Mephisto shoes are very well made. Real Leather (not split), hand lasted, re-soleable, re-buildable. Like any leather, if you don't protect it from wet, it can get damaged. Mephisto provides great products to weatherproof your shoes. Just have to let them dry naturally to keep leather from cracking. I live in Seattle and my Mephistos typically last 10+ years, with 1 re-build along the way They're awesome shoes.