These shoes are a good deal (as long as you get them for under 120 bucks), The leather isn't the greatest quality but at least you're getting a full leather sole and goodyear welt construction (which honestly isn't absolutely necessary, some people act like it's a life or death issue but it doesn't define a shoe's quality; I'd rather have a well-made glued shoe than a poorly made goodyear-welt shoe). The upper is corrected-grain leather (it's had impurities/scars ground down and buffed out), so it will not age as well as full grain leather (which is closer to flawless calfskin), but it will still look good as long as you keep it conditioned and polished.

Bottom line, it's a good basic shoe to start with (certainly better than 50 dollar square-toed Cole Haan abominations), but if you can possibly afford to go to the next level (another 150 bucks or so), I'd definitely recommend upgrading to an Allen Edmonds or Alden shoe. I've had both J&M Meltons and AE Fifth Ave shoes and the leather quality is noticeably different. So, these are good for the money but I'd recommend going with something more expensive that will last longer and look better.

Last thing: these things are very comfortable. Break in period was minimal.