The running shoes war

There are hundreds of running shoes models and new ones for each season. It is like fashion, you need to follow the trend. Runners are recommended to change shoes every 400 miles so at least 2 to 3 times a year for a normal runner.

So for the choices, there are the minimalists, the cushioned shoes and the Newton. The minimalists are the big trend lately. I love them, have 3 pairs, but I personally do not rely on them for my long runs. Each specialist goes with his own advice. Some believe the cushioned shoes are better for injuries prevention, others believe the contrary. Then there are the Newton which makes you land on your forefoot. Some again believe this is a revolution, some research are also showing that it is not necessarily improving.

What is interesting in all this is that you can really watch a battle going on between the brands. Runner’s World is publishing a user guide each season and speaking about shoes is always a big topic.

The foot being the base for a runner, I do understand the importance of the subject. At least it makes it tricky for us to choose which pair of shoes to pick and makes it even trickier that when you found them, there is a new model coming up.

RoadRunner Sports understood this and based most of his strategy on it. First of all when you enter for the first time in their store, they offer you a free running diagnosis. You jump on a treadmill, you run, they analyze your foot and they create custom soles for you. Of course they then direct you to buy a new pair of shoes that fits with your running type. I tried this but I am not convinced by their soles at all.

Now the wonderful part is that when you go to register, they offer you to become VIP for a small price and what it means is that you have 90 days to try your new shoes on and return them if they do not fit. No matter how much you soiled them. You can run under the rain, in the mud and still return them. You can then choose another one. In addition you will get 10% off all your purchases and an extra 25% on any second, third and following products you will buy. Wonderful! The risk you are taking buying your new pair of shoes is then minimum. I believe this is a great loyalty system.

So now the new season of shoes is coming. Asics will launch their Nimbus 14 in April, Brooks just launched their last Pure Project model. New models, new colors, you want to have always more and spend always more. Who is going to seduce you this time? Who will make you dream that you will realize your best PR this summer? Who will offer you this sensation that you are invincible? Pick yours…