Well, i was a very loyal stride rite customer. This shoe does it
 1. Rough stitching caused a blister. I had to go at it with scissors 2. Bought wide but my son also has high arches, and the strap is too short.so cuurently we just wear it as slip on.  3. Stiches on the side already sticking out and coming off.

On the other i did not notice a smell (i read about it in the reviews and was worried),  but my son doesn't wear it more than a couple of hours at a time..