Everyone has different foot mechanics (over-pronation, under pronation and "normal") high arch, normal arch, flat arch etc), so one shoe might be great for you and not for the next person. It's not so much the brand as it is the "type" of shoe. I am a runner, but this applies to walking shoes as well.
Here is a great link that explains all this and helps you pick out good shoes for "your" foot type.
Shoe Dog: Running Shoes Guide, Shoes Finder, Picking Running Shoes at Road Runner Sports
Just click on the
Shoe Dog and it walks you through the types and how to pic out a shoe.
The best way imo, to find a great fitting shoe for someone who is a power walker, runner or hiker, or fitness walker, is to go to a small "specialty" running store (not a chain like footlocker
).
The small stores actually have people that know foot mechanics and will watch and or video tape you walk, or run on a treadmill and suggest the correct type of shoe fit for you. It is worth it do go this route, it really is!
Also, shoes generally (general statement, depends on body weight and type of terrain) last about 300- 500 miles and then they lose their support on the inside before you see much wear on the outside (soles, etc). Usually, if you see a lot of wear on your soles, the shoes have already ended their life span as far as proper support.
I am not an expert,
but have been running 10 years and learned quite a bit about this through my own trials and tribulations with injuries and successes and doctors and running specialists
My own running shoes get replaced every 350 miles because that is when I can start to feel the aches from the lack of proper support.