The counter seems to be well made, but you think they'll break in easily? I wouldn't have considered these off brands except they were the only big boy shoes in a size 8, most stop at 7 and the men's sizes are too wide around the ankle area for his still skinny ankles so the mens slide up and down in back. Need a small circumference shoe to fit his ankles. Lol, they were $38 when I bought them :( Oh, and the Puma shoes are top notch quality, wish they came in a size 8.