My feet need a lot of cushioning. I stand and walk a lot on hard surfaces. Some years ago I discovered MBT’s (Masai Barefoot Technology shoes.) My bad knee stopped bothering me. My plantar faschiitis cleared up. I met people who raved about them.
Recently when I needed to replace my shoes, I decided to see what else is available that might be a bit less expensive but would give me good cushioning and support. (My MBTs ran about $ 225.) Before MBTs I pretty much bought New Balance or Nike or such on sale for $ 40 or under so the MBTs were a leap.
I tried Good Feet on Rt. 9. The shoe that I liked is $ 160, but for the support needed, there’s a patented orthotic type insert that goes for about $ 260. Yikes! But that it has a 3 year warranty is a selling point. Then there is a cushioned insole for about $ 28, but they would throw that in. And the shoes were non-returnable.
Nordstroms in the Natick Collection was having a sale, and I asked about MBT’s because a friend told me they carried them. The answer was that I can order them, but they didn’t have them in the store anymore.
Then I noticed that Nordstroms had Skechers Shapeups, which had a similar cushioned sole to the MBTs. The style I liked, which would transition from work to play was $ 99, but they didn’t have my size in black. The helpful sales clerk told me I could order them, but I am leary of buying shoes without trying them on.
I found the same style up the way in the Skechers store in the Natick Collection, but they didn’t have my size and they were $ 110.
After checking the Skechers website, where the price was also $ 110, I found the same pair at DSW Shoe. They had my size, my color, and the price was $ 99. Sold!
But I was surprised that Nordstroms was less expensive than I would have expected. I will have to check them out more often.