My son wanted this shoe that apparently makes one cool. Several kids at his school wear these, and they happen to be excellent runners. Chase games are a rite of passage for boys in 4th grade. Anyway, he loves the shoes, and he comes home from school delighted that he's the second-fastest in his class. For that, I'll give the shoes top ratings. Only time will tell if the shoe stands up to the wear and tear of 9-year-old-ness.