I bought my first pair just shy of two years ago.  They were, by far, the most comfortable shoes I've worn next to my hiking boots.  I have really wide feet, and therefore the first point of wear was where the mesh connects to the sole on the exterior of the shoe...close to my pinky toe.  Bummer.  I can't find anyway to fix them either...so I'm buying a new pair.  One thing I noticed with this type of shoe technology was that you have to adjust the way you walk if you are one to sometimes drag your feet.  I speed-walk a few blocks to my office building each day and during my lunch break.  The shoes certainly work your calf muscles - bonus!  Super squishy on my heals.  I love them.  I'm rating the shoes a 4 out of 5 only because the mesh tore from the sole (I honestly think it's because I have wide feet.)  The mesh provides fantastic ventilation for your feet!  If wearing cotton socks, the cotton pokes out of the mesh, and looks funny depending on what color of socks your wearing and/or the color of the shoes themselves.  Hope this helps!