The images of soles cracking - Sperry has hollowed out the soles below the foot bed, where you can't see (but you'll eventually feel it alright). The sole appears a certain thickness from the outside, but if you feel around inside, along the edge in the toe box and around the heel, you'll find the sole is about half as thick. Call it cheapening the sole to squeeze a bit more money out of the gullible customer. The sole around the outside being a different thickness easily cracks off. There are also edges present inside where they've done this, between where they've dug out the sole and its original thickness. They glue a bit of leather over this transition to soften it, but you'll compact that down through simply wearing the shoe. Then the edges along where they've ... MoreThe images of soles cracking - Sperry has hollowed out the soles below the foot bed, where you can't see (but you'll eventually feel it alright). The sole appears a certain thickness from the outside, but if you feel around inside, along the edge in the toe box and around the heel, you'll find the sole is about half as thick. Call it cheapening the sole to squeeze a bit more money out of the gullible customer. The sole around the outside being a different thickness easily cracks off. There are also edges present inside where they've done this, between where they've dug out the sole and its original thickness. They glue a bit of leather over this transition to soften it, but you'll compact that down through simply wearing the shoe. Then the edges along where they've dug the sole out will press into the bottom of your foot. It's most pronounced along the front of your heel, right before your arch. According to my doctor, unknowingly, this edge has given me nerve damage on the underside of my foot. Who would have thought they'd have you walking on such garbage by design? If you feel a lump in front of your heel, take the shoes off and toss them. Or send them back.

Thirty Three years to date and I’m finally going to retire my old Sperry Top Siders! These were issued to me in the Coast Guard 33 years ago and I’ve never slipped into a more comfortable and durable shoe. They have been worn, on average, every other day. Salt water, fresh water, sand, mud, grass and asphalt, nothing has been to much for these shoes and trust me, I’m not gentile on my feet!Everybody has their “go to” pair of shoes for carrying on with daily life (running errands, walking the dog, getting the mail, yard work…amongst many other countless chores) and these were mine. I can go on and on about my experience with owning these shoes and all we’ve been through together. They stood the test of wear and time far longer than any other footwear that I have ... MoreThirty Three years to date and I’m finally going to retire my old Sperry Top Siders! These were issued to me in the Coast Guard 33 years ago and I’ve never slipped into a more comfortable and durable shoe. They have been worn, on average, every other day. Salt water, fresh water, sand, mud, grass and asphalt, nothing has been to much for these shoes and trust me, I’m not gentile on my feet!Everybody has their “go to” pair of shoes for carrying on with daily life (running errands, walking the dog, getting the mail, yard work…amongst many other countless chores) and these were mine. I can go on and on about my experience with owning these shoes and all we’ve been through together. They stood the test of wear and time far longer than any other footwear that I have owned. Through the years I have purchased other Sperry Top Siders but nothing can compare. You always remember your first and boy oh boy these will be hard to forget!Superior quality of both materials and craftsmanship!

I bought a pair of new "Authentic Original" boat shoes from the Sperry website only sixteen months ago and already they are falling apart. The rubber edges around the front of the soles have decayed, leaving the stiches nothing to attach to, so the front of both soles are now detached from the leather uppers. The pathetic thing is that I rarely wear these and haven't set foot on a sailboat even once: the rubber sole is so cheap, time alone is enough to degrade it. My last set of REAL Sperry topsiders lasted over twenty years, so there is nothing original or authentic about these new ones. From other reviews I see this was not a fluke. I will not buy Sperry again.