I was an avid distance runner years ago and always wore Asics. Fast forward many years and I'm now a distance walker. I wanted a good walking shoe and again sought Asics. I received the shoes in a timely manner and at a good price. When the shoes arrived I inspected them and found the workmanship to not be consistant with the Asics shoes I'd purchased years ago. Specifically, the material adjacent to the eyelets is frayed along the edges. The stitching appears intact and I don't think the fraying will migrate; however, the appearance is sub-par. Despite this issue I will keep the shoes. I will most likely purchase my next pair of shoes at a local store where I can inspect them before purchase.