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.