We have one of these all-stars and after a year and a half of trying to get it playable it finally works. It's been buried with a ball or two and wrapped and has a decent pocket. Definitely a different feel than other catchers gloves though.
I've heard several people say that their All-Star wasn't too bad to break in! I know how to break in a ball glove......and my All-Star CMW3000 was a B**** to break in!! And my Vinci JCV-22 steer hide wasn't a picnic either!
But, good high end / high quality catchers mitts should be hard to break in!