Bought to replace a pair of Birkenstock sandals I have had for years and were finally falling apart. I ended up removing all the adhesive on the bottom guide strips and securing them in place with silicone. The work-around for the current shorter hanger bar is to use 3/4" PVC pipe around the hanger bar. Ive worn my other pairs while walking on just about every kind of surface including gravel and they come clean with no noticeable damage to the soles and sides. Some are clearer sounding but lack the pure umph. It only took a few minutes to put up and it works perfectly! I wouldnt recommend these for extreme sports or any activities that require actual ankle support or protection. Theyre not super thick wood, so not all that sturdy. Sadly, I had to stop using the shoes after two wears and we?re a waste of money. I keep my USB 3.