I had been wearing New Balance shoes for 20 years. I am a large guy weighing 260lbs and have back problems. I also tore a ligament in my foot and my doctor suggested trying better shoes. I have always thought New Balance were great shoes until my doctor told me otherwise.  So I talked to some of my old friends from high school that were on the track team and still enjoyed running. They all suggested trying Brooks, Saucony, or Asics. So I did what every other sane person would do, I ordered $1200 dollars worth of shoes or 8 pairs from Zappos.com.  All brands I had never tried before. I ended up keeping a pair of Brooks Dyad 4 and a pair of Asics Gel Nimbus 11's. I had been buying New Balance shoes for $35-$80 a pair almost my whole adult life. Man my feet didn't know what they were missing. I bought a set of Brooks Beast and another set of Brooks Dyads. All of these have been more comfortable then the last. Finally I recently bought a pair of the Brooks Addiction Walkers and for the first time that I can remember in years I came home from work and was getting ready for bed. I was just about to take my normal sleeping pills and pain pills when I realized I had absolutely no lower back pain. I had been wearing the Brooks Addictions all day and did not even noticed how much they helped my lower back pain. So I bought a second set (these brown ones) to go with the all white ones I already own. I work in the movie industry and stand on my feet 12-18 hrs a day. I started switching my shoes up and paying more attention to my back pain every day. I switched shoes every day of the week between a set of Merrels, Keens,Sketchers,Brooks Beast, and Brooks Addiction Walkers. Every day I wore the Addiction absolutely no lower back pain. Every other shoe I wore during that time frame, when I got home I had some lower back pain. These shoes fit me perfectly and are the most comfortable shoe that have ever been on my feet.