About a year ago one of my fitness magazines rated the best shoes for running, walking, tennis, aerobics etc.

The Ryka N-Gage was the best for studio aerobics but also was noted that it crosses over well for other workouts so, seeing as how I do lots of cardio and strength training but also run and walk outside sometimes, I decided to buy some.

Because I always "splurge for the best" when it comes to fitness and kitchen gadgets, I decided this fitness gadget's "instructor n-gage" MUST be even better. It was more expensive but also great for aerobics. I bought a pair and loved em...

BUT...Recently I read ANOTHER rating of shoes and again it rated the N-Gage the best BUT again it never mentioned the "N-Gage instructor" so I wondered if in some wild freak of nature, the less expensive version (this one) WAS better. Just regular N-Gage, but not the instructor version

So, although my other "Instructor" pair was still in good shape, I wanted to have one pair for the car and at work for lunch workouts anyway and one pair at home for fitness dvds and the elliptical...so I bought THIS pair.

And I DO like it better! Which, personally, I didn't think was possible.

While it still has great ankle support, it allows for more movement needed for squats, lunges etc, it grips the floor when needed but also slides smoothly for quick aerobic moves (the other pair did this too), it is very cushioned around the top to avoid blisters and it is well vented (rather than SOLID leather) to allow for breathing during those sweaty routines. The other pair didn't allow for good movement foreward at the ankle in some cases and this one offers support without limitations.

The greatest thing about the Ryka NGage shoes for cardio routines is that, where other shoes allow good support and cushioning at the HEEL because that's where you strike during running and walking and many sports, the N-Gage recognizes studio routines also mean you often use the BALL of your foot and so this no longer wears out quickly like it does with other shoes I've had that were 3 times the price. They put cushioning here as well but the sole is also built to last at the BALL AND the heel.

I really don't have any negatives I can list...great cross training shoe and it continues to be the one I see recommended especially for studio and aerobic workouts.

So...in this case the more expensive one, in my opinion is not better. This version beats all, including the uber expensive pair of New Balance I had before I bought these.