FEET DIDN'T FAIL THEM: "EXTRA" CONDUCTS GREAT SNEAKER TEST

          "Extra" featured the "Great Sneaker Test" to determine
     whether more expensive shoes were more comfortable and
     better constructed than less expensive ones.  Correspondent
     Gina Silva: "Are we really paying for a better tennis shoe
     or is it just a better image?"  Shoes tested: $150 Nike Air
     Max, $69 adidas Galaxy, $20 generic pair, $150 Nike Air
     Jordan, $40 Converse Chuck Taylor.  The shoes were taken to
     MA-based Merchandise Testing Laboratories (MTS) and tested
     in four categories: shock absorbency; skid resistance; sole-
     wearing test and bonding durability.  MTS Manager Heather
     Webb: "All the shoes were good.  They passed the minimum
     standards.  They demonstrated equal performance."  Silva:
     "All five tested passed with flying colors.  Not one tested
     dramatically different from the other" ("Extra," 2/25).