Low profile

I've been wearing my old Converse hightops forever. Took them with me to Shanghai, where a sudden downpour exposed them as being frightfully water-absorbent. Love the shoes, but the craftsmanship is decidedly third-world. So the first thing I did when I returned was to get a new pair. These new low profile soles seem to be the only model stores carry now. Don't expect them to last for long - what happened to the days when I could find a pair for $15?
DF