Clarks appear to have a deliberate policy of making their shoes so that they do not last very long. I appreciate that the days when they used Polyveldt soles are long gone (these soles lasted for ages and ages), but now I notice on my most recent purchase that they are also making the sole at the ball of the foot so very much thinner. Whilst the upper remains in good condition the sole becomes uncomfortably thin. Sadly, after a lifetime of buying Clarks shoes, I will be looking elsewhere in future. A once excellent company has been degraded by short-termism and taking advantage of decades of goodwill.