I have never been into sneakers...in 1989 I wanted Jordans but they cost $120 at the time and I was only 9 and my parents said no. They insisted that they weren't any better than "Fives" (generic shoes we would get at Big 5) other than better marketing. My parents were well off (dentist, real estate appriaser) but they were big on saving and living frugally. Now that I can basically buy anything I want, I still get the cheapest shoes I can find.