Are Shoes Created Equal?

Shoes are not created equal. Most running shoe stores will carry the higher end and/or the top of the line shoes that a vendor or shoe company offers. Higher end shoes offer more support and protection for running, walking, tennis, cross training or day-to-day use. Discount shoes stores Los Angeles are more interested at price point and thus, the shoes offered at these places lack certain features that a shoe at a specialty shoe store carry.

Many questions arise about whether all shoes are created equal all though it may be the same brand found at discount stores versus a specialty store.

Many customers ask us, “Why does a shoe look virtually the same or similar but costs less at the other store?” After working a more than a decade combined at discount sporting goods stores and specialty running stores I learned and been trained about the differences in the footwear industry. Shoes at discount stores are more concerned about price point. So, what happens is big companies then go to these top vendors and make-up special shoes just for their stores.
For example, a discount store will ask the vendor to make a shoe look like a particular higher end model that normally costs around $90 but want the shoe to cost, say under $40. Well, the vendor then goes back to their lab and figures ways to make a shoe cheaper but keep the look the same. The shoe then usually gets its better half cut out to keep the price down and labeled a new name and model number. The better half taken out usually compromises the shock absorption and support system which is the most important parts of the shoe.

Ask a lot of questions about the footwear, and if the person that’s helping doesn’t know about the shoes they sell, then that’s a good indication that the shoes don’t have much to them.

Looks can be deceiving, so you may see a New Balance or Nike, etc. at a department store or discount sporting goods store that look similar to a shoe at a specialty store but be completely different from one another. Generally, New Balance and Nike are great shoes, if you know what model you’re getting.

Footwear should also be fitted to you personally and match up the particular needs that you may have. These needs could be an arch support or more shock absorption. This all depends on the goal at hand. If you’re looking for a shoe that fits you well and will help your injuries or aches and pains heal then go to a specialty running store. If you’re looking for a price break then other stores apply, but remember the support and shock absorption in nearly every pair of running shoes is different .
As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for".