I think the quality has dropped since I purchased my previous pair in the late 1990's.  That pair lasted me for years.  I've had this pair for just over a year and I don't wear them daily.  Not even weekly.  The left sole already has a hole in it and the stitching that holds the sole to the upper is coming undone.  I was reading the AE wikipedia page and it looks like they were sold in 2006 and then ownership transferred again in 2013.  Some of the production has been moved to the Dominican Republic and then the parts are shipped back to the US so it can be considered &#34;Made in the USA&#34;.  Maybe they just don't have the quality they used to, but I would not recommend this as a durable reliable shoe anymore.  This is especially disappointing since I grew up near their headquarters and worked in the factory a couple of summers.  I feel old saying this but I guess, “they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.”