The pair that I received was obviously a factory reject or at least I hope that the pair received was the 'dud'. At the same time, I didn't want to take any chances with another order and receive another defective pair. The stitching just above the top of the toes that ties the tongue of the shoe to the uppers was rubbing with every step. Touching inside the shoe to where the discomfort was one could tell that the stitching was all knotted in a roll across the inside upper for the right and the left shoe. This really surprised me as Sketchers always has made a quality shoe at least every pair that I have purchased in the past. I do understand that we are only human and sewing machines and patterns and people for that matter can mess up. Still purchased a different model of Sketchers the Sketchers Sport Men's Afterburn Memory Foam Fashion Sneaker. Why? Cause I really like and believe in the Sketchers shoes. I'm on my feet all day at work and also in the gym so for me it's important to have a comfortable sturdy shoe and I like the look of 99.9% of Sketchers too.