i was pondering this this morning as i was doing surgeries. there are some instruments where i have to have good quality, like my needle holders, they need to be tungsten carbide, i hate cheap needle holders. but mosquito hemostats, hell the $1.50 pair works as well as the $20 pair. my thoughts on shoes is that as long as they are flat, they are going to work, after that it is personal preference. some might like the speciality shoes while others of us are content with anything with a flat sole. i have to have gold handled needle holders where my ex employer years ago didnt mind working with the cheapest pair she could find. i am fine squating and pulling in chucks where you might find that you prefer a shoe made for lifting.
let us know how it compares.