Really didn't want to leave a negative review for this wonderful brand but....read all previously negative reviews and still decided to give it a go given a price and our previous wonderful experience with this brand.  Thought we could only wear them on weekends as our 'weekend' no-rough-play shoes to go out in... Well, only after 3 times of such super-gentle wear, the top part of the shoe cracked and split open.  The problem is that while the inside is very soft and padded and leather, the outside of the shoe is stiff plastic. Very sad but will still be on a lookout for this brand, which we love!