These are so hard wearing. I bought them out of desperation after my daughter destroyed her first pair of school shoes in two mornings of Meithrin. She's had this type of shoe since and I've only needed to buy new as she's grown out of them. Not a mark on the patent this school year yet (September - End of May) and she's been full time in Derbyn. Well worth the money. I always recommend them to other parents.