Josef Seibel Rafe, Men's Sling Back Sandals

Haven't actually worn these sandals in anger yet, I purchased them on the basis of assumptions drawn from their appearance coupled with the reviews here allied with the instinct / intuition one builds up by the time one is 65. (however dangerous that has become in this "Take over" ridden World where once trusted names can no longer be trusted).I guess I am just an old fuddy duddy / Grumpy Old Man, but I detest so much of today's sheep like, no, slave like "following" of style over content.Englishness as I understand it, which involved understated quality and a faith in traditional, highly developed craftsmanship and concern about reputation which lead to "Names one could trust" (also acceptance of impractical eccentricity of course, but wasn't that part of the charm of a now almost vanished sort of "Englishness" ? Ahhh, nostalgia just isn't what it used to be !!! Whatever the case those of my obsolete ilk are left feeling rather lost and confused in a World that appears to have been high jacked by what I see as the worst ways of a "Terrible Child" of "Terrible Parents".By that I mean unbalanced materialistically founded elements of the USA and negatively exploitative arrogantly bigoted pugilistic Imperialist white Colonial Europeans.We cannot fairly blame a child for it's parents after all ? I do realise the irony of writing this in Amazon, (which I used for years before it had a UK Operation), so I can provide proof of my recognition and appreciation that there is good and bad in everything, and that very good and very bad are often part and parcel of each other.I do feel that maybe Amazon is getting a bit too large to allow proper control of all it's indirect suppliers, (perhaps by trying to compete with Ebay ?) but Amazons vastly superior review system is a brilliant form of largely self-regulating quality control that gives most of the responsibility to the purchaser, leaving Amazon as administrators rather than Managers which is a system I think that Governments other "Publicly financed" Organisations could benefit from as if they ever felt it, they seem to have forgotten that it is they who are the paid servants of the Public rather than the other way round.I think that that delusional arrogance is a pretty common feature that the move to internet purchase stands to cure in the what remains of the retail sector, though I lament the loss of "characterful" High Street shops by absorption into "Groups" or via the era of the Supermarket, which I suppose are a little like on line shopping for those who have yet to go online ? Maybe the "Farmers Markets" and their kin are the beginning of us all going full circle ??Oh Dear, this hasn't got much to do with a pair of sandals or has it ?Like most GOM I imagine, I consider myself more objective now than at any former time in my life, apart from the delusional aspects involved, it is a fact that I am finally becoming old enough to realise that I know absolutely nothing in real terms, more importantly, old enough to accept the fact with a measure of grace rather than rebel. Due humility is, I feel, a positive virtue that could benefit most people ?It cannot be argued however that the wholesale shift to the worst of North American "conspicuous consumption" certainly doesn't fit well with traditionally " British" types of my ilk. Sure we too like to "Buy the Best" but it had to remain a hidden reality, that would be denied rather than mentioned, let alone shouted about ?P.G Wodehouse tells it better than anyone ?Ummm I really ought to mention the sandals I guess !!Right, Josef Seibel tell us that they are a family owned firm that started in 1886, so certainly tradition backed, and given the name and that they are still based in Germany, they are clearly notable "survivors" !!I feel that the product fully supports their claim of a beneficial blend of traditional craftsmanship ("hand stitching" presumably meaning not stitched by robots, as the fine double stitching used would have needed a machine, but is a good indication of good design and quality.The leather is light and very smooth, and lined with a thick fabric material to add body and padded comfort on all the areas that are next to one's foot. All edges are further padded with leather/ leather like material which I feel, apart from an excellent design and quality feature also adds a quiet style feature ?The toe and arch and heel straps are infinitely adjustable via substantial Velcro fixings. The leather on the parts of the straps that slide in the buckles is unlined and quite thin. The positive being that it is, like all the leather used, very flexible, but could be a weak spot if the sandals were given a hard time over many years, but that is being rather "picky" and given the price, putting comfort ahead of design for the "last a lifetime" traditional English "Battle Shoe" which could take several broadsides without one's socks getting scorched is an unfair comparison. Flexibility was not part of the traditional English "Dreadnaught" shoe ? (ironic in the context, what ?)These are sandals not jack boots after all ?? (Ooops !!).The insole looks like a heavy suede and it feels as if there is a resilient layer between it and the sole which is a sort of plastic rubber that has just the right stiffness to flexibility ratio I would judge,. It is very stoutly stitched as are the insole and straps which inspires confidence as "glued only" designs I have carelessly tried have all failed long before the remainder was worn.There is a tread pattern in the sole, and anyone who has used leather soled sandals will attest to a degree of lethality if they are used in situations where the leather becomes polished by the surface rather than roughened.All in all I think the design is a perfect blend of tradition and up to date materials and techniques, with even the slightest of nods at the "trend" toward exaggerated curves on the side moulding of the soles and the extremely "un-English" idea of overtly revealing the manufacturer which is confined to a discrete "JS" surrounded by some non-functional if not exactly decorative stitching on the main fixing strap tab.I would sum the sandals up as being invisibly comfortable, and of a thoughtfully and efficiently practical and Tasteful design that would blend in any setting most comfortably.In short, I think that the sandals are every bit as good as they look, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them wholeheartedly.

