FWIW, I've found that Mephistos are totally worth the somewhat heart-stopping price -- my particular favorites have gotten me through multiple Parisian walking days without a blister or pain (http://www.zappos.com/mephisto-celka-black-croco). Sadly, they spend more time racing from terminal to terminal in DFW but they work beautifully for both casual and work.

If anyone is curious, they're significantly less expensive in France and you can sometimes get them at a great discount from Sierra Trading Post.