Has been for years! Definitely one for the more hit the crease hard type bowler though. Less seen these days now that bowling boots have hugely improved, but used to be pretty standard. I remember seeing the boots of various England bowlers on tv with cutouts in the toe as a teenager and thinking what a great idea it was before immediately taking the scissors to my GN boots... sweet relief the next time I bowled. Less good for those days when you remember you're an amateur and have to play on a sopping wet outfield though!