Let me start by saying these shoes shocked me. For $20, I expected stiff cardboard masquerading as leather, but the Cestfini oxfords are legit. The first wear felt like slipping into shoes I'd owned for months—no blisters, no awkward stiffness. My narrow feet appreciated the snug fit, though wider-footed friends should size up (as some reviews wisely noted).
The real test? Wearing them daily for 3 months to client meetings. The leather developed a subtle sheen instead of ugly creases, and the rubber soles absorbed concrete pounding like champs. Pro tip: The included dust bags are perfect for preventing scuffs in your work bag.
Two gripes: 1) They're slightly heavier than premium brands, but not enough to cause discomfort (unlike that 'lead shoes' review—maybe they got a defective pair?). 2) The toe box does run narrow. My colleague with duck feet had to return his, but for most, these punch way above their price tag. The rich brown color gets compliments every time I wear them with navy suits.
Final verdict? If you need affordable dress shoes that won't embarrass you at weddings or wipe out your feet by 3pm, these are a steal. Just order a half-size up if you're between sizes or have wide feet.