I really like the 'One for One' policy that Toms have. With every pair you purchase, Toms will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. I guess that's why I bought two pairs last summer then, it made me feel like I was helping two children out!!

I bought two pairs of Toms whilst on holiday in the US last summer, I bought a chocolate brown canvas pair and a red canvas pair. I paid $45.00 plus tax for each pair, and I've seen them here in Office for £45.00 per pair. Yet another item that's much cheaper over in the US than here in rip-off Britain!

With Toms you are advised to go down a size as the canvas will stretch slightly as you break them in. I'm normally a UK size 5 / US size 7, I actually only went down half a size and went for a US 6.5. I did try on the US 6 but they felt much too tight across the width of my foot, I've got quite wide feet and I felt that the US 6 was much too tight and really would not have stretched enough to be comfortable for me. The US 6.5 was initially quite tight but within a day or two of wearing them had stretched just enough to become the perfect fit.

Toms are extremely comfortable, when I bought them I had absolutely no idea how comfortable they were going to be, I actually just bought them as summer canvas shoes not for the comfort factor. They have a cushioned suede insole which makes them extremely comfortable, and this coupled with the fact that they have a latex arch insert for added support means that I can wear these all day and walk for miles in these with no aching feet and no discomfort whatsoever. The rubber sole is really flexible and durable as well, I've worn both of my pairs to death and the sole has not split or cracked at all. I can walk comfortably over any terrain in these and not feel like I can feel every little pebble through the soles of my shoes.

Toms have quite a distinctive shaped canvas upper with a slightly squared off toe and the fabric kind of tucked under to create a pleat (rubbish description - you'd have to see them in detail). They have a Toms logo on the heal, and a Toms tag on the side of the shoe. The Toms that I have both have quite a funky interior, cream canvas with either chocolate brown or red buffalos on.

They are easy to slip on and off as they have a little elastic triangle on the tops of the shoes which stretches a little bit to allow you to slip you feet in or out. I always wear mine with bare feet and they've never rubbed or hurt at all. They are ideal for the summer months as your feet don't get too hot in them with them being canvas. Obviously a drawback to this is that they are not then waterproof. I have however been caught in the rain in my Toms a few times and they have survived.

I'd definitely recommend Toms as a pair of good quality summer canvas shoes. They are a little bit pricey, but you get what you pay for and they are definitely designed to last, mine are a year old now and they both still look like they have many more years left in them. With a cheaper pair of canvas shoes they would just last the one summer, if that.