These sandals replaced a well loved worn out pair. They are very comfortable and seem to be well made. They are a size 10 Eu. 45 so a little generous since usually size 10 equates to a Eu 44. Plenty wide enough and long enough with a bit to spare. I have bad feet with a high instep and collapsed arches and they are very comfortable with cushioning. Straps are good and hold the foot securely. Bottom line these are great sandals for day to day use and beach use. I am very happy with them and will probably buy another pair as a spare. Good value also.

Sandals are comfortable. I mean - soft for foot. But during hot summer soft material stops air flow, so you feel burning sensation...First of all, sandals are too small and too large in the same time!They are much longer, than other shoes with the same size, but it's not bad for sandals.Front strip is MUCH TOO SHORT, so it feels very tight. After a month of usage they are still tight, but this means they are durable - look good all the time.

Bought these for my very fussy, elderly father who will be travelling in February with lots of walking involved in a hot climate. Bought them early so he could "wear them in" so to speak and would not be uncomfortable. However, upon trying them on it was evident that this would not be necessary as he commented on how comfortable they are and that it would not be necessary to wear beforehand. They are well padded in the heal area and underfoot. The full leather will ensure they will mold to the feet. The fact that they are adjustable at the front and over strap and back, means that should his feet swell they can easily be widened. He also has a high arched foot. The foot bed is very well padded. The colour does appear a dark brown on the pictures but is slightly more darker but still very nice and not as dark as being purely black and boring. The thumbs up and smile more than justify the cost which is reasonable at a reduced price of £40. All in all, fast delivery, a good price for quality, comfortable sandales. Thank you. P.s these shoes cost a lot more on other sites. Well done Amazon

These seem to be well designed and constructed sandals. I suffer with plantar fasciitis and have been advised to wear sandals at home rather than slippers. I've tried numerous pairs of sandals and these are the best ones I've found. They are nice and wide fitting and have comfortable strips which don't dig into your feet like other sandals do. The sole provides a decent level of support and cushioning. They are not perfect and I've had to add in some orthotics to provide further support but I think for most people they should be fine as they are. I'm not sure how they would perform outdoors as I only wear them inside.

I bought these sandals 4 years ago and they still look like new. Have worn then every som.mer momth and wear on the sole is hardly decernable. It is certainly the best buy of sandals I have ever bought and they fit so well that it is hardly noticeable that I have got them on.It appears that the company has a very good reputation and would certainly buythe sam make again. wounld even try theire shoes if available. Would ce arrived in double quick tomertainly recommend anyone to try them - you can't go wrongSecond Review 2018These are a super buy and the second pair. This is my second pair and my pair I bought earlier is still going strong after more then six years of almost contiuous wear.. You certainly can't go wrong buying pair of these!