Thanks everyone for the feedback, advice and tips.
I’m no closer to making a decision!
I initially decided this morning after reading what everyone said (especially Caro) that I’d return them.
Then I spoke to DH about the leather softener that Angie mentioned. I forgot that DH makes leather goods as a hobby (he has a lot of hobbies). Anyway, he is pretty confident he can soften the leather with one of the many ointments he keeps in our garage. And/or attach a soft leather insert inside the heel to stop it rubbing. (He made our dog’s leather collar and treated it with special leather conditioner to make it soft for her. It is beautiful.) No guarantees of course, but that made me start thinking about keeping them again.
I do agree in principle that shoes should not need breaking in but some of my favourite and most heavy wearing shoes (my Eileen Fisher sandals and my Frye boots) went through break in periods. Plus they are not actually hurting - yet. I just suspect that they will.
But I’ll do a few more test wears at home before I decide.
I’m not worried about the noise. It’s a ssshhh not a squeak. And I discovered today that my Eileen Fisher sandals do it too. I just hadn’t noticed because I rarely wear them indoors.
Caro, great to hear from you! I hope you are well, especially as I think you are in Melbourne. All the best to you. I watch the Victoria figures everyday and feel anxious (as do many of us in NSW) for Victorians and how they are coping with the lockdown. (For non-Australians, Melbourne has been in a long second lockdown.) But things are looking much better now!
Roberta, it’s funny how each generation likes to own a look. I have a similar story. Once I was shopping with my mother and niece (pre-pandemic) and my niece bought some sneakers. She showed them to my mum. They were very blingy. White, shiny, with pearls and big bow like laces. My mum, who loves bling, said “oh, you take after me, I’d wear those”. My niece pulled a face and quickly put them away!
RobinF, please show us your Docs