Run Free or Die

Paying over $100 for running shoes? STOP wasting your money

Gosh darn it, If I hear one more person say give me your most expensive shoe - I'm gonna run an ultra - barefoot over a bed of coals.  Really now.  People have become so programmed to think that more is better and that the more you spend than the better the product should be.. For running shoes this is utter nonsense.

So what gives?? my view - any amount you pay over $100 for running shoes is simply not worth it. - they are NOT ANY BETTER... They don't make your run any better - Here's why.

1) They don't perform any better.. They just have more technical LOOKING gizmos on them

2) They don't LAST any longer - you know I am right on this one

3) They dont COST ANY MORE to produce - not really. 

4) The most expensive design might be the worst type of shoe for your foot or running style.

5) Last years "technical" breakthrough is available for 35% less and works just fine.

Why do they cost more..? Well take it from one person who has developed "expensive" shoes. Marketeer simply add more technical looking stuff on the upper, or more colors to the outsole or more "gadgets" to the midsole.  Do they work any better.? Judge for yourself.  Ask 100 serious runners, you know the ones that place in most races and what do they buy..??  99% of them buy shoes that are $70-$90 bucks.. (Heck I did this same survey last year).  Ps there are hundreds of thousands of runners happily running in 5-10 year old models everywhere.

So why do the charge the high prices...

1) Cause some people believe that they are better, they believe the market hype and buy em.

2) Makes a great cash flow for all that advertising you ignore

3) Lot's of non-runners just don't know any better

4) Cause people keep buying them..

Your thoughts.. Ever bought an expensive running shoe that ended up as you LAWNMOWING shoes..??

Running Shoes - Better today than yesterday? NOT

Running shoe marketeers would have you believe that every year there is some great new design or technology that is so far superior that you must run out to buy the latest pair and pay mucho buckos for em..  . . . . . . .NOT. No Way.. Don't trip over your laces as it just aint so > . . . . . In my opinion here is the real scoop.

The fact is, running shoes have improved only slightly over the last 15-20 years.

Barefoot facts:

A) My running shoes dont last any longer - 300-500 miles... do yours???

B) The basic cushioning ingredients are really the same.  (EVA in many forms)

C) The basic outsole materials are pretty much the same. (Carbon rubber or Blown rubber)

D) The basics reason runners buy a shoe remains the same.. Because it FITS THEIR FOOT and it works for them..

The Sneakerhead guy says: Just like 15-20 years ago, running shoes last just about 300-500 miles.  If the technology is so much better, why do we have to keep on replacing them..??   It's because the outsole wears out, or the midsole bottoms out, or they just get too darn stinky. 

Most running shoes are made using the exact same manufacturing process as ever.  Stitch an upper together and glue on a midsole/outsole.  Not much new there.  (Granted the upper and trim materials are now synthetic and do dry out faster and don't shrink as much.)

RE-Inventing the Wheel - Lets make it ROUND this time?

The stuff that protects your feet from the road - the cushioning material still is some type of that hard to pronounce stuff  - It's called EVA, a foam pioneered in the 70's and 80's.  Yes we know every company has to re-invent EVA - but lets be honest shall we.  As long as the shoe fits right, Runners can't really don't care what you call it. as long as it works and they don't get hurt. So it begs the question if the shoes aren't lasting any longer, how can the cushioning be better? ? ? ? ?

What do you think..? / / /???