Can Good Shoes also be Cheap Shoes?

Last night I watch a television news program in which one segment was about a National Basketball Association player decided to buck the trend and make quality shoes for $15.98. The show told how shoe companies were gouging teens and others by selling high priced footwear. We have seen the ads – shoes that are endorsed by Michael Jordan and others, which sell for outrageous prices. I am sorry but I don’t remember the player’s name. But I do remember that he wanted to make affordable shoes that teens would buy, that were the style and designs they wanted, were of good quality, and sold for 15.98.
     The show also showed a footwear expert, cutting his shoes in half and comparing them to competitor shoes—which sold for 10 times more. He stated that there was no real difference in the shoes. Here is a picture of the Jordan Men’s XX2 shoe. The cost? Are you sitting down? It’s $174.99!  That’s 11 times more expensive then the new $15.98 shoes that teens are buying off the shelves like crazy. And, of course, parents are happy their teens and kids are satisfied with the new less expensive shoes.
     So, you tell me, can you tell the difference in expensive versus inexpensive shoes? Have you tried inexpensive shoes? Or do you gravitate to the more expensive shoes because you just “know” they are better? And, if you saw the show, do you remember the player’s name?
     I won’t give away my bias in hopes some readers will share their experiences. Let me hear from you.