The previous pair I bought lasted about a year (probably walked 500 to 800 miles in it on paved surfaces). Eventually the sole started wearing through, so I bought another. The shoe is excellent for water sports (such as sailing: good traction and your feet dry quickly). It's also good for walking on smooth surfaces. The sole is thin, so maybe not a good choice for trail hiking. There is an insert that makes the sole thicker, but I cannot use it because it doesn't fit. If I were to propose one change it would be to provide larger sizes: My feet aren't particularly big for an American (size 11.5W), and they size 30 Hitoe fits fine. But I cannot fit the insert in, and if my foot was any bigger I couldn't wear the shoe. So a size 30 shoe but another cm or two of foot diameter would be good for me. I know people who would need a size 31 or 32. I usually wear it without socks (but sometimes with toe socks).