I had no pain the whole time and even the next day the only sore thing was my legs and arms. The bottom of the shoes are suicidal slippery. Cord in tact, not damaged. Definitely going to be my go-to dress casual shoes! Buttons were firm but not sensitive. Better spend your money at a better brand or shop at Michaels or hobby lobby Sound quality and microphone seem just fine to me. After the latest Swarm update it crashes almost all of the time. So comfortable and look so great. Note the photos; the heel is designed so that wearer has to heel strike first.