I have owned at least 6 Eastland brand shoes, and I must say, they are the best all around casual shoe I have ever worn. I never get any aches or pains, and they are solid, plus they look great with jeans or dress pants.  I work in a business casual office and wear Eastland's probably every day.  The only thing is, this particular shoe, although seriously comfortable, cracks on the instep where the shoe is then ruined.  It will literally rip from the bottom all the way to the top in one fateful moment, and from full side to full side where you can then bend the shoe practically in half.  Obviously not water proof at that point, or allowable to be worn to work anymore.  The price is reasonable for a good, worn most days shoe, but not when they crack like that.  When the first one cracked, it had taken awhile and was in the winter so I blamed the cold and salt (by the way, I never have slipping problems with this brand either), so I quickly bought #2. It seemed to crack even sooner, but I love the comfort enough, I gave it one more try, and yup... cracked quickly again, probably within 6 months. The other pairs of Eastlands I have bought are just as old and worn regulary too, but the sole on this particular shoe is different.  They need to do something to stop the cracking/ripping.  There is nothing that I could have done to prevent this from happening - especially 3 times.  It must be the shoe.  So sad.  I just can't part with another $65 for only 6 months of wear.