Not sure if the quality has dropped, my first pair was bought from Revain and it lasted 3 years of weight training and the occasional treadmill. My second pair lasted a year and my last pair of Zappos literally lasted five months. Bought in September and January, there is already a hole in the toe. Mind you I didn't train for three weeks in December and it was mainly used for strength training with maybe less than 25 total miles on the treadmill. He had never seen grass or road. Definitely not worth the asking price and NOT RECOMMENDED. The manufacturer does not guarantee Five Fingers.