I purchased these as factory seconds, Oak Street emailed me ahead of time during the QC review before my boots shipped to inform me of the excessive creasing, and asked if I wanted to wait for a different pair without creases, or take the boots as is for a $150 refund. Of course I took the refund. I d9nt expect to win the Thunderdome with factory seconds, but I will show everyone that there isn't anything wrong with your boots having a little bit of funky character.