Are tennis shoes/walking shoes from Target and similar stores as good as the pricey

[raccoon]

ones (New Balance, Saucony, etc.) for a person who doesn't run/walk miles and miles, but just uses them for regular everyday life?

[PRETZEL]

1. I wouldn't see why not,

are they comfortable? Do they support the foot well enough?

I'd say ok if they felt ok and offered the support you want.

They may not last as long as the better brands might be the only drawback.

[AngryAmish]

2. yes

[MilesColtrane]

3. The name brand shoes use 8 year olds in sweatshops.

The Target brand uses the cheaper 5 year olds.

Less developed hand/eye coordination makes for shoddier products.

[Orsino]

4. Although New Balance, last time I checked, did not.

They're all I buy in the athletic shoe department.

[MilesColtrane]

9. New Balance maintains some plants in the U.S.

but, also makes products in China, with workers making 40 cents per 10 hour day. (At least, as of 2005.)

http://chinalaborwatch.org/newbalance.pdf

I'd like to find a list of shoe/clothes manufacturers who pay their workers a living wage.

[Orsino]

12. God damn it.

But thank you for the information.

[MilesColtrane]

13. Yeah, I'm pissed too.

I think it's almost impossible to buy shoes/clothes these days that have been made by someone making a living wage.

Fucking globalism.

[libnnc]

5. I bought some Champion shoes at Target that I've been very happy with.

they were less than $30 bucks. Very comfortable. And before, I've ALWAYS bought Adidas...but these Target shoes have been great.

[davsand]

7. Wow. We cross posted on that one!

Champions from Target! They rock!



Laura

[davsand]

6. I bought a pair of Champions at Target and I love them still.

Been wearing them for about four years.

To be fair, I do wear different shoes to work out at the gym, so I so not put as much stress on them as I might ordinarily, but they are holding together just fine. I'd give anything to find that style again because I have loved those shoes and they ARE starting to get a bit scruffy looking.




Laura

[NV Whino]

8. i usually buy Sauconys

But I get them as close-outs from sierratradingpost.com

You just need to be aware that there are several quality levels for almost every brand. Make sure what level Target is carrying.

[petronius]

10. I wore the walking shoes from Costco as everyday shoes; however,

over time I felt noticeably more foot soreness (mainly in the arch area of my sole) than I do with my New Balance trail runners or cross trainers. I've switched permanently to the pricier shoes, but I do tend to walk a lot so YMMV...

[Gormy Cuss]

11. PSA: Don't buy running shoes for walking.

Buy walking shoes or sneakers without a usage specified. We use our feet differently when walking vs. running and the design of the shoes takes that into account.

[democracyindanger]

14. PSA #2: Never buy cheap shoes.

Even ones that are used for regular everyday life. Your feet, ankles, knees, hips, backs and other assorted parts will thank you.

That's not to say never buy inexpensive, just don't let price be your only guide.

[Digit]

15. I never skimp on shoes, but I do my research

I tend to walk on the inside of one foot which I believe is called pronating.
The New Balance 991's took care of that, and I did not have the pain in my knee that I usually had.

For work, I buy Dansko shoes, which are very pricey, but to be pain free is everything.

BTW, I need a total knee replacement on the side that pronates from a injury, so possibly I am more careful than others.

When I was in my 20's, I could wear anything.

[LeftyMom]

16. US made New Balances are the best sneakers you can get.

Comfortable, enormous range of sizes, they wear well.

If you look around a bit, you can find them on sale for decent rates. I've caught them at Ross or Marshalls, I forget which, and at Big 5, and the Nordstrom Rack always has a good selection of them (and generally is a great place to go for name brand and fairly high end shoes on the cheap.)

The only pair of sneakers I ever bought at Target hurt like a mofo because of funky seams and being a bit too narrow.

[jobycom]

17. Not for me, but you aren't out much if you give it a try.

I haven't found a shoe under a 100 bucks that doesn't cramp my feet and legs, but I use my feet a lot, and they pronate. When I buy inexpensive shoes, even decent New Balance shoes, my feet and legs start cramping. Plus, the shoes wear out faster, especially the souls of the insteps, and this makes the cramping worse. So I wind up replacing them two or three times a year, which means I might as well have bought the expensive shoes.

Not the same for everyone, though. Buy a pair and see. If your feet and shins and back don't ache, and they aren't worn out after a few month, then they work for you. If they fail, then you know, and you aren't out too much.

[old mark]

18. Sauconys used to be made here in Pennsylvania

in Kutztown. I knew people who worked there for some years. They did not make a lot of money, but many people could walk a few blocks to work, and work with their neighbors. Many families had someone working there for generations - it was an old shoe company.
I have no idea where they are made now, but I am sure it is not around here.

mark

[ThomCat]

19. I have to wear very expensive shoes in order to walk without pain, and

New Balance sneakers are the only sneakers I've found that I can wear as an alternative to those expensive shoes. Every other brand I've tried totally kill my feet within a few minutes. But I've got a pair of New Balance sneakers I've been wearing for several years now.

I wouldn't buy cheap sneakers.

[SacredCow]

20. They can be...

The variables that cause one shoe to feel comfortable to you, yet another feel like torture are endless. Unfortunately, you have to spend more time in them than just a quick fitting at the store to really know. Personally, my preference is for Asics followed by Nike. At one point, I had a pair of no-namers that I got from Wal-Mart, and they were the BOMB as far as comfort went! They didn't last long, but at that price I was content to replace them more often. Of course, I never found them again....