That's exactly what we love to hear, John! When the quality of your Built By Freedom sandals speaks for itself, we know we've nailed what really matters in everyday comfort and craftsmanship that's built to last.

Thanks for the fantastic review and for supporting American-made footwear that's engineered for quality and comfort!

• Origin

Hi Christopher,

Thanks for taking the time to share such detailed feedback on the Built By Freedom Flop Leather Sandals and for being such a loyal Origin customer! We're glad to hear that everything else in your collection has been hitting the mark for you, and we really appreciate you recognizing what Origin stands for with our USA sourcing and manufacturing.

We sincerely appreciate you bringing up the comfort issues you're experiencing, particularly with the firmness of the sole and the stitching placement where the straps meet. Your feedback about the stitching and its irritation gives us valuable insight into specific construction details that are impacting the wearing experience, especially during that critical break-in period.

Thank you for your honest feedback about the design considerations and how they're affecting the overall comfort performance. This kind of detailed input about both the sole firmness and the strap construction helps us understand exactly how these sandals are performing in real-world wear and whether we're delivering the comfort that matches the quality and craftsmanship you've come to expect from your other Origin gear.

• Origin

It is incredible to hear that the BUILT BY FREEDOM LEATHER SANDAL is the highest quality pair of flops you have ever held.

Knowing that you can feel the pride in work and craftsmanship is exactly why we choose to build these ourselves.

We appreciate the support of the mission and are honored to be your choice for American made footwear.

- Origin

It is awesome to hear that you’ve been putting your Freedom Flops to the test daily! We truly appreciate the detailed feedback regarding the "break-in" process. You hit the nail on the head: because we prioritize premium, American-sourced leather over synthetic foams, the material behaves a bit differently as it molds to your unique footprint.

While that "shining up" of the leather is a mark of high-quality hide, we understand that the strap stretch and footbed slickness are making your outdoor excursions a bit of a challenge. Our goal is for these to feel like an extension of your foot, not just a house slipper.

The "Water Reset": Since leather is organic, you can lightly dampen the straps (avoid soaking the footbed) and let them dry away from direct heat. This can often help the fibers tighten back up for a more secure fit.

Traction: The slickness usually levels out as the leather continues to porous up and "grab" your foot. A quick wipe with a damp cloth can sometimes remove any surface oils that contribute to that slippery feel.

We love hearing that the break-in was quick and comfortable—that's the result of using premium leather that's designed to mold to your feet while maintaining its durability. The craftsmanship you're noticing comes from our commitment to building sandals that look great and perform even better. It sounds like you're experiencing that perfect combination of comfort and quality construction that makes these a go-to choice for any occasion!