Are those front rubber inserts designed to be replaced?
I remember those Nike Nugabas/Poobahs, the shop I was at the time replaced loads as they mostly fell in half where the cleat was bolted in.
Nike in those days were excellent with warranty, I’d take them back to the shop and ask them to get Nikes opinion on them, remember they are a multi billion pound company with lines across all sports and clothing ranges, unlike alot of half arsed bike companies I have dealt with over the years who were cowboys when it came to customer service.
They stand to loose money in other product areas not just in you buying your next pair of cycling shoes.