I've worn Castro for many years. After my dog decided my pair of red blankets (which should be back, Globe!) are chew toys, I found them. The red checkered version lasted me over ten years, two weeks before the threads on my right boot broke. I bought a second pair hoping it was a fluke but judging by the reviews this seems to be a fairly common problem with them these days. If they do the same, I'll go to the DC version and give it a try.