Since I was very happy with black and white pairs of New Balance's 575 leather walking shoe, I thought these would be a good replacement. The 576 looks very much like the 575.  But I was wrong!

I bought black 576s in 2008 shortly after I started a new job where I had to stand 20-25 hours per week on thinly carpeted concrete. The new 576s were not as comfortable as my 575s which were either 2 or 3 years old at that time.

So I put the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Sole-Unisex-Dean-Karnazes-Signature-Edition-Insole/dp/B001N0LF96/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Sole Unisex Dean Karnazes Signature Edition Insole</a>&nbsp;into my old 575 shoes and have continued with them in my shoe rotation -- I try never to wear the same pair of shoes or insoles two days in a row. The 576s have been in the back of my closet and look brand new.

Last night I tried my newest Karnazes insole in the 576 for 4 hours of work and my feet hurt, particularly in the ball of my right foot. This is what happened when I wore them a couple of  years ago. They seem too stiff and inflexible. Yes, I have high arches and I know that stiff, inflexible shoes are not recommended for feet with high arches, but my 575s never seemed stiff or inflexible, even when new.

Perhaps I just got a dud pair or possibly they are knockoffs, but I thought I bought them from a reputable source. I just called the New Balance 800 number for advice. They said the 575, 576 and 577 have the same features, including the SL-2 last.

I suppose I will try some&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/New-Balance-Women-s-WW577-Walking-Shoe/dp/B003UHUL3G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">New Balance Women's WW577 Walking Shoe</a>s. But I can't test the suitability of any shoe for my working conditions w/o wearing them for a full shift -- then I can't return the shoe. Very frustrating. I know I need new shoes but in this economy, my budget can't afford another mistake.