Marathon Sports. That's really all you need to know.

(you meaning crs, that is :-)

on mass ave between porter and harvard, closer to harvard (on the right side of the street when approaching hardvard from porter)

I don't exactly remember your feet, but all the men I know who have wider feet love New Balance, and for narrower feet love Nikes.

Each shoe brand is designed for a different profile foot. (For example, I have narrow heels, but not narrow feet in general, so Saucony is a great shoe for me because that's how their shoes tend to run.) If you were happy with Nike's before, I would start looking there. (Once, I read a whole review of which brands fit best for which shaped feet, but it's lost in the sands of time.)

Another thing to consider- if you are planning to do a lot of running/walking/exercise, you may want to consider replacing the cheapo insoles that come in the shoe with real insoles you purchase. (This can also be a way to extend the life of your shoes, since you can just replace the insoles if the shoes are otherwise happy.) If you will want to do this, be sure to check the shoes with the insoles replaced. The extra height of the insoles may make the shoes too snug vertically for some designs.

I must throw in another vote for marathon sports. They can tell you things about the shoes that go beyond fit. They are really helpful, but I recommend trying to go when they aren't too crowded. (Since folks are starting to outfit themselves for the marathon, you might find the store full of intimidating people. Don't be intimidated.)

In terms of not regretting the price, if a $150 pair of shoes lasts one year, that's less than 50 cents a day. Ask yourself, "Would I spend 50 cents to make my feet happy all day today? Would I do the same tomorrow?"

Though notice that crs didn't say that the shoes lasted for ten years, only that they were the best ones he has had in that time period.

Others rec. Marathon Sports to me -- I had a great experience there last summer. I got away with $90 running shoes, and very happy feet, knees, AND hips.

See some discussion starting here, if you like.

I walk a ton, but never run, so I can't help with that. But the shoes I buy are roughly C$100, and I go through a pair every nine months at least. It's very annyoing that my feet feel most comfortable in Hush Puppies, since they're badly made!

A while ago I worked out my commuting costs; at least for the shoes, I think it was something like C$.30/mile.

Good luck!

I recommend Brooks running shoes. Marathon Sports carries some of them. They are *really* awesome. I bought a pair recently and it feels like I am running on clouds now, when I run.

When you try out shoes, when you find the right pair of sneakers, you will Just Know.

If you decide to go the New Balance route, there is an outlet over in Brighton where you can get shoes at a substantial discount. I'm do for a new pair myself; you're welcome to come along when I go. :)