Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have been purchasing this model of Rockport shoe for ten years. Each pair lasts about two years as I wear them every day at work, and they have always been extremely comfortable from the very stop with soft leather and very supportive insole and sole. Last week I went to purchase a pair and found that nobody in my area carries them any longer. I then ordered a pair online and found out why - this is NOT the same shoe. The leather was thinner and stiff, causing painful pressure my arthritic toe joint. The sole feels cheap and doesn't look like it would last very long. The finish of the shoe looks cheap and the upper was the worst. This looked like someone saw a pair once and tried to make a knock-off on a budget of about $10 (and I wouldn't pay that much for these!). I ordered 8EE, which I have been wearing for that entire 10 years, but these were a bit smaller than usual (I've always been able to wear them out of the store with no break-in period needed). I'm done buying Rockports. Off to look for someone who makes good quality shoes. Too bad, because they were the most comfortable shoes I ever owned, including countless walking shoes, court shoes, hiking shoes and even my Nike sandals, which will probably be on my feet when I die.