If you are in areas where there are snakes or more dangerous wildlife and terrain, I may say pick a different shoe that has more protection for those hikes, but for all other hikes and water excursions, these are WONDERFUL! However the seller is very easy to contact and offered a replacement parts. Very small, so you can take it everywhere. This review is based strictly upon trying on one shoe and walking a circle in my room. I dont know if I would buy another pair, but I am very happy with this purchase. Give it a try if you have the money. The sound is balanced and can go really loud! They only fall off if you shake your head crazy hard. I bought these to hang my eBags laptop bag under my desk. I am happy to report that they fit perfectly with a little room even in the width so I could wear them with socks in cooler weather.