--These are real hiking shoes with good support, a stiff sole, and plenty of padding. Two of the 4 lock assemblies do not go on smoothly and require jiggling to lock and unlock. Way cheaper than other options but of course its made elsewhere. It is so much louder than the other brands I?ve tried. This problem is also present on phonecalls. Its kinda like painting an off road vehicle candy apple red and expecting it to stay in pristine condition. So I bought this one instead and was reassured by other Amazon reviewers that it would work and lo and behold it does. Beats clothes hanging all over my doors which do not close well with over-the-door hooks. All in all no complaints at all. You can buy Shoe Goo (in the red tube for like 4 bucks) just about anywhere now a days that shoes are sold.