IN JAPAN