They feel cushiony-yet-supportive thanks to the molded arch support, and my incredibly flat feet—which my mom swears are the result of years of pounding into the floor doing gymnastics—are very grateful for this. As for the memory foam footbed? I'd compare it to walking on a cloud. I also love the simple, chic slide style that really can go with anything. I've already worn the sandals with everything from sundresses to sweat shorts, and I know their versatility will come in handy when I'm trying to pack (read: not overpack) for an upcoming weekend getaway.
Beyond their comfort and style, one unexpected feature that stood out was the raised edges of the sandals. As a self-proclaimed germophobe, this was a godsend for keeping my feet protected from dirty city streets, and now it's something I will definitely be looking for in all future shoe purchases.
A Few Things I Didn't Love
While the Gallito sandals remain superior for comfort, there are a few things that kept them from reaching total perfection in my eyes. The first is a problem I run into often as a true size 8.5, and that is that the shoes only come in whole sizes. While the brand's advice when I ordered was go with the next whole size up was valid, they are just a tiny bit too big and I think a half-size would have fit perfectly. (The brand now recommends that anyone who typically wears a half-size should size down, which may provide a better fit.) Another thing to consider—while my feet are average width, the brand notes that people with more narrow feet may want to consider adding one of their instep pads to the underside of the strap for a better fit.
There's also the fact that the material of the slide's strap creases very easily. Although that isn't something that particularly bothers me in terms of aesthetics, it's notable for anyone who likes their shoes to stay crease-free. Additionally, I noticed that after a few wears the metallic coloring began to rub off on the insole where my toes rest. Again, I don't find it to be much of an issue as it's a part of the shoe no one would really see anyway, but it does make me wonder how long the rest of the color will last.
And if I'm really nitpicking, I would have loved just a smidge more arch support for long walking days (remember: very flat feet).
The Bottom Line
All things considered, I would definitely recommend these sandals for anyone looking for a comfortable, versatile shoe that you're sure to get a ton of use out of. Yes, the Beek slides are on the pricier side, but I do feel that I've already gotten my money's worth in just two months of wear, and all of the upsides outweigh any minor aesthetic details.
