India, June 8 -- I have flat feet. Not the cute, quirky kind of flat feet that people casually mention and move on from. I have the kind that makes every shoe eventually give up and lean inward like it is tired of supporting me. If you looked at my old sneakers or sandals, you would immediately spot the problem. The soles always wear out unevenly, the sides start collapsing inward, and before long, my feet are aching. Add overpronation to the mix, and long walks can quickly turn into a very annoying reminder that not all shoes are built the same.

For years, I bought sneakers the way most of us do. If they looked good, felt comfortable for five minutes in a store and came with a decent discount, they came home with me. A few weeks later, ...