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Don't ever Neverbuy shoes made of sythtic "leather" I've seen all too many times someone buys a pair of cheap shoes and they last a month or so

These days, running shoes can easily cost close to $200. But is it worth spending that kind of money on footwear that's inevitably going to take all the abuse you can dish out? The answer depends on what you're going to use the shoes for, says Christine Epplett, manager of testing and operations in research and development at New Balance.

"Some athletic shoes are for running around on weekends," she says, "while others are designed for serious runners." A $50 shoe doesn't necessarily mean lower quality or less comfort and is probably fine for someone who's in the market for a recreational shoe and is planning to do a bit of fitness walking or jogging. The design of a lower-priced shoe might not have as many details as a more expensive one, but today's technology still allows for plenty of comfort and traction in this price range.

If walking is your primary fitness activity, your footwear doesn't need as many high-tech features and materials, so you can get away with the lower-end styles, says Emily Caroline, a communications specialist for Saucony. "For example, our company's least expensive fitness shoe, which retails for $64.95, provides enough support for someone who is walking or jogging short distances."

If you're running, however, you'll want to invest a little more to ensure that your shoe provides adequate cushioning. Even if you jog only two to three miles a couple of times per week, you'll probably need to spend $70 to $80 to get the level of quality that's essential for your activity, says Epplett. If you're logging 10 or more miles per day, several times per week, you'll need to spring for shoes closer to $80 to get extra (and likely better quality) cushioning to absorb the impact of all those miles. Do you need to spend more than that? If you're the average runner, no. New Balance's most expensive running shoe, the Men's 1700, which sells for $175, boasts some great features—extra cushioning, stronger, more durable materials, a little more stability—but the shoe is targeted mainly to larger men who need more support than the average runner.

Aside from that, however, the features you choose should depend on your individual needs, Epplett says. For example, a runner who pronates (that is, rotates inward on the foot when striding) might want to invest in a shoe with motion control, which is a firmness in the arch area that helps keep feet in proper alignment. So assess which shoe best suits you, and spend only as much as is necessary.

		© Ragnar Torfason 2006 April 7