Avia Women’s PR4790 Performance Running Sneakers

I used to be a total "shoe snob." Seriously, I would only buy the most expensive running shoes—usually the top-of-the-line New Balance models or Hokas. I assumed that if they cost more, they had to be better. About a year ago, I bought a pair of Hokas that cost over $200, and I couldn't believe how disappointed I was. They felt cheaply made, had almost no support, and simply weren't worth the price. I remember thinking, "There's no way I'm paying this much for a pair of shoes like these." I sent them back and decided it was time to try other brands. My plan was simple: I'd wear each pair for a day, return the ones I didn't like, and keep searching until I found something that performed just as well for less money. To my surprise, I ended up trying Avia shoes. After adding my own arch supports (orthotics), they were every bit as comfortable as the expensive shoes I'd been buying for years. I honestly couldn't believe it. Looking back, I feel like I wasted a lot of money over the years. My knees don't start bothering me until I've put a lot of miles on my shoes, and that happens with expensive brands too. The Avias may wear out a little sooner, but considering the price, they're an incredible value. In a way, I'm actually glad Hoka charged so much for that disappointing pair because it pushed me to look elsewhere. If you compare my Avias and my Hokas side by side—with my own orthotics in both—I honestly don't notice a difference. Therefore, it's impossible for me to justify spending three times as much. In my opinion, if you wear orthotics or custom insoles, they matter far more than the brand of shoe. I wear my orthotics in every pair of running shoes I own, including the expensive ones. What I'm saying is that the shoe itself often isn't nearly as important as having a good orthotic with good arch support. WITHOUT A DOUBT, THESE SHOES ARE COMPARABLE TO MANY OF THE EXPENSIVE BRANDS I'VE WORN OVER THE YEARS. For more than 20 years, I rarely ran fewer than eight miles a day, even after completing a marathon. I've run marathons in 12 different countries, in addition to many throughout the United States. I'm older now, so I don't run quite as much, but I still love running, and these shoes have made it even more enjoyable—all without emptying my wallet.

I was a bit shocked to see the SRP on these sneakers because I expected them to be at least $30 than they are. These shoes are very comfortable right out of the box. They are more lightweight than other sneakers I would, which I assume is by design for as a good walking shoe. They feel like clouds on and I enjoy the bit of bounce I get while walking. The laces are very secure, I've had no issues with them coming undone. Easy to adjust. So far the only con of note is sometimes I hear a small squeak, but for the price I can overlook that. Great quality for the price. I will definitely take these with me on trips requiring lots of walking.