The only shoe brands that are close in size to Nike are Converse and Jordan. Proudly made in the USA, the New Balance 587 is a supportive running shoe that blends premium cushioning with stability.
He said they were comfortable and soft, so judging from his reaction, I believe the Asics gel Kayano running customize air force 1 High casual shoes are a good brand. Asics Nimbus 11 offers gender-specific cushioning.