These shoes are top notch quality. They have excellent cushioning that is built into the shoe and not thru a cheap sock liner like Nike does.

I have some serious problems with plantar fasciitis or as some call it fallen arches. I also wear custom orthotics. I wear my orthotics in these shoes & they are about the only ones that I can wear that keeps me pain free. These shoes have just the right balance between support & cushioning. They have a nice soft cushioned footbed under the sock liner, so that when I take the sock liner out, my orthotic does not sit on a rough hard piece of canvas like you see in shoes like Nike that are very expensive yet cheaply made.

The gel cushioning in the sole of the shoe is where the real cushioning comes in. It makes it easier to stand on concrete all day without my feet & back hurting. I've worn Brooks Trance shoes for about 5 years & can't see buying anything else now. I wore Asics for about 12 years & thought they were great until their wild colors caught on with the kids back in the 90's & Asics tried selling quantity over quality. I tried Asics best gel Kayano's last year and after 2 weeks my feet were hurting badly.

Brooks Trance are the best balance of support & cushioning on the market. Yes they're expensive but you get what you pay for. If you have problems with your feet like I do, try a pair, you'll never turn back.