LOLZLetter 323 | Are Runners Buying Too Much Stuff?

May 05, 2025

Welcome,

Are Runners Buying Too Much Stuff?

I felt this way for a while and if you follow me on instagram, you know I've been getting rid of a lot of stuff. It’s hard to ignore the fact that running...a sport known for being simple...is now saturated with gear, gadgets, and trends. The same sport that once just needed a pair of sneakers and an open road has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry. From carbon-plated shoes to smart watches to daily recovery tools, runners have more stuff than ever before. Recently, there is an influx of new carbon plated shoes that are $300 or more and that is only going to become more common.

But it begs the question: Are runners buying too much stuff?

I think in general most people are buying too much stuff but let’s talk about it.

The Simplicity of Running...Gone?

Running has always had that “low barrier to entry” appeal. In theory, all you need is a decent pair of shoes. (Although if you live in the US, expect running shoes to increase in price after the tariffs). The new Brooks Ghost 17 is now $150...

But the modern running scene has turned into a gear-heavy, tech-driven world of endless options. Shoes alone are no longer just shoes. There are trainers, racing shoes, tempo shoes, recovery shoes, and trail shoes...often from the same brand and within the same model line. There is the Saucony Endorphin Speed, Pro, Trainer, Elite...).

Runners are no longer asking, “Do I have the right shoes?” They’re asking, “Do I need the daily trainer version 2 for this loop and the carbon-plated speed version for my weekend long run?”

And the answer is usually: “Yes. And maybe grab the recovery slides while you’re at it.”

Why Are Runners Buying So Much?

The running industry has learned how to market well...really well. Between flashy social media ads, influencer unboxings, and pro-athlete endorsements, the fear of missing out is real. I felt this way with the launch of the new carbon plated Puma shoe.

Brands launch new versions of the same product multiple times a year, and the messaging is always the same: this is lighter, faster, more efficient, the best ever. Is last years version not good? Of course it is, it was the best just a few months ago.

Add in the rise of online running communities and the pressure to stay up to date becomes even more intense. It’s not just about performance anymore. It’s about aesthetics, trends, and being part of the crowd. Matching kits, limited-edition colorways, new watch updates...you name it, someone out there is collecting it like Pokémon cards.

Now, many brands use the scarcity tactic. Brands like Bandit are doing limited drops that you need to be online at X time to even have a chance of buying a piece of their gear. Gear you probably don't need, but who doesn't want exclusive gear.

And spoiler: those tactics are working.

Shoe Rotation Overload

One of the biggest culprits in running consumerism? The overstuffed shoe rotation. Sure, rotating shoes can reduce injury risk and help shoes last longer, but some runners now have full-on shoe closets. Daily trainer, speed day shoe, long run shoe, short run shoe, soft recovery shoe, trail shoe, treadmill shoe. And that’s before we even get into color preferences. I personally know of people (and no shade) that have a different colors of the exact same shoe to match outfits. And hey, that's there prerogative but you don't need it.

The line between “helpful variety” and “total excess” has gotten blurry. The truth is, most runners could train just fine in one or two pairs of shoes...but that’s not the message they’re hearing.

How many running shoes do you need? Just one. But if you are looking to hit your potential, you will likely benefit with a workout and race shoe, and then a daily trainer. That's it. I wrote about that in my ebook.

Tech Dependency

We also can’t talk about consumerism in running without bringing up the explosion of wearable tech. GPS watches went from a luxury item to something many runners now feel they need to train “correctly.” I remember seeing my first Garmin watch in 2010, but it was not the norm. Now? Heart rate monitors, stride pods, power meters, smart rings...some runners are tracking more data than a lab experiment. (and truthfully, your GPS product may have all that but how many people are using all of that??)

And while these tools can be helpful, they can also become a crutch. There’s nothing wrong with using tech to improve training, but when your watch dies and you cancel your run? That’s when we’ve got a problem. I encourage people to do a once a week run without their watch. I guarantee you don't need the amount of data you think you do. Ask my dad who has been running successfully for years and never owned a GPS watch. ;)

Recovery Products Galore

Finally, probably the biggest change in the last 10 years is the recovery gear market. From having multiple foam rollers and massage guns to purchasing an entire sauna. If you’re not recovering with a $600 massage gun, are you even trying? Recovery culture has also exploded, with tools ranging from compression boots to anti-inflammatory supplements to cryotherapy sessions. Again, some of it is great. But a lot of it is overpriced and unnecessary.

Most runners would benefit more from consistent sleep, hydration, and nutrition than they would from the latest “recovery innovation.”

But let’s be honest...those don’t make good Instagram posts.

So... Are Runners Buying Too Much Stuff?

Short answer: probably.

Longer answer: the rise in consumerism in the running industry isn’t all bad. It shows that the sport is growing, and more people are excited to participate. New shoes and tools can help keep training fresh and exciting. For runners who love geeking out over gear, it's a form of motivation. But there’s a point where it turns into noise.

Buying new things doesn’t automatically make us better runners. Consistency, smart training, and good recovery habits do. You can PR in an outdated shoe if you’ve put in the work. You can progress without the latest tech if you listen to your body. You don’t need every new product to prove that you take the sport seriously.

If you’re asking yourself, are runners buying too much stuff?, it might be time to step back and evaluate your own habits. Keep in mind, this newsletter was inspired by my own accumulation of stuff so I understand.

Are you buying gear because it fills a training need or because everyone else is doing it? Are you feeling pressure to keep up, or are you buying because it genuinely helps your performance and joy?

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need All of It

If you love trying new gear, cool. There’s nothing wrong with being excited about what’s new. But you don’t need the newest shoe drop, the trendiest recovery tool, or the fanciest watch to enjoy running or to improve at it.

Before buying something, ask yourself:

Will I actually use this consistently?
Is this replacing something that still works? Do you have a running shoe that fulfills this role already?
Am I buying this because I saw someone else use it...or because it fills a need in my running?

The running industry isn’t going to stop marketing to you. There will always be a new “must-have.” But you get to decide what’s truly necessary and what’s just clutter. At the end of the day, it’s still just you and the run and that’s more than enough.