I thought I was nuts the first time I spend $200 on a pair of Dominators, but it let me extend my rides past 35 miles or so without developine hotfoot. I wore that pair out walking hills in Kentucky on tour, and replaced them six years ago. The replacement pair has something like 35,000-40,000 miles on them, and they're still going strong. That's included rides of up to 250 miles (aka 400 km brevet) and a bunch of centuries, 200km, and a couple weeks of tours.

If you can't afford them, don't worry about it. If you can afford them, and if they fit, you will have discovered another high-end bit of cycling kit that's worth every penny.