I totally agree. I remember during the "recession we had to...

I totally agree. I remember during the "recession we had to have", most people I knew still bought brand name articles. You can't substitute quality. I wore a pair of hushpuppies (YES hushpuppies) trecking through Europe and I am still wearing them. Quality not only has durability, but also appeal. Put it this way, I am not going to buy a pair of shitty shoes, that will wear out faster and be more uncomfortable to save 30 bucks - and I am sure that I am not alone in this.