The Great Shoe Quest

Shoes. It seems I am destined to quickly destroy every pair I ever buy. I haven't been able to make a pair of shoes survive more than a year for a very long time. I've tried cheap brands (Dr. Scholl's), name brands (Reebok, New Balance), pricey brands with decent reputations (Columbia, Timberland), and unusual brands (SWAT). I've gone to Mom & Pop shoe stores, sporting goods stores, big box stores, shoe chains, mail order, and thrift stores. (Actually almost my entire wardrobe is thrift at this point, but shoes are a tough one...)

Here's what I want:
- A comfortable "cross-trainer" type shoe with good arch support
- Something that will put up with some abuse and last a long time

Actually, that's it. That's the whole list.

I am willing to pay a premium for a good shoe, within reason. But when I have in the past, it hasn't panned out.

Today I found a fairly comfortable pair of shoes (Asics) that the proprietor swore was just the thing for me. But besides being butt-ugly, they were a hundred bucks. If I was sure they really were just the thing, I'd consider investing that kind of money in a shoe. But it feels like a gamble, especially when money is tight.

Then I tried another retailer in town (I should say "the other"), and while the lone employee wasn't especially helpful, I thought I found one (Reebok, I think?) that I'd be willing to try since it fit well and was under $40. Only, of course, they didn't have it in my size.

So I gave up and went home.

Got any recommendations?

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