Gregg: I don't know where to start. I guess the first place is to show some respect for the intent of the thread. This is about the new Etonic shoe -- not 3G Tour Ultras. I'm personally very happy with my SST8s, but I'm intreaged by this new model and I'm going to look into it further. Contrary to what you suggest, many quality higher volume pro shops carry Etonic shoes (including mine), and I'm going to have a conversation about them with my driller very soon.

Now, to some of your other comments about 'quality'.

I hate to burst your bubble about TV technology, but Plasma is passe and LED-backlit is the new king. Now, before you get all hyper, educate yourself with the following:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2387377,00.asp

As for your complains about Dexter, the SST8s are nothing like the 4's, 5's, and 6's you've constantly complained about. Besides your lack of comparative experience with the SST8s, the irony is that 3G doesn't appear to consider the Ultras as a direct competitor to the SST8s. They offer the 'Shuffler' as a shoe more in line with the superior support characteristics of the Dexter. BTW, I don't get where you got the notion (other than 3G advertising) that it's Kangaroo leather or nothing. The leather on my SST8's is very comfortable and shows almost no wear after close to 1000 games. I don't necessarily want my bowling shoes to feel like house slippers.

Finally, if you're going to compare the durability and strength of Leather vs. Synthetic materials, you have to look at non-bowling applications for clarity and understanding. I'm an avid motorcycle rider, and have multiple leather and synthetic jackets/pants for different weather and riding conditions. I love the leather for optimum warmth, but the ergonomic advantages stop there. For maximum tear strength and breathability, synthetic wins -- period. I was recently blindsided by a car going 70+ mph, thrown clear, and skidded 30+ feet on rough asphalt. My Synthetic Jacket took the brunt of the abuse, but not a single tear in the material. On the hand my leather pants wore through in two places. This isn't a test I'd recommend to anyone, but think about this before dismissing synthetic.

You're a well meaning 3G shoe cultist, but if the opportunity arrises, put your biases aside (many unfounded) and at least give these new Etonics a look. The technology looks interesting.